Mid week topic

[guest7]

Here in the capital city of Wales (that's Cardiff if you didn't know  ) we are about to lose our last dealer stocking the 'big four' of Japanese manufacturers. That's right, if you live here you will no longer be able to buy a Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha or Kawasaki in this city.

I have mixed feelings about this. Yes it's nice to be able to go down to a parts desk to order your spares, but I'm not sure that your local dealership is what it used to be with an increased emphasis on corporate bollocks and a slide towards car showroom 'standards'.

In an internet age does this matter? Don't we all do our shopping on-line? There's the sticky issue of how do you test-ride a bike, but surely the bike journalists do this job for us? (I nearly died laughing as I wrote that, the journos are mostly shite and sportsbike-obsessed aren't they).

Should I be concerned that all you can buy new in this city now is Triumph, BMW, Harley and Ducati?

GC

[Mark]

A new Harley.........where?

[themoudie]

MMMmmmmm!

Friend went to the local BMW dealer for a 'looksee' at the 1300GT thingy. Don't ask, I don't know why! Rang the dealer afore hand and was told they had two in stock. Drove 25 miles and introduced himself to the sales person 

Sales, "Yes, we have two."

Friend, "May I have a look at them please? I don't have any riding gear with me, but would just like to view and sit on the bike."

Sales, "Well one is still crated and awaiting assembly and the other is our road test machine and isn't here at the showroom, but I'll go and get it for you to look at. I'll be about 5 minutes."

Twenty minutes later the sales person reappears, "I'm very sorry Sir, the last test rider locked the bike and pocketed the keys, so we can't move it! Is there anything I can help you with?"

Friend, "Well could you tell me the price for the basic model, please?"

Sales, "Thirteen thousand pounds, Sir. But of course none of our clients purchase the basic model, they all purchase the fully spec'd machine."

Friend, "And how much might that be?"

Sales, "Well nobody usually worries about that, but it's at least fifteen thousand pounds."

Friend, "Oh well, there is no need for you to waste my time any longer then!" 

Says it all, about where motorcycling is/has gone. 

Cheery bye, Bill.

[Richard]

Yup.

[Andy M]

They lost the plot when they stopped test rides IMHO. What's the point of treking across town to look at a bike when that's all you can do. It's even worse when trying to buy a Tenere off "Superbikes R us" and they just don't get why you'd ask about range or service intervals (Eg. Harley who would have sold me a Sporster if the salesman had shut up before "closed season/stuff for the petrol/upgrade to a big bike/tassled jackets"). If you look at pictures online and get opinions online why not buy online.

The only thing keeping these places open is the legalised mugging that's the MOT and blokes who do have 20-grand and a wish to be fawned over by some slimy salesperson (who'll have their revenge once you're hooked and can drop in lines like "Ooh a Honda, Vvvvery hard for us sell on Sssssir, 'fraid we can only offer you a free coffee while we take it away and wait for your K1900GTLTXTGS to go out of warranty, I mean be delivered" when part-X gets started). Those of us who go through the MOT antics are happier with back street garages as we'd rather have a half fair test and a good mechanic.

Good riddance to bad rubbish in a lot of cases IMHO. I think there will be a kickback though. The banks are going the same way. Fewer branches (most done online) but a few places you can get real help when you need it (and are prepared to pay and travel). I'd expect the likes of Honda to open a super dealers at Swindon (or Brooklands as I believe BMW Cars do ?) with a closed area for test rides and every model available to those who book, or a mobile set up that'll visit events.

Andy

[guest868]

I've had mixed dealings with dealers, some have been very helpful ala my local Yam and Honda dealer, others (mainly Cardiff based) have been utterly rude wankers.
I try and use the smaller independent shops where possible, but they are going away slowly but surely as well. Sad times. The thing is, it's paralleled in the mainstream world of retail. The reason why it's going that way is because the vast majority of the populace want it that way, and companies have to develop a business model to react to that.

[Dave#22]

Hi #1, I thought the capital city of Wales was Liverpool.....or is that just North Wales?
   Dave

[JOOLZ]

A lot of big bike dealers round here have closed recently, leaving a few flash dealers, who know the sales pitch but havnt a clue about motorcycles. What upset me most are the number of bike breakers that have closed since I started motorcycling. There were around 10 within a 40 mile radius when I was in my 20s now there is only 1. Online is ok if you know what you want, but gone are the days when the owner said have a rummage round and see what fits

[guest7]

...but gone are the days when the owner said have a rummage round and see what fits

Oh I don't know, the proprieter of my favourite shop, "Big dresses for Ladies" still says that 


GC

[guest7]

Hi #1, I thought the capital city of Wales was Liverpool.....or is that just North Wales?
   Dave

We have lots of capitals.

The Capital city of Welsh drugs is Rhyl.


The Capital city of drunken women in very little clothing and cross-dressing cage fighters is Swansea.


GC

[beeman]

Here in sheffield we seem to be lucky as the local yam/suzuki/ducati shop is happy to let you take a test ride if a bike is available. Most of the sales staff are motorcyclists and even the coffe bar outside is manned by bikers. Jan who runs it has had a yam 600 lowered so much my srx towers over it. (she is only 5 ft tall).
It is easy to paint all big dealers with the same brush and I have been in some where because I am not the typical bike buyer I have been ignored, etc. but I have been in small shops and had the same experience!
I think a good shop trys to build up a long term relationship with their customers.

A simular thing happens where I play Golf( dont laugh) the pro at the shop was happy for me to try the latest clubs, even though he knew I didnt have any money but over the next 3-4 years I have built up a nearly complete set. Every time I go to buy he always lets me try them out first. Result is I am happy to buy as there is no pressure and the advice appears free and has guided me to the suitable clubs not the most fashionable ones.

If all bike shops were like that then we would have far fewer complaints.
beeman

[guest7]

To be honest I am pretty much outside the demographic target that dealers are looking for... I've got no money for a new bike and I'm not interested in changing my bike for fashion's sake. However it was nice to be able to saunter into a dealership, have some banter with the staff and be left alone with the parts 'fiche to find my own parts. I suspect that sort of interaction is a rarity now.

GC

[guest564]

What upset me most are the number of bike breakers that have closed since I started motorcycling. There were around 10 within a 40 mile radius when I was in my 20s now there is only 1. Online is ok if you know what you want, but gone are the days when the owner said have a rummage round and see what fits

This is the problem I have, I want some bits that I can adapt to fit my XBR single cylinder racer. Back in the old days I would go and rummage through the stock of brake discs or whatever with a ruler or a set of verniers and pick something that I could make fit. Now I can't find anywhere near High Wycombe, where do all the write offs and old bikes go? I'm sure that the insurance companies must still sell them to someone.

[guest27]

My mate popped over from Hastings the other weekend - if you can pop from Hastings to South Wales that it.  He was on the Triumph Sprint 1050 GT test bike.  Asked for a test ride and was given the bike for 24 hours, was going to be late back - was told not to worry.

His 1050GT is on order.

Cant do that on the internet

Oh and if I had the money my 1050GT would also be on order - it is a peach of a bike

R

[guest7]

A new Harley.........where?

Well... Riders Cardiff is not 'actually' a new Harley dealership (from what I understand), but they do seem to have some big V-twin lumps on the showroom floor.


Perhaps Jethro can confirm?

GC