Stealership?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,047
Likes: 19,174
From: The Wasteland
I have a friend that does almost all of my work that I cant do myself. He's an indy and has been working on HDs longer than a lot of us have been alive. He does good work but he can be slow, he works at his pace no matter the job and he charges far less than the dealerships hourly rate.
I have used local dealerships a few times, mainly Iron Valley HD. They have an "express lane" for things like state inspections, oil changes, tires, and other things that take an hour or less to do. However they are expensive compared to my indy. Last summer I took my front wheel off and took it in to them for a tire change. I bought the tire at another place and brought it to them, I pulled the wheel off. All they did was mount and balance it. Cost me over $50.
So yeah, if Im in a hurry and its a small job that I cant do I'll take it to a dealer. But the prices they charge really do make it feel like they are stealing sometimes so I can see why some people call them Stealerships.
I have used local dealerships a few times, mainly Iron Valley HD. They have an "express lane" for things like state inspections, oil changes, tires, and other things that take an hour or less to do. However they are expensive compared to my indy. Last summer I took my front wheel off and took it in to them for a tire change. I bought the tire at another place and brought it to them, I pulled the wheel off. All they did was mount and balance it. Cost me over $50.
So yeah, if Im in a hurry and its a small job that I cant do I'll take it to a dealer. But the prices they charge really do make it feel like they are stealing sometimes so I can see why some people call them Stealerships.
I have no problems supporting the service department at the dealer, but I do have one I will not go back to, and one three times the distance from me I'd buy a bike from and get service done.
I do my own work in my shop and only the special things I don't have time for or I'm not capable of doing, will go there.
Glad you had a good experience.
I do my own work in my shop and only the special things I don't have time for or I'm not capable of doing, will go there.
Glad you had a good experience.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 412
From: Studio City, CA via Rochester, NY
I also don't understand the term. They name a price and we can either accept or reject it...they aren't stealing anything. In my experience, I've been loyal to the same dealership for 20 years, and that's for one reason...they've earned that loyalty.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 750
Likes: 200
From: WNY
You're in Cali now? Or Rochester?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,047
Likes: 19,174
From: The Wasteland
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 6,630
From: Gruene Texas
I enjoy the ten minute ride over to Gruene Harley on occasion. Bought 3 bikes new from them over the years. I do my own wrenching on everything with 2 or more wheels and I usually get oem parts from them to include oils and filters.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,915
Likes: 4,667
From: West Texas Sandhills
Same here with my local dealer, Legacy in Odessa. I have several friends who constantly bitch about them being incompetent, but for me, no problem. That said, I doubt that Ill ever buy another bike from them. A few years ago, I tried to trade a softail on a sportster for the OL. They offered about half of what the trade in value was and jacked up the purchase price of the Sportster. I walked away and that salesman (who is no longer there) acted butthurt because I turned their deal down.