After decades of riding Harleys (883, Sportster 72, Streetbob, Lowrider S) and about to get a Nightster S I had to cut ties with the company. After numerous screw ups on my last purchase (2022 Lowrider S) I decided (health reasons) to downsize to a 2024 Nightster S. Took a test ride, negotiated a deal on the trade in price for the new bike, accessories to be add we (myself and manager) smiled and shook hands on the deal.

Part of the deal was they wouldn’t get my grade in bike until the new bike was finished with the accessories added and ready to roll. This aspect of the deal was in part because of the screw ups that occurred in getting the modifications done on the last bike. There was also a modification on that bike that was never accomplish and as compensation they said “well give you a great deal on the next bike”.

I won’t get into all the details but we went through the numbers on the new bike, trade in and exchange of the bikes when the new bike was ready.

A week later I get a call from the sales saying they can’t honor the deal. I would have to pay for the add ins and labor, hand my bike over and wait with no bike until the new bike was ready. Maybe weeks, many a month.

This would have been my third bike with this dealership (Space Coast Harley). Yes, they were assuming some risk in putting money into the new bike but they were initially willing to assume that risk because of the screw ups I had to live with in the prior deal.

Anyway, I was taught if you make and shake on a deal the deal is done. Worse case (if I dropped dead) Harley would have had a bike with a few accessories added. After all the other things that went down on the Lowrider S purchase this reneging on the new deal ($16K bike, not a huge deal for the dealer) left me done on this dealer and by extension HD for now (unless I move to another location with a better dealership). I’ll be riding a Honda Rebel 1100. Not the Nightster S I want (Rebel 1100 does have most of the features I wanted, lighter weight, good power, cruise control, ABS, riding modes, etc.) so some disappointment…I’ll get over it.

Keep the shiny side up and stay safe!

 

You are right, a contract does not have to be in writing to be legally enforceable. However, most of the time it is not worth the aggravation to enforce an oral contract. That Rebel is an interesting looking bike.
Ride Safe!

 

I’m guessing the boss saw the deal and said there’s no way he’s agreeing to doing all that work without a more in-hand financial commitment from the buyer.
I do also understand however that a deal is a deal.

I’d wouldn’t fault Harley as a whole for what one of their Dealers did.
I just wouldn’t patronize that Dealer any further.

 

You're such a rebel, so there you go.
Happy trails.

 

@hdsb2015
Goodbye! Appreciate the heads up. Let us know if/when you come back.

 

I bought a used '23 Triumph Bobber sight unseen from a dealer in Florida. Had it shipped to NC. When bike arrived, would not start, debris in fuel tank. Needed $1,500 in fuel system repairs and new chain to make right. Called salesman. He said you have it, you own it. Posted the detailed experience on Google review with one star. Next day, sales manager calls and made it right. I updated the experience and gave 5 stars. Never would have happened without Google reviews.

 

As I’ve mentioned I ride with a pack of sport bikes.. Two Sportster S, one Nightster, Hondas, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph, BMW…. Almost all of them were bought new at their dealer, less than 3 years old ……. And they are all unhappy with their dealers. They all suck.

 

Unlike the airport, departures don't have to be announced.

 

 

Well that's not the MoCo's fault that's the dealer, they are all different so shop around.