Wondering why?
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 351
From: Holly Springs, North Carolina
I take it to the dealer if I really need to. But I try to do what I can myself because of ridiculous pricing structure. Outrageous to charge what they do for 6 quarts oil, oil filter & labor. Apple & Harley Davidson have some of the most loyal customers of any American companies. They both gouge their loyal customers. I had to replace the auxillary accessory toggle switch on my Road King. HD wanted $44.00 for that switch. I researched & found the exact switch at Grainger for $4.67. With that said, I've always been treated well and I will continue to buy Harley's, the clothes, helmets & etc. Go figure.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 560
Likes: 2
From: Green Bay, WI
Funny timing, I just got a 18 month ownership survey to fill out yesterday. My background in a snapshot. I work in the Service department in the Marine Industry. Spent 20+ years in auto industry, starting as a tech.
I do all the work I can myself. The survey asked about my selling dealer. 10s across the board on the sales side. I debated and finally wrote what my service experience was. I know the service manager is not going to like it, but real feedback is needed. Working in a service department I know stuff happens, we are all human. It is how you handle it when it does happen!
Three dealers within spitting distance of me. I will probably now take my bike further out of town if something major comes up under warranty.
1. Dealer #1 changed a set of tires for me. Bike came back with the primary cover all scratched up where the tech rested his boot while the bike was running. I saw him do it when he took it for a ride. Pointed it out to the writer, was told it was there when I brought it in...
2. Dealer #2 did the brake switch recall on my SG. Never bleed the brakes or took it for a ride. Pedal went to the bottom at the first stop sign I hit. They did it right the second time.
3. Dealer #3 installed wrong Calibration in bike first time. (base cal for exhaust, not for cam and intake). He did catch it just prior to delivery back to me. Second tech just slapped in the right cal, but never finished tune. (I tune my own now and rent dyno time elsewhere.)
This all happened in the last two years. What was in common with all three dealers? They let the "kid" who was just starting out work on the bikes. I will never have anything done again by either three dealers unless I know and speak personally to the mechanic that will be working on it.
Bottom line, no qualified mechanics working on the bikes.
I do all the work I can myself. The survey asked about my selling dealer. 10s across the board on the sales side. I debated and finally wrote what my service experience was. I know the service manager is not going to like it, but real feedback is needed. Working in a service department I know stuff happens, we are all human. It is how you handle it when it does happen!
Three dealers within spitting distance of me. I will probably now take my bike further out of town if something major comes up under warranty.
1. Dealer #1 changed a set of tires for me. Bike came back with the primary cover all scratched up where the tech rested his boot while the bike was running. I saw him do it when he took it for a ride. Pointed it out to the writer, was told it was there when I brought it in...
2. Dealer #2 did the brake switch recall on my SG. Never bleed the brakes or took it for a ride. Pedal went to the bottom at the first stop sign I hit. They did it right the second time.
3. Dealer #3 installed wrong Calibration in bike first time. (base cal for exhaust, not for cam and intake). He did catch it just prior to delivery back to me. Second tech just slapped in the right cal, but never finished tune. (I tune my own now and rent dyno time elsewhere.)
This all happened in the last two years. What was in common with all three dealers? They let the "kid" who was just starting out work on the bikes. I will never have anything done again by either three dealers unless I know and speak personally to the mechanic that will be working on it.
Bottom line, no qualified mechanics working on the bikes.
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