So I took my bike in for it's 5K service today. (5K in 5 months!!!!) I was asking the service guy a bunch of questions. None if his answers were what I wanted to hear. Dude just seemed very uninterested in helping me out.

Now I get a lot of info from this site, but I figured I'd throw some generic questions at him to get another opinion.

Question 1. What's the best way to get 100/100 out of my bike? I've been doing a bunch of research on the internet, but a lot of people have different answers.

Answer: Those internet chat rooms are a waste of time. (then he chuckled) Those people on the internet don't have motorcycles. (yes, he actually said that.) Your just not going to get those numbers. You'll have to spend at least $7K to get close to that. You've got an '07, and you can't get much more out of a fuel injected bike. If it was carbureted, you'd be able to get a lot more out of it. I have a carbureted bike and was able to get numbers like that.


Question 2. What about 2 - 1 pipes? I haven't heard any in person, what do they sound like compared to other pipes?

Answer. They are bit more bassy. Compared to the V&H longshots and pipes like that, you won't get much more out of them.


Question 3. Can I put a low profile tire on my rim? I know on the website they give you the option of the low profile wheels vs. the normal tires. I'm not sure if a low profile tire will fit or not.

Answer. YOU can. We don't do it here because it messes up the geometry of the bike and will void the warranty.


Question 4. I want to lower the bike, but all they have in stock are 1" lowering kits. I want to drop it lower than that. (not really a question)


Answer. You don't really want to go much lower. If you go too low you will tear the wires out. Then you'll have to get extensions and all that. 1" is plenty of drop.


So I got tired of this jackass and walked around the shop to waste some time. Next stop....the parts desk.


Question 1. Do you have any 3" forward control extensions in stock?

Answer. No.



Question 2. Do you have the tri bar LED tail light in stock?

Answer. No.



So much for that one. On to the motorclothes. Browsed around. Saw a shirt I liked. There were only two hanging up and neither one was my size, so I go up to the woman working that section.


Question 1. There is a shirt over there that I like. You don't have one in my size. I don't suppose you have any more out back or anything do you?

Answer. No. (it's just as well though. I went back over and the price tag was $55!!! For a shirt!!! Just a basic button up short sleeve shirt!)


They couldn't finish my bike fast enough after that. This is the only dealership I have really dealt with. Please tell me they aren't all like this.

 

They aren't all like this.

How'd I do?

Seriously, our dealership has a pretty good group of folks. I get great service but I know most everyone in the store, including the owner. Sometimes it helps to knock around at the dealership once a month or so, attend some of the HOG meetings and be willing to volunteer at their events. The better you get to know them, the better they'll treat you. Maybe you shouldn't have to do all of that to get decent service but realize that the workforce they have to choose from oftentimes isn't the greatest.

 

I agree with oldgeezer, my local dealer has a few employees who are clueless. When I have totrade with that dealer I dont ask any advice, and usually know exactly what im looking for when I go in, that includes providing them with part numbers if needed. But I have found a dealer about 40 miles away that has some very knowledgable folks who work there, their parts dept, is well stocked, and ive got to know the people there pretty well. The 80 mile round trip ride there and back is just a bonus.

 

Wow. That place sounds pretty bad. I'd find another dealer nearby if future visits there come out the same.

The worst dealership I've dealt with was Palm Beach Harley Davidson in Florida. I had to use that dealership while I was going to school in Palm Beach. The service manager told me that there was no way I could put a 180 tire on my Deuce without installing a wide tire kit. I had already been told by the service department at Harley Davidson of Greenville in South Carolina that it was possible and I had also read about it on the internet. I relayed this information back to the service manager at Palm Beach Harley Davidson and he talked down to me as if I knew nothing about bikes and continued to tell me that I was wrong and so was the other dealership. The same dealership also wouldn't warranty a set of Harley Davidson mirrors I had on my bike that had the chrome chipping off after only a couple months of being on the bike because I didn't buy the mirrors from them, although I bought them from the dealer in South Carolina. When I got back up to South Carolina, I took my bike in and had the 180 rear tire installed with no wide tire kit and they replaced my mirrors for free. Bottom line, stay away from Palm Beach Harley Davidson if you can, and stop in and do business with the folks at Harley Davidson of Greenville if you're in the area. They're good guys.

 

Our dealer here in Smithfield NC has some very knowledgeable folks. the service center is seperate from the dealer(diff. buildings) so you don't have to put up with the sales guys and mess. the guys that work at the front seem to really know what they're talkin about whenever me or my dad go in and talk to them. We have done quite a bit of business with them and they are very friendly, and always helpful.

 

Reaching the numbers requested for your bike is not out of reach with EFI with proper tuning and choice of combo. Some people would rather put down the new EFI than learn the advantages (arrogance is easier than knowledge). Good 2-1 Pipes are a huge advantage for these bikes, allows better engine flow with less restriction that expells gases at a higher rate (cooler temps and more low end power), proper tune and high flow air cleaner along with a good 2-1 exhaust will improve performance and lower operating temps. The tire and lowering have been discussed and performed on this forum with great results. Sounds as though you were asking very valid questions, its unfortunate people act in this manner.

 

...people work in dealers...how many times have you heard mindless inaccurate opinionated drivel from someone (people)next to you at a bike event (seems to be done mostly while standing looking at parked bikes)...same people can and do hold jobs in the service industry so should be no suprise that you occasionally run in to one.. sort em out and find the good ones..they are out there, being smart, helpful, friendly every day..just have to find one.
Later

 

Find a good indy shop, they love the chance to prove the dealers wrong. From what I see and hear, they can do it pretty easily.

 

All that for a little customer service? Dude, the dealer chooses who they employ....I dont feel bad for them. No way! Have you seen some of the prices on these things?

 

My stealer is pretty good, from a sales perspective (bike, parts, clothes, etc.). I wasn't overly-impressed with the first service stop (had them install the detachable windshield and sissybar a few days after I bought it) as it seemed to take a lot longer than expected or estimated - I burned a day off for something that should have taken a half a day. However, today I decided to do my 1000-mile service (and change over to Mobil 1 synthetics) and followed the service manual. I had trouble locating the transmission plug, and called to be sure I was looking at the right one as it didn't look like the book's illustration. I was told that he was just a service writer, didn't know, and that there weren't any mechanics available for a phone consultation. Sheesh, I just bought the bike from them a month ago - I would have expected he could have asked someone for me.

Regardless, this site ROCKS as I was able to do a quick search and find the answer... I was looking at the other oil drain plug and would have dumped my brand-new synthetic in the drain pan. The plug is buried between the shocks, as most of you already know.

THANKS TO EVERYONE HERE WHO HAVE POSTED INFORMATION!!! It is so nice for a guy like me, just starting out, to be able to come here and get great VALID and helpful information.

Roger