Every time that I wak into the Harley dealers I get at least 3 sales people asking me if i need help. I always politely say no thanks, just looking around. Then they ask if I have a bike. Yes I do. What do u ride? I have a sportster. Every time they hear that the next question is, "are you looking to get something bigger?" Wtf? No! I love my sporty and I just said I was just looking! Geez. I know they want their commission, but not everybody wants a $30,000, 1,000lb bagger! Ok. Just had to get that out.

 

It's not just you......Harley trains their sales people to be predators.
Thank God most of the dealers around here have a side door that's left unguarded.

 

Its just the "are you looking for something bigger" that bothers me. Even though they sell sportsters, they act like they're not real bikes. I can't get enough of mine.

 

ask that question in the general, softail, dyna, or couch forum. you'll get the bigger is better nonsense all day long.

 

It's what they are there for, why are you surprised? Be nice and ask them where the free coffee/doughnuts/ice-creams are......

 

A bagger is a bagger..it can't be anything else

Now a Sportster can be anything we want it to be

 

What's really fun is when you have a big bagger too, and you tell them that - and say you've even ridden it a few times...

 

Sales 101. We are a minority (individuals who spend time researching what we want, and understand differences and capabilities between the model lineups)

I would say conservatively 40% of people who walk into a Harley dealer are uninformed and just want a bike that says Harley on the side, and the salesmans (or saleswomans) goal is to find the biggest seat for your ***, as that one provides the most commission.

Why sell someone a $9k or 10k bike when you might be able to sell em a 17k or 18k bike?

While bigger doesn't necessarily mean better in terms of riding experience, it usually does in terms in bottom line profit....

 

they're 995

 

As a Glide and Sporty owner I would dispute that, of course! The first chap I knew who owned a bagger used it amongst other things for taking bags of coal home (it was a very long time ago!) across the pillion.