Why does it take so long ?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 247
Likes: 1
From: Ocala, FL
Why does it take so long ?
I was at the dealer today to trade my '09 FLHRC on a 2013 Vivid Black Road King. Its not in stock,No problem, dealer says he can trade with another dealer, have it in a few days. I want the optional aluminum laced wire wheels. No dealer stocks RK with wire wheels. OK, I don't mind waiting for it to be ordered from the factory. OK, dealer says he can order it and it will be delivered end Dec./ Begin Jan. Really ? 3+ months to get a bike? How can that be? What kind of order system is that? I was in the new car business before retiring and we could configure a new car to a customers specs and have it in 4-6 weeks.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 1
From: Port St. Lucie FL
I suspect that it has to do with production capacity. The dealer is (hopefully) basing your quote on the build date he expects to get once he places your order. I would think that an auto assembly line for a large manufacturer likely has more capacity than HD's line in York and could therefore give you a quicker build date. Thus for a car you would get a 6 week quote and for your bike you get a 12 week quote.
Also, dont forget he may be putting a fudge factor in there for you. Always easier to exceed a customer's expectations as opposed to not meeting them. You call alot less if he tells you 12 weeks and it gets there in 8
Also, dont forget he may be putting a fudge factor in there for you. Always easier to exceed a customer's expectations as opposed to not meeting them. You call alot less if he tells you 12 weeks and it gets there in 8
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
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1 production numbers have been held back HD was not going to get stuck with an over stock they could not sell this year.
The wire /spoke wheels shown are a special order option.
Special order option parts by nature are not kept in a large supply but are ordered and shipped as need to keep inventory cost down. You need to keep in mind HD will not sell 100,000's of those wheels. It is a 400 dollar plus option many will not spring for. Wire spoke wheel are not a big item anymore.
I ordered a 2013 RGU this week dealer will know soon when It will arrive. Right now if a dealer gets an order for a bike they do not have on the floor and no other dealer has one to trade them the dealers wish list gets filled by Hd based on what hey have to ship. Up side of this is it should prop up newer used bike prices a bit.
Not as bad as my 1996 Fb I still have, a 14 month wait from time ordered.
The wire /spoke wheels shown are a special order option.
Special order option parts by nature are not kept in a large supply but are ordered and shipped as need to keep inventory cost down. You need to keep in mind HD will not sell 100,000's of those wheels. It is a 400 dollar plus option many will not spring for. Wire spoke wheel are not a big item anymore.
I ordered a 2013 RGU this week dealer will know soon when It will arrive. Right now if a dealer gets an order for a bike they do not have on the floor and no other dealer has one to trade them the dealers wish list gets filled by Hd based on what hey have to ship. Up side of this is it should prop up newer used bike prices a bit.
Not as bad as my 1996 Fb I still have, a 14 month wait from time ordered.
Last edited by smitty901; Sep 7, 2012 at 10:37 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,190
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From: Eastern Washington
Call around. If you can find one on the floor at another dealer you may get a better deal. Or at least may be able to do a dealer trade. I would never wait 3 months for a bike unless it was a custom build or something similar.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 247
Likes: 1
From: Ocala, FL
Thats a great plan...I'll go that route..thanks
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That's what I was going to suggest as well. Good luck either way!
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From: Oklahoma
Don't think I am questioning your preferences, I'm just curious. Why a RK over a RKC? Especially if you go with laced wheels.
Again, just curious. I recently went from a '09 RKC to a '12 RK, mainly for the hard bags. And the alloy wheels and skinny WW's are growing on me.
Again, just curious. I recently went from a '09 RKC to a '12 RK, mainly for the hard bags. And the alloy wheels and skinny WW's are growing on me.
