Motorcycle metal, not impressed
Great experience
I was one of the guys that may have been hesitant to contact Howard just from reading the posts on here. I don't know squat about shocks and may have felt that the intimidation factor may have been too much for me to deal with, I really wanted some great shocks and I want a guy that knows the fu***rs inside and out. I am willing to pay for knowledge and support that comes along from buying something from a person that stands behind their products. Hell the MoCo doesn't even stand behind some of the overpriced sh** they make or at least some poor kid in Taiwan makes. But back to shocks. I filled out the form, Howard called me, I returned his call kinda late and he answered and gave me the information I needed based on my riding style and put me at ease. The man is a wealth of knowledge and I can tell you from experience, I own my own business, you can't please everybody. There's always one POS that think the world owes him everything since they are giving you their money. Get over yourselves, you don't like what we have to offer go somewhere else. I make good money doing what I do and I have 1000's of repeat customers and I treat everybody equally. Just my two cents. Howard is a stand up guy and will get my return business in the future and I will recommend him to anyone that I thinks needs a quality product.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 6
From: South Dakota
Far far too many thin skinned people today. If you feel the need to be pampered sell your bike and buy a Prius.
The problem with the internet is you read about bad experiences but far less frequently the good. People are quick to bitch about something but are too busy to leave a bit of positive feedback. I'll say you'll find the exact opposite about Motorcycle Metal. 100-1 you find a positive review on Howards modified Ohlins.
I purchased Ohlins from Howard. He gives you the facts and allows you to make the educated decision. He was in no way rude but he in no way tries to push anything on you. The shocks are amazing and depending on the day, one of the best changes I've made to my bike.
The problem with the internet is you read about bad experiences but far less frequently the good. People are quick to bitch about something but are too busy to leave a bit of positive feedback. I'll say you'll find the exact opposite about Motorcycle Metal. 100-1 you find a positive review on Howards modified Ohlins.
I purchased Ohlins from Howard. He gives you the facts and allows you to make the educated decision. He was in no way rude but he in no way tries to push anything on you. The shocks are amazing and depending on the day, one of the best changes I've made to my bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,863
From: Western South Dakota
There is a difference IMHO in "bad mouth" and a negative review based on a personal experience. If you want to come here and share a bad experience, that is fine. I have seen some real aggressive bashing of another sponsor that was totally unwarranted. The moderator dealt with it accordingly. In this case, most negative reviews are based on Howard's "straight shooting" way of dealing with customers. I personally don't find him difficult to deal with but I can see home some may.
This is the place to share bad experiences as well as good and there will always be some who toss in their 2 cents just to see it in print. I do agree that if you don't want to go through the sales cycle that Howard requires you to do, then don't call him. If you have 30-40 minutes and want to learn something about shocks and suspension, give him a call. He is glad to help you. Just check your ego at the door... he won't :-)
This is the place to share bad experiences as well as good and there will always be some who toss in their 2 cents just to see it in print. I do agree that if you don't want to go through the sales cycle that Howard requires you to do, then don't call him. If you have 30-40 minutes and want to learn something about shocks and suspension, give him a call. He is glad to help you. Just check your ego at the door... he won't :-)
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,576
Likes: 465
From: Maryland
Dealt with Howard a little over a year ago when I bought my #6 from him. Sure he is a little rough around the edges but very knowledgeable when it comes to his craft. He really isn't a bad guy but he is a straight shooter and based off some of the comments looks as though some have been taken by surprise.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,747
Likes: 419
From: Vermont
To those people who have a bad phone experience, if you do not wish to hear the truth, don't ask. Rudi, you claimed that I was rude to you in an e-Mail, please copy and paste it here. If you do not have it, send me your e-Mail address as I keep all e-Mails. You have made several posts over several days about this so how about let others know your secret & decide for themselves. What part of the response is rude, I am telling you ruddi that after posting about some shocks you purchased & claiming they are the same as a JRI or Ohlins , yes, it is all here on that same post, I asked you to provide the facts. All you do is provide crap and do not answer the question I asked directly to you. You are all crap and do not know what you are talking about. Man up and when you write something, prove it. As far as laying down your hard earned money, you can not unless you go under an assumed name. I told you that I did not want you money nor to be associated with you in any way. Now get a life bitch.
d-roadglidr, stevenh, I am not rude to anyone unless warranted and by that I mean first being disrespected. What sence does it make to insult a potential customer? Unless you are someone who does not wish to understand how a product works, come to me with incorrect preconceived knowledge, or try to haggle in price by telling me what you will pay, than I could understand why I might have seamed that way. I will not bother and say thank you and end the conversation right than & there. If anyone wishes to be pampered, have someone listen to unrelated crap, or present themselves as something you are not, than please do not call in the begining. If you do not know anything about suspension, that that is just fine. Those are the people I get my best results from. To have someone come on here and say I was rude to them for no reason, than that is is either perception or there is a good reason for it, and NO OTHER reasons than that. There might be a possibility that some people get exactly what they deserve and this is a 2 way street. A customer is not always right all of the time.
2>4, smkinnan, mikebaby, nytryder, since you are not relying on your own experience and by others, why did you bother posting here as there is the "Red Book", "Cosmopolitan" and other magazines you could post that crap in. The HD world should be for real men and not for socialites that have a need to speak drivel. Just what is your point not knowing first hand what you are talking about? There is other places for members like you. If you have a problem with that please find out first hand.
>>> JDEARMON "I got the impression he was brushing me off"
<<< I do not brush anyone off. I can not remember this conversation but I do make it a point for finish off all conversations and provide all information. I guess I thought you were finished with the conversation. I treat everyone the same way.
>>> DanDman " I called and was told he would me call back. Waited a couple of days"
<<< Call me in a few hours like around 12 am EST and I will be in my truck for 4 1/2 hours going to Daytona. Maybe my e-Mail was diverted to your spam folder. In any event, just call me if you like.
>>> Flying Horse "I emailed him over 3 months ago and have never gotten a response and since I don't chase after folks he won't hear from me twice"
<<< I get a lot of spam and I black list it but hidden in the e-Mail is actually my own e-Mail address. At one time I had over 400 e-Mails that were moved to a second spam filter that my provider created. I always answer all e-Mails but quite possibly had missed yours? If you did not call to make sure I guess it was not important to you in the beginning to find out what happened.
>>> 12hdrk "As some have said, it's not the best organized"
<<< I do not understand that point. I tell you the lengths & stroke, the technology involved, and the MSRP. I take a shock apart and take real photographs and do not provide cartoons. I take apart an air shock and show you what is inside of them than explain how a piston and all of the real technologies work. I show you how to install as shock, figure out sag, explain why there is sag and what it looks like inside of the shock. With the sag #'s figured out, you can figure out how long the shock is when you sit on your bike. What other web site does that? What site shows the order and what actual parts are used. Do you know why other sites do not? Because someone will eventually figure out if that shock is any good or not. In the case of ruddi, he has no idea what is is inside but yet he talks about a subject and makes claims he knows nothing about in a thread that is not about what he is stating. Go to Daytona & yes, I do take them apart and let you see for yourself what is inside of other companies shocks. If you want girls sitting on bikes, spinning objects, or anything other than technical information, look some place else.
I have wasted far too much me here on this. I need to get on the road & will not see this again until I get back. If anyone has anything of importance to say and wishes to say it, I will be at Daytona & the map is on my web site or revive this post after March 17th when I get back and I will answer all. This means that anyone who posts after this is not really looking for answers. I fix all suspension problems right on the spot in Daytona. If you have a problem please call me for an appointment as I am coming to you.
d-roadglidr, stevenh, I am not rude to anyone unless warranted and by that I mean first being disrespected. What sence does it make to insult a potential customer? Unless you are someone who does not wish to understand how a product works, come to me with incorrect preconceived knowledge, or try to haggle in price by telling me what you will pay, than I could understand why I might have seamed that way. I will not bother and say thank you and end the conversation right than & there. If anyone wishes to be pampered, have someone listen to unrelated crap, or present themselves as something you are not, than please do not call in the begining. If you do not know anything about suspension, that that is just fine. Those are the people I get my best results from. To have someone come on here and say I was rude to them for no reason, than that is is either perception or there is a good reason for it, and NO OTHER reasons than that. There might be a possibility that some people get exactly what they deserve and this is a 2 way street. A customer is not always right all of the time.
2>4, smkinnan, mikebaby, nytryder, since you are not relying on your own experience and by others, why did you bother posting here as there is the "Red Book", "Cosmopolitan" and other magazines you could post that crap in. The HD world should be for real men and not for socialites that have a need to speak drivel. Just what is your point not knowing first hand what you are talking about? There is other places for members like you. If you have a problem with that please find out first hand.
>>> JDEARMON "I got the impression he was brushing me off"
<<< I do not brush anyone off. I can not remember this conversation but I do make it a point for finish off all conversations and provide all information. I guess I thought you were finished with the conversation. I treat everyone the same way.
>>> DanDman " I called and was told he would me call back. Waited a couple of days"
<<< Call me in a few hours like around 12 am EST and I will be in my truck for 4 1/2 hours going to Daytona. Maybe my e-Mail was diverted to your spam folder. In any event, just call me if you like.
>>> Flying Horse "I emailed him over 3 months ago and have never gotten a response and since I don't chase after folks he won't hear from me twice"
<<< I get a lot of spam and I black list it but hidden in the e-Mail is actually my own e-Mail address. At one time I had over 400 e-Mails that were moved to a second spam filter that my provider created. I always answer all e-Mails but quite possibly had missed yours? If you did not call to make sure I guess it was not important to you in the beginning to find out what happened.
>>> 12hdrk "As some have said, it's not the best organized"
<<< I do not understand that point. I tell you the lengths & stroke, the technology involved, and the MSRP. I take a shock apart and take real photographs and do not provide cartoons. I take apart an air shock and show you what is inside of them than explain how a piston and all of the real technologies work. I show you how to install as shock, figure out sag, explain why there is sag and what it looks like inside of the shock. With the sag #'s figured out, you can figure out how long the shock is when you sit on your bike. What other web site does that? What site shows the order and what actual parts are used. Do you know why other sites do not? Because someone will eventually figure out if that shock is any good or not. In the case of ruddi, he has no idea what is is inside but yet he talks about a subject and makes claims he knows nothing about in a thread that is not about what he is stating. Go to Daytona & yes, I do take them apart and let you see for yourself what is inside of other companies shocks. If you want girls sitting on bikes, spinning objects, or anything other than technical information, look some place else.
I have wasted far too much me here on this. I need to get on the road & will not see this again until I get back. If anyone has anything of importance to say and wishes to say it, I will be at Daytona & the map is on my web site or revive this post after March 17th when I get back and I will answer all. This means that anyone who posts after this is not really looking for answers. I fix all suspension problems right on the spot in Daytona. If you have a problem please call me for an appointment as I am coming to you.
Call you next month for my new set of shocks
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 31
From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
Why? Because he defended himself and asked them for proof? Most of the people who are bad mouthing him must just be princess types.
I get along fine with Howard. I've talked to him on several occasions. I guess people who have put in jungle time tend to understand each other.
Far far too many thin skinned people today. If you feel the need to be pampered sell your bike and buy a Prius.
The problem with the internet is you read about bad experiences but far less frequently the good. People are quick to bitch about something but are too busy to leave a bit of positive feedback. I'll say you'll find the exact opposite about Motorcycle Metal. 100-1 you find a positive review on Howards modified Ohlins.
The problem with the internet is you read about bad experiences but far less frequently the good. People are quick to bitch about something but are too busy to leave a bit of positive feedback. I'll say you'll find the exact opposite about Motorcycle Metal. 100-1 you find a positive review on Howards modified Ohlins.
I dont' trust salesmen, and Howard is definitely not a salesman. I couldn't give a rats *** how pretty his website is, I just want my shocks to work. (btw, there's a lot of good info on that website, if you just take a little time to dig it out. ) If I need my ego to be stroked, I'll go throw some money at a stripper.
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Joe Kucinski
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,121
Likes: 489
From: sunny florida
Howard is a straight up guy but he is not a salesman nor does he want to be one , he gives you the facts based on information you give him and let's you make your decision , that is to much to handle for some guys because they want someone telling them what to buy instead of giving them information so they can make an informed decision themselves , Howard can be short and to the point at times but like I said he is a small business man an often has a lot on his mind , when I bought my first pair of shocks from him about a week after the sale he called me on a Sunday because he had just installed a set of shocks on a guys bike with very similar specs to mine and he wanted to share how he had set them up because he thought it might help me , name me one shock supplier that would do that other than Howard , I will see you in Daytona Howard and hopefully we can do Webber's again
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
To those people who have a bad phone experience, if you do not wish to hear the truth, don't ask. Rudi, you claimed that I was rude to you in an e-Mail, please copy and paste it here. If you do not have it, send me your e-Mail address as I keep all e-Mails. You have made several posts over several days about this so how about let others know your secret & decide for themselves. What part of the response is rude, I am telling you ruddi that after posting about some shocks you purchased & claiming they are the same as a JRI or Ohlins , yes, it is all here on that same post, I asked you to provide the facts. All you do is provide crap and do not answer the question I asked directly to you. You are all crap and do not know what you are talking about. Man up and when you write something, prove it. As far as laying down your hard earned money, you can not unless you go under an assumed name. I told you that I did not want you money nor to be associated with you in any way. Now get a life bitch.
d-roadglidr, stevenh, I am not rude to anyone unless warranted and by that I mean first being disrespected. What sence does it make to insult a potential customer? Unless you are someone who does not wish to understand how a product works, come to me with incorrect preconceived knowledge, or try to haggle in price by telling me what you will pay, than I could understand why I might have seamed that way. I will not bother and say thank you and end the conversation right than & there. If anyone wishes to be pampered, have someone listen to unrelated crap, or present themselves as something you are not, than please do not call in the begining. If you do not know anything about suspension, that that is just fine. Those are the people I get my best results from. To have someone come on here and say I was rude to them for no reason, than that is is either perception or there is a good reason for it, and NO OTHER reasons than that. There might be a possibility that some people get exactly what they deserve and this is a 2 way street. A customer is not always right all of the time.
2>4, smkinnan, mikebaby, nytryder, since you are not relying on your own experience and by others, why did you bother posting here as there is the "Red Book", "Cosmopolitan" and other magazines you could post that crap in. The HD world should be for real men and not for socialites that have a need to speak drivel. Just what is your point not knowing first hand what you are talking about? There is other places for members like you. If you have a problem with that please find out first hand.
>>> JDEARMON "I got the impression he was brushing me off"
<<< I do not brush anyone off. I can not remember this conversation but I do make it a point for finish off all conversations and provide all information. I guess I thought you were finished with the conversation. I treat everyone the same way.
>>> DanDman " I called and was told he would me call back. Waited a couple of days"
<<< Call me in a few hours like around 12 am EST and I will be in my truck for 4 1/2 hours going to Daytona. Maybe my e-Mail was diverted to your spam folder. In any event, just call me if you like.
>>> Flying Horse "I emailed him over 3 months ago and have never gotten a response and since I don't chase after folks he won't hear from me twice"
<<< I get a lot of spam and I black list it but hidden in the e-Mail is actually my own e-Mail address. At one time I had over 400 e-Mails that were moved to a second spam filter that my provider created. I always answer all e-Mails but quite possibly had missed yours? If you did not call to make sure I guess it was not important to you in the beginning to find out what happened.
>>> 12hdrk "As some have said, it's not the best organized"
<<< I do not understand that point. I tell you the lengths & stroke, the technology involved, and the MSRP. I take a shock apart and take real photographs and do not provide cartoons. I take apart an air shock and show you what is inside of them than explain how a piston and all of the real technologies work. I show you how to install as shock, figure out sag, explain why there is sag and what it looks like inside of the shock. With the sag #'s figured out, you can figure out how long the shock is when you sit on your bike. What other web site does that? What site shows the order and what actual parts are used. Do you know why other sites do not? Because someone will eventually figure out if that shock is any good or not. In the case of ruddi, he has no idea what is is inside but yet he talks about a subject and makes claims he knows nothing about in a thread that is not about what he is stating. Go to Daytona & yes, I do take them apart and let you see for yourself what is inside of other companies shocks. If you want girls sitting on bikes, spinning objects, or anything other than technical information, look some place else.
I have wasted far too much me here on this. I need to get on the road & will not see this again until I get back. If anyone has anything of importance to say and wishes to say it, I will be at Daytona & the map is on my web site or revive this post after March 17th when I get back and I will answer all. This means that anyone who posts after this is not really looking for answers. I fix all suspension problems right on the spot in Daytona. If you have a problem please call me for an appointment as I am coming to you.
d-roadglidr, stevenh, I am not rude to anyone unless warranted and by that I mean first being disrespected. What sence does it make to insult a potential customer? Unless you are someone who does not wish to understand how a product works, come to me with incorrect preconceived knowledge, or try to haggle in price by telling me what you will pay, than I could understand why I might have seamed that way. I will not bother and say thank you and end the conversation right than & there. If anyone wishes to be pampered, have someone listen to unrelated crap, or present themselves as something you are not, than please do not call in the begining. If you do not know anything about suspension, that that is just fine. Those are the people I get my best results from. To have someone come on here and say I was rude to them for no reason, than that is is either perception or there is a good reason for it, and NO OTHER reasons than that. There might be a possibility that some people get exactly what they deserve and this is a 2 way street. A customer is not always right all of the time.
2>4, smkinnan, mikebaby, nytryder, since you are not relying on your own experience and by others, why did you bother posting here as there is the "Red Book", "Cosmopolitan" and other magazines you could post that crap in. The HD world should be for real men and not for socialites that have a need to speak drivel. Just what is your point not knowing first hand what you are talking about? There is other places for members like you. If you have a problem with that please find out first hand.
>>> JDEARMON "I got the impression he was brushing me off"
<<< I do not brush anyone off. I can not remember this conversation but I do make it a point for finish off all conversations and provide all information. I guess I thought you were finished with the conversation. I treat everyone the same way.
>>> DanDman " I called and was told he would me call back. Waited a couple of days"
<<< Call me in a few hours like around 12 am EST and I will be in my truck for 4 1/2 hours going to Daytona. Maybe my e-Mail was diverted to your spam folder. In any event, just call me if you like.
>>> Flying Horse "I emailed him over 3 months ago and have never gotten a response and since I don't chase after folks he won't hear from me twice"
<<< I get a lot of spam and I black list it but hidden in the e-Mail is actually my own e-Mail address. At one time I had over 400 e-Mails that were moved to a second spam filter that my provider created. I always answer all e-Mails but quite possibly had missed yours? If you did not call to make sure I guess it was not important to you in the beginning to find out what happened.
>>> 12hdrk "As some have said, it's not the best organized"
<<< I do not understand that point. I tell you the lengths & stroke, the technology involved, and the MSRP. I take a shock apart and take real photographs and do not provide cartoons. I take apart an air shock and show you what is inside of them than explain how a piston and all of the real technologies work. I show you how to install as shock, figure out sag, explain why there is sag and what it looks like inside of the shock. With the sag #'s figured out, you can figure out how long the shock is when you sit on your bike. What other web site does that? What site shows the order and what actual parts are used. Do you know why other sites do not? Because someone will eventually figure out if that shock is any good or not. In the case of ruddi, he has no idea what is is inside but yet he talks about a subject and makes claims he knows nothing about in a thread that is not about what he is stating. Go to Daytona & yes, I do take them apart and let you see for yourself what is inside of other companies shocks. If you want girls sitting on bikes, spinning objects, or anything other than technical information, look some place else.
I have wasted far too much me here on this. I need to get on the road & will not see this again until I get back. If anyone has anything of importance to say and wishes to say it, I will be at Daytona & the map is on my web site or revive this post after March 17th when I get back and I will answer all. This means that anyone who posts after this is not really looking for answers. I fix all suspension problems right on the spot in Daytona. If you have a problem please call me for an appointment as I am coming to you.
First: You took a piece of my quote out of context. Never a good thing. My comment on you site was: "Look at his web site. As some have said, it's not the best organized web site out there, but the information is there. Then if you like, give him a call. He will quiz you a bit and then tell you a lot. He will have something that will work for you.. or make something that will work for you."
Second: You only replied on what you quoted out of context. My comment on your site was the organization of the site. As I stated the content is all there for folks to read.
My job is managing a large company's eCommerce web site development. I know it's not easy to provide technical information organized in a way that everyone will find "easy" to navigate through. That's what I do every day... listen to folks gripes and suggestions and try to make it easier to use. If you feel the site provides everything in a well organized manner and no changes are needed, that's fine... but people will gripe about it anyway. Never gonna be a site that everyone is comfortable with.
I certainly mean no disrespect to you. As many of my posts have stated, I believe you provide an excellent product(s) and support them 150%.