Dealer proximity and bike choice...thoughts or experiences.

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Glenn/RZ500

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Following bigpoppas Triumph issues got me to thinkin`. I have Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Can-Am(FWIW) within 10 minutes from me, Yamaha about 20 minutes more. H-D, BMW, Triumph, Ducati, MV, Husky...about an hour and 100 klicks away. Even more time and distance for Guzzi and Aprilia. What`s your time/distance cutoff for a desirable bike?
 
I guess if you are buying a new bike and need warranty work or maintenance to satisfy warranty coverage?
 
It's a long drive to GP Bikes, so I've done what maintenance I can here. Some things I can't ... right now I have a SERVICE code on my KTM and no idea what it is, because it should be longer for an oil change to be due... BUT these things are computer-controlled now and I was working that motor fairly hard at Deal's Gap this spring, so it's possible that it tracked that usage and decided it needs to be done earlier.

It takes a full day to do these things. Sometimes two if I need to leave the bike or the 911 overnight. That's when you realise that you've put it off for a month and not used it, and that sucks the life out of owning them. So ... diligence and commitment is required.
 
If it has a reputation as a crappy dealer, then it doesn’t matter if you live next door.
I have a shop a few miles down the street that I trust with my bike. I’ll see if there are issues when they need to order parts.
 
Brian P said:
None of my Japanese bikes have seen the inside of a dealer workshop for years!
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Mine either. I walk to the place that services my bikes (British, Japanese and Czech bikes).

It’s at the end of my driveway, 40’ from the house.
 
One of the great things about a BMW (Boxer twin), is the maintenance is quite straight forward.

With the Motoscan App or GS 911 tool, you can do the service reset and also do other service procedures like bleeding the abs module, re-setting the gearshift assist pro, or calibrating the electronic dampening etc. changing the display to PSI from BAR etc.

With a good manual, Youtube, an engaged Bike model forum and some tools it has been fun keeping the bike in top shape.
(2017 bike 77,000 kms)
 
STARSHIP said:
One of the great things about a BMW (Boxer twin), is the maintenance is quite straight forward.

With the Motoscan App or GS 911 tool, you can do the service reset and also do other service procedures like bleeding the abs module, re-setting the gearshift assist pro, or calibrating the electronic dampening etc. changing the display to PSI from BAR etc.

With a good manual, Youtube, an engaged Bike model forum and some tools it has been fun keeping the bike in top shape.
(2017 bike 77,000 kms)
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One of the great things about a Suzuki or Yamaha is you don’t need a scan tool, service resets, calibrations, YouTube or bike forums.

Just a set of keys, and the tools supplied in the pouch for regular service.
 
Mad Mike said:
One of the great things about a Suzuki or Yamaha is you don’t need a scan tool, service resets, calibrations, YouTube or bike forums.
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Some Yamaha bikes you will have to. And some Suzukis.

The R1 with full traction control and all kinds of other digital features is 11 years old this year. Time moves on.
 
STARSHIP said:
With a good manual, Youtube, an engaged Bike model forum and some tools it has been fun keeping the bike in top shape.
(2017 bike 77,000 kms)
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'Not just boxers...
My buddy's F800GSA has 166000km on it and its runs great...
Change your oil.
 
STARSHIP said:
One of the great things about a BMW (Boxer twin), is the maintenance is quite straight forward.

With the Motoscan App or GS 911 tool, you can do the service reset and also do other service procedures like bleeding the abs module, re-setting the gearshift assist pro, or calibrating the electronic dampening etc. changing the display to PSI from BAR etc.

With a good manual, Youtube, an engaged Bike model forum and some tools it has been fun keeping the bike in top shape.
(2017 bike 77,000 kms)
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In around 2008 there was the Honda profit game. I could buy a new GL1800 in the USA getting more model and colour choices and after paying taxes there and upon entry still be thousands of dollars cheaper than buying from the more limited Canadian market.

However any US dealer that sold cross border would lose their franchise. There were stories of dealer employees buying new bikes and selling them used to Canadians.

Warranties on US bikes wouldn't be honoured here and when I mentioned the screwing we were getting on price to a Honda employee at a show the reply was "If it has a US Serial number we'll screw you for service here as well." Such nice people.

Dealer service for me would require a passport.

When I asked a dealer about backlog and was told 2-3 weeks I asked if there was a fast track if it was a minor item and the delay would negate a planned trip. Still 2-3 weeks. Such nice people.

Good tools and better friends meant my used 1500 Goldwing never saw the inside of a dealer door.
 
Sometimes it's not just about where they're at but who they are.

I have Husqvarna, Moto Guzzi, and Aprilia (Studio Cycle), and Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, and Triumph (Powersports TO) all within like 10-15 minutes of my house...

More importantly is that I've also personally known the owners of these dealerships for 15+ years. 20 years because I am getting old wtf.

Sabina at Studio Cycle got me my start in the motorcycle industry when I was still a broke university student just about to graduate.

Likewise, Doug at Powersports TO saw me post in a forum one time (in the broke student days) that I was waiting for another paycheck so I could buy my girlfriend a helmet so I could start taking her to/from work on my scooter... he told me to come in and he'd give me a sample helmet he got for free for her.

Nothing but love for them both ever since. Likewise, they each employ some people I'm pretty fond of too.

So while I am personally spoiled for choice in my neighbourhood... if they ever moved their businesses elsewhere (I'm not moving), I would still take my business to them, if/when needed, because of the people, more than the physical place.

For me it's less about where is my dealer, and more about where are my people.
 
adri said:
Sometimes it's not just about where they're at but who they are.

I have Husqvarna, Moto Guzzi, and Aprilia (Studio Cycle), and Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, and Triumph (Powersports TO) all within like 10-15 minutes of my house...

More importantly is that I've also personally known the owners of these dealerships for 15+ years. 20 years because I am getting old wtf.

Sabina at Studio Cycle got me my start in the motorcycle industry when I was still a broke university student just about to graduate.

Likewise, Doug at Powersports TO saw me post in a forum one time (in the broke student days) that I was waiting for another paycheck so I could buy my girlfriend a helmet so I could start taking her to/from work on my scooter... he told me to come in and he'd give me a sample helmet he got for free for her.

Nothing but love for them both ever since. Likewise, they each employ some people I'm pretty fond of too.

So while I am personally spoiled for choice in my neighbourhood... if they ever moved their businesses elsewhere (I'm not moving), I would still take my business to them, if/when needed, because of the people, more than the physical place.

For me it's less about where is my dealer, and more about where are my people.
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Agreed. Bought a rather expensive bike years ago and when I ordered a part at the dealer 5mins away the parts/service guy told me one price when I ordered it then tripled the price when it arrived (said an item came as a 3-piece package then only 1 item showed up and he tried to make me pay 3x more to get the other 2 items). He screwed up and wouldn't admit, just doubled down and wouldn't even look me in the eyes just told me I'm stuck with it and if I want the rest to order them. The next 5mins was me telling him what I thought of him and the dealer and I chose to drive 1hour away to the next closest dealer (and those guys were awesome btw and I've spent plenty there since).
Funny enough, that crappy dealer went out of business and I just saw that same parts guy while I was shopping lawnmowers this week.
 
Hardwrkr13 said:
Agreed. Bought a rather expensive bike years ago and when I ordered a part at the dealer 5mins away the parts/service guy told me one price when I ordered it then tripled the price when it arrived (said an item came as a 3-piece package then only 1 item showed up and he tried to make me pay 3x more to get the other 2 items). He screwed up and wouldn't admit, just doubled down and wouldn't even look me in the eyes just told me I'm stuck with it and if I want the rest to order them. The next 5mins was me telling him what I thought of him and the dealer and I chose to drive 1hour away to the next closest dealer (and those guys were awesome btw and I've spent plenty there since).
Funny enough, that crappy dealer went out of business and I just saw that same parts guy while I was shopping lawnmowers this week.
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I did the same kinda stuff with HD parts. The guy at, what was Mackkies at the time, was the "parts" specialist, and was completely full of sshitt, So I started to go over to Pfaff on younge. Well when Mackkies converted into Durham, they cut most of the idiots, and some landed at Pfaff... specifically that parts guy. So then I went to Barrie HD! Luckly. Durham HD smarted up and they seemed to do some staff training and things are much better.

Anyhow I've lots of options since I'm in TO. But GP Bikes and that general area are the most convient.
 
sburns said:
I did the same kinda stuff with HD parts. The guy at, what was Mackkies at the time, was the "parts" specialist, and was completely full of sshitt, So I started to go over to Pfaff on younge. Well when Mackkies converted into Durham, they cut most of the idiots, and some landed at Pfaff... specifically that parts guy. So then I went to Barrie HD! Luckly. Durham HD smarted up and they seemed to do some staff training and things are much better.

Anyhow I've lots of options since I'm in TO. But GP Bikes and that general area are the most convient.
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wont be needing a lot of dealer services on the honda!
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