Harley Dealer Visit

 As expected, my reply to another post wasn't well received.  Evidently, some
folks feel I'm wrong about my statements regarding Harley Davidson being
priced far above equivalent Japanese bikes.

Since I've been meaning to check out the local HD dealer, I thought I'd stop
by today and see for myself just how 'wrong' I was.

It was an interesting experience.  I strolled around the showroom looking at
prices and admiring the bikes for a while, and had a short chat with a
salesman.  After I got home I went straight to Harley's site, as well as
Honda's and Yamaha's, to check the specs of various models.

Seems I wasn't far off the mark with my original comments.  The Harley's
were priced anywhere from $5k to $15k OVER comparable Japanese models.  No,
I didn't compare a fully loaded Electra Glide to a Honda Rebel.

MSRP for Honda Goldwing - $25699 - 3 year warranty
MSRP for Electra Glide - $35499 - 2 year warranty

Both are top-o-the-line models, but all the bikes on the HD floor had
stickers between $17k to $23k.  The closest thing to a new Royal Star, at
$11500 street price, was a Road King for $19k, with comparable options.

I suppose the higher price could be attributed to the looks and finish.  I
love the look of my Star, but I'm not looking at it for a day or so after
getting a load of those Harleys, lest I feel some disappointment.

As for the honesty of the dealer, I'd give them a B.  The MSRP, the tax,
tag, and junk fees, and the 'out the door' price was marked clearly on the
tags.  This is the first time I've seen this done, anywhere.  Of course,
this doesn't mean there aren't hidden fees or some such nonsense, or a 'hard
sell' waiting for you before they hand over the keys, but there's no way to
know this until after a purchase, which isn't going to happen with me
anyway.

I also appreciated the salesman chatting with me without trying to twist my
arm into buying something, or worse, financing it.  He didn't even talk
smack about my Yamaha.

I brought up my friend's experience, where he was told any work not done by
Harley would void the warranty.  He seemed mighty uncomfortable talking
about it, saying "there's something to that" but failing to give a definite
answer either way.  It appeared to me that he had his 'instructions', and
this issue was to be brought up at a more appropriate time, with an equally
definite answer.  Highly disappointing, and a solid deal breaker for me.

I can't even say whether this is enforceable in CA.  I know this type of
restriction was killed in the courts of this state in regards to car
warranties, but I can't say for sure it if applies to motorcycles.  Even if
it doesn't, it's a bad idea.

While there were only two others in the showroom, I did notice their service
department was doing a brisk business.  In the short time I was there I saw
more than a dozen bikes roll up.  Whether they were buying more bike bling
or getting work done, I don't know, but it was encouraging to see the bikes
come in under their own power.  I didn't see any in the back of trucks or
trailers.  This may be a sign that I'm mistaken about the poor reliability
of HD.  I know I couldn't spend 15 minutes at a GM or Dodge dealer without
seeing at least one tow truck hauling in another disaster of engineering.

The next opportunity I get I'm going to ride a Harley, just to see if all
the hype and cost is in any way justified.

CS

 
What is the Royal Star's warranty length?

What's the tank on the Royal Star hold vs the 6 gallon Road King?

How does the resale value of the Royal Stars stack up?

How does the maintenance of the higher revving four banger compare to
the self adjusting Harley hydraulic lifters?

How is does the aftermarket part selection compare?


Harleys spend a disproportionate amount of cash on bling.  One of my
pet peeves.


I'd give them a C for clueless.  Besides Mr Mann and a local guy, I
have yet to meet a Harley salesperson that doesn't sound like some
silly layperson cager type.


That is an nice change of pace.  They are even willing to take them in
on trade these days.


That is the case with any bike really.  I modify them all and have
never had a dealer give me shit on the odd incident a need some
warranty work, but that is a dealer issue not a mfg issue.   The
dealer gets paid one way or the other, but if you're a valued customer
you'll catch a break, if not, maybe not.

I had a few warranty issues on my more expensive Ducatis one of which
was serviced free of charge even AFTER the two year warranty had long
expired.  OTOH, I had to kick and scream with a Yami dealer when their
POS trunk broke off my completely stock FJR and tumbled down the
highway.  I found another dealer and had no issue when a clutch cable
on my Yami Warrior broke under warranty even as it was affixed to an
aftermarket handlebar.


The only car I've ever had towed anywhere was a Japanese Mazda RX8.  I
had to have it routinely towed for a FI remap every time the weather
dropped below about 10°F.  It just refused to start.  After the fourth
of fifth time I had it fixed I drove it directly to the Pontiac dealer
and bought my third 3.8 liter V-6.  Love that engine...especially
supercharged.


Its another croozer.  None of them are remarkable, but the last little
883 I rode was extremely comfy.  It had an upgraded seat, windscreen,
and backrest for my wife, but we both far preferred its ergos to my
current Warrior.  Its only wart was some dieseling it did when the
engine was killed.  My guess is the rental agency just chose to run
low octane fuel in it to save ca$h.  Then again, my air-cooled Warrior
lump will run the cheap shit, make far more power, and never emit the
first sign of unhappiness...

 wrote:


I believe it is the same as the Venture, five years unlimited mileage.

I think it is five gallons. If I am light on the throttle I can get
300kms on my Venture before I have to switch to reserve. I can do
better on the Road King before the light comes on though.

Not as good but if they are well maintained they hold up well.

Adjusting the valves is a pain. It's about a five hour job but it only
has to be done every 50,000 kms and after the first adjustment they
stay pretty stable.


Few bikes are supported as well as Harleys are, but you can trick out
and hot rod a Tour Deluxe if you put your mind to it and dedicate any
spare change in your wallet to it.
--
Don

The NART Pilgrimage 2009
http://www.actualriders.ca/nartPilgrimage.htm

2004 Road King
2000 Yamaha Venture MM Edition

 

I have an 06 Street Glide and I don't ride it particularly hard. 45 is
about what I get.

Curt

 

Yep, that sums up the problem guys like CS have.  Insecure, they come
here looking for people to agree with them.

I wonder when's the last time a Harley owner posted here, having
visited a metric shop, feeling a need to explain himself to others
(who don't give a shit).