m...
How many angels can dance on the head of a pin? All modern
motorcycles are reliable. Reliability is no longer a valid comparator
when choosing a new motorcycle (unless you are riding in the Iron Butt
Rally and considering a late-model BMW, of course). Better that each
rider should choose their motorcycle on the basis of whether it fits
their needs or not.
I do believe that in the article they mention how the quality and service
for all motorcycle has gone up for several years as well as the feelings
about value for dollar. I agree with the idea that each rider should pick
the bike that makes them happy....
> How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?
I don't believe in pins.
--
RCOS #7
IBA# 11465
http://imagesdesavions.com
> Well Bob all that I can say is that most Victory riders are former HD riders
> and so when speaking of converts what I see most are converts from HD to
> Victory and they are not doing that because they are happier with HD.
> Suppose it is one of those point of view things, talk to HD riders who have
> ridden a Victory and they prefer HD, I speak mostly to Victory riders, most
> of whom have ridden and most have owned a HD and they prefer Victory.
> Dealer network is important, there is no doubt about that, but do you
> really buy a bike because there is a dealer closer to you than another
> brand? Do you buy a bike because there are more dealers than another brand.
> Most people I know put a value on their time and the basic thing here is
> time riding v time at a dealer being fixed. For someone who does their own
> work and enjoys doing it, they can be doing repairs daily and enjoy it so it
> is the time it is out of your hands that counts. During the season and the
> HD riders that I know they spend a greater amount of time with their bikes
> being worked on at a dealer, it is out of their hands. That isn't to say
> that there isn't a Harley out there that cannot go for years with out any
> major work, there are plenty, it is also easy to find a Harley that spends
> most of the riding season being worked on. I also know a couple of former
> Victory owners who have had a bad experience and switched to another brand,
> of the three that I can think of though two went to Honda and only one back
> to Harley. The two I ride often with, the one who went to Honda sings the
> praises of Honda. The one who went back to Harley curses all the time about
> this or that always needing to be fixed but is a very loyal HD owner once
> again. This all is just my personal experience and is sure to differ when
> you talk to someone else.....
I know few Victory owners. Mainly because there just aren't very many
of them.
To be up front, I should tell you I work at a Harley dealership too.
Of the Victory owners I have met, none has come from owning a Harley.
Mainly they came from owning a Japanese copy and moved on to an
American copy.
Only one is totally happy.
I have met a couple who are not happy and have either moved on to a
Harley or plan to if they can find someone to take their Victory off
their hands.
That is easier said than done around here.
In my province we have 3 Harley dealers and one Victory (that I know
of)
Parts are required for both. One of the Victory owners I have known
for years comes to my dealership to get what he can because parts are
not as readily available at the Polaris shop.
Keep in mind that a Harley dealer is usually just a Harley dealer
while a Victory dealer also sell the complete Polaris line
(Snowmobiles, quads, etc.) and also often is a marine dealership
selling boats. Probably another line of products too. They have to
because the volume isn't there.
It's financially impossible to carry stock for everything.
The dealer network is important because shit happens.
I put quite a lot of distance on my bikes. My 2009 H-D has 24,000 km.
That's in a short riding season.
Winnipeg has a very cold and icy winter - think Siberia.
Now, as for the bikes being worked on, we have a busy service
department but we have 3 full time and 2 part time techs in a
dealership that sells around 250-300 new bikes and 150 used bikes a
year. Many of those people, most probably, come back for all their
service. Much of the work being done is adding accessories to new
bikes sales, changing tires, oil, batteries, and a few repairs. We
also do a lot of engine upgrades and still work on the old bikes, much
of what we are working on for repairs ar 20-30 year old bikes.
The only time a Harley is laid up for an extended period is whan it
has an insurance claim requiring replacement of painted parts.
Most repairs are completed within a day or two of an appointment
although we could use more staff to get bikes in quicker.
Bob
> I know few Victory owners. Mainly because there just aren't very many
> of them.
> To be up front, I should tell you I work at a Harley dealership too.
> The dealer network is important because shit happens.
> I put quite a lot of distance on my bikes. My 2009 H-D has 24,000 km.
> That's in a short riding season.
I've thought about getting a job selling bikes when I'm a little older
and closer to retirement. The thing that puts me off is that it seems
to me you'd need to be working when the weather was good and be bored
stiff when it was crappy. This conflicts with my riding circadian
rhythms and might lead to constipation or worse.
Question is, how do you find so much time for riding and still make a
living hustling hardware?
> I've thought about getting a job selling bikes when I'm a little older
> and closer to retirement. The thing that puts me off is that it seems
> to me you'd need to be working when the weather was good and be bored
> stiff when it was crappy. This conflicts with my riding circadian
> rhythms and might lead to constipation or worse.
That is EXACTLY right.
> Question is, how do you find so much time for riding and still make a
> living hustling hardware?
I make half my living from my pension.
The rest takes a concerted effort..
Bob
XML Sitemap