Could not agree more! There was a time when i was 100% loyal to Harley. In the late 80's and early 90's most Harley dealers were small, real motorcycle dealerships. We called them "the shop". It actually felt like family, a great time.
Once dealers were required to build million dollar facilities the focus changed. Now, it's just about the dollar, many sold to car dealerships that run them the same as if you were buying a new Toyota.
This change opened my eyes to other bikes, ultimately to my BMW K1600 B. It's the bike i always dreamed of. Perfect? No, but much closer.
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Yup! The McHarley shops were the first attack on the character of a Harley Davidson Motorcycle.
I think the car dealership mentality/attitude is really one of the biggest reasons some are jumping ship.
The HD brand was never really the "most reliable" or "best performing" bike you could buy.
But it was a family attitude when you needed repairs.
Now the employees change names and faces every other week. Most have very little knowledge of the product they sell.
The maintenance attitude is
"buy an extended warranty"
"they all do that"
"we can get you in next month as we are all backed up in service"
"did you buy the bike here" (
yes a**hole I have bought my last four HD's here and you would know that if you didn't change help every f'n week)
"your number 35 on the list"
"are you in my computer?"
"we have parties in the parking lot every weekend for those of you who just bought your motorcycle because you like to clothes shop here on the weekends"
Big dealers suck in all ways!
Want to alienate a loyal customer...treat them like a number, or better yet ask them "have you ever been here before?"