interested to hear others thoughts regarding good or bad experiences with bike salesmen ( women).  Reason being, HD are advertising heavily for their 2016 models, offering trips to the States amongst other things if you test ride a current model. Seeing as I was interested in a Street glide after having a good eyeball of one at the HOG Rally at Victor  Harbour , I booked a test ride via email a month ago for a Saturday ride. Even though I probably didn't need the temptation, I was pretty keen to take the 'glide for a squirt to see what one would sit like , as I have read and heard a lot of good vibes from guys on the road and here on the forum( it must be that time of life for me,when everything aches after 50 k!). As you do, I rang up on the Friday prior, to check all was sorted and how long the ride was for. I was put through to the sales bloke at HH who seemed somewhat baffled about what I was asking about. Then he revealed that they had sold their only Street Glide demo, so there was no way to test ride one. He went on to say they might be able to arrange something on a second hand Ultra , or may be able to dig something similar up if I was still keen! Still keen? You know what, mate, there' s two fucking dealerships in Adelaide now, and I'm inclined to see what the competition's like down South Road!. Couldn't  believe me ears, and you wonder how the dealer principle would have reacted to the lack of initiative to make a potential sale!. Bikers tend to vote with their voices, and are a pretty tight crew when it comes to supporting or shitting on businesses , or people. Word of mouth is a powerful form of advertising, and I , and my mates ,all ride Harleys. What-dyer reckon we'll be discussing on our next ride??? Fucking still keen! I'm still seething!

I had the same happen with my local BMW dealership, after they rang me TWICE to confirm my test ride, they decided to sell their demo R9T the day before I rocked up and didn't tell me. The arsehat didn't even get out of his chair, and just suggested I put a deposit down to pre order one. I went to HD, and while they didn't have a Forty Eight to ride, they did have an 883 Iron, and happily explained the differences. BMW didn't even do that. I understand a sale is a sale, but seriously, how about calling a potential customer instead of just pissing them off?

Hard to get a test ride on a Streety . They sell so well for the dealers that a demo is usually snapped up pretty quickly .

I would have to agree Tim I bought an ex demo 2015 streety with 1900 ks on it and saved myself just under 7 k

Mate, as far as I can tell incompetence is everywhere in life and if that is how the salesman is happy to treat a customer that is looking to drop $35+ g in the shop, screw 'em. I might add though, if you have any inkling that it is not the culture of the shop to be that useless it might be worth talking to the Dealer Principle direct to see if he/she are keen for the business? 

Surely they could help find a suitable bike somewhere or apologise straight up? I could understand if they don't have a demo ect but they should be upfront about it, apologise, and add that they'd like the opportunity to 'fight' for the business if you ride one elsewhere and get offered a deal. From my experience there is plenty of fat in the initial offerings and your always better off getting it on paper and shopping around. A bit of stuff around on rego can go a long way to saving you $$.

I was happy with my sales experience. It was drawn out over a months and I always backed a face-to-face up with email. It helped that I wasn't in a hurry. Emailing was useful proof when agreed to things were accidentally missed etc. In that instance, a chat to the Dealer Principle got the problem identified and rectified ASAP.

Oh and not that it would be too much use to you but Canberra HD had a demo of the Street Glide last time I looked. I'm going to have a gander and ride on one as I'm keen to win that competition for a trip to the states to spend my last few $$ on my HD kit and watery US beer...

 One on the floor,if your prepared to travel West ? They do move quickly as Tim's said.Clink the link below these guys 'Mick' will assist in any way they can .

www.gsmc.com.au/

 

 

Understand they're in short supply, Tim. It was the fact there was no communication on their part whatsoever to identify there WAS no ride, and very little effort after that to try and generate a sale.  The spare parts guys and everyone else at PS have been fantastic to me JFE, so  I am a patient man, and dont mind a bit of research to verify it just wasnt one slack arse bloke letting down the bigger concern. Unfortunately, Canberra's a bit too far away for a test ride, but I'd be open to suggestions if they let me ride it back to Adelaide!

........or Perth, for that matter, Keith!

Poor communication on there part , BUT I think you will find it will get better , now they have competition they will have to work that little bit harder .. PS have always been hit and miss , I bought a new bike of them , in 2008 , another in 2009 , another in 2010 ,, each time getting a real good deal , In 2011 they treated me like shit so i walked away , in 2012 once again treated me like shit so i bought in Melburne saved over 2 grand on the same bike ,, 2013 never even bothered with them bought my suzuki from victor , even though PS were advertizing the same bike 800 dollars less , i still thought fuck em and was treated real good at victor with cheap serviceing discounted , parts and accessories i soon saved the 800 .

2015 few weeks ago , bought another BIKE FROM PS and will give them there due , no bullshit or messing about just a straight up good price on a 2015 bike which i knew could'nt be beat anywhere ,which is excatly the way i like to do buisness , ,they can only go so low before Harley themselves will step in , the problem with them in the past has been, its were, here take it or leave it , you have no where else to go , now you do have somewhere to go , I found the accessories prices from bike works and PS were within 20 cents of each other on 1800 dollars worth , 2016 bike prices will be the same , So all in all who gets who's buisness will depend on which salesman or mechanic smile at you the most , and the all important TRADE IN PRICE ,, and i know at the moment i would put Bikeworks a 100 yards in front of that race at the moment , and still gaining ground , .

My mate bought his 2013 softail , from Vic , spent a few grand on it , decided he did'nt like it and took it to Bikeworks to trade my jaw dropped when he told me the changeover price , alls i can say his they made a freind out of him for life .

I did have a drama over some spare parts, wont go into the details, but I was pissed off and sent an email to the sales dept saying how I felt.

To his credit, the Dealer Principle picked up on it, and offered to sort it out. I didn't take it any further, it wasn't a big issue, but it impressed me that he took an interest.

I think some individuals may treat others poorly sometimes, but after that I don't don't judge them all by a few bad apples.....

And I've had some really great service in the service department, and on the spare parts desk.

Hey Winger, keep in mind that if you buy a Street Glide in Canberra I would be a helpful bloke and deliver it to you in Adelaide for free. I'm good like that. Save you doing that pesky break-in stuff. Keith might have the 'service' available from Perth too.

 

Haha! I'm certain you blokes would be VERY helpful in bringing over a brand , shiny new bike for a needy mate. Be a lot of bugs to clean up coming from the West! I'm still laughing. Wish i'd thought of that lurk myself!

 ... all they are interested in is your money.

My mate, Bob, has just picked up the blue Streety that was for sale at HH after finally getting his RK paid out after some inattentive gook woman with 2 kids on board turned straight in front of him for no apparent reason . After his death defying flight through the air which was only stopped by  the Honda Odyssesy's roof, he was lucky to only end up with some nasty road rash and bruises along with a fractured thumb. That ,in itself, was enough to stuff up the weekend we had been looking forward to- the HOG rally down at Victor. Still, the positive is, he's alive and well enough to put it down to bitter experience, albeit with a very bent Road King front end and frame! The dealings with insurance companies are always protracted and this was no different. Even though I've had a crack at HH, they held the Street Glide Bob wanted until the claim was finalised. I'm wondering, GT, whether this is the bike you're referring to? I'm very keen on one myself ,so we'll get out for a ride tomorrow where I can check it out. Trade in time may well be near!

The new Streety in it's first decent ride. Stunning looking ride! Pics don't do the paint colour justice. And we had music!!!!

That is a real nice blue. Out of interest, how did you find the handling with all the fairings etc? Best song that describes the ride?

You might have mistaken the bike as mine, JFE. Wish it was, that's why I'm so bloody envious. His first ride impressions after owning the RK, was that the 103 was much gruntier down low and the fairing stopped all of the annoying buffeting he got from the clip on accessory screen on the old bike. He hasn't had it a week, but he's pretty chuffed with it. I'm going to let the novelty wear off and crawl up his arse and ask for a ride, even though I wouldn't let any mongrel get on mine! I do remember hearing Born to be wild blasting out at the traffic lights at one stage!

 

 

I'm envious too Winger. Your mate has done well. I do admire the Street Glides but one isn't on my radar for a few years yet.

If the crawling doesn't work, get him boozed up and offer to ride it home (via The Adelaide Hills) because mates don't let mates drink and ride...

Glad something positive has come out your mate's mishap. that's a very nice colour scheme and I'm sure he will enjoy riding around on it. (Yes, same bike I mentioned earlier) 

Haha. Now you've got me thinking, JFE!