I went for a ride this morning with the excuse to get some chain lube and glue for my heated grip install. The Japanese pictured showed a white aerosol spray being dispensed prior to sliding the grip and wires on at the correct angle. I thought I'd ride to the nearest dealer... well the nearest dealer via asphalt that curved...All American Harley-Davidson in Hughesville, MD. I had not visit a H-D establishment for over twenty years, and had never been to one that is exclusively H-D. Holy Smokes it was the exact opposite of the Honda dealer. 1. Honda has 80% motorcycles on the floor, H-D has 80% lifestyle and accessories, *maybe* there were ten bikes in the huge showroom with ten more outside. 2. Honda sells both Honda and other brands. I only saw H-D branded stuff. I mean, H-D shirts, shoes, glasses, glass, parts (all in nicely hung black & orange blister packs) even H-D chain lube (I almost bought some for future lube evaluation ) 3. There were over 100 bikes in the lot, and in I ride with my RWB HONDA and they park me next to the Road Kings! The VFR was the only foriegn built bike - I saw one Victory, the rest were H-D... big change from years ago, everyone was friendly. I enjoyed my free food and drink before heading off to get hairspray for my grips. I guess Harley Davidson doesn't have a black and orange can of grip glue .... yet.:redface: I wonder what it would take for Honda to get the same kind of brand loyalty... oh, yeah. read KC's post on service, then look at the "new" Honda line up. :bored:
Cape Fear HD actually has quite a few bikes on thier showroom , but ALL HD. Super nice sales staff. Though I run the risk of being placed in front of a firing squad on this site, I gotta say....(Not that you posted to discuss HD per se) did you see the 2008 line-up? It is pretty sweet!! The Rocker and Rocker C that are replacing the Softail Duece are unbelievable. I also like the new Fat Bob. Makes me think I might need a different type of bike to park next to my VFR. :redface: Anyway, so as not to hijack your post, the HD showroom here is really nice. They take time to talk to you and actually know what they are talking about, unlike the major sportbike dealer just down the street. Those guys suck. Hell, they are not even carrying VFRs anymore.
Chris: your post is exactly what I was discussing... it was a totally different experience than the Honda shop. From the people's attitude, to the cleanliness, to the layout, etc... Like the first time I went into a Saturn dealership, Starbucks, etc... H-D is closer to Target, and many multi-brand shops remind me of K-mart. The Road King is the only bike that seems to hold my eye in their line up. But, then I see one shaking at idle and realize I sit in too much traffice for it to be a commuter, and alas CINCHOUSE does not support a hanger full of bikes.
yup, Household 6 does have her objections; to which I counter with the $17k kitchen I bought her and my requirement to go get shot at by terrorists every 8 months for 8 months. When I am home, I want to live, you know? Always makes for delightful and interesting dinnertime banter. At some point, I will have enough points collected for another bike. And it's going to the THE BIG, EXPENSIVE whatever its going to be (BMW K1200R is still the frontrunner even over HD), but it will be the last one I buy and it will be well-deserved!!
I rode the K1200GT, then got the VFR. It's big, I'm short. It goes fast, VFR goes fast enough. I'm wondering if the high compression engine will have the life most of the BMW family are famous for, oh and they take high octane only too.... but the service costs are freaking insane. Nice bike. Ride a few.
