What's Up With Dealers Lately?
#1
05-22-2009, 02:27 AM
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What's Up With Dealers Lately?
I'm hoping it's just local, but bike dealers have either lost their friggin minds or gotten desperate.
I've been shopping around lately for a bike for my better half, will be her first one and she'll be riding it after she finishes her MSF course. Stopped into 3 local dealerships today during a ride to check out what they had and take pics for her to look at later, maybe test ride one if I found a nice one and they let me.
First stop was a suzuki dealer, figured they might have a sv650f or gs500f I could check out. I explained the situation, told them she hadn't ridden street bikes before and it would be her first bike. He tried to sell me a 08 GSXR 600, I s%^t you not. I told him, "No, it's not for me, it's for my gf". He responds "The GSXR600 is an excellent beginners bike, it's not fast like a GSXR1000, it's perfectly safe as a starter bike." I asked him about the two other bikes I was actually there to look at, he told me he didn't have any of those in stock then continued to push for the gixxer for her. I told him he was nuts and left.
Second was a the honda dealer. Didn't really expect much here, knowing there's not much in their lineup for beginner riders, but I was hoping for at least a break from the idiocy I dealt with at the suzuki store. Not to be I guess, honestly tried to sell me a 600RR right off that bat, first bike he led me to for her, sheesh. Wasn't expecting much but to even reccomend it? Feh. Then proceeded to try to convince me to buy a 1000rr and give her my F4i. A 1000rr may well be in my future but an f4i as a starter bike sure as hell isn't in hers.
Last but not least I hit up a yamaha dealer. Guy said he had just the one and showed me to a FZ6R, hmmmm.. not too bad. It's not exactly what I had in mind but at least it wasn't a supersport. Yay for the yamaha dealer. So i took a few pics and was about to walk out when he walks back up and says "hey, just figured I'd mention there's another bike in back that might be perfect for her" I head back, sure enough, it's an R6s. Feh. Almost made it out before he wrecked his credibility with me.
I'm not really intending to buy any of these bikes from the dealer, but they are convenient places to find a variety that I can take her to and have her actually look at and sit on the bikes, will most likely be buying it private party. Didn't find a 250 or 500 ninja to take pics of (no local kawi dealers) but will throw that in the mix when I do.
Anyone else noticed this kindof behavior from dealers lately? I felt like I was being pressured all day not into the best bike for her but the best one for their profit margin. Been to alot of dealers in my day and rarely seen them behave like this.
I've been shopping around lately for a bike for my better half, will be her first one and she'll be riding it after she finishes her MSF course. Stopped into 3 local dealerships today during a ride to check out what they had and take pics for her to look at later, maybe test ride one if I found a nice one and they let me.
First stop was a suzuki dealer, figured they might have a sv650f or gs500f I could check out. I explained the situation, told them she hadn't ridden street bikes before and it would be her first bike. He tried to sell me a 08 GSXR 600, I s%^t you not. I told him, "No, it's not for me, it's for my gf". He responds "The GSXR600 is an excellent beginners bike, it's not fast like a GSXR1000, it's perfectly safe as a starter bike." I asked him about the two other bikes I was actually there to look at, he told me he didn't have any of those in stock then continued to push for the gixxer for her. I told him he was nuts and left.
Second was a the honda dealer. Didn't really expect much here, knowing there's not much in their lineup for beginner riders, but I was hoping for at least a break from the idiocy I dealt with at the suzuki store. Not to be I guess, honestly tried to sell me a 600RR right off that bat, first bike he led me to for her, sheesh. Wasn't expecting much but to even reccomend it? Feh. Then proceeded to try to convince me to buy a 1000rr and give her my F4i. A 1000rr may well be in my future but an f4i as a starter bike sure as hell isn't in hers.
Last but not least I hit up a yamaha dealer. Guy said he had just the one and showed me to a FZ6R, hmmmm.. not too bad. It's not exactly what I had in mind but at least it wasn't a supersport. Yay for the yamaha dealer. So i took a few pics and was about to walk out when he walks back up and says "hey, just figured I'd mention there's another bike in back that might be perfect for her" I head back, sure enough, it's an R6s. Feh. Almost made it out before he wrecked his credibility with me.
I'm not really intending to buy any of these bikes from the dealer, but they are convenient places to find a variety that I can take her to and have her actually look at and sit on the bikes, will most likely be buying it private party. Didn't find a 250 or 500 ninja to take pics of (no local kawi dealers) but will throw that in the mix when I do.
Anyone else noticed this kindof behavior from dealers lately? I felt like I was being pressured all day not into the best bike for her but the best one for their profit margin. Been to alot of dealers in my day and rarely seen them behave like this.
#2
05-22-2009, 02:39 AM
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#3
05-22-2009, 02:48 AM
It's funny, i've been getting the opposite reactions from dealers. I've gone in to look at liter bikes or a 600 super sport. And the've been trying to push the little bikes on me. One honda dealer even tryed to sell me a CBR125. Im 6 foot 2 200 pounds and 28.. But he wouldn't have it lolol
I don't know :P I must look like a noob
I don't know :P I must look like a noob
#4
05-22-2009, 03:02 AM
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Nah no flaming, the new kawi 250's do look damn nice. Wasn't aware they updated the 500 too, going to have to go look for that, I might have misread that tho. If they haven't though they really should, but look how long it took them to update the 250, same bike they sold for what, 2 decades now?
Maybe it was how we were dressed, I hopped off a sportbike and walked in wearing full gear carrying a helmet, maybe they just saw the gear and thought "Hey finally a chance to sell one of these spendy bikes, guy looks like he can handle it", then just couldn't adapt when I said it wasn't for me, who knows. You walk in wearing street clothes?
Maybe it was how we were dressed, I hopped off a sportbike and walked in wearing full gear carrying a helmet, maybe they just saw the gear and thought "Hey finally a chance to sell one of these spendy bikes, guy looks like he can handle it", then just couldn't adapt when I said it wasn't for me, who knows. You walk in wearing street clothes?
#5
05-22-2009, 03:34 AM
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#6
05-22-2009, 03:55 AM
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Not to agree with the dealers, but my wife started out on an 02 R6. It was a decision we made together. It was either that, or a ninja 500. After looking at the specs on a 500, we decided the R6 was the better choice. Sure, it has more power, but that is its only downfall. The 600 class bikes handle better, have better brakes, are generally lighter and have the most technology into them. In all, they are a safer bike to be on, aside from the power. If your better half is responsible, it shouldnt be an issue. Plus, the 600 class bikes are so docile down low, it would almost have to be intentional for her to get into trouble with the power. As long as she understands to keep it under a certain rpm, she should do fine. Just because she is a woman, doesnt mean she can't handle it. But I understand your issue. I struggled for a long time before I let my wife,(gf at the time) hop on the R6. She now drives a ninja 636 and I still look in the mirror constantly when she's behind me. But she is only 5'3", 110lbs and handles the bike well. In fact, we have a friend that has a 500 ninja and let her ride it last fall. while the bikes seat height was lower, she made the comment it was too heavy for her. Of course, the newer ninja 250 is light, but a 250 might be too small depending on what type of riding you plan on doing.
As for the FZ6R, that is basically a detuned naked R6, near 100 hp and makes power down lower in the rpm range. If its power your concerned with, that would not be a good choice either, and it is heavier. The Fz6 is putting down the same power your F4i is, just heavier. Looks can be deceiving. Weight was a major concern for my wife. If I had to choose between the F4i and the Fz6, Id choose the F4i just for the lighter weight.
the bottom line is, dont let anyone change your mind,(including me) on an issue that you yourself will have to deal with. You have your own opinion on what is a good starter bike for her and you should stick with it. just be sure to do some research and dont judge a bike on its appearance, or you, and your better half, may end up disapointed.
As for the FZ6R, that is basically a detuned naked R6, near 100 hp and makes power down lower in the rpm range. If its power your concerned with, that would not be a good choice either, and it is heavier. The Fz6 is putting down the same power your F4i is, just heavier. Looks can be deceiving. Weight was a major concern for my wife. If I had to choose between the F4i and the Fz6, Id choose the F4i just for the lighter weight.
the bottom line is, dont let anyone change your mind,(including me) on an issue that you yourself will have to deal with. You have your own opinion on what is a good starter bike for her and you should stick with it. just be sure to do some research and dont judge a bike on its appearance, or you, and your better half, may end up disapointed.
#7
05-22-2009, 08:18 AM
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My opinion - Often times salesmen push whatever drives their compensation, and salesmen are often times rewarded with meatier commissions and even spiffs for certain products. They understand what the margins are on different bikes and how that affects their commission pay, and consequently put people in the bike that pads their wallet but isn't necessarily the RIGHT product.
#8
05-22-2009, 11:55 AM
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I was in the local honda dealer just kinda glancing at the bikes on my way to the parts department, sales guy stops me. He asked if I had a bike, I was like yeah an F2 so then he starts talking about the 600rr first then throws in some info about the 1k. I told him I wasn't ready to upgrade yet and he just looked at me funny, I guess not too many people still ride 16 year old bikes? Once I told him I didn't have a full season riding experience yet he understood then let me go on my way.
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