The HD dealership today

I was in the Harley dealer today. There's always something going on in there on Saturdays. It was fun watching the guys walk around in their HD clothing from head to toe (most of them didn't have any bug guts on their clothes. I wonder how much actual riding they have been doing ;))

One guy while I was there, bought a new RK and outfitted himself and his female companion whith an entire set of HD gear from head to toe. WOW! My wife rides her own bike and was laughing because the woman picked out a very nice jacket that was very "flattering", but was completely in impractical for riding.

So my wife bought a nice shirt (she was able to find one that didn't have HD emblazened across it) that shows off the village feeders nicely, and I bought a nice pair of new waterproof riding boots that were on sale and pretty nice.

I sat on a Street Glide. Harley's paint is second to none. Seriously, there are custom painters that don't come close to their factory job. The Street is my favorite bike to that HD has made in a long time. It's nice to see a bike you can actually tour on that has some attitude. My Nomad will be similar to it by the end of the summer. My Nomad also has way more leg room, and is just a better all around bike.

I couldn't help but wish though, that the other motorcycle mfg's would provide this kind of atmoshphere for the customers. HD has some really great gear, and if I could go to a Kaw dealership and get the same quality of gear that had VULCAN or NOMAD emblazened across it, I would probably own a couple of items myself. I understand how folks get lost in the mystique of it all.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't even close to buying an HD today, but I did enjoy the atmosphere. Our local Star dealership has been getting pretty close, but still you have a snowmobile sitting next to a Raider and it's just......different.

I did have one funny moment. The gal that was helping me with my boots said "These are guaranteed not to leak". I looked at her and said, "too bad they can't make the same guarantee on their primary covers." She looked at me with a puzzled look, not sure what I meant.

[prestaged]

You have some very serious issues that should probably be addressed with medication. Get a life.

[jasperboy]

I agree, from a retail/merchandise perspective HD has it going on. There are a number of "Mega-Dealers" around with enormous showrooms decorated to the nines and with gob's of accessories and soft goods. I will stop in from time to time just for a look, kind of like going into a real upscale clothing store. etc... I'm not buying, but its fun to look. Love to look at the bikes and all the extras, but at the end of the day I climb back aboard my Nomad and ride on, knowing I have a better bike, and my time spent in the saddle is the proof. When I stop at most metric shops, they have bikes, but mostly sport, dirt, and ATV's. The accessories are non existent, and the clothing is minimal. Most dealers claim no one buys the stuff, but yet I've spent thousands on accessories on every bike I've ever owned. I guess the answer is if you want a lifestyle, but HD, if you just want to ride... well, you know. :)

[coacha]

That is the deal with HD...the whole "lifestyle" thing. When we go on rides with our normal group, we will stop at dealerships of varying manufacturers. HD is the top at marketing their brand on all sorts of things. Kaw, not so much. I was in a big dealership in Lakeland, not much with Kawasaki on it, other than stuff for off road.

[ringadingh]

I like going to HD dealers sometimes, especially when Im in the states. You guys have some enormous shops there compared to the ones here. Ive been to one where the T shirt dept was the same size as some of our dealerships.

[mercianbike]

Originally Posted by prestaged

You have some very serious issues that should probably be addressed with medication. Get a life.

Welcome to the forum Roger. You will find this a very friendly place to exchange ideas. Unlike some forums on the web, you will rarely, very rarely, find a negative response to a posting.

[cactusjack]

I've said this before, I collect t-shirts from HD dealers. Why HD? Because you can't get any at a Kawasaki dealer. I'd buy them, I really would. I'm sure others would too. All they sell is "generic" Kaw stuff. Monster Energy t-shirts, I couldn't even find a Nomad hat at my Kaw dealer.

You are right about HD paint. If there's anything HD does better than anyone else, it's the paint they shoot on the tins. Absolutely gorgeous paint jobs.

[jamiep24]

I like to go to the HD shop to look around because they have some nice-looking bikes, but I got the one I want. The Kaw dealership I bought mine from has a good bit of clothing and accessories, but nothing like the HD shop...........................Did you say "Village Feeders"?

Nice job taking the high road mercian. Thanks.

[pirate]

Originally Posted by yridehd

Nice job taking the high road mercian. Thanks.

+1 on that.

I agree, I enjoy stopping at HD dealerships sometimes to look at everything. They do have a great handle on merchandise and accessories, much better than any other dealer does. I know what you're saying about the atmosphere, too. It just seems like a cool place to be, and that's what they want.
With saying all that, there's no way I'm giving up my Nomad for "atmosphere."

[ballast]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I've said this before, I collect t-shirts from HD dealers. Why HD? Because you can't get any at a Kawasaki dealer. I'd buy them, I really would. I'm sure others would too.

First time I took my Nomad for service the gal behind the counter said I was pretty brave wearing an HD shirt and riding a Kaw. Told her the same thing, if you make them we will come and buy them.

[Kawhead]

I have to admit the same 'bout a HD dealership. I went there to buy the exhaust gasket for the same reason I bout the Nomad.......better product. I got there and MAN!!! Beautiful manicured landscape, park benches even an Amphitheater!!! I believe the name was Tillies but it's in Winston-Salem NC. The inside smelled like leather there were lights every where. BIKES, ACCESSORIES, BLING.........Hey...... I was impressed!!!!


The Kaw place on the other hand was bland. Dirt bikes and quads all over the place. Off Road Helmets and gear mostly. Most of the stuff made you look like an alligator or Star Wars extra if you put it on. A salesman finally slithered up and didn't want to come of the price of a last years model of a Vulcan 2K. No deal there but he did come down a lot on a tired dusty ass Nomad that he'd been trying to sell me six months prior :)

It really wasn't a Kaw place either, it was Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha. Honda has a descent place across town, like a car dealership for the Wing folks.

[mrfuni]

"I did have one funny moment. The gal that was helping me with my boots said "These are guaranteed not to leak". I looked at her and said, "too bad they can't make the same guarantee on their primary covers." She looked at me with a puzzled look, not sure what I meant."

Now that's funny

[strobe]

The HD dealer here must constantly shine the bikes. That showroom is spotless and the bikes almost sparkle, unlike any other bike (non HD) dealership I have ever seen. The quality of the paint may play into how good those bikes look all the time in the showroom. Even colors I usually would not care for look pretty good sitting on that showroom floor.

I've said this before, I collect t-shirts from HD dealers. Why HD? Because you can't get any at a Kawasaki dealer. I'd buy them, I really would. I'm sure others would too. All they sell is "generic" Kaw stuff. Monster Energy t-shirts, I couldn't even find a Nomad hat at my Kaw dealer.

I have managed to but 1 t-shirt a the kawi dealer....in almost 5 years of owning the bike....1 shirt, that is pretty much all they have ever had in.

[rlfaubion]

You mean they are still leaking? after all these years? That ain't funny at all......