Future owner

[Joe]

Nice to see that customer focus is still a priority!

You'd have thought they would have prepped the bike to be ready as soon as was possible after they acquired it so that when someone (me) wants to ride it with the strong possibility of buying it, there would be nothing in the way of me playing them my hard earned cash.

[virginiajim]

What year is this bike you are looking at?

[O.C.]

You'd have thought they would have prepped the bike to be ready as soon as was possible after they acquired it so that when someone (me) wants to ride it with the strong possibility of buying it, there would be nothing in the way of me playing them my hard earned cash.

I'm completely in agreement with you Joe

How badly do they want to sell the bike.      

[Joe]

What year is this bike you are looking at?

2010

I'm completely in agreement with you Joe

How badly do they want to sell the bike.      

I've done a small amount of internet sleuthing, it's been in their possession for at least 5 weeks - from what I've seen they don't sell too readily, I reckon they would like to shift it and make room for something else.

[virginiajim]

I'm assuming used, correct?  Try to get the service history if you can.  How many miles on it?

[Joe]

I'm assuming used, correct?  Try to get the service history if you can.  How many miles on it?

Yes, one previous owner and roughly 6k miles.

[virginiajim]

6k miles and a 2010...  Be prepared to change every fluid in the bike and also all the filters.  If it's the original battery chuck it and get a new one.  Make sure it has one large fob.  They may have the credit card fob as well.  You really need to ride it in the cold to see if the TPS batteries are weak.  If so, those batteries will need to be replaced.  Check the tires, if they are BTs, chuck them and get PR3s or PR4s.  In fact, if they've been on the bike that long, chuck them anyway.  Make sure the front brake rotors aren't warped.  You'll feel it if they are.  Make sure all the recalls have been done to it.  That's all I can think of at the moment.

One more thing.  Check the rear shock adjuster.  Make sure you can turn the knob clockwise and anti-clockwise.

[Joe]

Thank you Jim, most helpful 

[PRD]

It does not sound like they are very customer focuses. Don't run after them let them do some work to get your money or go elsewhere where they are more interested.

[Joe]

It does not sound like they are very customer focuses. Don't run after them let them do some work to get your money or go elsewhere where they are more interested.

Oh I know, I have a few bikes in my time but usually buy privately.

I have another bike waiting in the wings should they not play ball.

[moayling]

Think I would take my money elsewhere. Dobles had a nice red one when I was looking but couldn't get enough from them for my RT. Had a really good experience dealing with CMC in Newport.

I wish you luck in your search. The right one will come along and I'm sure you will enjoy it

Mo

[Joe]

TBH I'm in no rush but in a way I see it as a good thing that they won't let the bike out before having their workshop check it out. It's just that I would have thought it would make sense to make sure this was done before the bike was put on sale.

[virginiajim]

 

[Phill_York]

Bike shops never feel customer focussed and always feels like it's a mate running a business and helping you out. Hanging around in the shop isn't seen as a negative. When you're a youth you loved being in a bike shop, absorbing knowledge and feeling important because you had a bike. Unfortunately, the shops don't seem to have moved on from that treatment and deal with you the same way, even though your priorities have changed drastically; theirs need to as well.

Dare I say it, that this is the element which BMW have got exactly right.  They are predominantly dealing with middle aged men, cash rich and often time poor. They seem much better able to behave like a car dealership being cleaner, bigger and more professional.  For me, that's not an environment I want to buy a bike in but I recognise I'm in the minority.

Criticise BMW and it's riders all you like (and I'm at the front of that queue as many of my friends are all too aware) but you have to admit they have got their sales process right, generate unbelievable loyalty and have brought a lot of people to motorcycling. Credit where it's due; sorry.

[virginiajim]

BMW reminds me of Apple Corp..  Intensely loyal following and paying top dollar/pounds for their product.  We have a BMW dealer close to me in Fredericksburg.  I buy gear and stuff there all the time.  I actually like them quite a bit.  Just can't push myself to buy their product line.