Ducati of Seattle did the timing belts, valve clearances and carb set up on my 900. It wil be going there for the next belt change. They go that extra mile to make one feel welcome and look after customers.

A couple years ago a VP for a company I worked had a party at his home in seattle. His house was incredible, as was his view over the city skyline.

Anyway, about an hour into the party, this Ducati pulls up to his house. I, being a Porsche guy, a in the driveway talking to a couple of air-cooled "air heads", when this Ducati pulls up. The bike kickstand goes down, the key comes out. Then SHE, gets off the bike.

She removed her helmet and shook her long, dark curly hair. An absolute 10!!!

She ended up talking to us gear heads for the rest of the night. She is into Jeep CJ's, Ducatis and older 911's.

The fact that she was an absolute knockout, drop dead gorgeous, smoking hot chick was pure bonus.

Whenever I think of Ducatis, or Seattle she is what I think of!

Sorry, didn't mean to drift......

I must say I may have a different attitude about bikes and dealerships - of whatever brand. I have a liter bike I really like to ride, but to me it's a way to get me there & back. I suppose that comes from the days long ago when I had a bike for transportation - my only means of transportation for many years.
I do my basic maintenance but any more than that, I just don't have time for it. So I take my bike in to the dealership for anything more than I have time to do. I could care less about how the place is, who is there, or what they think or wear. There is a dealership for my bike brand along with several others about 15 minutes away. They have a good supply of maintenance items and parts. Their repair department also does a very competent job. When I'm there, I get what I need, ask the questions I need to ask and I'm outa there. I couldn't even describe anyone there after I leave.

Relatively new Ducati dealership in Ocala, Florida.........Melillimoto........owned and run by an old Ducati racer and his family straight from Italy........similar atmosphere as you've described in Seattle. It's a great place to buy, get service, and hang out.
ama

Quote:
"I must say I may have a different attitude about bikes and dealerships - of whatever brand. I have a liter bike I really like to ride, but to me it's a way to get me there & back. I suppose that comes from the days long ago when I had a bike for transportation - my only means of transportation for many years.
I do my basic maintenance but any more than that, I just don't have time for it. So I take my bike in to the dealership for anything more than I have time to do. I could care less about how the place is, who is there, or what they think or wear. There is a dealership for my bike brand along with several others about 15 minutes away. They have a good supply of maintenance items and parts. Their repair department also does a very competent job. When I'm there, I get what I need, ask the questions I need to ask and I'm outa there. I couldn't even describe anyone there after I leave"

And they should care about you?

Customer/business is a two-way relationship. The business is there to take in interest in the customer and his/her vehicle, the customer should do the same.

I can only see your attitude working when visiting Safeway.

Well, one difference is that for Ducati or BMW, there likely isn't a choice in dealerships within 15 minutes. In addition, YamKawZukiDa tend to be more commodity bikes. Analogous to Chevy/Toyota/Honda vs Porsche/BWM/Ferrari.

Beyond that, bikes fall into the "lifestyle" side of things, because they either are a toy or someone has made a conscious decision to be miserable on the road. Both of those groups will often want to find like-minded folk to hang out with, and especially they want fellow enthusiasts to be the ones that get their money.

It can be just transportation. Or it can be more. Depends on the person...

Well, I didn't say I didn't enjoy riding the bike, and am therefore not "miserable" on the road. I also think the people at the dealership should "care" about me, otherwise they wouldn't get my business. I guess I just have to say from my years before of riding everywhere, at any time of the day, in any weather, under any conditions, it doesn't seem to me like a "lifestyle". I suppose it was to me, out of necessity, at the time.
Since things are so busy for me now, I don't have the time to jump on it & blast up to the local mountains. The route I ride on a normal basis is one of the most enjoyable in the area. Could be I might look at it as more of a "lifestyle" when I have more discretionary time. Plus I guess the "lifestyle" thing also reminds me of the Harley crowd.

Quote
"It can be just transportation. Or it can be more. Depends on the person"

Makes no difference, whether it's the vehicle one has worked one's whole life for or a POS that just about runs, still remains a two-way relationship.

I'm going to submit that Marv's words may have come off as more harsh than he intended. Nothing wrong with simply wanting to drop off the bike, expect good service, pay for the results and get on with life. That's not disrespect. It's just a businesslike attitude. It's not like he said he treates them with disrespect. I'm sure the dealer loves his money if not him. Also could be the dealership he goes to isn't as cool as the one Jeff went to and hasn't drawn Marv in.

Let's not harsh on a fellow rider. :)

Yeah, I didn't intend to come off as slamming anybody. It's just that's the way I've always related to my biking experience. But I guess if I really didn't like riding, I wouldn't have bought another bike. And like everything else I have, I take top notch care of it. You guys have fun. I like Ducati's too.

Marv,

I didn't see you as slamming anyone, the businesses will carry on fine with or without you.

It's a comment about how YOU would like to be treated by YOUR customers. Would you, or anyone, like it if there was no relationship (and therefore no interest) between you as customer, or you as a business, and the other party of the business transaction?

Mark

I never thought of it that way, but you are exactly right. The only difference is that I can't ever see being without a Harley; I really do enjoy them that much. H-D is building the best bikes they ever have, and regardless of what the nay-sayers might have to say, some of the best bikes built by anyone at any time. They really are that good. I couldn't imagine being without mine.

They have, however, become somewhat of a parody of themselves. A victim of their own success, the sheer quality and reliability of the newest generation of H-D's has opened them up to a whole new demographic. They don't have to worry about keeping the bike running anymore; they don't have to know what makes it run anymore. When I started riding, H-D riders had to be some of the most knowledgeable, in a mechanical sense, in the entire motorcycling world. Now they have the luxury of being the least.

I understand that a lot of the dealer atmosphere is determined by the individual dealership. However, we have no less than six H-D dealerships within an hour of my home. They do each have their own distinctive "personality", but only within a range of such that is allowed by H-D corporate. One constant that is found at all six is the aloofness, lack of mechanical/technical knowledge, and egos of the sales floor staff.

So, in essence, the people have changed a great deal. I used to hit quite a few big biker events every year, both locally and as much as half the continent away. I was actually director of our local HOG chapter at one time. I enjoyed being at the events and with bikers with whom I had something in common. I don't feel that way anymore; I have little in common with the vast majority of H-D enthusiasts. They are not the same anymore. Oh, don't get me wrong - I still ride with a very small group of close friends; "old school" bikers with grease under their fingernails and no canned "attitude" they feel they need to display to "fit in".

Anyway, the whole atmosphere at Ducati of Seattle reminded me of the old days riding Harleys. When it was all about the bikes, the road, and nothing to do with the attitudes and accessories. It was like rolling the clock back 20-30 years. It was a very familiar, immediately comfortable feeling.

i don't go to a dealership looking for a new network of friends. it would be nice. but probably ain't gonna happen.

the hollywood shop has passed two crucial tests. the things they've fixed have stayed fixed. something alot of places can't seem to do. and a few times when i've pulled in at 5 minutes before closing on a friday, the service manager has stuck around to diagnose, and even fix my problem. instead of just telling me to leave the bike and call monday.




still, every year i buy another tool, and learn another thing to fix. i get almost everything but gasoline off ebay. the less time i spend at the shop, the happier i am.

Good post Jeff, I pretty much agree with everythign you said. Realize though that there are some folks out there on newer HD's, that are younger but don't fit the typical stereotype.

I bought my first street back at 29, back in 2003. I bought the HD in 06, after all the 07's and their bigger engines and 6 speeds had really lowered the prices of the 06's left. I sold my BMW GS, as it was too big for what I was using it for (fire trails and jeep roads) and I had since purchased a dirt bike to use in the mud (it doesn't dent the tank when you tip it over into a rock like the GS did..). I was also commuting 62 miles each way mostly on the interstate, and wanted something comfortable for the ride. The Electra Glide fit the bill perfectly, and like I have said, I was a little tired of the BMW crowd. Yep every brand has it ass jockeys.

I still ride most of the year in my armored BMW riding gear, because it works, and I like it. I do have leathers, but only when its real cold will I put them on.

I'm not a big fan of throwing more chrome on my bike, and everything that has been done to it, mostly go faster goodies, has been done by me (I do have a cool Grateful Dead primary cover thing on there, so I guess that might fall into the chromosexual bit).

Now with that being said, I have friends that fit the RUB stereo type to the T. The wear the gear, only want to ride to the closest dealership, which just happens to be next to a Hooters, so I meet them there every once in a while after taking the long way. With a 6 year old and a 3 year, my dirt and street riding time has definitley dimished, so I take advantage of it when I can. But that is what they want to.

I have other firends that if the ride isn't 250 miles, they aren't interested. There isn't much better than crusing through the Colorado mountains on a bike, so I spend a lot of time with them.

I am a member of HOG, I have never been to a meeting, or a ride, and the pins they send get stuck in a drawer somewhere, and the patches on one of the legs of my lift. I do like some of the tech tips, of the riding atlas has come in handy, so I renew every year, for pretty much the same reasons I am a member of PCA.

This is getting long winded, but I am glad you bought the Duc, and found the atmosphere at their dealership refreshing. Its good to remember one of the reasons why you ride every once in a while. With regards to HD, and the direction they are going, ehh, my next bike might be from some Lawyer or Accountant that has low miles and is cheap since they want to get out of the hobby, so I look at HD selling more bikes as a positive thing.

Bill

Funny, even with all the negative press, I would still consider an HD.

I would love a dyna low rider. Maybe a fat boy. Beautiful bikes.

I have a feeling that with the falling economy, many of the 'fanboy' HD drivers will go away, and perhaps there will be a revival of sorts with the true believers.

I owned an '02 FXDX for a year, the thing was certainly trouble free but I had too much trouble fitting in with my fellow riders. At least I sold it for what I paid. I have never been in a HD dealership, unless it was in the
'70's, and the only BMW shop I've been in was in Munich.
Jim