Went to the Honda Dealer yesterday

[OldBear]

I too have found that the local dealerships don't have any of the touring/riding stuff you really want. If ya want a helmet or gear or accessories around here (other than el cheapo junk!) you've got to either (a) order it online or (b) ride down to the BMW shop....kinda sad really.

 

I "know" it costs money to stock inventory, BUT if you don't have it (and show no interest in getting it for your customer!!) ya darn sure WON'T sell it!!

[midnite]

We have a pretty good dealership about 20 miles away.Raymer's Motorsports in Paris. Friendly family owned business, the parts and service departments are very helpful.The only problem is they don't carry a lot of add-on parts, but as allready stated, stock costs alot of money. They will order anything I want, and have it there pretty quick.The mechanic very knowledgeable about the RSV, what he don't know he'll do his best to find out.

[Brenda H]

It all sounds familiar. I'm not a big fan of the local Yammy dealership. Very little outside of some bikes. I sometimes think they do a bigger business in ATV's than in bikes. Their outside displays are almost always ATV's. Anytime I wanted something for my bike, it had to be ordered. As for the ?service? department. . . . .

 

I am something of a fan of the Honda dealer in Katy, Wild West Honda. These guys are dealers for Honda, Kawasaki, BMW, KTM, and who knows what else. Always a good selection of bikes, both crotch rockets and cruisers. Always at least 2 GW's on the floor, and one of the larger, if not the largest, selections of used bikes in town. I almost always find at least one I have to sit on and check out. A decent selection of gear [inc. touring] and helmets for both "standard" riders as well as motocross/dirt biking, several different brands on display. The parts department is like walking into your local AutoZone, full parts counter with usually 3 guys working it. It's quite something. I bought one of my mesh jackets from them when they clearanced it out on eBay. Sometimes I almost wish I had a Honda so I could do more business with them .

 

Katy Yamaha is under "new ownership/management". I've been spending some time there talking to one of the salesmen and their service manager. Good selection of bikes, no RSV's the last time I was there but if anyone is interested in a red RSTD ?? Parts guys have no problems checking prices for you but as to what they have on hand??? For you local dudes, they're currently running a special on oil changes on Saturdays, $39, extra if you're on an 1100cc or want synth. oil. Plans are to take my 650 down there next weekend [the 12th] for that. You don't want to know what Brandon, the service manager, thinks of it .

[AmnChode]

More of the same in Texas...

 

I beg to differ...Alamo Cycle-Plex usually has what I am looking for (to my wife's discontent). I've never seen a brand new RSV there, but have seen some used ones. However, they do tend to keep a couple of Wings on the floor and have had a Voyager or 2 make it through. A nice mix of bikes from rockets to touring to scooters with some ATVs and Jet skis to throw in the mix.

 

Now, don't get me wrong, they don't carry everything and some of the bigger items still have to be ordered (pipes and such), but their turn around is usually great. I ordered a set of bars for my Vmax the Sat before Thanksgiving and had them in my hands the following Tues. Of course, it helps when you best friend works the parts counter, so he dropped him off at the house (lives across the street) .

 

Plus they try to foster a welcoming environment. They try to do a ride at least monthly. In fact they have a Toys for Tots run on the 13th

 

Price wise, about the same as most dealers, straight up retail....BUT, they run coupon/customer apprciation sales quite often. Usually about 20-25% off, but have ran 50% off coupons, as well (It's how I picked up my Shark Evoline helmet for $225). So if you are a little patient, you can pick up some good deals. In fact I just picked up one of those new GoPro Hero HD video cameras for $240 (20% off coupon), and then used the points I had just earned on my loyalty card to by the bars I mentioned. To me, that's a win....

 

Just MHO, though...

[bongobobny]

Hmmm, walked into my local dealer and there were no RSV's on the floor, but within minutes they located several for me. The owner's wife said she would kick her husband's arse out of bed at 5 AM to go get it for me, which they did!! I was riding the next day!

 

Pioneer Motorsports is great!!!