Triumphrat

John21 · 12-04-2007

I know that many of us are dis-encanted with our local dealer. Here in Arkansas, I am no different. Because I am very good with a wrench, I can fix or check anything on the bike, so, I really don't need to go to any dealer. I just need parts.

When it comes to tires, I order them from the internet. Then, take the wheel to the shop for mounting and balancing. I did this when I lived in Tucson for many years. The Triumph shop there was always glad to mount them for me.

I moved here to the Little Rock area last summer (2006). It wasn't long before I was searching for a dealer to swap out my old tires. I even tried the local Triumph shop cause, after all, I was riding a Triumph.

The answer from the local dealer was "no way". In a rather insulting tone to boot. Not unless you buy the tires from me first!!

I must have called and went to 10 dealers. None would mount my tires. They all said I needed to buy the tire from them or they would not mount it at all.

Well, I have mounted and balanced them before myself. It is a real pain to do it with common tire tools. It does keep my 4-letter vocabulary up to date. Good thing my wife is deaf............

Finally, in North Little Rock, I called a shop named "AL's Cycle". AL said "SURE". He would mount and balance it for me no problem.

Over the past 1.5 years, I have been to AL's several times for tire mounting. AL is a rare type with a permanent smile on his face like Malcolm Smith. Always polite and friendly. Unlike 99% of the people in other shops.

Today, I went to pick up my two rear wheels AL had balanced. AL asked me how much I paid for them? Well, I didn't want to say so he said he would look them up and tell me what he would have sold them to me for.

The tires I am using are the Bridgestone BT021. I paid something like $135 delived to my door. AL said he could get them for $111. WOW!! Even after taxes, that is still a $15 per tire savings!!

I then sat down and went thru my entire list of things I tend to buy. Brakes, filters, chains, etc. AL can get everything significantly cheaper.

If you live in the central Arkansas area and want to go to a small shop with a BIG HEART, try AL's Cycle in North Little Rock................John

Shaunlee · 12-04-2007

I'm surprised that you couldn't get a tire mounted at the BMW/Triumph shop. I used to frequent the old Triumph dealer in LR. When Bill retired and sold to BMW I think they lost a lot of the small shop service.

Here in Fayetteville I use the local Kaw/Yam/Zuk dealer and they have no problem mounting and balancing regardless of where I bought the tires. I do usually give them the chance to beat the internet price, sometimes they do sometimes not.

Maybe its a Little Rock thing

Shawn · 12-04-2007

I haven't stopped by the Little Rock Dealer in a while, but just got into town a short while ago. Might stop by tomorrow afternoon.

Tires are a tough business for any shop/dealer. They can't make much money unless they sold them to you. However, in almost any city there are a few shops that will do it in hopes that their actions will win your future business.

John21 · 12-05-2007

I was briefly acquainted with the Triumph shop when it was on Asher Ave. I lived in MS and only stopped in once. They seemed OK. That was in 2001.

I moved back here to Arkansas in 2006. The Triumph business was sold to the BWM place. That is where I went originally to get my tire mounted and balanced. That is also where they "smarted off" to me so I just walked out the door. I really don't take very kindly to bike shops that smart off to me. Just my personality.....

I called every bike shop in Conway, which is where I live closest to. None would mount a tire for me. I tried several in Little Rock before discovering AL's Cycle shop.

I have never run into this issue of refusing to mount and balance a tire for a customer anywhere in my past. It could be just a local thing here in central Arkansas.

When I want to see Triumphs, I go up to Donnelsons in St Louis. Same when buying Triumph parts. I have no use for the dealer in LR.

I did talk to AL about taking on the Triumph dealership. He thought it would be nice someday............John

highcard · 12-06-2007

Man, if you are willing to deal with Donnelson's, that Little Rock dealer must be REALLY bad.

Shaunlee · 12-07-2007

The shop in Eldorado Springs Mo is the one I use now. It's a small shop in the middle of nowhere, but the owner is a "Triumph guy" and they are real easy to get along with. They are about the same distance from here as Little Rock and I don't have to fight the traffic.

Another plus is he always has something different to demo.

John21 · 12-07-2007

Shaunlee........Go over to Miami, Ok and go to the middle of town. There is a very nice Brit shop there. Paula and I saw it when we rode thru there last fall going out west. The window has a nice Brit display. Looked like a museum.

The place was closed when we were there. Paula and I did peak thru the window.

Good shops are hard to find. Those of us that find them need to cherish them.........

Shaunlee · 12-07-2007

I haven't been over in OK in awhile, but there are a few good roads in that vicinity around Grand Lake. I'll check that out next time I head that way.

Amen to the finding a good dealer, when you find a good one it's all the difference in the world.