I love my 2001 Sprint but when it came time to buy a 2nd bike recently, and I was considering a Bonneville or Speedmaster, I was kinda unimpressed by the dealer.
While looking around I explained I wanted a 2nd bike and asked if they had any deals or would be willing to negotiate. I just came up against a brick wall. Excuses like if they sold them cheaper then it would affect the 2nd hand price and then about the brand and sure the other bikes manufacturers will do deals but then I'd get less when I trade up. Basically just a rehearsed speech. Now I'm sure there is some truth in this, but still... I'm a guy with money in my pocket and its a cold wet January and the place was empty. Anyway, I just didn't feel like the sales guys heart was in it at all, and I was being nice too.
So I rode over to Mr Davidsons place and bought a Sportster, they bent over backwards to help me and using the old trick of putting on my gear to leave 4 times in a row I managed to get a better deal by £800. As I had the little bike I was trading in, and the papers, I rode home on an almost new Sportster with hardly any miles on it, totally perfect condition and a big fat set of bags on the back.
Now as I say, I love my Sprint and I love the Triumph name, being a Brit. I'm very proud of the bikes they make and always have a good thing to say about them but I do think that Triumph could do a better job when it comes to the whole culture thing. At the Harley dealer it was a purpose build building, strong harley branding and while you where in there there was a vibe and culture you can't quite put your finger on, heck before it was open they operated out of a warehouse but you still had people sitting out in the car park talking about stuff. The Triumph dealers I've been to, sure there's the rat packs and things but the dealerships dont seem to have the same flare or atmosphere, one I went to is a tiny little place shared with a car dealer. I just think they could really exploit their brand much more, and try and make there places a place where bikers hang out , drink tea (well we are British) and compare rides and bikes.
Anyway, I love my Sprint and later this year I'll no doubt try out the current model with an eye to trading up, but I'll also look around at places who are willing to negotiate and will no doubt try the Harleys cos I like the shop.
While looking around I explained I wanted a 2nd bike and asked if they had any deals or would be willing to negotiate. I just came up against a brick wall. Excuses like if they sold them cheaper then it would affect the 2nd hand price and then about the brand and sure the other bikes manufacturers will do deals but then I'd get less when I trade up. Basically just a rehearsed speech. Now I'm sure there is some truth in this, but still... I'm a guy with money in my pocket and its a cold wet January and the place was empty. Anyway, I just didn't feel like the sales guys heart was in it at all, and I was being nice too.
So I rode over to Mr Davidsons place and bought a Sportster, they bent over backwards to help me and using the old trick of putting on my gear to leave 4 times in a row I managed to get a better deal by £800. As I had the little bike I was trading in, and the papers, I rode home on an almost new Sportster with hardly any miles on it, totally perfect condition and a big fat set of bags on the back.
Now as I say, I love my Sprint and I love the Triumph name, being a Brit. I'm very proud of the bikes they make and always have a good thing to say about them but I do think that Triumph could do a better job when it comes to the whole culture thing. At the Harley dealer it was a purpose build building, strong harley branding and while you where in there there was a vibe and culture you can't quite put your finger on, heck before it was open they operated out of a warehouse but you still had people sitting out in the car park talking about stuff. The Triumph dealers I've been to, sure there's the rat packs and things but the dealerships dont seem to have the same flare or atmosphere, one I went to is a tiny little place shared with a car dealer. I just think they could really exploit their brand much more, and try and make there places a place where bikers hang out , drink tea (well we are British) and compare rides and bikes.
Anyway, I love my Sprint and later this year I'll no doubt try out the current model with an eye to trading up, but I'll also look around at places who are willing to negotiate and will no doubt try the Harleys cos I like the shop.