[flytrap]

So I just sold my Triumph Bonneville SE and have been in the serious search for a new bike. The candidates are now down to the CTX 1300 and the Triumph Trophy SE. I got it....two slightly different concepts. But here is the deal. The Triumph dealers I've talked to here in the southeast seem to actually want to sell a Trophy, if they can get it. The experience with several Honda dealers is different. Several of them flat out told me they would never stock a CTX 1300. Others..... inquiries just ignored or responses very unenthusiastic. Perhaps due to the limited availability of a new model???? Perhaps the dealers don't like to take chances? Anybody have the same experience??

 

[csdexter]

Business-wise, there's no reason whatsoever to refuse a customer that wants to buy what you're selling. Therefore, it all boils down to [those] dealers being full of ****e.

 

[bob]

I've heard that about many small time dealers for brands where there are a LOT of dealerships, not just Honda but since that's what I ride I do hear most about those dealers. Seems to me that when there are few dealerships for a model that is more exclusive or limited in where you can buy, those dealers are seriously in business to server the customer more. When it a case of a dealership "on every corner" like Honda tends to be there are more small time dealerships that exist just to say they sell bikes. Many of those like to specialize on one or two category of bike, like dirt/bmx or sport or cruiser, and tend to ignore... no, avoid at all costs (to their business) all other categories. I hate when that happens. That's why I'll be picky about where I go to buy. Our local dealer is in the biggest city in Iowa but is a small time dealer. Their service department is ok, but the sales department leaves a lot on the table by over pricing and under stocking. So I'll go to one of the biggest dealers in Iowa located in one of the smaller towns. Oh the irony! And get a better deal and find all kinds of stock waiting to ride out the door. I've only bought one bike from the local Honda dealer, my wife's Metropolitan, and that was from a friend who was working there at the time and he gave me a good deal on it.

Keep looking, it is worth it to go a bit farther to find a power house dealer who will treat you properly.

 

[TennesseeSmith]

Take a good look at the Trophy forums before you lay down nineteen grand.

I have a Trophy and it has serious electrical issues. It visits the shop from time to time. It's left me stranded twice. I've owned it since October and I have barely put 4000 miles on it. Since December, my CTX700 has had to serve as my primary transportation.

When the Trophy runs, it's the best bike I've ever had. But I'm picking up a CTX1300 on Monday and dropping the Trophy to 2nd bike status behind the Honda.

I get the impression that about 9 out of ten Trophies run perfectly and the other ten percent make you feel like you poured twenty grand down the toilet.


My local Honda dealer could not get a CTX1300 from Honda no matter how much he begged for one. I bought mine from a Honda PowerHouse dealer in Franklin TN. He has multiple CTX1300s in stock. Honda is segregating the dealers into Haves and Have Nots with this PowerHouse designation.

If you use the dealer lookup on the Honda site, you can find PowerHouse dealers near your area.

 

[CEETEEX]

I am in the 2nd largest city in Virginia and have purchased at least 15 new bikes in the last 15 years. I believe that I have purchased 2 locally because the dealers only sell at MSRP. Such a large military population allows them to have new customers every day due to transfers. None of them focus on the return buyer. I usually go to Rockingham NC if i want to buy a bike, that is about 600 miles round trip but I save enough and enjoy the ride home with my new bike. The best part is I get treated like they appreciate my business, which is sad when it is not the norm.

 

[sleepngbear]

Thanks, CEETEEX. I'm this close to packing up and heading down to NC. The wife is ready, too. One good Honda dealer might be the last bit of incentive I need.

 

[happytrails]

My grey blue deluxe CTX 1300 came in yesterday at Sports Cycle. Rockingham NC Jeff Crouch is very happy to have my return business. And I'm VERY HAPPY with the $15,600 plus $133.00 title / tag fee and 3 percent sales tax.
Yes they are appreciative to have my return business, even though they're making next to no profit. Jeff's reply to this matter was , he would have the have the numbers of sales than fewer sales at higher profit margins. Different business philosophy. WORKS FOR ME.!
I discussed the set up requarding the proper resetting of the handlebars from their shipping, higher position , blocking mirror visibility and he reassured me about the 10.year experience of his service staff. Southern. Hospitality!
Picking mine up on the 18th. I'm driving hundreds of miles out of my way to do business with them Again.

 

[sleepngbear]

Congrats happytrails! Sometimes it's worth the extra miles to deal with a dealer that really appreciates your business.

 

[bob]

Congrats!
I agree with that business philosophy... move product. Cash flow is the name of the game, not immediate profit for one item.