Why is it so hard to buy a bike?

5083 Views 24 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Davetac1, Mar 27, 2014

TennesseeSmith

Discussion Starter · Mar 26, 2014

Why can't I just go to the Honda web site and order the bike I want?

My local dealer is unable to get a CTX1300 Deluxe. I ordered Blue and he couldn't get it so I changed the order to red. That bike never showed up. If I wanted an ATV or a Side-by-Side, I'd have twenty models from three different manufacturers to choose from. But to get a new bike I have to go to a PowerHouse dealer in some distant city? This is crap. I am amazed at how difficult it has been to buy a bike since I moved to Kentucky. I had to go to Nashville to get the ST1100P. I had to go to Nashville to get the Gold Wing. I had to go to Harrodsburg to get the Wee Strom. Then Suzuki closed all the local dealers who could service that bike. I had to go to Lexington to get the Trophy after the Triumph dealer in Knoxville closed shop while holding my order. I did get the CTX700 locally, but I waited five months to get it.

The Trophy can't be trusted to get me home from the local Walmart. That was the worst purchase I've made in my entire life. The little CTX is OK, but it's not a proper touring bike. I really wanted the bigger CTX before the riding season gets started. It's not gonna happen.

In the old days I could go to a local dealer, tell him what I wanted, and pick it up in a week or two. Now Honda has a distribution system that puts the new bikes at the PowerHouse dealerships to sit on the floor while the small dealers can't fill their orders from customers waving stacks of money.

Even if I can work out a deal over the phone with a dealer in Chattanooga or Nashville, I'll have to take a day off work to get the bike. We have a dozen car dealers in the local area who could put me in a really nice car on my lunch break tomorrow. Maybe it's time to grow up and start driving cars like all the normal people.

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bob

· #2 · Mar 26, 2014

MCHonda? - Why is it so hard to buy a bike?

Sorry to hear of all the trouble in Kentucky!

I don't know that I could stand to only have a cage to get around in.

I tolerate it for around town knowing that another trip will be much more enjoyable on 2 wheels. I accept it for long vacations that include family members (important to be with family).

Hey, here's an idea...
Contact MCHonda (member on this forum) and maybe set up a delivery!
See this thread
He mentions free shipping, but I'm not clear if that is only on accessories or on bikes too. Something to talk with him about. His phone number is included in that thread posting.

csdexter

· #3 · Mar 26, 2014

I know this is not about a US dealership, but I'm thinking more voices will make the message more powerful: I currently have an order placed with an Irish dealer with an estimated delivery in July. This is not a bank/loan company deal, this is raw cash on the table for a Deluxe CTX1300.

To his credit, the dealer tried hard to get the bike earlier (even from the UK), but Honda Ireland simply said they cannot be arsed to import any before July.

I think Honda needs to grow up and decide whether it wants to go bankrupt or not and act accordingly. You just DO NOT tell a customer waving 20kEUR in your face to "come back in July".

I'm deeply disappointed with Honda's sales exercise so far.

sleepngbear

· #4 · Mar 26, 2014

Ken, you have to remember that bikes are a farmer volume mover than cars. Dealers and manufacturers don't have the luxury of huge numbers to be able to keep one of everything on hand or to build to order like the car business allows, even when times were good and motorcycles were moving well. It's just a different business model.

But I think right now that, more than anything else, it's a matter of this bike being so new. The first ones are just now on making their way to the showrooms, so there's virtually no stock around to pick from. Of course dealers want whatever they can get, so there just isn't a lot of choice yet. I know my dealer has two coming in next week (black standard and blue Deluxe - MINE!), and then he's not sure when the next ones are coming. Just slim pickin's right now. I'm sure that will change by mid-summer.

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csdexter

· #5 · Mar 26, 2014

Actually, Honda (and BMW and many others) uses JIT manufacturing so it really is a matter of build to order. Actually, two years ago I got a Sportster (which was built-to-order and shipped from the US) and it took exactly two weeks to have it delivered at the dealership in Dublin. So if H-D can do it, Honda has absolutely no excuse whatsoever, especially after they moved back to Japan.

Two weeks is about the time it takes for the order to make it from your dealer to the factory, for the factory to do the procurement and assembly magic and for the shipping company to bring the bike back to the dealer's floor. I would understand making that a month if there was a war ongoing, if the shipping company would be on strike of if it were Christmas or the Chinese New Year or something like it -- BUT NONE OF THOSE APPLY right now.

These delays are caused by various people (which, sadly and regrettably, represent the Honda brand to the customers) which substitute their own ... let's call it "judgement" ... for Honda's sales strategy and think they know better what's going to sell and what not. Even in the case when a customer orders a bike (so that's a sale already closed -- there's no question of whether it's gonna sell or not because they already got the money)!

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sleepngbear

· #6 · Mar 26, 2014

HD is a slightly different animal, but I do get your point.

But again, regarding the CTX1300, it is a brand new bike and stock is very limited right now. However that still does not excuse dealers and distributors from not making any effort to satisfy a paying customer. That's just not good business, and it should be brought to the attention of Honda Corporate -- I'm sure they would not be happy about such behavior.

annubissl

· #7 · Mar 26, 2014

i live in the caribbean. first we have to find a dealer in the US. then we have to purchase, ship to Miami, then ship to the caribbean. Get a local broker to clear the bike and pay out the ass to get this done. Then get it licensed and insured. It can take about 6 months just to sort out getting it to the Caribbean and another month just to license. and this is a used bike. i'd have to wait until christmas next year to get the CTX. hence the second reason i'm buying the bolt first.

TennesseeSmith

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 26, 2014

I found the bike I want at Honda of Cool Springs. I'll have to take a day off work next week to go pick it up. This is the same dealer I bought the ST1100P and the Gold Wing from. They are a Level Five Honda PowerHouse dealer in Franklin, Tennessee. They get all the new bikes first and stack 'em in a warehouse while the little dealers spend hours on the phone begging Honda for a delivery date.

I'll take a nice set of back roads down there and another set back. It'll be a nice 600 mile day on two bikes. I'm trading the CTX700D.

My local dealer says he'll be able to service the bike.

If this goes according to plan, I'll post pictures Monday night.

Reactions: 2

bob

· #9 · Mar 26, 2014

Congrats on finding your ride! enjoy the trip. We'll certainly enjoy the photos.

CEETEEX

· #10 · Mar 26, 2014

Ken, congrats. sent you a pm.

bob

· #11 · Mar 26, 2014

Welcome to the board CEETEEX!
Haven't noticed you here before.

CEETEEX

· #12 · Mar 26, 2014

Thanks Bob, been lurking. Wife has a CTX700and loves it. I have an 09 C14 and have debated selling both and buying a CTX1300. I am the same CEETEEX over there on the CTX700 forum.

sleepngbear

· #13 · Mar 26, 2014

TennesseeSmith said:
I found the bike I want at Honda of Cool Springs. I'll have to take a day off work next week to go pick it up. This is the same dealer I bought the ST1100P and the Gold Wing from. They are a Level Five Honda PowerHouse dealer in Franklin, Tennessee. They get all the new bikes first and stack 'em in a warehouse while the little dealers spend hours on the phone begging Honda for a delivery date.

I'll take a nice set of back roads down there and another set back. It'll be a nice 600 mile day on two bikes. I'm trading the CTX700D.

My local dealer says he'll be able to service the bike.

If this goes according to plan, I'll post pictures Monday night.

What color????? How could you tease us like that and not even tell us what color you finally went with??!!!

sleepngbear

· #14 · Mar 26, 2014

Welcome aboard, CEETEEX!

TennesseeSmith

Discussion Starter · #15 · Mar 26, 2014

Gray Blue Metallic

I'll let you know if it's the fastest color next week.

btw He had all three colors in his warehouse.

bob

· #16 · Mar 26, 2014

CEETEEX said:
Thanks Bob, been lurking. Wife has a CTX700and loves it. I have an 09 C14 and have debated selling both and buying a CTX1300. I am the same CEETEEX over there on the CTX700 forum.

OK, I get it (sometimes I'm slow, on more than my bike)
CEETEEX = CTX

If your wife loves her's why sell it? Keep both CTX bikes and have a family!

BTW- I really don't need the fastest color... just the strongest

sleepngbear

· #17 · Mar 26, 2014

TennesseeSmith said:
Gray Blue Metallic

I'll let you know if it's the fastest color next week.

btw He had all three colors in his warehouse.

I'll probably (hopefully) be finding out about the same time as you.

I'm actually thinking of taking next Friday off from work instead of waiting until Saturday, weather permitting, and getting past those break-in miles before it sees my garage for the first time.

Davetac1

· #18 · Mar 26, 2014

sleepngbear; said:
I'm actually thinking of taking next Friday off from work instead of waiting until Saturday, weather permitting, and getting past those break-in miles before it sees my garage for the first time.

Jeepers creepers Ed!! Your CTX has glasses too???

WOW!!

Dave!!!

sleepngbear

· #19 · Mar 26, 2014

Davetac1 said:
Jeepers creepers Ed!! Your CTX has glasses too??? WOW!! Dave!!!

You are not well. Not well at all.

Davetac1

· #20 · Mar 26, 2014

Ya know,now that ya mention it!!

But were the glasses an option??

Dave!!!

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