So I went to the BMW dealer...

[switchback]

My friend is looking at the f650 and g650 models as he needs a bike of limited elevation O . We're talking with the salesman and he asks what I ride.
I say, "a Ducati and have a Tenere on order."
"What is a Tenere" he replied.
I respond, "it is a Yamaha ADV bike."
"I don't speak Japanese, you know what a Tenere is?" he asks his counterpart.
"I think I heard something about it, what made you get that bike?" said the other guy.

Not even interested in the conversation I spout off a couple things and walked away to help my friend. You would think they would be more respectful considering there is a potential sale with my friend, and wouldn't a good salesman be aware of the competition or is BMW so omnipotent that everything else is meaningless?

 

[Swagger]

There is definitely something about BMW sales personnel. I don't know why but there is a certain level of arrogance and ignorance that comes with the brand. I've had a number of BMW cars and currently own a 3 series touring. Can honestly say that I find nothing about the sales and after care teams appealing. I'm glad that I don't really hanker after one of their bikes in the current range.

 

[~TABASCO~]

X2

I have owned, or currently own many bike brands.... And have been close to buying a BMW twice... The last time I went to our big BMW dealer, it was just that way... The could care less, didn't care I was there, and when FINALLY they gave me two seconds, he in his own mind determined I was not a BMW type rider. During the conversation he asked if that was my Yamaha R* I road up on... that was all from him.... He made him self busy with a 'phone call' and then checking on a brochure,Etc and blew me off...... Unfortunately he didn't know I was there to buy, and I could have just paid cash..... What a dick...... I left and went to Yamaha and bought an FJR.....
In no way is this one idiot a reflection on the whole brand, but it does seem to be par for the course.......... ;D And MANY of the owners... !

BMW R1200GS

 

[colorider]

There is a good likelihood that you will hear "What is a Tenere" from other motorcycle dealers - including a few Yamaha dealers. Sad, but true..........

 

[markjenn]

You guys are just parroting the silly stereotypes and preconceptions that exist about all brands, their dealers, and their owners. What I've found is that there are truly excellent BMW dealers and salespeople and clueless idiots..... just like the same is true of Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph, KTM, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Royal Enfield, Gas Gas, ......

- Mark

 

[~TABASCO~]

Yep.... your 100% correct...........

 

[MotorcopBBQ]

+3
All salesman are A**es. I went into a HD dealership last year, just to get out of the rain, and a sales person (woman) knew absolutely nothing about motorcycles. He excuse was, well I just moved over from merchandise. I'm like, there is no one here would ya think about picking up a brochure and do some studying. Another BMW dealership treated me really poorly. I stood by a GS for like 20min, just looking at waiting to ask the salesman a question. But, nothing, He looked up at me, turned around, and walked away. I never saw him again, before I left. There is another dealership that treats people very well, but its about 70miles away.

Another thing about salespeople that is my pet peeve. If I know more about the product than the sales person, that place doesn't deserve my business.

I'm sure most of you guys are like me and have a copy of the tenere brochure, next to the bed and before you go to sleep, you look at it. All sides of it, just staring at the pictures and the same words you've read over...and over...and over. So you know what to ask a dealership and will expect an anwser.

 

[KSH]

Actually I'm glad BMW hires poor salesmen, Last year I rode my 99 DR650 to the local BMW dealership to buy a F800.
Two salesmen ignored me and the third one barely gave me the time of day.
It ticked me off enough that I decided to keep my DR for another year.

Now I'm patiently waiting for twice the bike at the same price.
Good things come to those who wait.

 

[switchback]

There is a good likelihood that you will hear "What is a Tenere" from other motorcycle dealers - including a few Yamaha dealers. Sad, but true..........

This is true and I also experienced this. I actually find BMW salesmen typically better aware of their bikes than the standard 21 yo at the typical Yamahondakawazuki dealer. Perhaps I just find most salesmen in the MC and auto industry clueless and expect someone selling a product to know what they are talking about and able to talk intelligently to a customer. If they would have said the GS is a lighter motorcycle compared with the Tenere and is typically equipped with XY options I would have given them credit for being aware of the market. Knowing the market is what sales is all about. I don't expect them to concede that my Tenere purchase was the best way to go.

I saw the new Tiger there for the first time. Not a bad bike at all but was very tall compared to the Tenere. Still anxiously awaiting the S10.

 

[colorider]

Another thing about salespeople that is my pet peeve. If I know more about the product than the sales person, that place doesn't deserve my business.

This is always a hot button for me - regardless what I am shopping for.

 

[eemsreno]

What I’ve been saying for years is while out riding a Yamaha , Most all the Jap bikers will wave , about half the HD riders wave and non of the Beamer riders wave.

 

[rem]

That may simply be because they are holding their tool kit in their hand. R

 

[Ollie]

Ok, since we're all ranting.........ALL the dealerships I dealt with recently were a PITA in one form or another.

Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki dealer didn't like the fact that I found a discount deal and was pissed to have to try to offer a similar deal. He said he was handing money from one hand to another, as if I was making him do it. Ultimately, a few weeks later, he chewed me out during a polite inquiry into delivery dates and burned me out. He called the next day to apologize but it was too little, too late. He said the dealers offering those low prices were probably going out of business and called them "pathetic." Uumm......ok, issues.... I walked away from the deal without my deposit because I couldn't imagine doing business with them at that point, let alone bringing my bike in for service. They also told me repeatedly not to trust anything I read on the internet about pricing, etc and tried to give me anecdotal examples of why the "internet" can't be trusted. ???

BMW/Harley dealer. Yep, both under one roof. They didn't seem to know anything about the BM's, let alone the Tenere. They bought out the local BMW franchise recently, but they don't seem to have equipped their sales guys with the skills to sell anything but a Harley. They are immovable on price (their prerogative), which is probably good, for them. Kind of seems like they think their product sells itself...nuff said. Buy it or help yourself out. I blip the throttle now when I pass them on my way home from work.

KTM, Ducati, Triumph, Suzuki are clever and shrewd (I mean this in the most respectful way that I can) sales staff. Very nice, small , classy joint. During the checklist, upon leaving with the bike they remarked, "Ollie, is there anything else you'd like to tell us about this bike." We both had a good laugh.

 

[switchback]

Anyone just wish we could just go direct to the manufacturer and buy a bike? Sometimes it pains me to give some of these guys a commission. Just deliver it to my house. As Ollie presented there are still some good ones out there. Unfortunately, they are in the minority.

 

[Ollie]

What I’ve been saying for years is while out riding a Yamaha , Most all the Jap bikers will wave , about half the HD riders wave and non of the Beamer riders wave.

I wave at everyone, period, and I don't care if I lose face if they don't wave back. The only ones that don't wave back are the really GRIZZLED HD guys. A guy on a scooter, with one of those tall flags poking off the back, waved me on and he REALLY meant it, so I waved him too.

 

[colorider]

A lot of people wave at me - some with just one finger.................

 

[Ollie]

A lot of people wave at me - some with just one finger.................

Screw them!! O

 

[troll]

X2

I have owned, or currently own many bike brands.... And have been close to buying a BMW twice... The last time I went to our big BMW dealer, it was just that way... The could care less, didn't care I was there, and when FINALLY they gave me two seconds, he in his own mind determined I was not a BMW type rider. During the conversation he asked if that was my Yamaha R* I road up on... that was all from him.... He made him self busy with a 'phone call' and then checking on a brochure,Etc and blew me off...... Unfortunately he didn't know I was there to buy, and I could have just paid cash..... What a dick...... I left and went to Yamaha and bought an FJR.....
In no way is this one idiot a reflection on the whole brand, but it does seem to be par for the course.......... ;D And MANY of the owners... !

BMW R1200GS

Tabasco that was too f**king funny, I LMFAO!!!!

 

[troll]

You guys are just parroting the silly stereotypes and preconceptions that exist about all brands, their dealers, and their owners. What I've found is that there are truly excellent BMW dealers and salespeople and clueless idiots..... just like the same is true of Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph, KTM, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Royal Enfield, Gas Gas, ......

- Mark

Dude you are so on the money, and that is true of us as well. :-[

 

[toompine]

That may simply be because they are holding their tool kit in their hand. R

) ) ) ) )