"You Tenere riders are a different breed"

[Dirt_Dad]

That's what my S10 dealer told me today. After the day started off in the low 20 degree range, he seem very surprised to see my wife and I walk in wearing full riding gear. He said after selling so many Tenere's (12 I think) he's been exposed to adventure bike riders for the first time and "you guys just ride." He wanted to know how many miles so far and was only half shocked when I told him 8K. He seemed to expect a big number, but still appeared pretty surprised to think the bike was riding the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia only 3 weeks after leaving the spot next to his office door.

The thing I found great was his attitude about wanting to learn more about our segment of motorcycling. He said he's been talking to DCStrom and the dealership wants to sponsor an adventure related activity at their location. He looked at my gear and said he wanted to learn about what we want to purchase so they can carry more stuff for our interest. He was very busy helping others, but also made it clear he is enthusiastic about supporting us. Ignoring that he is a salesman, he does come across as a genuine good guy that sees a future supporting adventure bikes/riders. Let's hope more dealership senior management see our market like Larry at Romeny Cycles. It can only be a good thing.

 

[GrahamD]

He said he's been talking to DCStrom and the dealership wants to sponsor an adventure related activity at their location.

Well the first "adventure related activity" he can sponsor is a techo to go over and figure out why his bike won't start.

I am sure that skill will come in handy someday out on the trails. ;D

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Well the first "adventure related activity" he can sponsor is a techo to go over and figure out why his bike won't start.

I am sure that skill will come in handy someday out on the trails. ;D

I saw Trevor was having an issue. I was wondering if my bike would start in the 24 degree weather this morning. It did, cranked slowly, but it did fire. Hope he gets it going.

 

[Brntrt]

That's what my S10 dealer told me today. After the day started off in the low 20 degree range, he seem very surprised to see my wife and I walk in wearing full riding gear. He said after selling so many Tenere's (12 I think) he's been exposed to adventure bike riders for the first time and "you guys just ride." He wanted to know how many miles so far and was only half shocked when I told him 8K. He seemed to expect a big number, but still appeared pretty surprised to think the bike was riding the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia only 3 weeks after leaving the spot next to his office door.

The thing I found great was his attitude about wanting to learn more about our segment of motorcycling. He said he's been talking to DCStrom and the dealership wants to sponsor an adventure related activity at their location. He looked at my gear and said he wanted to learn about what we want to purchase so they can carry more stuff for our interest. He was very busy helping others, but also made it clear he is enthusiastic about supporting us. Ignoring that he is a salesman, he does come across as a genuine good guy that sees a future supporting adventure bikes/riders. Let's hope more dealership senior management see our market like Larry at Romeny Cycles. It can only be a good thing.

When I picked my bike up @ Romney last August the finance manager made a similar comment about the Adventure(Super Tenere) riders. She commented that she had never dealt with buyers that were as well organized with all the finances, insurance, etc. She said we were a breeze to work with compared to many customers.

 

[Firefight911]

Same feedback/discussion at Roseville Yamaha out here in Califonikistan.

Very supportive dealer and very interested in learning about the segment and getting involved.

 

[elizilla]

I get similar feedback from my dealer, but they don't seem to see me as a belonging to a group. I'm a unicorn, one of a kind. They didn't sell any other Super10s. Or any other NTs, for that matter.

I'll probably keep buying things there, though - I'm definitely on their radar screen as a customer they want to keep around. I feel like I have a bit more weight with them, than most.

 

[Venture]

When I picked my bike up @ Romney last August the finance manager made a similar comment about the Adventure(Super Tenere) riders. She commented that she had never dealt with buyers that were as well organized with all the finances, insurance, etc. She said we were a breeze to work with compared to many customers.

Probably a matter of the demographic who buys these bikes. Primarily over 40, and more than likely well established. Compare that to a early-20's sport bike rider who walks through their door.

 

[rem]

Codger Power rocks !!!!! R ::022:: ::015:: )

 

[colorider]

. Compare that to a early-20's sport bike rider who walks through their door.

I fear this is where many dealers focus most of their effort. That and for ATV sales.

The sport touring crowd (where I came from) suffers the same "lack of recognition", IMHO.

 

[3putt]

I think they made up this O-ring recall for the fuel pump thing, just to bring some us in so they could talk to us. LOL. Service manager talked my ear off, could hardly get a word in edge wise, but I managed. LOL

He goes, "you internet guys know weeks before we do on recalls and other stuff"! I said, "yeah we knew about this 3 weeks ago, and pretty much everyone on the forum had already checked their tanks for leaks."

I was telling him how great the ABS was offroad and in gravel, plus you could stay in TC1 and ride amongst your buddies and not worry about spraying/roosting them with rocks. He thought that was something new to think about. LOL Love this bike.

 

[GrahamD]

He goes, "you internet guys know weeks before we do on recalls and other stuff"! I said, "yeah we knew about this 3 weeks ago, and pretty much everyone on the forum had already checked their tanks for leaks."

Do you think he may have figured out that reading forums may give him a bit of an edge, so they can sound informed and knowledgeable?

But on the other hand I suppose with all the models, you would need all day just to skim them all.

 

[colorider]

I think they made up this O-ring recall for the fuel pump thing, just to bring some us in so they could talk to us. LOL. Service manager talked my ear off, could hardly get a word in edge wise, but I managed. LOL

He goes, "you internet guys know weeks before we do on recalls and other stuff"! I said, "yeah we knew about this 3 weeks ago, and pretty much everyone on the forum had already checked their tanks for leaks."

I was telling him how great the ABS was offroad and in gravel, plus you could stay in TC1 and ride amongst your buddies and not worry about spraying/roosting them with rocks. He thought that was something new to think about. LOL Love this bike.

My dealer has called me numerous times (both before and after the SuperT's were delivered) with questions about the bike's features. He even asked if a potential buyer could call me with questions about the bike.
::026::

 

[jajpko]

My dealer thinks the internet is evil... ::025:: They all think it is mostly BS. But they do have some great techs that are up to date and will do whatever it takes to make the customer happy. I asked about some hot chicas in the lounge area.
Just shook their heads.. ::025::

 

[elizilla]

When I picked up my Super10, I wanted to buy an oil filter for my first oil change. They didn't have the parts catalog yet so they didn't know which filter it was. The parts counter girl said "No problem, the forums will know!" She pulled up the info in seconds. So they do know to look online for this stuff. But with so many models, they don't follow any one of them like we do.

One advantage we have with these bikes, is the mix of community members in the forum. The questions get answered, or at least good discussions are had until the info percolates out. Not every vehicle offers this. I had a Ford F-150, which has been the biggest selling vehicle in America for I don't know how many years. Googling for F-150 information is HOPELESS! Every question you might have about an F-150, has been asked at least 100,000 times on the internet, and only very rarely answered or intelligently discussed. Lots of drive-by questions from near-illiterates who are not interested in contributing to the community in any way, even by coming back to let the people on the forum where they posted their petulant demands, know how their issue turned out. Which makes it really hard to find answers. This is one of the reasons that my new used car is a Subaru. The support I get from forums has been invaluable in making me into a well-informed motorcycle owner. I want the same from a car, and in my research I found that Subarus have better forums. The vehicles could be equal in every other way, but I'll be better equipped to deal with whatever needs dealt with, with the support of a decent forum.

 

[motard-menace]

I have always found it interesting that I can walk into most dealerships regardless of brand and usually know more about most of their bikes then the sales people do. You would think if you work at a dealership and your living is made by selling the product then you would keep yourself well informed so you can speak intelligently about the product to the customer. It actually kind of irks me that most of these folks have no clue about their product line. I have also met several knowledgeable sales people who do know the product line however it is usually folks that have been in the business a long time and are avid motorcyclists themselves. I guess when the twenty something kid walks up to me I shouldn't expect much.....

 

[johnnail]

bought mine just before close of business on a Wednesday. Took it in for the first service that Saturday morning--with 700+ miles.
This surprised the dealer, who is used to cruiser riders.

 

[troll]

I have always found it interesting that I can walk into most dealerships regardless of brand and usually know more about most of their bikes then the sales people do. You would think if you work at a dealership and your living is made by selling the product then you would keep yourself well informed so you can speak intelligently about the product to the customer. It actually kind of irks me that most of these folks have no clue about their product line. I have also met several knowledgeable sales people who do know the product line however it is usually folks that have been in the business a long time and are avid motorcyclists themselves. I guess when the twenty something kid walks up to me I shouldn't expect much.....

this is the kind of experience I have in almost any retail environment - doesn't seem to matter what I am buying ::010::

 

[colorider]

this is the kind of experience I have in almost any retail environment - doesn't seem to matter what I am buying ::010::

Me too, particularly cars and/or trucks. Frustrating at times when I have to tell the sales people things they should be telling me.

 

[rem]

Most of the sales people and/or clerks I run into are such young teeny boppers that they don't even know what I'm talking about. I like to mess with them, though. I use big words like "codger, geezer and senior discount". It really throws them off their game. At least you can sometimes have a little fun with these people. R

 

[keeponriding]

I was at my dealer Saturday getting the recall service done; Spent about half an hour taking to the owner and a salesman about the bike (both in their 40s).

ADV bikes are new to them and they were able to sell two more based on what I told them (when I picked the bike up, they didn't have a clue about the features or how that translated to riding). The service desk guy was also surprised that in the week since I'd last been in, I had put an additional 700 miles on the bike...from the floor, they appear to be selling more cruisers and dirt bikes, along with watercraft and four-wheelers.

They are also not stocking any after-market options or accessories for the bike.