East Portland dealerships?

[stevewz]

I'm looking at buying a new, 2007 Wee-Strom sometime in the next few months and very much prefer to go with a dealership that's reasonably close by. That narrows it down to Action Motor Sports on Halsey in Gresham/Fairview and Portland Motorcycle Company over by Airport Way.

What are your opinions of those two dealerships? I've already bought accessories and clothes from Action Motorsports but have never been to Portland Motorcycle.

I called Portland Motorcycle today and spoke with a sales rep (guy with a foreign accent). He said their price on the DL650's (non-ABS) is $6699 base price, with a total of $7452 with set up, fees, and licensing. Another bonus is he said they'd let me take it for a 2 mile test ride, something most dealerships don't seem to allow, even at such short mileage.

[Nighthawk22]

Stevewz:
I've heard good things about Action Motorsports, have bought a few things there, but not a bike.
Just talked to Motorsports Hillsboro (503-648-4555), where I got my bike back in May. Carl said they have both colors and will do $6699 + DMV, they'd waived the setup fees. Might talk them down a little more, they "guarantee the best deal". You can use this info to leverage Action or Portland into dealing.
You can have the bike serviced anywhere, so I'd go for the best price, unless it's only $50 bucks or so, then I'd stay local. I also shopped Beaverton Suzuki back in May, but they were more expensive and didn't have them in stock at the time.
Good luck, Steve, and I hope to get a giggly post from you soon when you get your bike.

[stevewz]

I'm not immediately ready to purchase yet, but will be very soon. You're right about not necessarily doing the purchase and getting service at the same dealership, although I've heard horror stories about some dealerships that don't assemble the bikes properly.

I'm of two minds ... buy now when the weather still sucks and demand is still low (for better negotiation position) ... or buy later when I'm better able financially and can ride more often (because of better weather) but a weaker negotiating position. Hmmm.

[Nighthawk22]

Essencials come first, then bikes (that will get comments). Sometimes, though, bikes are like kids. Will you ever really be able to afford them?

Keep in touch. If you want to check out Stroms and Strommers, come to the next "Breakfast Club" meeting and , if the weather is decent, you can fondle some "broken in" bikes.

[awd505]

Portland Motorcycle at good group of guys. Being a BWM dealer as well they are certianly into Sport Touring. The english chap is a nice fellow. This is a good time of year to buy. With this weather we have had, they are slooooooow and might make a good deal to move a bike.

[mirage]

Was in there on Tuesday (or was it Monday...losing my mind) to pick up some new boots to replace my engineers I used on my cruiser and noticed several V-Stroms (as in at least 3-4) right up front as you walk in the doors.

Not saying anything good or bad about BHY, but just noting they had several in stock.

Mirage...

[BR650RRrider]

Steve,
Action on Halsey will let you take a test ride. The secret is to show up on your own bike with good riding gear on a sunny day (everything they see about you needs to say 'I am not a knucklehead, I am experienced').
They also seem to have a good service department. I do most of my own maintenence work, but the one thing I leave to someone else is tire changes. A few years back I took a set of wheels into Action to get new rubber mounted. They got them back to me in a couple of hours, and let me know that they had accidentally scratched the rear rim (these things do happen changing tires). I probably woudn't have noticed it if they hadn't told me. They offered to replace the wheel or give me a credit for the same value (over $300) in parts. I took the credit. I have also noticed that their service guys have been around for a while. I have been pestering the same service guy with random questions for 4+ years now as I do my own work. Many dealers run through a new set of 20-year-olds every few months in their service department (not a good sign).

I don't have a lot of experience with Portland Motorcycle, but a friend of mine did just buy a Bimmer there (from the guy with the accent) and is very happy with how it went. Also, Mirage is right, they do have a lot of 'stroms, which can't hurt your barganing position.

Your best bet is to call around to other dealers within driving distance and see who has a bike you want and what they are willing to let it go for. Some won't talk to you unless you come in (those around larger cities). Many of the more rural bike shops will give you a price over the phone, and if you do enough calling it can be a good one (which you can then use for leverage on your local dealer). Bike shops in out-of-the-way places will deal because they have more room to deal. They don't have to pay the higher rents, property taxes, and labor costs of operating in a big city.

[Berserker]

First, you've made a great choice. Second, bike's are an essential! My expenses go food, mortgage, bike, and not always in that order.

As far as buying from Beaverton Suzuki...RUN AWAY AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!!

Hillsboro Motorsports...got mine there and got a good deal. They only had two and the other one was being sold when I walked in.

Portland Motorcycle...was going to buy my Strom there but they sold out! Seem like nice people though.

Typically, Stroms are in short supply the closer you get to nice riding weather (see comment on Portland Motorcycle and Hillsboro Motorsports). So, it's really up to you as to when, you know your finance's better than anyone. Just be prepared to wait for a dealer to get a bike if you wait a couple of months.

Good luck in you search and feel free to join the group for breakfast sometime!

[Mountaintime05]

Steve at Portland Motorcycle is a Kiwi. Nice guy. They usually try very hard to hold the line on price. I bought my first Strom from them.

I bought my current bike from Ramsey-Waite in Eugene. They bought my favorite 2 dealers, Yamaha of Springfield and Eugene Suzuki. Call and talk to Greg Toftedahl for the best price in the area.

[mrltt]

I've had nothing but good experiences from Portland Motorcycle and Steve (Kiwi). A buddy who's a BMW diehard swears by them for sales and service. I haven't had my bike long enough for service, but they have been great to me otherwise. BHY has a better selection of gear (imho) thought I never felt as comfortable with the sales people (every time I had a question they just went to a computer terminal and pulled up their web site - something I could do at home...).

I guess this is a good time to say Hi to everyone as I've been kind of lurking for a few weeks - "hi"... Family stuff keeps me out of adventures like Reno for now, but looking forward to some rides this spring/summer and hoping to meet some of you locals before too long. If you see a blue dl1k w/ a gray helmet/red haired rider, it's me!

[Mr. Fisherman]

Welcome aboard Mrltt... The more the merrier.
I think we are going to have several day rides and perhaps a few sorted adventures prior to the run to Reno. Stay tuned and feel free to join the "Breakfast Club" anythime.

[renojohn]

Stevewz:
I've heard good things about Action Motorsports, ......... I bought my first strom from these folks back in 02 ...basically bought it over the phone and they were very fair and bike was as advertised when I came to pick it up. They did a lot of nice things for me and worked with me on some special things I wanted done and got Zuk to pick up part of the tab for those things.

Lots of things can change in 5years, but I'd be happy to get the service that they gave me anytime. It was much better than most.

[mrltt]

Thanks for the welcome Mr. Fisherman. I'd love to do some day rides with folks. I'll see what Saturdays look like but I've got two kids playing hockey and at least one is usually needing a ride to an ice rink on Sat am's. That said, with some advance word I can manage to spring free for a ride!

[awd505]

Ramsey - Waite, oh yeah the tractor guys that happen to sell motorcycles. Seems most of the parts staff are not m/c oriented, but know John Deer real well.

[Nighthawk22]

Welcome Mritt:
This is so cool, NW Strommers are coming out of the woodwork! Sounds like we could get our own mini-gathering going. A thought for later in the year. Like Mr. Fisherman said, Breakfast Club is always open for anyone, riding or not. Berserker is always there, the rest of us will attend as schedules allow. This Saturday is supposed to be dry. If the Grand Pooba (wife) is so inclined, we'll be there, hopefully on 2-wheels. Been trying to convince my brother ('06 1K) to come. Hope to see you there.

[mrltt]

Can't make breakfast this weekend, though hoping to get a ride in sometime... Hopefully before long schedules will let me eat with others. Has anyone been up in the hills behind Scappoose/St Helens lately? I was thinking of doing the Vernonia loop if time allows and roads aren't too slick still.

[SloPoke]

I was at Action Motorsports today, Feb 1, and they had a nice silver and black 650 on the floor.

Just an FYI if you are still looking for a new bike locally.

[SloPoke]

Saw 4 V-Stroms on the floor at Portland Motorcycle today Feb 2.

[stevewz]

I popped into Action Motor Sports (in Fairview) mid-day today and sat on a Wee-strom. It's a bigger bike than I expected, either that or I'm shorter and have a shorter inseam than I expected. ;-) (I'm 5'10" and wear 32 inseam pants.) My current bike is a 1986 Honda Rebel, which is absolutely TINY compared to the V-Strom. Sitting on the stock seat I could place my toes and the balls of both feet firmly on the ground but not my heels. Is that an issue?

I'm planning to schedule a test ride either later this week or next weekend. I won't buy one until I've actually had a chance to ride it.

By the way, the price was $7,088 for a non-ABS 650.

[mirage]

I'm also 5'10" with 32" inseam, weighing about 210, and I can flat foot on my DL1k, but I also wear riding boots with a decent heel, maybe 5/8-3/4" lift.

(Maybe my weight lowers the bike a bit extra ;) )

Next time, be sure you are wearing your riding boots (if you weren't today), and if you don't have some, pick some up. It'll make a big difference, AND protect your feet and lower legs.

I've had plain engineer boots with heels and just bought some Sidi Canyons that I highly recommend if you can stomach the price or find a deal.

Mirage...

[mrltt]

I popped into Action Motor Sports (in Fairview) mid-day today and sat on a Wee-strom. It's a bigger bike than I expected, either that or I'm shorter and have a shorter inseam than I expected. ;-) (I'm 5'10" and wear 32 inseam pants.) My current bike is a 1986 Honda Rebel, which is absolutely TINY compared to the V-Strom. Sitting on the stock seat I could place my toes and the balls of both feet firmly on the ground but not my heels. Is that an issue?


Steve - I don't think the size will bother you. I'm 5'9 with a 31" inseam and have never noticed the height except toeing backwards out of the garage and into the street. I was at Action today to - around 3pm - picking up a new FirstGear Mesh Tex II jacket I bought from them on eBay, saved a bundle buying locally :mrgreen:. Nice people to work with and I realized later the owner's brothers are old acqauintances...

[stevewz]

I haven't purchased a V-Strom yet, but I've been working with Will at Action Motorsports in Fairview. He's been very helpful in answering my questions and is willing to let me go for a test ride, weather permitting. We're waiting for a dry day as we mutually agreed no test ride will occur if its raining. Anyway, the sticker price on their silver 07 V-Strom non-ABS is $7,088 - which includes the DMV and assembly charges. He indicated the price was somewhat negotiable.

Now if it would just stop raining! :-)

[stevewz]

Action Motor Sports (in Fairview) let me test ride a non-ABS 2007 650 today during the lunch hour (we were dodging rain showers. I was on the bike maybe 10 minutes but before getting 1/4 mile from the dealership I knew the bike would be mine. I got on I-84 and went a few miles at 65 MPH then cruised back on surface streets.

I negotiated an OEM center stand and it's installation in the price.

I hope to take possession tomorrow.

YEAH!!!! :)

[Nighthawk22]

The Stromviper has just bit another hapless victim! That's what happens when you get too close. Alright Stevewz, way to go! Welcome to the horde. You'll be more and more impressed with the bike the more you ride it. It's not even out the door and you have your first farkle. That's just the beginning. Come show it off at the Breakfast club, we should be meeting again this Saturday(every other Saturday). We need pictures, too.