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How Would You Respond?

3K views 23 replies 21 participants last post by  ttoad 34 
#1 · (Edited)
I just bought my first Suzuki motorcycle. Last week I received a new owners rating request in the mail. I hadn't picked up the bike so I thought I'd hold off and respond, after I took delivery. Well, today is day 1 and I'm not very impressed. How would you respond?

I picked up my bike today. My dealer tells me he has some bad news. He goes on to say he's been dropped as a Suzuiki dealer. He explains that Suzuiki is cutting back on dealers, due to some problems and he has been axed. He goes on to say what a great bike they are and he's there if I have any problems. I asked, and when your parts inventory runs out? He answeres they will keep filters etc. I then ask about warranty work and there is some quesion in his eye. I then reply that I would not have bought the bike had I known the company was in trouble.

Anyway, I'm home now and I'm thinking about the rating request. I have to admit, the no-dealer news didn't do much for my "new owner" feeling! I'm thinking, I should never have switched brands. So, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would rate the experience if the question were presented to you?
 
#4 ·
I imagine the rating is for the benefit of the particular dealer you bought it from, and since this dealer is no longer a dealer, the survey is pointless. I like the idea of writing a note about your experience and sending that in, instead of filling in their survey.

It hardly matters whether you fill it in or not, its not going to change anything. The company had to restructure, and dealers had to go.
 
#5 · (Edited)
this doesn't answer your question;

i would do exactly what you are doing now, except i would ask a different question.and editing button will not move

c
find a new dealer? give your location. ppl here will help you.

sorry for your loss. i lost my dealer 2 yrs ago, but i know the nearest one.
 
#6 ·
I don't know if its true in this case but in the past the dealer had to pay or create some level of business to secure their territory for a specific franchise. Many poorly performing dealers drop the franchise to avoid making this payment.

I do all my own work I have and only ever brought a bike back for recall work.

I get my parts over the internet

I do still have a Suzuki dealer about a 1/2 hour away but 10 years ago there would have been 4
 
#7 ·
I'm sure the bike will work out fine. From everything I researched, the Strom is well built and trouble free. I also do most of my own service so the situation isn't that bad. However, part of the reason I bought new was for dealer backup and the news was a let down.

The dealer handles multiple brands and he is located close to two other Suzuki dealers. That's most likely why he got thinned out.

The dealership owner was very apologetic and he was not pleased with the situation either. He said he would be there if anything went wrong and he didn't bash Suzuki in any way, shape or form. He also said he had sold five other new bikes before he got the news and he has to face five other new buyers.

Well, I'm sure this will pass.
 
#10 ·
Don't worry. You got the finest bike for the money.

My warranty expired without meaning or notice, six years ago, and nothing has broken. I take my bike in for service that I cannot do, but that is principally tires and valve adjustments.

Ride and enjoy. Get a map like the ones below, and enjoy coloring the American parts and colouring the Canadian parts. Go farther afield if you want. If you are not sure about motorcycle touring, give it a shot, and you may like it a lot. That subject makes me feel foolish, because I tried it in 1965 and liked it a lot. Then stuff like marriage and children intervened and my next long ride was in 2006, to see kid#1 get married in British Columbia.

It doesn't take a lot of brains to be smarter than I am.
My regular readers (you know who you are) know this already.

Finally, welcome to the forum. Please consider
specifying your location less vaguely.

Keith
 
#17 ·
#11 ·
It may not make you feel any better about it, but your Suzuki dealer was only one of 98 other Suzuki dealers in the US who were dropped by Suzuki on March 31 as part of a Chapter 11 restructuring plan. There are still more than 800 Suzuki motorcycle dealers in the US.

You can read more about it here at Dealernews.com

They have also stopped selling automobiles in the US in order to focus on the powers sports segment. I think in the long term this will prove to be the correct move and I expect they will come out of this stronger. I wouldn't give up on Suzuki just yet.

So aside from your disappointment that the dealer was axed by Suzuki, how do you like the bike?
 
#12 ·
No big deal. Suzuki is not going anywhere. Contact the closest Suzuki dealer that still represents the brand and inform them of the situation. As you said, explain that you never would have purchased the bike from that dealer if you had known the situation. You would now like to start a relationship with then and bring your warranty and parts business to them. The dealer you bought your bike from was not forthcoming but on the other hand, they probably gave you a good price on the bike. As to the survey, fill it out truthfully. So if you like the bike, say so. If the new dealer treats you well, say so. The closing dealerships situation Suzuki already knows about so it makes no sense to badmouth them.
 
#13 ·
No worries

I know of no known recalls, and very fee warranty claims, on any of the Vees's. And I know it doesn't give the personal face-to-face experience like visiting your local dealer, but there's always the good ole inter-web to order OEM parts....... But I'd still let them know how you feel in the survey......
 
#14 ·
Suzuki has been in trouble for several years, evidenced by at least one year where they didn't bring new models in. However, I think with the restructuring they will probably get things moving in a positive direction.
I think it is concerning that they haven't been doing much of anything in terms of new models of bikes or atvs, not a good sign. Then again all of the Japanese manufacturers have slowed down during this recession.
 
#15 · (Edited)
The earthquake and tsunami hurt many of the essential parts suppliers in Japan, everything from electronics to paint. Their power shortages were also significant.

Suzuki did not develop cars that were well suited to the American market. They had some that were perfectly OK, but not for large volume sales. In Japan Suzuki is the third or fourth largest in car sales...Toyota, Nissan, then Honda or Suzuki trade third & fourth some years.

Bankruptcy is a great way for a company to abrogate contracts. American Suzuki seems to be doing some of this.

I agree, Suzuki's motorcycle line is pretty stale. The 2012 DL650 is great even if overdue, and the 2014 DL1000 will be very welcome.

How to respond to the loss of your local dealer?...tell him that he'll get the non-warranty work you don't do yourself, and ask who he'd recommend for warranty claim work. Tell American Suzuki how dissapointed you are.
 
#16 ·
How to respond to the loss of your local dealer?...tell him that he'll get the non-warranty work you don't do yourself, and ask who he'd recommend for warranty claim work. Tell American Suzuki how dissapointed you are.
That would be my recommendation too.
 
#18 ·
Dealer phased out by Suzuki

My observations:
- trips to the dealer are extremely rare if you do your own routine maintenance.
- if there is a good independent shop near where you live, that is a reasonable option for work you can't do yourself.
My '09 has never been back to a dealer. YMMV.
Cheers!
 
#20 · (Edited)
What's a dealer anyway?

Ah yes, those big stores where people go and buy new bikes.
Never been to one of those.
 
#21 ·
Thanks for the replies.

I did some additional research since my original post. It seems, I purchased my bike just three weeks before the dealer was informed he was being dropped. I bought the bike on Feb. 27 and from what I've read, the letters went out in mid March. My dealer was notified between the time of sale and the time I took delivery. The bike was already registered in my name before the dealer was notified.

I have always felt the dealer was honest. My beef is with Suzuki. This was a 2012 hold over but I didn't pay a fire sale price. Part of my deal included a discount on future accessories. That will no longer be available as the dealer is shut down. In addition, myself and other buyers may be forced into other dealerships, with hat-in-hand for parts and service.

Now, this isn't the end of the world. I also understand Suzuki is facing a hard time with the economy, etc. There is never a good time for a company or a new buyer to be hit with this situation. However, this surprise was not well thought out with respect to Suzuki management. Bad way to start out any relationship and poor foundation for future restructuring.
 
#22 ·
I wouldn't worry about it. As has been mentioned, the wee has very few documented failures. If you're somewhat handy, you'll never see the service department. As far as parts go, most dealers don't keep much stock and need to order stuff anyway, so what the difference if you have to order online yourself?

Personally, I have several Japanese bikes over the last 10 years with no issues. The last 6 have been vstroms (2 years vee and 4 wee)


Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App
 
#24 ·
+1 with most of the comments here. These bikes don't need too much. Have only taken my Wee back to the shop once, and that was for the 1,000km service. As long as you do regular oil changes and basic maintenance nothing should go wrong. As for parts/farkles Ebay is you friend!
 
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