counter steering explained in 10 seconds.

[mikebmwk12ltc]

Thought I would share my recent experience with my lousy dealer! My 15 year old son just got his M/C license last November and we are now riding buddies! My 01 K1200LTC and his 01 KLR650 makes an interesting pairing. Anyhoo... a few weeks ago he takes a little ride around the neighborhood, hits a patch of black ice and drops like a ton of bricks doing only about 15 MPH. He's fine. Bike has about $1,700 worth of ouchies. Take bike to Specialty Sales (my local Kawi dealer/purchase point) for repairs. The service "manager" is Dave. I *think* he may also be part owner of the shop. Keep in mind I have done nothing or said anything out of the ordinary.. I'm just a guy there to pick up my bike and happy to be on the road again. I have no attitude or problem at all at this point. When I went to pick up the bike.. "fully repaired, ready to go, just like new", I found the front fork tubes still bent a good two inches from center. Not damaged, just needs re-aligned. Obvious just from visual inspection. I asked if they test rode the bike to check all the repairs... no it was raining/snowing/outside. Anything ELSE he says! I ask if he's getting upset. He ignores me. Big Dave ain't got the time-O-day for anybody! Dave is the biggest ASSHOLE I have ever met. Customer service? What's that? The new handlebars were installed very low, and all controls/hand wind protectors were all misadjusted and just looked wacked out. ANYTHING else NOW he asked?. I asked what he's all pissed off about.. no response. Just his beady little eyes glaring at me. Dave readjusted everything on the spot, but had a real snotty attitude about everything. WTF? Bike was brought out again and I noticed the front brake light not working. Go get Asshole Dave to look at it. He storms out, slams the door open (backlash almost hits me in the face) and plugs in the wire for the brake light mumbling he JUST fixed that. Why are you so mad? No response. He asked if I paid yet, tell him I am - they are re-totaling the final bill because I have a 10% off parts discount card (from when purchased). Davey almost blows a gasket in front of everybody and says how he's getting screwed on this deal!! WTF!?!?! My son was there the whole time and could not believe this guy either!!!! I called Dave after getting home to find out WTF was his problem. He said he's sorry and he's running 1000 MPH doing everything. I tell him his customer service sucks so bad, I would likely NEVER return to his shop again, even though it's the only one convenient to me. I flat out ask him (three times in plain english) if he wants my continued business.. no direct response. Pretty clear! I was even considering buying another KLR so my son & I could ride all the forest roads together. NOT! I think I'll get the new R1150GS Adventure from a dealer who knows what customer service is all about: Beaudry Motorsports where I bought my LT. Specialty Sales & Service Kawasaki, etc. Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, I will avoid this dealer from now on. What an asshole!!! Comments?? Mike Stuhlmiller Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

[jon.sykes@ps.ge.com]

-----Original Message----- From: mikebmwk12ltc [mailto:mike@...] Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2002 1:52 PM To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_klr650] Another snotty dealer story! Thought I would share my recent experience with my lousy dealer! My 15 year old son just got his M/C license last November and we are now riding buddies! My 01 K1200LTC and his 01 KLR650 makes an interesting pairing. Anyhoo... a few weeks ago he takes a little ride around the neighborhood, hits a patch of black ice and drops like a ton of bricks doing only about 15 MPH. He's fine. Bike has about $1,700 worth of ouchies. Take bike to Specialty Sales (my local Kawi dealer/purchase point) for repairs. The service "manager" is Dave. I *think* he may also be part owner of the shop. Keep in mind I have done nothing or said anything out of the ordinary.. I'm just a guy there to pick up my bike and happy to be on the road again. I have no attitude or problem at all at this point. When I went to pick up the bike.. "fully repaired, ready to go, just like new", I found the front fork tubes still bent a good two inches from center. Not damaged, just needs re-aligned. Obvious just from visual inspection. I asked if they test rode the bike to check all the repairs... no it was raining/snowing/outside. Anything ELSE he says! I ask if he's getting upset. He ignores me. Big Comments?? - yes, what on Earth made it cost $1700? That's more than what I paid for my '95 KLR. --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.325 / Virus Database: 182 - Release Date: 2/19/2002

[dale_johnson13]

> - yes, what on Earth made it cost $1700? That's more than what I

paid for

> my '95

My bike has been dropped so many times. I don't care anymore what it LOOKS like, as long as it is running good. I have 3 different kinds of blinkers, one has the housing broke off and just a yellow blinker bulb sticking out. the shaft portion of it is held to the bike with tape. I am missing a tank shroud, just took off my passenger pegs because one was pointing down. Holes cut in the side panels so I don't have to take them off to remove the seat, thats help on by one screw. I was visiting someone in a senior community a couple weeks ago. When I came back out to my bike it was laying on the ground. Picked it up looked for any damage, Couldn't see any. It didn't look any different than when I parked it. Dale

[millerized_2000]

If you loved that store, you should check out Dutrow's Honda on the other side of town, out rt40. I had a check for $10K in my hand, and do you think I could find anyone to help me. Even after showing them the check made out to "DUTROWS", I couldn't find anyone to make a deal on the 1993 Wing that was on the floor. Could it have been the Army uniform? Don't know, but the Ford Dealer was happy to take the check, I just crossed out the Dutrows and wrote in their name. Never did go back. Now that I'm in WV, I do my parts and service witht internet companies and 2 local dealers. Martinsburg Motorsports and Valley Cycle in Winchester. Don't even take it back to the dealer I bought it from because of "the DUH syndrome" Do you have the part? DUH. millerized a15

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "pcal765" wrote: > Been there done that. I was up in Frederick, Md a few weeks back > looking at new bikes. Stopped in at the Harley-Davidson dealer, very > nice people, let me sit on everything, even the V-Rod, gave me > brochures etc..., stopped in at the Triumph dealer, very nice people, > let me sit on everything, gave me brochures etc..., then the Yamaha/ > Kawasaki dealer up the street, the owner was cool, "... sure, go > ahead and sit on anything..." 5 minutes later, as soon as the owners > back is turned, some 20 something sales-tool mutters "...someone get > that fat shit off the Concours..." I haven't been back, I don't plan > on ever going back, I was going to pay cash for that bike if they > made me any kind of deal, LMAO! > > -- In DSN_klr650@y..., "mikebmwk12ltc" wrote: > > Thought I would share my recent experience with my lousy dealer! > > > > Comments?? > > > > Mike Stuhlmiller > > Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

[Devon Jarvis]

Sounds like the Brooklyn Bum's bike, and mine's not far behind. Just turned 10,000mi last night too. I still have enough tank shrouds to zip-tie them on. The tank has many dings and dents, including one huge one on the top from my knee, as I was forcibly dismounted in the sand one day. The front fender and fairings have so many fold marks that all I can do is laugh when somebody asks how to get the white marks out of their bodywork. That's the beauty of the bike I guess, it's a beauty queen or a cockroach depending on your point of view. Devon dale_johnson13 wrote:

> > > - yes, what on Earth made it cost $1700? That's more than what I > paid for > > my '95 > > My bike has been dropped so many times. I don't care anymore what it > LOOKS like, as long as it is running good. I have 3 different kinds > of blinkers, one has the housing broke off and just a yellow blinker > bulb sticking out. the shaft portion of it is held to the bike with > tape. I am missing a tank shroud, just took off my passenger pegs > because one was pointing down. Holes cut in the side panels so I > don't have to take them off to remove the seat, thats help on by one > screw. I was visiting someone in a senior community a couple weeks > ago. When I came back out to my bike it was laying on the ground. > Picked it up looked for any damage, Couldn't see any. It didn't look > any different than when I parked it. > > Dale >

[dale_johnson13]

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., Devon Jarvis wrote:

> Sounds like the Brooklyn Bum's bike, and mine's not far behind. Just > turned 10,000mi last night too. > > I still have enough tank shrouds to zip-tie them on.

--Snip When my shroud flew off at 80+ it hit my helmet and scared the shit outta me. Lol, I forgot about the carious ZIP ties holding my bike together.. Ohh and a piece of twine/string holding my healight up. Dale

[jon.sykes@ps.ge.com]

-----Original Message----- From: Mike Stuhlmiller [mailto:mike@...] Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2002 3:56 PM Could you possibly cut and paste and post that one to the list for me?? Others may find the info helpful (astonishing). Thanks! Mike Since the bike was so new, I decided to have my insurance cover the damage. So I had the dealer replace *everything* that was scratched. Basically everthing on the right side! That asphalt is a bitch!!! Gas Tank $424 (wow.. almost 10% of the bikes value!) both rt. turn signals $92 front fender $84 rt. mirror $29 plastic shroud(s) $247 (including front fairing/shield) rear brake lever $96!! front brake lever $15 handlebars $66 both grips $28 rt footpeg $17 muffler guard $14 decals $45 6hrs @ $50 labor $300 (yea right!) other small crap/screws, supplies, etc... tax $68 need I go on...... --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.325 / Virus Database: 182 - Release Date: 2/19/2002

[dale_johnson13]

Did you get aftermarket bars? for 66 bux you should have.. do you still have the old scratched shroud? i am missing one.. Dale

[Bogdan Swider]

I guess the handlebars and everything on them took a while but * 6 HOURS !!! * Bogdan

> Gas Tank $424 (wow.. almost 10% of the bikes value!) > both rt. turn signals $92 > front fender $84 > rt. mirror $29 > plastic shroud(s) $247 (including front fairing/shield) > rear brake lever $96!! > front brake lever $15 > handlebars $66 > both grips $28 > rt footpeg $17 > muffler guard $14 > decals $45 > 6hrs @ $50 labor $300 (yea right!) > other small crap/screws, supplies, etc... > tax $68 > > need I go on...... > >

[Brent Bacon]

> Comments?? > > - yes, what on Earth made it cost $1700? That's more than what I paid

for

> my '95 KLR.

I got my KLR in July. I picked it up from the dealers after the 500 mi. check up valve adj. and took a ride. I was out on state forest roads and I see a sign for an "Unmaintained, Licensed Vehicles Only" Road. It looked good as far a I could see. So I started down it. About a half mile down the road became crowned quite a bit. Then there was some water(don't laugh, it was a new bike and I hadn't had one in twelve years) so I didn't want to get my new bike dirty and I tried to bring it up on the crown. I was only traveling at 5 mph or so. Needless to say the front wheel slid very nicely straight ahead and I laid the bike down. When I picked it up I found the radiator bent among other things broke. My bill was around $1400 for that to the insurance company. It does add up. I was really questioning the logic of a liquid cooled Adventure tourer ( read DS) at that point. All is well, and I understand how it happens. brent