Dear Harley Davidson,

I love the fact you still continue to offer the Sportster models. I recently bought on for my girlfriend and as you know from my phone calls, we had a serious problem: THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR RECALL.

We bought the bike and did not take it home due to rain, and it was supposed to be delivered on a Saturday. You had enough nerve to not let the dealer release the bike because of the recall. Then you promised to ship the part to the dealer and when I called find out about quantity you shipped ONE !!!!ING PART!--YOU STUPID BASTARDS!--NOW I AM PISSED.

YOU KNEW ABOUT THE RECALL AND HAD TO HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE NUMBER OF SPORTSTERS AFFECTED BY THIS. WHEN I CALLED YOUR "CUSTOMER SERVICE" THEY TOLD ME THE PART IS "DIFFICULT TO MANUFACTURE" AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN MORE KITS WERE GOING TO BE SENT. THANKS A MILLION.

NOT HAVING THE PART ON HAND IS ONE THING, BUT NOT HAVING THE PART IS ANOTHER. FURTHERMORE, LYING TO YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS IS JUST PLAIN UNACCEPTABLE. SPORTSTERS ARE THE BEST BIKE YOU HAVE GOING FOR YOU AND THEIR OWNERS ARE THE BEST YET YOU CONTINUE TO SCREW US. NOT MAKING AND SHIPPING ENOUGH PARTS WHEN YOU KNEW ABOUT THE RECALL MAKES ABOUT AS MUCH SENSE AS WIPING BEFORE YOU POOP!

WHEN I ASKED ABOUT COMPESATION FOR BEING OUT A BIKE WE NEVER GOT, YOU SIMPLY SHRUGGED IT OFF. GET A CLUE--ASSHOLES!

AND, !!!! YOU VERY MUCH!

Along this same theme, it seems to me customer service is lacking in a lot of businesses today. I'm going through the same I could give a sh*t attitude from a well known home improvement store and it isn't Home Depot this time. Hope you get satisfaction by not using them anymore. Tell ten people to tell ten people the word will get out about their lack of customer service.

NOT MAKING AND SHIPPING ENOUGH PARTS WHEN YOU KNEW ABOUT THE RECALL MAKES ABOUT AS MUCH SENSE AS WIPING BEFORE YOU POOP!



You mean you don't wipe before you poop?:p








Rant on man!!!!! I'd be pissed too. Of course, in my mind, the dealer is at fault too for promising your bike without having the parts or even knowing when the parts are gonna arrive. How can they sell a bike that has a recall on it that hasn't been fixed?

When it comes to selling the bike. We were going to take it home earlier that week, but it was raining. I guess the documentation was not in their hands and then it came in, so by law they could not release.

But the short answer is EASY! Come give us your money and we will take care of the rest. The dealer is supposed to be "giving my girlfriend a gift" to make up for it. Let's hope its a 1200 kit, exhaust and air cleaner--yeah right. Probably a "free shirt"

I knew about the recall before I got the recall...

How long has this topic been on the forum? I just got my recall notice for my 07 XL50 about a week ago. I haven't bothered to drop by the dealer yet. 1) It's too cold to ride, 2) I don't want to drop off the bike and have it stuck at the dealer's when it finally warms up. I'll wait until the part becomes more readily available.

JC

If you got the recall notice, call your dealer, even if you are suffering in the middle of a deep-freeze like I am. They should put in a work order and get the part in stock. I called my dealer, they have ordered the part and will have it in by the time it is warm enough for me to get my bike there. It kinda sucks, but it happens.

i work at an automotive dealership, we have received recalls from from the manufacturer that said to stop all deliveries immediately. The dealer HAS to comply. That puts the dealer in a no win situation. They can't delivery it so you get pissed. If they go against the MoCo then they become liable and you get pissed because it wasn't fixed before you received it and it has to come back to the dealer. You said one part was shipped. was it used on your bike? The fact that the dealer offered you something for the inconvenience makes it appear that they do care. Recalls are not the fault of the dealer. I wouldn't be too hard on them. You may need a favor or help later on. I can guarantee they remember the people that gave them a hard time over something they couldn't control.

Dont worry, HD will get what they got coming.

I see a rapid decline in sales over the next few decades.

I've had some negative dealings with my local dealership, in fact every single one from the sales to the service.
The biggest problem? They have so many customers that they can't serve them all well.
This is why I started performing my own rountine maintanance.

As long as people keep buying them, there is no incentive to change/improve.

If I wanted to buy a Chrysler Minivan, I would have the choice of 7 dealerships in a reasonable driving distance.

If I want to buy a Harley, I need to go to my local dealer or drive 1.5 hours in any direction.

A lot of Harley's production is going overseas, so they will be able to sell all of what they make for some time.

My opinion

They ain't worried about you. They got a strike on thier hands, they have to answer to the sharholders on why production will be dropped cause of the strike. Unfortunaltely they have bigger fish to fry, then to care about the very people that pay thier salaries. They know they have a brand that has a VERY high customer loyalty, so they can afford to screw the customer every now and then, cause they know the customer will just spend more money anyways. Buying doo dad, chrome, bags clothing, a new bike etc... Don't hold your breath :smoke

Along this same theme, it seems to me customer service is lacking in a lot of businesses today. I'm going through the same I could give a sh*t attitude from a well known home improvement store and it isn't Home Depot this time. Hope you get satisfaction by not using them anymore. Tell ten people to tell ten people the word will get out about their lack of customer service.

Not to get too far off topic here but the geneal decline in customer service everywhere is a direct result of the consumers demanding the rock bottom, dirt cheapest prices on everything. Nobody wants to pay for customer service until they need it. And it isn't just the home improvement stores either. It's retailing everywhere.

I'm not at all saying that is the case in this instance. Recalls do happen. But it sounds like better communication could have helped here. Upsetting a new, happy customer is not good business.

I really don't blame the dealer, but moreso the motor company. If the recall affected 10000 motorcycles, it just seems to make sense to make 10000 recall kits and have them on hand to ship to requesting dealers. By shipping ONE to each dealer, it just tells me, the MOTOR CO, not the dealer, has their head way up thier ass.

FYI--Down time due to warranty work is not covered by H-D, so if they need 6 months to work on it, you are screwed.

We get the bike today, the dealer found the part somewhere and got it overnighted, but it still chaps your ass to see this happen.

BTW--I didn't ask for a rock bottom price, I PAID RETAIL--which is what HARLEY wanted for the bike.

Dont worry, HD will get what they got coming.

I see a rapid decline in sales over the next few decades.

What do they have coming to them?

Why are their sales going to decline?

I still don't understand, he said they shipped one part, was it installed on his bike? Doesn't it only need one regulator? If so why so upset. Like I said earlier the dealer was in a no win situation. You would have been pissed no matter what they did.

You guys talk like you want to see HD go belly up, maybe AMF would be interested in buying them back and straightening the company out again. Or they could just be like all the other American Motorcycle manufacturers and go out of business all together.

You want them to do back flips to take care of you before, during, and after the sale. But then you'll go to an indy to get your parts and accessories and return to rag on the dealer when you have a warranty issue and again expect them to drop every thing to handle your situation first.

FYI--Down time due to warranty work is not covered by H-D, so if they need 6 months to work on it, you are screwed.

That is not entirely true.
If the vehicle is down for the same problem for more that a total of 30 days it falls withen the guidelines for "Lemon Law" in the state of Arizona.
If you do take it to court and the court determines that it is not the same problem or whatever and finds in favor of the manufacturer. You will be responsible for any and ALL court costs and lawyer fees.
Been there done that.

customer service is lacking ! its not just davidson its every buisness out there it seems to me all they care about is the big bucks ! shitty service & cheap products !

:wonderlan Read the book what ever happened to the british motorcycle industry. By bert hopwood.:wonderlan

What do they have coming to them?

Why are their sales going to decline?

I still don't understand, he said they shipped one part, was it installed on his bike? Doesn't it only need one regulator? If so why so upset. Like I said earlier the dealer was in a no win situation. You would have been pissed no matter what they did.

You guys talk like you want to see HD go belly up, maybe AMF would be interested in buying them back and straightening the company out again. Or they could just be like all the other American Motorcycle manufacturers and go out of business all together.

You want them to do back flips to take care of you before, during, and after the sale. But then you'll go to an indy to get your parts and accessories and return to rag on the dealer when you have a warranty issue and again expect them to drop every thing to handle your situation first.

It's not that I WANT the company to go belly up, I just think they've been in the limelight for long enough. That and the aging baby-boomers that swooped up on all those hogs back in the 90's are soon getting to the point where they cant ride anymore. The replacement "bikers" arent into HD's. They dont want 50yr old technology in a $16000 bike. They want fast and cheap. Unless HD caters to the demands, sales will decline. HD seems to be way too wrapped up in that whole "nostalgic" image. Get with the now guys, that's where we're heading. I'm also not saying they will file Ch. 13 either. I just think a company downsizing will come due to lack of sales. That and pissing off the union workers.

I just think a company downsizing will come due to lack of sales. That and pissing off the union workers.

I think you are very likely right on your first sentence. Although only time will tell.

If you're right about the downsizing it will have absolutely nothing to do with your second sentence.

Regardless of which side you're on, labor is a commodity subject to the same laws of supply and demand as any other commodity. I'm sure there are a lot of good union workers in that plant. But what they're doing ain't rocket science. Plenty of people can be taught how to assemble a bike or use machines to cut out cookie cutter parts. If their demands exceed what the company can buy elsewhere (and no I don't mean China. How bout the southern part of the good old USA?) the company will simply buy their labor somewhere else (and still be American made).

When you have nothing unique to offer you cannot demand compensation greater than the market will bear. It isn't about what's "fair" or what it costs to live the life you choose to live. It's simply about supply and demand.

I'm just gonna have to disagree with you. So you think the "replacement" bikers are always going to be riding some crotch rocket and that style of bike is going to continue to grow at its currect rate? You don't think they are going to be looking for something that is a little easier on their backs and knees as they age. When their young girlfriends and wives develope a more mature woman's body are they still going to feel comfortable perched on the back of those bikes looking like a tree frog? I would guess some of those that are buying Sportsters now are "replacement" bikers. Sure there are peaks and valleys in sales of all products produced. That doesn't mean they don't rebound from lull in sales. There are plenty of people that purchase based on brand loyalty. Plenty try to purchase American made when there is a choice. Union workers have typically been among those that purchase products made in America by Americans.

Right, easier on backs...more comfy.....but not way the hell overpriced compared to the competition. And you can find all the same comfort in just about any other bike manufacturer. Crotch rockets are a phase, most youngn's get over it quickly, I did. Motorcycling is here to stay.

Lets face it, when it comes to technology, all HD's got over the Japs is the sound. I'll be honest, I wouldn't own my sporty if it weren't for what it sounded like. I just like it. I've never been one to "follow the herd" if you will. All's I'm saying is that todays generation, the one that bitches up and down about HD and everything it stands for, is gonna be buying bikes for alot longer than those that praise everything HD.

Yes, I'm keeping my sporty, I may never sell it. But when it comes to "best bang for your buck", the japs have been winning for years. What HD did is associate an image with their product, and struck oil. The younger riders see through that image like it's glass.

Oh, and about that union comment, that was just me making light of the current situation festering throughout their corperate offices as we speak. It's spreading to Wisconsin too.

I think HD will always be around, the biker image of the 70's is gone yet everyone still wants one. I rode jap bikes for years and always secretly wanted a harley, it got in my blood when i was growing up in the early 70's watching the bad ass bikers go by in san francisco. Yes they are overpriced for what you get, yes the image is ruined by the rich guys buying them up then reporting to thier software engineering jobs by day, yet we all bought one didnt we? Did we all buy one because we had heard how reliable they were? Not me. Did we all buy one because of the great gas mileage? Nope. I like others here bought one because we always wanted to ride a harley, and feel the rumble between our legs and hear that distint harley sound tear up the night. That image is burned into all americans mind, the rebel harley image no matter how false it has become today. Its fun. Flat out fun to own a harley, no matter how much other bikers might say they dont want one....deep down they do. Why the hell wouldnt they? Harley dealerships these days have become saturated, there are too many people buying them which leads to salesmen and dealerships that dont care about anyone, but the top paying customer....why? because they can afford to loose customers. Its all about supply and demand, right now harleys are in high demand. If the day comes when they arent, thats when the customer support level goes up.

I like others here bought one because we always wanted to ride a harley, and feel the rumble between our legs and hear that distint harley sound tear up the night.

That is EXACTLY why I bought mine.

That is EXACTLY why I bought mine.

Ditto that!:tour

When you have nothing unique to offer you cannot demand compensation greater than the market will bear. It isn't about what's "fair" or what it costs to live the life you choose to live. It's simply about supply and demand.

I agree 100%. I don't want to start bickering on here about union vs. non-union, but John is right. There are folks working in the HD plants with bloated salaries because the union demands they make that much, when in reality they MoCo could get the same level of quality employee in a different area of the U.S. for half the cost. I work in tile, and I know of areas where guys can do my job better than me, and only get $3.00 per square foot for the same thing I charge a minimum of $13.00 for. The union can and will fight with HD over money, but they lose if the MoCo moves the plant. Oh, and even with cheaper labor, Harley won't drop the price of their bikes.

Let's not blame the dealers for this one. It's the factory's fault, and I'm sure they'll see all this on this site and hopefully try to rectify the situation. I don't want anyone's bike to be sitting around collecting dust, waiting for parts.