Other Bikes » What is your "Invisibility Factor"?

Yesterday was kinda open on my calendar, so I decided to visit a Royal Enfield dealer and see what these look like in real life. I was especially interested in the discomfort level of the GT version. Any hooo..........the "local dealer" is a Harley and others (RE & Vespa) shop in Gettysburg, PA, 135-miles away. I made the first part of the trip interesting with a couple of ridge crossings and a ride thru the Michaux state forest. Other than passing thru Carlisle, PA, I avoided populated areas until reaching US 30 (the Lincoln Highway) west of Gettysburg. However, I always enjoy seeing the evolution of the architectural treatments at Dickenson College in Carlisle. For some reason, Dickenson College is one of the few places in PA that actually pays architects to create instead of mimicking others or the past.

Reaching the dealership, a massive H-D Taj Mahal with separate ranges for HD and PA state rider safety classes, I dismount, remove my helmet and earplugs, and enter. Immediately to the right of the front entrance is the RE display, at least two of every model, but the GT. According to the website, they have GT's in stock. I decided to check-out the available RE models and let the salespeople do their job. After 10-minutes, or so, that plan isn't working. I opt to approach the person working in the office cubical next to the RE display, she looks up at me and then returns to her computer screen. A young guy, in dealership uniform, walks by with a feather duster and asks me to step aside. He goes on displacing the dust on the racks of Harley labeled clothing with his fluffy-puffy.

At that point, I realize I'm invisible to them as a customer. I ponder the possibility of stealing something to see if they would notice. But, it's a Harley shop. What would I want? Sure, one of the REs was an option, but the in-stock model colors weren't that great and I would have to leave my RS. That was a poor trade in my opinion. So, I just walked out........Invisible.

I had a similar experience when visiting a large BMW dealer recently that also carried Royal Enfields.

The experience you share is quite common. A hit or miss proposition, especially when it comes to a Harley dealer selling a non-Harley product, such as Royal Enfield. Actually had the same thing happen with Buell (Harley engine) and the V-Rod ("that's not a REAL Harley", lol). On a side note, I was at VIR, last weekend, and they had a Royal Enfield spec class featuring all women riders who also maintain their bikes throughout the series. With 41HP and 7500rpm, momentum is your best friend
https://www.motoamerica.com/royal-enfiel...th-motoamerica/

Years ago (while still riding my Ducati) the dealer in the southern part of town carried H-D and Ducati. The Ducati's were located upstairs and you had to walk through the "chrome jungle" to get there. I only visited once and that didn't last long. Someone bought out the Ducati portion and moved it to a stand alone space.

Frank

Zitat von duccrazydave im Beitrag #3

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The experience you share is quite common. A hit or miss proposition, especially when it comes to a Harley dealer selling a non-Harley product, such as Royal Enfield. Actually had the same thing happen with Buell (Harley engine) and the V-Rod ("that's not a REAL Harley", lol). On a side note, I was at VIR, last weekend, and they had a Royal Enfield spec class featuring all women riders who also maintain their bikes throughout the series. With 41HP and 7500rpm, momentum is your best friend
https://www.motoamerica.com/royal-enfiel...th-motoamerica/

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I went to a Harley dealer last year because I had a few hours to kill and wanted to see the Pan America.

I rode my yellow RS and parked at the outer edge of the parking lot. I barely had my helmet off before a salesman approached me. He basically wouldn't leave me alone the whole time.

I have to say, the Harley dealer was very different than BMW. Well worn women in unflatteringly tight pants, announcements for dollar beer nights on Thursday, disco lights going off when someone signed a purchase agreement, etc. No thanks.

Hairy armpits, poor fitting clothing, overweight with lousy tattoos, what was once a dolphin now resembles a small whale, and needing a good wash - and that's just the women!!!

Years ago the BMW motorcycle shop in San Francisco folded and its business was sold to the nearby SF BMW car dealership, who really didn't know what to do with their motorcyclist customers. You had to walk through the BMW car showroom to get to the bikes located at the far end of the shop (later moved to the top floor of the building). They always had a gate-guard placed at the front door who was clean-shaven and sharply dressed in a nice business suit. When I would walk past in my well-worn black leather suit, the guy would always give me the "stink-eye" and I got the feeling that he was sizing me up to see if I should be tossed into the street by the shop goons. Fortunately, that never happened and eventually, the current motorcycle-only shop was established a few blocks away and seems to have been a successful operation ever since. But they only sell BMW bikes. No Royal Enfields, Ducatis or Triumphs.

Unlike Europe, in the U.S. motorcycle and car dealerships really don't mix very well.

Harley customers are quite unique in looks, so I guess you didn’t look the part and not considered a serious buyer…
I’ve always found BMW dealers very welcoming.
As for Ducati dealers, in my experience, every single potential customer is invisible.

Zitat von Grumpy Goat im Beitrag #7

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Zitat von Paul911 im Beitrag #6

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I have to say, the Harley dealer was very different than BMW. Well worn women in unflatteringly tight pants, announcements for dollar beer nights on Thursday, disco lights going off when someone signed a purchase agreement, etc. No thanks.

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Yep, and not only at the dealerships either ...

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Who said that?

Zitat von Bravo im Beitrag #12

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Who said that?

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Zitat von Becksy im Beitrag #10

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As for Ducati dealers, in my experience, every single potential customer is invisible.

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Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #11

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Zitat von Grumpy Goat im Beitrag #7

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Zitat von Paul911 im Beitrag #6

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I have to say, the Harley dealer was very different than BMW. Well worn women in unflatteringly tight pants, announcements for dollar beer nights on Thursday, disco lights going off when someone signed a purchase agreement, etc. No thanks.

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Yep, and not only at the dealerships either ...

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My "local" pirate owns the house three doors up the street. His daughter and her family live there. Tats, loud mufflers, no helmet, etc.....I really want to not like him, but he always waves, often offers his yard when I'm done doing whatever in mine or gives a big thumbs up when I'm doing something somewhat creative in the yard or garage. Apparently, you just can't go by what's on the cover.........

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