Feed Back
FEED BACK
IN DEFENSE OF YOSHIMURA
Being a large Kawasaki dealership we have learned to deal with all sorts of problems. Problems that involve customers, distributors and everyone inbetween.
My writing was stimulated by reading your December issue. Specifically your “Feedback” column involving Mr. James Sowle and Yoshimura Racing. It seems to me Mr. Sowle was given a raw deal, but I am writing because I feel this was an exception and not the rule on Yoshimura’s part.
My relationship with Yoshimura has been one of buyer-seller. During the last year and a half I have purchased thousands of dollars worth of Yoshimura equipment. While installing some of the equipment problems would come up. In every instance one call to Yoshimura rectified the situation or set up a further inquiry on their part.
During this whole period, I have never been given the run-around or been refused a reasonable explanation.
To add to this, I have sold many parts across the counter and while in the process of installation the customer has run across some sort of problem. If I couldn’t help him out, I told him to call or write Yoshimura. To this day I have never received a complaint that Yoshimura had been unfair or not interested in trying to help.
Well, what it all boils down to is that I feel that because of one bad instance, Yoshimura should not be condemned. I feel that if someone was thinking of modifying his motorcycle and was uncertain of which manufacturer’s equipment to use, I would recommend Yoshimura equipment without any reservations. John O’Malley, Gen. Man. Kawasaki Motorcycle World North Lindenhurst, N.Y.
TO ALL ENTHUSIASTS
Because of the numerous rumors that have been circulated recently, I feel that an explanation of the status of Yoshimura Racing Inc. is in the best interests of the motorcycling public.
Hideo and Fujio Yoshimura are no longer associated in any manner with Yoshimura Racing Inc. Due to many problems, lawsuits were filed between Yoshimura Racing Inc. vs. the Yoshimuras. This suit has been resolved in court in favor of Yoshimura Racing Inc., Starr and myself, and against the Yoshimuras.
The same parts and the continuing research and development that have made Yoshimura Racing Inc. the leader in high performance, record-setting components will still be available EXCLUSIVELY through Yoshimura Racing Inc. Any parts affixed with our logo will be GENUINE Yoshimura Racing Inc., with all of the know-how and expertise behind them. Dale O. Alexander President Yoshimura Racing Inc.
DEALING WITH DEALERS
Much has been said of late in this column about one dealer or another, this one being good and offering excellent service of all types, while another one is constantly gouging the public. This is all fine and good, but I wonder how many dealers got painted unfairly in the process. Recently, I was glad to see CYCLE WORLD take the dealer's side (on the subject of test rides), and I hope to hereby further support the dealers' viewpoint.
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F~CCDBOCK
Continued from page 28
Having worked in a Honda dealership for some years now, both as a mechanic and at the parts counter, I feel I am justified to say that oftentimes the customer directly controls the kind of service he receives from a dealer. A direct proportion exists between a cus tomer's attitude and the service he receives (though this is most certainly not always true). Sarcastically, then, I offer the following methods of getting good service from your dealer:
1. If you have an inquiry that may be made by phone, call at noon on your lunchbreak, especially if you need to know the price of a complete gear cluster for your bike. This is most effective during the summer. The parts man only has 30 customers waiting, he wants to go to lunch himself, and his temper might be a little short (after a long morning), but I'm sure he'll fit you in. Be especially mad if you get a mechanic filling in for the parts man who is out to lunch.
2. Don't know the frame number for your bike when making a parts pur chase, as it isn't necessary. The same holds true for model designation (i.e., on a Honda, CL, CB, SL, XL, or whatever). When you get the wrong parts because of this, storm back to your dealership madder than a wet hornet, threatening to take your busi ness elsewhere.
3. When you do get the wrong parts because of the dealer's mistake, be sure to butcher them up trying to make them fit. Then, return the parts to your dealer and expect a full refund.
4. When you're buying parts, talk to the parts man as belligerently as you can, using every four-letter word you know. This bullies the parts man and encourages him to give you a price break and better service.
5. When bringing a bike in for re pairs, complain loudly in front of other customers what a lemon your bike has been. Dealers love this.
6. Buy a new inner tube and install it yourself (or have can-do neighbor install it). After it looks like you used a fork to install it, return it expecting a refund.
7. Let the dealer know that you think he is ripping you off. (While some dealers may be actually doing this, the majority aren't). Do this loudly, as it is a sure fire way to get lower prices for yourself. (Continued on page 114)
Continued from page 30
Every person who has worked at the retail end of the motorcycle industry knows these stories well, and can probably come up with many of his own. No doubt many who have complained of treatment in a motorcycle shop have entered that place in an angry mood and thus been treated accordingly. Granted, one can argue that a businessman should not let this bother him, but the motorcycle dealer is human too. I’ve known some people who actually jack the price upward when a customer gets angry with them. Motorcycle parts prices are outrageous as it is, and the angry customer is doing himself a disservice. This applies to retail stores of all kinds. Thankfully, most customers are a pleasure to do business with, and this is especially true in the motorcycle industry. Bikes are meant to be enjoyed, and an angry customer only serves to deaden the fun. David Chinn Pueblo, Colo.
BUILD YOUR OWN
Pictured here is my motorcycle: a cafe racer based on a 1973 Yamaha RD350. This basis was chosen for its very close approximation of the Yamaha factory road racers.
The machine is licensed, insured and completely street-legal. In good weather I ride the bike often on the street. Small J&R silencers are clamped onto the stingers to comply with local noise regulations.
Total investment in the project has been about 1000 man-hours and $1300 (which includes the purchase of the bike, bought used for $650). All work on the bike, including paint, upholstery and parts fabrication was done by myself, with the exception of welding and pin striping. The front fender, seat assembly, footpeg and fairing mounts are handmade. Tank, fairing and expansion chambers were purchased from Yamaha. The exhausts required some rework to be adapted to street cylinders. The only engine modifications have been a .010-in. overbore and one upsize of main jetting. With the expansion chambers, horsepower for the street is more than adequate.
Stock wheels, brakes and tires have been maintained and are fine for street use. The autolube system has been disposed of and replaced by pre-mixing oil and gasoline (inconvenient, but reliable). The tail section is hinged at the seat base to allow access to all the electrical gear that is housed inside. All large components, including fairing, tank and tail, are rubber isolated. Every attaching nut and bolt on the bike has been drilled and safety-wired or cotterpinned. I have tried to maintain the approach of a sanitary, functional, dechromed street machine.
Several hundred miles riding has so far shown the bike to be quite reliable and reasonably comfortable for rides of an hour or less. It has sufficient fuel capacity for long-distance touring, but neck and forearm muscle limitations tend to keep it in the street racer class. The bike attracts lots of attention, too often including that of the police. I have plans to enter it in one or two local shows this winter, and will continue to show it if the reaction is encouraging. Andy Schwartz Plymouth, Mich.
PARTS SERVICE IS LOUSY
I am writing this letter in the hope that it may get us Moto Guzzi owners better parts service.
A year ago my dealer ordered six or seven parts for my V-7 Sport from the distributor in New Jersey. All but two of them finally made it in. My front fender and right tailpipe haven’t come yet.
I have owned three Moto Guzzis so far: an Ambassador, a V-7 Sport and now an 850 Eldorado.
What I would like to know is how Moto Guzzi can build such a fine motorcycle and yet have such bad parts service. After two years and 32,000 miles, I think the bike is great; and the parts service is shoddy, slipshod, chancy and generally substandard.
Judging by its parts service, Moto Guzzi has little use for its customers— other than as a sales outlet.
I will mention in closing that my 850 Eldorado is running better than ever at 26.000 miles and I hope to run it 60 or 70.000 miles before an overhaul. Lee Swanger EH Gadsden, Tenn.
