Dispelling the japanese dealer network myth | Page 7 | GTAMotorcycle.com

Dispelling the japanese dealer network myth

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We're living in very different times these days. Not only do you have the incessant supply chain problems, but we're also heading into a recession, so retailers are very wary about keeping inventory on the shelves, because that's precious capital that's being tied up. Not to mention the steady decline in the popularity of motorcycling.

As mentioned before, people need to temper their expectations given all these circumstances.
 
Back in the day a brake of clutch lever fit almost every bike. Also there were less models and more people buying them. It is easy if you just need a Honda clutch lever to keep stock. Not so easy when every bike has a different one.

Sent from the future
 
I haven't had a bad wait for anything with my KTM's. I also haven't broken much or had to replace stuff.

I did have to wait 3 days for a front master cylinder rebuild kit for my 2017 Husqvarna where I was kind of expecting it to be an in stock item, but that was at the end of the riding season. Fortnine actually had it in stock, but I thought GP would as well.

From my own experience of ordering parts online there's a lot of crossover with KTM, Husky and other models for many parts which improves availability I think.
 
Knowing what does and doesn't cross over definitely helps. I needed a new voltage regulator, everything under Piaggio group (Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Vespa, Piaggio) all use the same part number for it... but, surprisingly, it's a Ducati-made part! They seem common among many Italian bikes of that era.

I got it sooner than expected and at nearly $100 in savings. It just seemed more fun to look around for a faster cheaper solution... I guess the other option was suffer the problem and then post a thread about waiting for parts for Italian bikes. I like my choice.
 
xrljoel said:
I haven't had a bad wait for anything with my KTM's. I also haven't broken much or had to replace stuff.

I did have to wait 3 days for a front master cylinder rebuild kit for my 2017 Husqvarna where I was kind of expecting it to be an in stock item, but that was at the end of the riding season. Fortnine actually had it in stock, but I thought GP would as well.

From my own experience of ordering parts online there's a lot of crossover with KTM, Husky and other models for many parts which improves availability I think.
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I think it also depends on the relationship you have with your dealer.

Being wrench-incompetent, I broke a fuel pump while switching tanks on my wife's Husky. Went to the dealer and they told me it would take weeks to order one in. But we do a lot of business there (did I mention I was wrench-incompetent?), so they did us a solid and pulled a fuel pump from one of the bikes on the floor because we told them we were leaving for a trip soon and couldn't wait for the part.

If they didn't know me from Adam, they would have probably told me, "Tough tiddies, guy. You gotta wait".
 
Lightcycle said:
I think it also depends on the relationship you have with your dealer.

Being wrench-incompetent, I broke a fuel pump while switching tanks on my wife's Husky. Went to the dealer and they told me it would take weeks to order one in. But we do a lot of business there (did I mention I was wrench-incompetent?), so they did us a solid and pulled a fuel pump from one of the bikes on the floor because we told them we were leaving for a trip soon and couldn't wait for the part.

If they didn't know me from Adam, they would have probably told me, "Tough tiddies, guy. You gotta wait".
Click to expand...
VERY true.

When I got my first KTM in 1999 I broke a lever just before the Great Pine Enduro. The fellow at Oshawa Cycle (when it was in Taunton) took one off a bike on the floor so I could ride.

I've always had good service from GP, but it's a big, busy dealership. While I "know" several of the staff I doubt they remember me or give me any special treatment.

I recall reading about your fuel pump issue. It seemed like a fiddly task and easy for it to go south depending on your comfort level. It could have been me too.

I'm not wrench-incompetent, but I'm far from truly mechanically proficient. I'm more mechanically curious and enthusiastic. I'm patient, and will diligently read the manual or instructions BEFORE starting. If I encounter a requirement for a special tool I'll weigh the cost/availability of the tool before proceeding.

I think part of my overall satisfaction with my dealer/service experiences is that I'm patient and worked a lifetime or 2 in retail. I understand that delays or unavailability happen and it's not the fault of the guy behind the parts counter or the young woman processing the transaction at the sales counter. If I need to use the service department I plan ahead as much as possible, but my goal is to not need the service department. I view the mechanical stuff as part of the hobby, a part that I enjoy.

I've spent way too much time over the years blowing my guts out over stuff I couldn't control and barely influence to get hyperactive over a part for my motorcycle.
 
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