So I'm at the dealer this afternoon....

[nhs]

... and see a guy and wife/gf taking delivery of a new Vulcan cruiser. Not a small one either.

Couldn't help overhear one of the service guys explaining how to shift gears, to which the guy replies "wow, I've never had to do that before." They proceed to load the bike onto a pick-up truck and off they drive...

The guys tell me that it's a very common occurrence. "You'd be surprised at how many young guys with no experience come in an buy liter bikes off the show \room floor." I find this incredible. These guys must have a boat load of guts (and not much common sense) - I was pretty intimidated first time I sat on a 250cc at MSF!

[JSKeezy]

To each is their own...Who konws, he could have a starter bike at home and just getting ready for his vulcan (giving him help and hope it seems :lol:)

[MX Tuner]

Which dealer?

[Eagalicious]

A friend that I work with, has never ridden a motorcycle before in his life. He bought a Hayabusa, brand new early last year. He bought a Busa he said, because he always wanted to ride a motorcycle and the "Brothers" he hangs out with have Busa's. I guess he thought it was no biggie to ride a big bike and he would look "cool". Well I saw him yesterday and he said he got on that thang and he only remembers getting up off the ground after he hit the throttle. His words are now "I totally respect the machine now." :doh: :rofl:
I am just glad he wasn't hurt bad. I did a whole lot of research and watched "YouTube" videos of crashes and such to burn crap into my brain so I would not make that same mistake. Glad I did.

[John]

Which dealer?

Doesn't really matter. I'm sure every dealer in town goes through the same scenario multiple times monthly

[wallypiper]

Yeah. Money talks. A grown up has the right to buy a bike whether they know anything about riding or not. Hopefully, he will find out how much he doesn't know without getting hurt too badly and at least take some time practicing and learning before battling the cages. Even a big cruiser, though, is probably much easier on a newb than a sportbike. It has lots of torque but no top end rush. Steers like a motorhome. Easy to get both feet on the ground. You have to learn somewhere. MSF course on a little bike would be better but at least it wasn't a Busa or a ZX10 etc.

[MX Tuner]

Doesn't really matter. I'm sure every dealer in town goes through the same scenario multiple times monthly

Sure it does. Integrity is a rare thing these days. I'd much rather do business with one that tries to do the right thing rather than do business with one that routinely tries to pull nonsense like that. Just becauuse *they all do it* doesn't make it any more right. The forums are routinely used for publicizing all kinds of things for its members. I'd very much like to know which dealer does that.

[nhs]

Well, I happen to quite fond of this dealer. I agree with John that everyone's doing it - probably needed to stay afloat. Who knows what they advised the guy to do in the process - maybe they pushed the MSF hard, maybe they tried putting him on a lesser bike and he wouldn't listen - who knows.

And motorcycle dealers aren't alone. Gun dealers will happily sell a 0.50 DE to a newb. A Lamborgini dealer will gladly push a Murceliago to an 18 year old if his dad's paying etc. etc. Doesn't make it ethical per se, but it's reality and it's life, unfortunately.

[Eagalicious]

Well, I happen to quite fond of this dealer. I agree with John that everyone's doing it - probably needed to stay afloat. Who knows what they advised the guy to do in the process - maybe they pushed the MSF hard, maybe they tried putting him on a lesser bike and he wouldn't listen - who knows.

And motorcycle dealers aren't alone. Gun dealers will happily sell a 0.50 DE to a newb. A Lamborgini dealer will gladly push a Murceliago to an 18 year old if his dad's paying etc. etc. Doesn't make it ethical per se, but it's reality and it's life, unfortunately.

It's all about the cash, green, mula, green backs, dollars, rupies, dinars, pounds, marks, franks and so on...

[Eagalicious]

Who konws, he could have a starter bike at home and just getting ready for his vulcan (giving him help and hope it seems :lol:)
The service guys explaininghow to shift gears, to which the guy replies "wow, I've never had to do that before."

Hmm... I don't think so unless he riding a scooter :D

I hope he doesn't wind up doing this...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdx5-22i_d8 :doh:

Just say'n

[Eagalicious]

Or this,


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iowgU3udnSc :rofl:

[wicked]

its always amazed me that there is no required progression system or level-based testing...im not for the guvmunt being all up in my bidness, but ive seen sooooo many people over the years bite off so much more than they can chew with bikes...case in point about 100 years ago i was walking into cunningham cycle world in fayettenam nc to pick up some gear and i overheard roughly the same conversation between the sales guy and a 19ish yo kid who told the sales guy that he had never ridden before as he was doing the initial walk around on his new ZX-11...kid got on it, pulled it out on bragg blvd, nailed it and looped it...

[John]

I worked in a dealership and have seen parents buy their teen a supersport bike against the advice of the dealer. There comes a point where people have to take responsibilty for their actions and it is not up to the dealer to police their customers. Especially now with the market being soft they need all the sale they can get.

[wicked]

oh yeah...i didnt mean that this should be thrown in the lap of the dealers...theyre just guys trying to make a buck...i think it was one of my friends from india or one from germany (or maybe it was one of the voices in my head just making it up) that told me that he had to start with a certain cc class, ride at that level for n time, then at the next level and so on. again, as much as i hate over regulation, one of my first jobs in the army was as an ambulance jockey and er medic at ft bragg...ive seen some pretty grusome motorbiking accidents...a lot of people (not all) who buy bikes have more balls than brains...bigger is better...you have to get a faster bike than your friend has...lots and lot and lots of calamari out there...there are people (and again a LOT of sport bike riders) that should, at some point, be told 'no'

[bigb996]

I worked in a dealership and have seen parents buy their teen a supersport bike against the advice of the dealer. There comes a point where people have to take responsibilty for their actions and it is not up to the dealer to police their customers. Especially now with the market being soft they need all the sale they can get.

there was a kid on here last year that was 17 i think, his parents bought him a brand new 600rr as his first bike. He trashed it, and so they bought him a 1000rr and told him maybe he could "grow into it". I dont care how responsible you are at that age, you dont need anything that big. The fact his parents were that naive and irresponsible blew my mind. Wreck one so get him a bigger one.

[ga_skyline_rydr]

I remember when I had my daytona up for sale, I think at that time I was asking $3000. Gentleman and a young lad came to look at it. I asked the gentleman who the bike was for and he replied for the young lad, his son. I asked the youngster who couldn't have been more than 17 yo at the time, how much experience he had on a street bike. He replied all of his experience was on dirt bikes. Then I asked what dirt bikes are we discussing. He mentioned them and nothing was more than a 250 cc. I asked are you referring to an RM 250, a rather powerful bike, he replied in the affirmative. I then asked for his age and he mentioned 17 yo. I told him I would not and could not sell him the tona. Then the gentleman( his dad) held out 30 Franklins and said they wanted the bike. I said I am sorry sir I won't sell you nor your son this bike. If he only has experience with an RM 250 this bike will tear him up and I don't want the lad having an accident. With that ended the conversation. I eventually sold the tona some 6 months later for a lot less. Not to be bragging or anything but anyone just starting out on a sportbike doesn't need a supersport.

[Eagalicious]

When i turned 20 years old, I was stationed in Germany. We had watched the movie "Top Gun". Well, I always wanted to ride a motorcycle and that movie just pushed the button, so some friends and I went
to a Dealership and were checking out the Kawasaki Ninja 600's. We got the financing and all of the paperwork, then the sales rep said that we needed signed paperwork from our Company Commander. I couldn't believe it. Why do I need permission to buy a bike? I am a grown man and we didn't need permission to buy a car. So, I go to my Company Commander and advise him of what I want to do and he said "Sorry, no can do. The Commanding General has placed a "Theater wide ban" on all motorcycle purchases. Too many soldiers are getting hurt or killed." Well, I was pissed off, because I knew that would not happen to me.
Well here I am 23 years later and just got my first bike last year in October.

I look back now and I am glad that he did what he did, because if not, I don't think, nay nay, I know that I would not be here today.

[Will]

I had a deep respect for my bike, a EX 250. I thought if I treated a bike with some fear and alot of respect, like when I go to the range, than it will be okay. I still lost control of my bike at 30mph when I first got it. Thats after I took the MSF class, and it was on a nice sunny day. People should think for themselves, these things are fun, and some may consider them toys, but they are dangerous ones.

[MX Tuner]

Well, I happen to quite fond of this dealer. I agree with John that everyone's doing it - probably needed to stay afloat. Who knows what they advised the guy to do in the process - maybe they pushed the MSF hard, maybe they tried putting him on a lesser bike and he wouldn't listen - who knows.

So, then what was the point of your initial post?

[Eagalicious]

So, then what was the point of your initial post?
Good one :rofl:

[nhs]

So, then what was the point of your initial post?

Easy, Tiger.

[MX Tuner]

Seriously. If you're not going to enlighten us, why even bring it up. There are very few who are naive enough to believe it doesn't happen and no dealer is immune to it. But what was the intnet of your original post if you're not going to say who it was?

And they call me "turtle", not "Tiger". I'm old and slow.

[wallypiper]

MX. It looks to me like his intent was to tell us about his experience. Not to judge the dealer or solicit flames for him. You should back off and not try to turn this into something it isn't.

[nhs]

And they call me "turtle", not "Tiger". I'm old and slow.

LOL. Point of the post was simply to share an experience I had that day, drawing attention to the idiocy of a newb buying a bike he's clearly incapable of handling.

[Jector]

MX. It looks to me like his intent was to tell us about his experience. Not to judge the dealer or solicit flames for him. You should back off and not try to turn this into something it isn't.

What he said. Seriously.

From my perspective, I think dealers should always ask questions of their customers and try to provide good advice and guidance. It's the best thing to do for the customer, the people on the road with the customer, and the dealership who wants repeat business. However, if they tell the customer that they would be better served starting with a 250/500 and they still jump up and down pointing at the 7200 cc, nitro injected, twin turbo, afterburnered, death machine the dealer may as well sell it to them. They'll learn or Darwin will reinforce his theory.

[wicked]

what he said. Seriously.

From my perspective, i think dealers should always ask questions of their customers and try to provide good advice and guidance. It's the best thing to do for the customer, the people on the road with the customer, and the dealership who wants repeat business. However, if they tell the customer that they would be better served starting with a 250/500 and they still jump up and down pointing at the 7200 cc, nitro injected, twin turbo, afterburnered, death machine the dealer may as well sell it to them. They'll learn or darwin will reinforce his theory.:lol:

[John]

MX. It looks to me like his intent was to tell us about his experience. Not to judge the dealer or solicit flames for him. You should back off and not try to turn this into something it isn't.

Damn Wally. You're taking all the fun right out of the internet!

[MX Tuner]

MX. It looks to me like his intent was to tell us about his experience. Not to judge the dealer or solicit flames for him. You should back off and not try to turn this into something it isn't.

Solicit flames? Judge dealers? Mmmmkay.

[wicked]

better'n soliciting judges and dealing flames...

[jlcnuke]

I've read a story about a dealer that refused to sell someone with little/no experience on bikes a supersport. While it is rare (and probably not good for business) there are some dealers out there that continue to care more about having customers who are alive than having customers who drop money in the store.

[jkhonea]

I've read a story about a dealer that refused to sell someone with little/no experience on bikes a supersport. While it is rare (and probably not good for business) there are some dealers out there that continue to care more about having customers who are alive than having customers who drop money in the store.

I respect the dealer for that decision, but in this day and age, to do something like this is risking a lawsuit. It sucks, but that's the truth. It only takes not selling to one person for the right reason for them to twist it around on you and end up costing a lot of money.

That's one helluva risk.

[wallypiper]

Besides, if they want a rocketship and you won't sell them one, they'll just go down the street and buy it somewhere else. Once you've done your best to inform, caution, educate the buyer, I think you've done what you should do.

[Lazarus]

F it. I'd sell anything to anyone. None of my business what you are going to do with it and I don't care. Parents wanna buy their 150lb 17 year old kid a R1? Fine with me. I have bills to pay and a family to feed. In fact I dont even want to know who the bike is for. None of my business.

Not everyone needs or should start off on a 250. If you have any type of skill and complete the MSF course with a high score I think you'd be fine on a older 600.

[TLR67]

Busa's for ALL!!!

[DICKIEDOO]

Busa's for ALL!!!

Hell yes!

I sold a 17 year old kid with 0 street bike experience an R6, and his dad came in the family 7 series to look at it with his son. The dad never got out of the car due to him being paralyzed from a previous moto accident and the son bought the bike despite me telling him it's not the best bike for him, he should learn to ride one, and he should start on a 250 or 500. Kid bought the bike anyway. I gave him a helmet because he was going to use his dirtbike helmet until he could save up. Poor little idiot never stood a chance.

No cure for stupid, and it's not my job to police the world.

[Lazarus]

Hell yes!

I sold a 17 year old kid with 0 street bike experience an R6, and his dad came in the family 7 series to look at it with his son. The dad never got out of the car due to him being paralyzed from a previous moto accident and the son bought the bike despite me telling him it's not the best bike for him, he should learn to ride one, and he should start on a 250 or 500. Kid bought the bike anyway. I gave him a helmet because he was going to use his dirtbike helmet until he could save up. Poor little idiot never stood a chance.

No cure for stupid, and it's not my job to police the world.

:lol: Basically/

[KTM Rider]

A friend of mine, who coincidentally turned out to be one hell of a fast racer, convinced his grandmother to buy him his first street bike, a R1, because it was safer than a R6 because 1 is smaller than 6. No shit.:up: :lol:

His name is Ryan Gordon.
http://forums.13x.com/archive/index.php/t-62423.html

[DICKIEDOO]

a friend of mine, who coincidentally turned out to be one hell of a fast racer, convinced his grandmother to buy him his first street bike, a r1, because it was safer than a r6 because 1 is smaller than 6. No shit.:up: :lol:

His name is ryan gordon.
http://forums.13x.com/archive/index.php/t-62423.html

win!

[Lazarus]

a R1, because it was safer than a R6 because 1 is smaller than 6. No shit.:up: :lol:

:rofl:

[buellguy]

I'v "heard" that in FL certain dealers will not sell a bike over 1kcc with out a MSF but who knows. Its not just sport bikes Iv worked at dealers and seen guys buy cruisers and drop them in the parking lot. Had one guy that had his bike in the shop 4 times due to wrecks and only had 80 miles on the clock. Some people just have no common sence and it seems the younger you are the more you think your 10 foot tall and bullet proof.

[chance]

Lets see, I started riding on an old honda 100 4 stroke dirt bike when i was 10, and had it for maybe 6 months. bought a 250 2stroke when i was 17. Then bought the z1000 when i was 19. AND i rode for about 2 months with my dot approved dirtbike helmet. :p

BUT, i know im not indestructible, i know what can happen. I respect the machine, and wear gear. I am mechanically inclined and have a natural aptitude towards driving and riding. Not everyone does. People are all good at different things. Im all for people starting off on something easy to manage, especially if it doesnt come naturally to them