remember the happy days when RE only offered the Bullet and its variations (Electra, Thunderbird, 535 Conti) with 80-90% identical parts.
Then all the dealerships had 90% spares locally in stock. and most where also available online.
Those days are gone.
Today RE tends to have new models out every 6 month and most parts are NOT available at the dealerships. That would not be an issue if they had a grip on the parts supply (e.g. like BMW with 24h parts supply) but they DON"T!!!
Average wait time is now 10 days to 3 weeks and in some cases MONTHS (yes, plural). The dealerships are now more and more looking like boutiques, heavy weight is put on stuff like jackets, boots and paraphernalia like t-shits, sneakers and none-bike related stuff. The margin is higher and no warranty issues I guess.
Meanwhile my dealership does not have a functioning air pressure measuring device of any kind (so for tyre issues they have to go to another shop) and - wait for it - not even a functioning battery charger.
Service has taken a definite back seat and most RE mechanics barely know the basics of their trade. In my dealership out of 6 mechanics I trust one or two, but even those only know enough to do basic maintenance - any issues out of their normal daily routine and you can spend days and $$ without any results to show for it.
I guess its progress ....
Then all the dealerships had 90% spares locally in stock. and most where also available online.
Those days are gone.
Today RE tends to have new models out every 6 month and most parts are NOT available at the dealerships. That would not be an issue if they had a grip on the parts supply (e.g. like BMW with 24h parts supply) but they DON"T!!!
Average wait time is now 10 days to 3 weeks and in some cases MONTHS (yes, plural). The dealerships are now more and more looking like boutiques, heavy weight is put on stuff like jackets, boots and paraphernalia like t-shits, sneakers and none-bike related stuff. The margin is higher and no warranty issues I guess.
Meanwhile my dealership does not have a functioning air pressure measuring device of any kind (so for tyre issues they have to go to another shop) and - wait for it - not even a functioning battery charger.
Service has taken a definite back seat and most RE mechanics barely know the basics of their trade. In my dealership out of 6 mechanics I trust one or two, but even those only know enough to do basic maintenance - any issues out of their normal daily routine and you can spend days and $$ without any results to show for it.
I guess its progress ....
