I guess it really comes down to having a "connection" there. Someone who got your back.

My boy, my buddy Steve retired rcently from the shops service manager I go to and the replacemnet is a f'ing total tool and a bitch. Steve was an old timer, rider and just plain good people. Steve always had my back like a big dog. I appreciated that.

When I recently had my service done I asked if they could put something on while it was in the back. They major f'ed up, I called them on it, showed them my proof of what I was saying but they couldn't show proof what they were saying other then it was a MOCO reccommedation...no it wan't. It was a mecjanic f'up. Despite my painfully pleasant disposition the new service manager was saying he couldn't under stand what this was all about? Wicked defensive about any question. And when I insisted they make sure they check to make sure it was working he said how do we know it was working before? I told him well it is but if it ain't its a 2012 and still under warranty so it doesn't make a difference. Check it anyways. Lousy lousy customer service.

Now I'm on the hunt for a new shop. Next one to check out is 90 miles away but straight up the interstate.

I think when I get back from Alaska I'm gonna sell the 2012 Ultra and pour all my time and money into my 1983 FLHS which I've had since new and know inside and out.....

Dealers just don't know the power they have, they think their power is they got the bikes, but the real power is to drive us away. BI that is a big turn around for you all done by a service manager, what a job that person has done. DEERSLAYER

Steve was a difference maker. Not just to me but for everyone. I'd be curious to be privi to the opinion of that shop now. When Steve was there people like me would drive the extra 50-100+miles.

Too many dealerships make the mistake of thinking customers are stupid sheep....seems to be getting worse.

They make a lot of money off the sheeple. The one's that buy new, upgrade & service every 2500 miles at the shop, buy the high priced china made clothing, and accept whatever they tell them lock stock and barrel.

I had that happen to me in 1994 with the tranny oil leak - dealership(s) 2 of them pulled similar crap... The reason I became a Harley mechanic... at least my own personal mechanic... Sorry to hear about your hard time - and new bikes are just that much more complicated...

The hardest part was during the disagreement I know they were looking for a reason to shut me down. To be able to say I was rude, agressive etc...oldest trick in the book. I did tell them that despite my pleasant and calm demeanor I am super fucking pissed. But "haven't I been pleasant?" I expressed I am trying not to make "me" the problem.

The new service manager is not fit for the position. Customers should have the right to have questions and concerns and not have the service manager get all defensive and rude. What a total mess that place is. When I asked who was running the show..owner/store manager/whomever I was given the head salesmen and who deferred me back to service. Wonder how they'll handle bike week. This will be the first bike week w/out Steve there. There are other riders who unlike me will not remain calm when realizing they are being dicked around and lied to.

Ultimately the problem was reversed and fixed. Had to wade thru a whole lot of unecessary drama or perhaps I'm just getting old and cranky?

Yeah, were all getting old and cranky because of the drama they keep throwing at us. Glad to hear it got straightened out. If I were you, I'd still find a back up plan just in case.

Thats how its been since I started going back to dealerships in 2007. Prior to that and on occasions if needed I would take the ride to Laconia and see Steve. The local shop only would deal with EVO's on up. My Pan and Shovel were obsolete as far they were concerned.

Stayed away from dealerships for the most part since ooohhh...1986 or '87. About 20 years.

Starting in 2007 and when I decided to upgrade my iron the local dealership which is 10 miles up the road luckily seem to have a gotten a new owner and new staff. Scotty as service manager(awsome guy smart and we still stay in touch with him), Mark parts go to guy and Jim the master mechanic. That clicked along pretty good until about 2010-2011. Something happened then (2010-2011) between the staff and the new owner and there was a massive exodus. Its been a butcher shop ever since.

That all meant it was back to the long haul to Laconia or Wilkins(which I hadn't ever been to at the time). Laconia was my ace in the hole in a pinch all these years with Steve but damn thats a ride.

Went on to test Wilkins 2-3 times and the service manager is a tool. His solution to my initial low speed wobble on my brand new 2012 Ultra was to "live with it" and that was despite the tech support in Milwaukee who advised me that wasn't normal and to have Wilkins call them for guidance...they didn't.

Steve, from Laconia bailed me on that one. Saved the day. Was a simple losening of the pinch bolts on the front end. Bike's front end was sprung and needed to be unsprung. I've heard of that and in fact had helped a rider on the road back in 2011 unsprung his. Just couldn't imagine that would be necessary on a new bike. I'm guessing when they compress,pack up and ship the bikes it could happen.

For my scheduled services I'm gonna look into another dealership about 90 miles up the road but its all interstate. I know a few of the employees there and who had once worked at the local shop.

+1 me too.

And why I hung onto my '83FL....