i just decided to copy the whole story, enjoy:
For the past few weeks, I have debated on whether or not to post the following story about something that myself and my passenger Kim witnessed a few weeks back at a Southern California motorcycle dealership. The whole thing shook both of us up pretty badly - and made both of us (I think me more than Kim) absolutely furious. So furious, that it was only until recently that I calmed down about it.
After sharing this story with Fernando Belair, I thought about it - and feel that there may be something in here for riders - especially new riders to gain something from.
The dealership was a Harley-Davidson dealership - one of the biggest in the area, but that really isn't important. I ask that we not turn this into a Harley-bashing thread. I grew up around these bikes, I learned how to ride on these bikes, I have many friends who have ridden these bikes to the ends of the earth and back, and I'll always have an affection for these bikes. It just so happens that this incident occured at this particular high-volume dealership.
The happy part of this story:
Many of you are not aware of this, but my beloved passenger Kim recently took the MSF class and obtained her motorcycle license! She passed with flying colors, and is now licensed to ride a motorcycle. Shortly after she passed the class - it was time for her to get her first bike. Being just 5 feet tall, the goal was to get her something low, slow, and affordable that would fit her right out of the box and not cost a bundle if it was dropped. I tried, but a Honda Rebel wasn't going to fly with her. Long story short, Kim is the proud owner of a Red Buell Blast, she loves it and she's riding all over the place. Another ride tale with pictures will come soon.
On this day, we decided to pay a visit to this Harley shop - because they also sold Buell Bikes. Our goal was to find a few accessories for her new bike that the local Harley / Buell dealer in my area didn't have in stock. Small stuff - a tank bag and a tank bra - to protect it.
The rest of the story:
Turns out, they had the bag in stock - so it wasn't a total waste of time. After browsing the store and drooling over what seemed like dozens of iron horses of chrome - we grabbed a cup of complementary coffee they had on tap and stepped outside to enjoy the day, look at more bikes, and sit and drink our coffee before making the trip home. It was a glorious sunny day.
So we're sitting in this 'sitting area' in front of the shop - as we both notice what appears to be a young man taking delivery of a brand new bike - a black 2004 Sportster. "Wasn't your first bike a Sportster, Tony?" Kim asked. "Yup - a 1977 XLCR. Boy they've come a long way since then."
We both commented on what an exciting day this must this must have been for this guy - getting a new bike and all. His friends were with him looking on - as the salesman was showing him the bike. As we sipped our coffee and looked and smiled and stared at this 'event' taking place, I noticed something that didn't quite look right.
The customer was clad in a sleeveless shirt, a pair of shorts, slip on tennis shoes and low cut ankle sox. No gloves, no gear really to speak of. No jeans. Nothing like that. The only thing I noticed was one of those novelty helmets dangling from his hand - blowing in the breeze as he listened to the salesman explain the bike. Yes, these helmets were stacked to the rafters inside the shop.
"Wow I hope that guy isn't going to ride dressed like that" I commented. My concern then turned to bewilderment - and for whatever reason - I remembered my cell phone had one of those little cameras built in it. So from my hip - I discretely snapped a picture of what I was watching.
The customer is on the right in the light blue shirt - the salesman is on the left:
Now all of us have taken delivery of a new (or used) motorcycle at one time or another. Usually the salesperson takes maybe 5 to 15 minutes going over the bike with you and you're on your way. But in this case - we were sitting there watching this for over a half hour.
"Wow - pretty thorough run-through of the bike" I chuckled. But then something else didn't seem right. The salesman was getting on the bike and demonstrating starting and stopping. He was showing the customer which brake lever stopped which wheel. With the customer seated on the bike, he was moving the customer's foot as he was explaining that 'first gear is down, and the rest are up - and this lever stops the rear wheel.'
Something just didn't seem right about this. I wasn't saying anything, but Kim's voice broke the silence and said, "Tony - this guy has never ridden before and he's going to ride that bike." "No way" I replied - can't be.
About another 10 minutes elapsed and finally the customer got geared up with his new novelty helmet and nothing else. No gloves, just shorts, slip on tennis shoes, and low cut ankle sox. I managed to snap off another picture. Note his two friends looking on...
At that point, he mounted the bike, put it in first gear, and proceeded to roll off. After rolling about 10 feet in the parking lot, he suddenly gave the bike a tremendous amount of throttle (almost wide open) and then closed it. "Whoa!" I said in fear. "What the 'F' is this guy doing?"
He then coasted out of the driveway and into the street - gunning the engine again and backing off. He did this about two more times - and then gunned that little Sportster with what must have been a wide open throttle - and this time he didn't let up. He just kept accelerating.... and accelerating... going faster and faster - (I would put him at about 35-40 MPH) wining the engine out (didn't shift)... as he approached a left hand curve outside of the dealership. At that moment, everything seemed to move in slow motion, and this guy, on a brand new bike, wearing next to no protection lowsided with such an impact - it was unbelieveable.
Smoke, sparks, that horrible sound of metal scraping on the road and then silence. Kim screamed. The salesman buried his face in his hands. The customer's friends were in shock. I stood there in utter disbelief.
At that point, myself and Kim ran to where he went down (no pictures of this part). His left shoe had come off his foot. The bike was on top of him and he was semi-conscious. The salesman ran over as well.
As it turns out, Kim is a surgical nurse - so she is used to seeing stuff like this. I just kind of went into 'robot' mode and took orders from Kim. I called 911 and told the salesman "she's a nurse - it's OK". "Oh thank God" the salesman replied.
Incredibly, as some time passed, the injured customer made it to his feet and could limp under his own power - over to a sitting area. Kim ran inside to obtain a first aid kit and went to work on him - waiting for help to arrive. It was also a chance to examine his injuries.
Road rash covering his left arm and leg. Gravel was embedded in his arm and leg. Exposed bone on his ankle. Left hand had severe puncture wound combined with road rash. Turned out that the end of one of the levers had penetrated his hand. Major contusion on his left temple. He was going into shock which Kim began treating him for.
So there I was, now sitting on a 2004 Road King on the sales floor. To my right I watched my girlfriend administer first aid to a guy who had just bought a bike, didn't know how to ride a bike and crashed it. I then glanced to my left - looking at the concern and tears in the eyes of the gals who worked in the motorclothes department - they weren't saying anything. I then glanced at the other employees in the store - some shaking their heads, some with a smurk, and some going about their business.
Then I looked at the salesman who sold him the bike - who was outside, wheeling the crippled Sportster into the service department. I ran out there towards him and the conversation went something like this:
Me: Pretty crazy, huh?
Sales guy: Unreal
Me: I'm just curious - did that guy have a motorcycle license?
Sales guy: Nope
Me: Had he ever ridden a motorcycle before?
Sales guy: Nope - but he claimed he could do it.
Me: You mean he was going to ride it home?
Sales guy: Yeah. Don't need a license to by a bike. But the customer has to at least ride the bike out of our lot. That way the bike is officially delivered. It's up to them if they want to ride it home or not. (He then says with a chuckle) Now... we get to fix it! Sh*t happens, you know?
I stood there nodding my head but was completely bewildered by what I had just heard. He spoke so fast and was so nonchalant about it - that I didn't know what to say next. I wanted to say "You could've at least sold him a pair of jeans, boots and a jacket as upsells" - "You could've... you should've..." there were so many things I wanted to say, but I didn't say anything.
As I walked away he said, "Hey man thanks for sticking around and helping the guy".
"Happy to help" I replied.
Kim and I then left the dealership and went somewhere to sit and talk about what just happened - and then proceeded to make the one hour ride home.
One could say the dealer should've stepped up and not let him ride. One could say the customer should have known better.
Who knows - that's why I'm posting this.
I know some may disagree with me, but I've always felt that like it or not - sometimes - a dealer - or a salesperson is the 'last line of defense' before a new rider hits the road on a new motorcycle. Granted, in the end it is the decision of the customer what they want to do - but for gosh sakes - in this instance - the dealer didn't appear to try and intervene at all - and I just don't get it. He KNEW he didn't know how to ride a bike and attempted to teach him right there in the parking lot. I really don't get it.
What's your take on this?
The next day, we took a ride up to Joshua Tree - and stopped at another dealership in the area where I live and I shared this story the owner, (Age 84) who has been riding for over 60 years. He wasn't surprised to hear this story when I told him which dealer it was. When I asked him what he would have done he said "We have a policy here. See in California you don't have to have a motorcycle endorsement to buy a motorcycle - but in my shop you do. If you want a bike you've got to at least get the endorsement. If they insist on buying the bike - then maybe I'll sell it to them, but we won't let them ride it out of here. We'll deliver the bike to their home - for free. At that point, they're on their own."
At any rate, that's the story - and to this day, it still saddens me. As all of you know, when learned properly, this sport is so great - and it is truly surprising what the perception of some newer riders can be about riding a motorcycle.
I guess rather than pointing fingers, we as riders should always try to share good riding habits with newer riders - and hope that they make the right choices. In the end, it's the rider's choice... but when the rider doesn't know any better, and in this case, doesn't even know how to ride.... I kind of feel it's a dealer's choice to a point as well.
Thanks for listening.
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Tony
Rancho Mirage, CA
