Showing posts with label rental. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rental. Show all posts

May 27, 2010

37500…

picked up the bike today from ray price after having it serviced… it didn’t as take too long since my last service to rack up the miles. the trip to milwaukee helped that out.

not much done at this service – usual oil and filter change. they even changed the air filter for me. best of all, the bike got cleaned. not as clean as i would have done. but i can’t complain since i didn’t have to do it.

while the bike was in for service i got to cruise around on a 2010 electra glide classic.

DSC_8149 (Large)

Mar 26, 2010

35000…

took the bike in to ray price this week to have it serviced… i can’t believe it’s been so long since my last service. only twenty five hundred miles in six months. sad… (I do plan on making up for it over the next several months, though.)

i was actually looking more forward to having it cleaned than the service itself… it’s been a while since it’s been cleaned – since the last service!! considering the long cold winter we had, i can’t be blamed for choosing riding over cleaning…

it was nice to be back on my own bike today. every time i get back on my bike after being on a different one, i like mine so much more. the seating position and the handling feel so right. my wife talks about getting an ultra classic one day. while i do look forward to getting another bike one day, i can’t imagine not having this one to ride.

this service i was hooked up with the same bike i had for my last service. fun to ride the newer model with the updated frame, electronic throttle and larger engine, but nothing new to report. and i guess i can’t complain since this is the first time i’ve gotten the same bike in all the years i’ve been taking the bike in for service…

DSC_6827

Sep 29, 2009

32500…

took the bike in for the 32,500 mile service this morning. ‘twas a brisk but good ride. nice to be out in the morning, riding in the cool air. something about riding this time of year just seems so refreshing – even if it is in rush-hour traffic.

i was going to wait for my bike to be serviced. upon further thinking i decided to drop it off. mainly for two reasons:

  1. they’ll wash it – and it desperately needs washed. with what little riding i’ve been able to get in this year, i’ve done even less washing!! i figure they’ll get the bulk of the dirt and grime off the bike, leaving detailing to me. works for me.
  2. i get a rental. what else can i say?? a chance to ride another bike.

this time i was hooked up with an ‘09 road king. nice ride. too bad i had work today else i may have been out all day riding. i did manage to have an errand to run at lunch, so i did get to take it out a little.

DSC_5238

Jul 12, 2009

30000 service…

the trip to dc for rolling thunder finally put me over 30k… and looking back at my last service, i haven’t been riding very much - gotta start riding more…

took the bike to ray price to have them do the service – a big one this time. in addition to the normal oil/filter change, gaskets and plugs, they also, replaced all the brake pads, mounted a new rear tire, replaced the steering head beams and a cam bearing kits. the best part, other than finally getting the bike back was it’s was all free!!! what?!?!?! because i’m a preferred customer. okay, i did have to pay to become a preferred customer, but the cost of this one service was more than i paid to become a preferred customer.

DSC_2708and… the above doesn’t include the cost of the rental i got when my bike was in for service – a crossbones this time.

i like the looks of this bike, the mini-apes, the tires, the solo seat. but i don’t like the ride. what really surprised me at first was how much i feel like i’m sitting *on* the bike. even with my road king, i feel like i’m more in the bike than on the bike.

DSC_2712another thing that really surprised me was the lean angle around corners – as in the non-existence of. i was surprised when i drug the floorboards just leaving the dealership. i don’t know if it’s something i could get used to. of course, i wouldn’t want to think about having to replace the boards every year or so because i ground them off.

i’m glad i got the opportunity to ride the bike as long as i did. the more i rode it, the more i got used to it. but that might have been because i was just itching to ride and, since my bike was in for service, i made due with what was available.

Nov 7, 2008

27500 service...

hard to believe i'm at the 27500 mile service... i've been able to squeeze in a lot of good riding this year. would like to be able to hit 30k by the end of the year, but don't know if i'll make that.

when i think back on the miles i've put on so far this year, the thought quickly changes from the number of miles to the journeys i've taken. some planned, more unexpected, all good... it really does come down to the quality and not the quantity. although having the quantity opens more opportunity for quality...


when i picked up my bike, randy, the service manager at ray price, helped me out... what impresses me about him is he seems to know and care about his customers. as soon as he came downstairs, he knew who i was and greeted me by name. he always has a positive attitude and will take the time to talk to customers. it'd be nice if more people were like that...

while my bike was in, i got to ride around on an '09 road king. i was looking forward to testing out the new model because of the changes to the frame. let me say, what a nice bike...

the riding position is a little higher. i didn't know if i would like it or not. after riding for a few minutes, i got used to it and it didn't bother me. the bike certainly feels bigger with the larger tank. i think it's more of a perception thing because the bike wasn't any harder to handle. that may be due to the new frame...

the bike seems more balanced. i don't know if that was my imagination or the new frame. but i like it. i liked the power the bike had. nothing outrageous, but pretty peppy.

i've been liking the changes harley's been making to their bikes over the last few years. it gets me closer and closer to wanting a new one. this road king really put me even closer to that feeling. of course there's that part of me that says wait, see what they come up with next...

then reality kicks in and says there are too many other things before a new bike... but it doesn't hurt to look and dream...

here are a couple pics of the road king...

 
  
  

May 23, 2008

22500 service...

took the bike in a little early, about 100 miles, for it's 22500m service... mostly because i wasn't sure if the clutch was going to last.

i did some riding over the weekend and it didn't seem to be getting worse, although it was still slipping when i cranked on the throttle. i was still a bit concerned about being out somewhere if/when the clutch finally gave out...

while it was in for it's regular service, i had them look at the clutch as well as replace my front tire - finally...

i picked up the bike a few days later to find the service done, a new front tire and parts ordered for the clutch. they did adjust the clutch again and said it was ridable. i forgot to ask them what was wrong with the clutch or what parts they ordered. but they did say they would call when the parts were in.

while the bike was in for service, i got to ride around on a softail deluxe. nice ride. each time i ride around on the new ninety-six inch motor, i like it more and more. this one had after market, and loud, pipes.

not so sure i like riding around with loud pipes. you'll hear some bikers let out the mantra, loud pips save lives... i've never really believed the slogan. my thinking is if the cage driving it's paying attention, they're not going to hear/see you just because you have loud pipes. in addition, the majority of sound is blasted behind the bike. the majority of accidents are cages failing to yield your right-of-way; left turn in front of you or right turn out of a parking lot in front of you. the sounds going behind you doesn't help either of those situation...

i didn't like the loud pipes for a much more personal reason, not how it affected the traffic around me but how it affected me. the loud sound drown out all the other traffic and environmental sounds i rely on to help keep me safe in traffic. in addition to looking, i like to hear where the cages are on the road, i like to know where the sound of screeching tires is coming from. loud pipes don't allow that luxury...

anyway, while my bike was in for service, this is the bike i got to style around on. again, nice bike. i didn't care for the seating position. it was a bit to cramped for me. but fun to ride a different bike for a couple days. makes you glad to be back on your own...


Jan 14, 2008

20k service

took the bike in for service today... 20k!!! finally hit 20k. a mark i was hoping to hit last year, but fell a couple miles short.

temps outside were a little chilly. so i bundled up for the ride in - throwing on the 'lectric gloves and elephant ears. i was actually quite warm on the ride, thinking i may have overdone the bundling up part... i always say it's better to be warm and strip a few layers off than to get cold and have to try to warm up...

i get to the dealership, drop the bike off and pick up the rental. managed to pick up an electra glide classic. oh-eight model. with the anti-lock brakes and fly-by-wire throttle. i've been hearing a lot about these and finally have a chance to see what they're all about. well, maybe not the anti-lock brakes - i'll just trust they work.


on the ride home, i discovered how well the 'lectric gloves and elephant ears worked. i didn't get cold to the point of being uncomfortable, but the ride home was certainly colder.

as far as the bike - i really like the throttle. maybe, just maybe a fraction of delay between twisting the throttle and feeling the response. it seems some people are leery of it - thinking it's new technology and prone to failure. yeah, it's probably new to harley - at least the implementation - but the technology has been around for years.

the fly-by-wire is the first technology harley's come out with since i bought my bike that makes me consider getting a new one sooner. i know there's no chance of that right now - but, it did get my attention...

Aug 21, 2007

17500 service...

here i am, taking the bike in for it's 17500 mile service - hard to believe. although it actually has closer to 18300 miles... it's been a very frustrating adventure - if i can call it that...

started out with the ride in - traffic wasn't too bad with the exception of one or two cages. since i was riding in the morning commute traffic, i was expecting to see (and avoid) a few bozos. they're usually easy to spot: reading the paper, on the cell phone, putting make-up on, shaving, still rubbing their sleepy eyes, trying to drink their hot coffee without spilling it in their laps, etc - we've all seen them... i'm cruising down the road - keeping with traffic but keeping a margin around me. then i get some asshole riding my tail. i've got nowhere to go - i'm in the left lane, cages to the right, cages in front. it's not like i'm holding traffic up. and he's got to be riding on my rear wheel. i tried looking back at him, thinking it might make him realize - nope, that didn't work. if i slowed any, he got closer. not what i needed this morning. eventually he was able to weave in and out of traffic and get in front. funny thing is i passed him a little later on. seems his cutting in and out of traffic got him stuck in a slow lane.

i make it to the dealership and talk to the service doods. seems my preferred customer plan has run out. last month!!! i explain to service dood that i called last month, explained that i was close to the 17500 mile service, had about 17200 on the clock, and was planning a trip. the trip would take me over the 17500, closer to 18000+. would that be a problem. they told me it wouldn't be a problem - besides, they were booked and wouldn't be able to get my in before the trip anyway. long story short - took trip, got fender fixed, called to schedule service, couldn't get me in for two weeks. i'm arguing they should give this service to me. i also throw in the fact that i thought the preferred program was until 2011 - that's what it has printed on my card, and i show handy dandy card. service dood explains that the program wasn't explained clearly and a lot of customers have that confusion. then it hits me - what about the rental bike?? that's usually included - now i'm going to have to pay for that too... he says hold on, he'll talk to a couple people and see what he can work out.

one thing i will mention, the service people at the dealership are super - they really go out of their way to help out. and this dood was certainly doing what he could to take care of me.

he comes back a little later and tells me the rental is taken care of. at least i can get home without a lot of hassle. he says he's still checking on the service and has to wait for someone else to come in. he says that no matter what, he's still going to service my bike as a preferred customer - prompt service, bike cleaning, etc. he preps the bike and i wait.

he comes back and tells me that i can renew my preferred customer plan. he quotes me a price and tells me what i've already saved being a member of the plan. without going into exact numbers, it's saved me over seven grand. i have to admit - it's been a great plan. i just wasn't expecting to drop that much money today.

now i have to go talk to underwriter dood. main dood isn't there, so i have to talk to assistant dood. he doesn't seem too friendly and quotes me a price twice as much as service dood. i about fall out of my seat. i tell him that's not what i was quoted. he asks if i talked to main dood. i tell him i talked to service dood who talk to someone else - that's how i got the price. in addition, i wasn't expecting to drop that kind of money and wouldn't be able to pay today. we work it out so that i can pay when i pick up the bike.

i get the rental bike and start my venture home, not happy... on the way home, some woman decides to try to run me out of my lane. she was oblivious to the fact that i was even on the road. i'm in the middle lane, a cage in front, a cage to the right, this woman to the left and, thankfully, someone not too close behind. the woman in the left just starts coming into my lane. i can't go into the right lane and i can't speed up past her. i start hitting the brakes and the horn, quickly moving to the right portion of the lane to avoid her running into me. i was able to slow down enough that by the time she was fully in my lane, i was behind her. i don't think she ever knew i was there - even after that little mishap. today's a day i'd be happy to park the bike and wait for another day to ride...

here's a pitcure of the rental bike i got this time - a 2007 softail custom. rides smoothly. i like the lower seating position. i don't like the position of the forward controls - they need to be out a little further for my liking.



Aug 22, 2006

bike in for repair...

took the bike in to have the wobble repaired today... that was an experience...

the ride in was okay... of course i had to contend with the wobble that i was getting repaired. i didn't think i would have to deal with traffic because i had decided to take the bike in after lunch, instead of first thing in the morning, like i normally do. i was right in that i didn't have to face morning rush hour traffic. i did, however, have to deal with heavy traffic. i don't know what was going on, accident, road work, whatever, it sure was making traffic heavy and slowing things down. which might have been, in some sort of cosmic way, to keep the speed of the bike down and help prevent the wobble.

it was so nice to get to the dealership. no problems getting there - thankfully. first order of business, get the rental. i wasn't dropping off the bike without a rental - not that i was really contemplating riding my bike back home. no problem picking up the rental. they didn't really have much to choose from - so i'm glad i called ahead and made reservations. i was hoping to get a touring model, at least something with bags... all they had was a wide glide, a buell blast and a vrod. pretty much no brainer - give me the vrod. i've been wanting to ride of one these. can't say that i'd want to own one of these, but definitely wanted to take one for a spin... so i fill out all the paper work and finish up and head over to the service department.

i tell the service-dood that i'm dropping off the bike to have the wheel replaced. of course, me being the customer and him being the service-dood, my diagnosis of needing a new wheel couldn't be right. he replies with a comment about needing a new tire. i clarified that i needed a new wheel and not a new tire. he asks how i know - i tell him that the spokes are loose and i can move the wheel back and forth, causing a wobble when i ride. he agrees that something is wrong, but again, my diagnosis of the spokes being loose isn't correct. he tells me it's probably the hub or bearings. no, i tell him, it's the spokes. i've had the bike up on the lift, i can move the wheel back and forth and watch the spokes move. i offer to get the bike up on the lift and i'll show him. he declines my offer. i tell him it will take less than thirty seconds if we can get the bike up on the lift. again, he declines saying they'll take a look at it. i told him i was expecting a new wheel since i didn't know what damage to the spokes or rim might have happened as a result of the loose spokes. he didn't say much - but i figured i'd wait until they gave me the diagnosis before pressing the issue of replacing the whole wheel. i get checked out (or is it checked in??) and service-dood tells me he'll give me a call tomorrow afternoon about the bike... good with me...

i head over to the awaiting vrod. rental-dood checks me out on the bike. reinforces that this will be different than my road king - something about a little more power and speed. stresses being careful - not getting too aggressive until the tires have warmed up. excellent!!

so i head home on the vrod. i'm not really sure i like the position of the foot controls. not sure if it's because i'm used to my bike or if they are just awkward on this bike. it does have a lot of power - although i can't really push it since i'm in traffic on crowded roads. once i get closer to home, out of all the traffic, i start pushing the bike a little. while i just want to open it up and see what it will do, i don't want a traffic ticket even more - so i keep myself in check.

the ride home was fun. nice bike, but i don't know that i'd really want one. by the time i got home, my ass was sore - and it's only a twenty-five mile ride. a new seat would be the first investment for the bike. foot controls never really did start feeling right. fun to ride - but i'll let someone else purchase it...




btw, i would definitely remove the bag and the sissy bar - if you can call it that!!!

May 25, 2006

10k...

took the bike it for its ten thousand mile service today. that and a new back tire. wow, ten thousand miles. i know, i know, some of you are saying that isn't a lot for a bike that's almost two years old. and i know you're right. and i know that i would have loved to put on a lot more miles. but it's still a lot. and still milestone. at least for me.

so i ride to the dealership this morning - it's a fairly nice day. looking a little overcast, but no rain yet. then i'm wondering if it's going to rain or not. but i'm not really worried about it, i have my rain gear. i get there a little before 0700, so i wait outside, watching the mechanics ride up. another day or work for them... a morning off work for me!!

right before 0700, one of the guys comes out and says he can get me checked in. cool... i haven't seen him before, but he seems very helpful and nice. we get the bike checked in. my inspection is due in june - i ask him if they can do it now and still throw a june sticker on the bike. nope. looks like i'll be back again in june. so after checking over the bike for wear and dings, he tells me i'm all set. i confirm the bike will be ready at noon the next day (friday). he tells me yes - that it might even be ready at the end of today. that would be nice...

i head over to get my loaner/rental bike. after asking around, turns out the rental dood doesn't show up until 0800. although he might be in my 0745. so i kill some time walking around accessories and clothes to figure out what i can spend my money on. i talk to brenda for a bit - she's one of the good ones that work at ray price. i wish there were more like her - but they've gotten rid of all the good people.

finally the rental dood rolls in and i can get the bike. oh, he has to catch up first since he had yesterday off. guess i can't blame him - although he does seem like he's still half asleep. he checks over the inventory and picks out one of the few bikes he still has left. he asks when i'm going to return it. i tell him friday around noon, if my bike is ready. then he gets a concerned look on his face. he calls back to service and confirms with them when my bike will be ready. they tell him saturday. i tell him it doesn't matter to me, although i can't bring the rental back until monday (if they're open) or tuesday. now that's not going to work, because the bike he wants to give me has been rented for the weekend. i tell him that they told me friday, and that's what i was expecting. we head over to service to talk to them.

rental dood tells them he needs to have the bike back by tomorrow (friday). i tell them when i make my appointment, they told me it would be ready the next day. service guy (manager, i'm thinking) asks who i talked to. kevin - who turns out to be the guy who checked me in and is now standing right next to me!!! service guy gives kevin a dirty look and shakes his head. then he says one way or another, they'll have the bike ready. i'm thinking it doesn't matter to me, you guys owe me a rental bike. either someone needs to get my bike services quickly or they need to find another rental bike - don't put me in the middle. and they didn't. i got the rental bike as expected.

and here's the bike they gave me.




i am mixed about the bike. overall, it's a good bike - runs well, it's a little louder than what i would like. but it's free and i get to try out another bike.

i'm not really sure i like the bike. first, while i like having saddlebags, i'm not really a fan of having all those silver thingies all over the bags. some people dig them. and that's fine - they're just not for me. that would be the first thing that turns me off the bike. the second, and probably more important, is the ride. the seating position is, obviously, a little lower than what i'm used to. heck, less than a mile from the dealership, i had already dragged the floor boards twice. but the seating position wasn't comfortable - it was bothering my lower back. i could especially feel it when i took off from a stop. while my lower back never really started aching, it just didn't feel very good. bottom line, i don't think i'd ever get one of these bikes. there are too many others to choose from...

i'll see if i get a chance to ride it around later today...