What the heck is going on at Cycle Center of Denton?

[Sleepy Weasel]

Further evidence that the guys at Cycle Center of Denton are high out of their minds.

Ever since they moved their shop, all their propaganda emails are about great deals on shirts and stuff. I don't remember the last time one of their emails talked about great deals on bikes. Heck, I don't remember the last time they sent me an email that hinted that they still sold motorcycles.

Now I see they want $2999 for a used 2006 Ninja 250R. That's marked DOWN from $3299. Anybody want to guess what MSRP was on this bike 5 years ago with zero miles, when it was still the "current" body style?

http://www.cyclecenterofdenton.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=01686212X9K1K2011J2I32I 10JPMQ1342R0&veh=24434&pov=2298289

:doh:

[Annhl8rX]

I like the fact that the first day a bike is on their website it's already "marked down". Every now and then they'll have one that's marked down from the same price...was $4500, now $4500.

[happytech]

I don't know about the emails - I had them remove me from their list - but I do know that the last time I was supposed to have a warranty problem fixed (July/August, 2010) they kept the bike for a week or two and didn't really try to find the problem (almost no miles of riding it by way of the odometer that I could tell). When I got it home the clutch was slipping and studdering worse than ever (so bad in a heavy rainstorm a few weeks later - remember that stuff?) that I almost couldn't make it home from the gym.

I called them and they said to bring it back up and they'd have their best mechanic look at it since they couldn't find anything wrong when they had it for two weeks earlier in the year.

I got up there - the "new" service manager coped a real beligerant attitude with me, called his mechanic over and said that it would cost me a minimum of $100 for them to look at it. Excuse me, they had had it for over a week and "couldn't find the problem". I took it home and swore never to go back for service.

Call me foolish, but every indication the service manager had given me was that they were goint to look at it again, and again for no charge since it was still under warranty. When I complained they weren't happy, but they had no problem calling me every so often to try and get me to buy a bike. In fact, the last time they did this they wanted to know what I had decided about my 2009 Suzuki. Ahem, folks, I bought it back in November of 2009 - they were still asking a year later if I was interested in buying it.

I won't do business with a company like that. I'd buy a bike if they were the cheapest, but there are too many good dealership and independents in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area to do what I can't/won't do - I make most of my repairs myself.

As Sleepy Weasel alluded to - they changed a lot since they moved. They used to try and earn your business - now they seem like they're entitled to it.

Oh yes, I promptly ordered and installed an aftermarket clutch that is adjustable and have not had any problem with slipping (except with an aftermarket bell - put the OEM bell back on - slippage fixed).

[philipbarrett]

...but there are too many good dealership and independents in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area to do what I can't/won't do...

Apart from Southwest Superbike (owner rides a 990 Adventure) ****** if I can find them.

[edit] I love the way TWTEX takes my profanities out

:-)

[happytech]

Apart from Southwest Superbike (owner rides a 990 Adventure) ****** if I can find them.

+1 - I've used them twice before to repair some damage. :oops: :oops:

One of the things I've always liked about them is that they have never looked down on me because I ride a scooter - even when I had it dynoed (ahem - I guess 116mph on the dyno isn't too bad for a little thumper).

[Hotboot]

It's called running a retail establishment people. Try it, not for the timid internet browser.
They sell a service and if you check the site many moto vehicles.

[gixxerjasen]

Randy must either be pretty much hands off these days or have sold it. Good guy who used to do a lot for his customers and was active in the DFW riding community. Sad to see this thread for sure.

[Kidder]

I just referred a guy up there. I sent the referral to Randy. He got a great deal on a new V-Strom.

[khager]

All I can say is I got a great deal on a new V-Strom there 4+ years ago. The sales manager quoted me an OTD price over the phone that was $1300 lower than the dealers in FW and Hurst, and this is after I had been haggling with the other two dealers in person for several days. Since this was the first phone call and he quoted me a low price, I figured he would try to pull a fast one once I got in the showroom, but no gimmicks, no games, no tricks, straightforward, simple, and a pleasure to do business with. They even threw in heated grips, a soft tailbag, and 20% off any gear I wanted. I have bought one other bike brand new before and at least four or five cars and never had this good of an experience. I have also been to several of the big sales they have twice a year, with the free food, drinks, and prize giveaways. I have never had any service done there because the V-Strom is so darn reliable, and all I've ever had to do is maintenance which I do myself, so no comment there. When I buy my next bike though, they are the first place I will look.:rider:

[sKatZ]

I've had nothing but good from CCOD. Considering I came into the shop for six years off and on before I actually bought anything, I was kind of surprised they didn't lock the doors when they saw me coming. :mrgreen: The service guys all took good care of me when Pep was acting up even though it was my own stupid fault. :doh: Keeping the doors open is probably a little tougher these days so selling gear and shinies is probably the best way to help do that.

[cheez]

I've had nothing but good results from Cycle Center; I've been taking both the VTX and the Burgman to them for about a year now, and they've always done good work. I ride ~40 miles from Grapevine to Denton to take my bikes up to Cycle Center, riding right past DFW Honda to do so. In particular, Ryan Church is pretty much the best M/C mechanic I've had the chance to have service done by- at this point, he's my mechanic no matter which shop he winds up at. He and I have had some conversations about the issues with my bikes that, in my past experience with dealership mechanics, would never have happened- lots of explanation of why the symptom is caused by the problem and how fixing the problem cures the symptom, as well as general 'showing me' the problem in person.

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience- I agree that, with the new facility, they've changed a bit, and not for the better, but they're still head and shoulders over most of the DFW area dealers.

[amvince]

I bought both my bikes there. Any time I go in I get a warm welcome and they remember me. Can't say much about service because I have only used them for a recall in the past two years. I just can't seem to come to grips with $99.00 an hour labor and book time. As far as the pricing on the Ninja 250 the new MSRP is $3,999 to $4,299 plus the freight and prep charge therefore you can try to get a little more for the new ones. My guess is they will negotiate some on that price also. Still way overpriced for a 2006.

[Tourmeister]

:tab In case anyone is curious, they have someone registered on this forum and likely reading this thread. So hopefully this means they will be paying attention to customer feedback and work to improve things where needed.

[donroger1]

I've bought several bikes at the Cycle Center of Denton and always felt as though I got a great deal. It's never mattered to me how they advertise the pricing as I have always closed the deal at a lower price than advertised. Randy is still around but on a daily basis, it is more Kenny and Carlos guiding the ship.
Regarding service. I only have State Safety Inspections done there. I do my own repairs.

[gixxerjasen]

Yea, I bought two bikes from Barry and Randy back in the day. I was sad to hear that Barry had left as he was a good guy to deal with. I got good deals even on the first Yellow and Black FI GSX-R600 to roll off the truck when I could have paid a premium. I also picked up a decent amount of gear from there as well and went on a bunch of their customer appreciation rides back in the day. Sadly though, I haven't bought a "New" bike since 2000 and they are far for me now with me living on the complete opposite end of the metroplex that I don't get up there very often anymore.

[SilverBullet]

Now I see they want $2999 for a used 2006 Ninja 250R. That's marked DOWN from $3299. Anybody want to guess what MSRP was on this bike 5 years ago with zero miles, when it was still the "current" body style?

My guess was $3299 but I was wrong. Checked and NADA shows MSRP was $2999 in 2006. So you get a 5 year old used bike with no warranty and 1,000 miles for the same price. And probably back in '06 you could have negotiated down on MSRP a little as well.

However... NADA also lists average retail price of $2055 and low retail $1555. KBB lists Excellent Cond retail at $2150 but with expected 7500 average miles. So in review their asking price really isn't that far out of range for a 1000 mile bike. I don't think any dealer puts the tag price at their bottom line. Just shows how well the bike has held its value and anything that old with under 1000 miles is a find.

_

[CycleCenterOfDenton]

Hey Everyone!
We appreciate any feedback and we will take these comments as areas to improve on! We strive to give each one of our customers a personal and positive experience and the only way we know if we are meeting that promise is to hear from you! Feel free to contact us any time and let us know how we are doing!
My email is Kenny@cyclecenterofdenton.com or call at 940-387-3885

Kenny Martin

[hikingcoach]

I have not bought a bike from CCOD, but the accessories I have bought from them has always been a good deal. My brother-in-law uses them for maintenance on his VTX1800 and has no problems or complaints.

[Transient]

My buying experiences with them (two bikes) have been great. I'd buy there again. When I bought my last bike, I had other dealers not even bother trying to help me out. Maybe I don't look like I have the money to buy. Ah well, CCoD got 'er done.

The jury's still out on service. Some things have been done promptly and well, other things have been a bit questionable, but I suspect that's true most anywhere. They've been in my court for any warranty claims, really above and beyond in one case.

I will say that their new facility is a huge step up from the old place and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them.

[aggie81]

I've bought lots of parts there over the years. Most recently I bought a new jacket. My old one had shrunk.;-) A young salesman there busted his tail to keep me interested. I was able to try on several, and bought one at the same price as the big online suppliers. The internet can't compete with that.

Service departments are a different area. It may be impossible to hire people that will take the same degree of care as an owner would. I do know of one glaring error that took place on an assembly. Although the shop took care of it, I would ask to be present while a large, expensive motorcycle was assembled. That being said, I wouldn't hesitate to buy there, and probably will buy another sport-touring bike from them in the future.

[Jeffro93]

I first tried them out about a month ago when I test rode an 08 VFR. Of course, they were very nice while I was looking; the pleasant surprise was the respect and understanding that I received when I passed on the bike. I've been back twice since then for gear and parts for my GL650. It's very convenient after breakfast at the Blue Hangar :).

I typically do my own work, so I don't know if i'll have the opportunity to try out their service department or not.

Oh, the sales guy that helped me with the VFR was outside saturday when I rode up on the VFR I bought elsewhere. He remembered me and was very eager to check out the bike and tell me how much he liked it.

I've always liked DFW Honda, but I'd much rather ride to Denton than Grapevine via Southlake and all of the 114 construction. I like that Cycle Center carries more brands and doesn't feel crowded inside.

[khager]

. Most recently I bought a new jacket. My old one had shrunk.;-)

Yeah I hate it when that happens.:rofl:

[gixxerjasen]

Seems to be most noticeable in the spring time that they shrink too.