A buddy of mine is going to look at 950's at a KTM dealer in Madison, TN. Anyone have any comments about this dealer ?
I bought mine at The Castle.....cannot say much for the sales department as they are most familiar with dealing with 19 year olds buying their first crotch rocket.....Salesman did not seem to know what to do when I asked him if he would take a personal check for the KTM.......But, I have been very pleased with their service department. I have had a few warranty issues with my 950 (oil leak and bad front hub) which they have addressed to my satisfaction. The fella who works on my bike also rides a Tiger and owns an 05 640. He is always attentive. The dealer has been owned by the same guy for years and years. They have decent deals....but, perhaps I just had a bad experience when I went to pick up my bike....also milked me for 250 bucks more than I had been quoted on the bike 2.5 months earlier (something about demand going up) instead of d_c_ing around over the price I paid him his extra 250.......Anyway, got to the dealership and the bike was not ready....had to wait on paperwork, could not go back into service area (per my salesman who I finally told to take me back to the service department with him since by this time it was after hours, afterall) when they were doing final prep, etc..........But, like I said, service depart is great.
Nothing but good things to say about 'em. They did my first service and the repair on the starter motor. Very friendly, helpful, seem knowledgeable. I bought mine at the dealer in Hayesville, NC though; saved me $1000. They were great too...bike ready the morning I showed up - clean and ready to go with a full tank of gas. Errr..."two" full tanks of gas
the service department guys are great. i know the guy that rides the tiger and 640. i had a friend that used to work there and would stop by and chat with the guys if i was in the area. the current owner hasn't owned it for "years and years" i think he bought the place about 5 years ago. i think he used to own it in the past or something complicated like that. their biggest weakness is that most people that work seem rather squidly. there are a few guys in parts that are good guys, but the sales guys usually dont know much when you ask them a question.
I rode the 950 there, but they just screwed around, about the bags, about the price, sales didnt seem to know a thing about them except... DUde.. their sweet!... then.. I havent rode one before. So I went to Graham Equip in Senatobia MS bought the bike for 1000 less, with out the hassle about the bags. They have stayed late until 9:30 for me to come pick it up, for services. Just my opinion. But I did get to ride one there... and I loved it!
I bought a black 05.5 from them. Nice enough guys, didn't know squat about the 950 though. However, I've heard their service department, specifically the mechanic who owns the 640 Adventure knows his stuff. I believe he races a 525 motard bike as well. I've not ever talked with him but I did walk back in the back and look at his 640. It was set up nice. I asked my salesman to check the TBs and he called the service department on the phone and spent about 15 seconds talking with someone before hanging up and telling me they've "all been taken care of." Don't believe to this day they actually verified anything as he didn't give them a VIN or any other info other than referring to it as the 'black one.' I've done all my own service work to date so can't speak to the work. I do feel like I got a good deal from them. They were about 500 bucks higher than the place in NC whom I had spoken on the phone with that same week. But I couldn't take off from work, drive over and back to get it for the difference. Plus I was riding it that afternoon. It took them about 30-45 minutes to service it and everything was good. I trucked it home and double-checked all fluid levels before actually riding it. All was as should've been. It took longer to get my personal check approved than anything else. It was almost painful.
I appreciate all the honest comments here. It will assist my buddy in making an educated decision for sure. If he test rides one and decides he has to have one I may have him come to Texas and buy from my most excellent dealer. Goss