I had my first encounter with Harley-Davidson bikes at Buith wells riders edge facility in 2001, it was a birthday present. I was very impressed at the time when I rode the new V-Rod around the welsh country side, so much so that I didnt want to get off. I would have bought one then and there if I had the funds available but I didn't and I left at the end of the day feeling disappointed that I wouldn't be able to afford one and that feeling stayed with me for quite a while. Years passed and the memory faded into nostalgic reminiscing. But at the back of my mind was always that feeling of longing and what if...
Earlier this year I decided a new bike was called for as my Honda NT650, that I use every day for commuting, was getting tired and boring and I needed a fun bike for the weekends. Top of the list was a Triumph sprint, colour 'fanny magnet red', there was a dealership nearby in chester. I had sorted most of the details out and even made a few trips to the dealership. So the purchase was fairly certain in my mind. Then whilst sorting through some old packing cases, as I was getting ready to move house, I came across a small model of a V-Rod made by a company called 'Maisto' that I had picked up years ago and this prompted me to see how much a 2nd hand V-Rod was currently going for. I searched the internet and came across the Harley-Davidson site and found I could book a free test ride. So I booked a demonstrator bike at Manchester, just so I could be sure that memory wasn't exaggerated by the passage of time and I wouldnt be waisting my money on a second hand bike.
23rd April and I turned up at Stockport Harley Davidson for my test ride. Something went wrong with the booking system as they didn't expect me, and I had to wait around for 20 mins waiting for a sales assistant, I don't know what they all were doing as I appeared to be the only customer. I was given a VRSCF to ride with almost no fuel in the tank, the needle was already in the red, so I spent a lot of the time concentrating on that rather than the ride. The VRSCF was also too wide as the pipes are on both sides and that made it difficult for me to put my feed down when stopping. the sales assistant wasn't very enthusiastic and I came away from the demo feeling a little let down, firstly the VRSCF wasn't how I remembered the VRSCA that I had ridden years ago and also I didn't feel that at any point during our discussions did the sales executive take my interest seriously.
So I decided that a Harley wasn't for me after all... and decided to arrange to order the Triumph...
However, On the Saturday 25th April we were intending to go shopping at Cheshire Oaks Outlet Village and I decided to take a second look at the Chester Harley-Davison showroom as it was nearby.
What a difference that sales experience was. Shortly after arriving in the showroom I was greeted my Nigel pitt (sales executive Chester Harley-Davidson), Nigel was friendly, informative and came up with many options to suit my personal circumstances, For instance although I am 6'1" I have comparatively short legs, his suggestion was a different seat. I also explained my reservation after my test ride in Manchester on the VRSCAF. Although Chester also didn't have a VRSCAW demonstrator they did have a VRSCDX and Nigel explained that the Night rod was much closer to the VRSCAW and immediately arranged a test ride. Nigel even loaned me his own helmet and gloves, as we had driven to the dealership in a car.
I came back grinning from ear to ear, or so my partner said. It was just how I remembered it all those years ago, pure, smooth and powerful, just not as pretty as the VRSCAW would be. We discussed options and I mentioned that I didnt like the wire spoked front wheel, Nigel suggested a chromed alternative and together using sales literature and other bikes in the showroom we built my dream bike. Red Hot Sunglo, as close to 'Fanny Magnet Red' as we could get.... a reach seat, sissy seat for the wife (had to buy her something) and a chromed 5 spoke front wheel.
Nigel built the dream and he checked on availability.... there were 2 in Europe( somewhere in Belgium I think), after all that I couldn't settle for a bike that had been ridded by another guy, I wanted it to be pure, virginal and mine, so I placed the order there and then.
During pre-delivery Nigel kept me informed of the progress, calling me when the bike had arrived at the dealership, when the wheel arrived, arranging for the pre-delivery workshop, he even arranged for me to drop my insurance documents off at his house to save me driving into Chester so the bike could be taxed in time.
When I took delivery I could not believe how well it looked, the sun came out especially and the paint shone and the chrome sparkled, but what really made the bike was the new chromed from wheel. Worth every penny and all thanks to Nigel's hard work making sure it arrived and was fitted in time for delivery. A special thanks there Nigel as I know it wasn't certain that it could all be delivered together.
Throughout the whole process Nigel has been extremely helpful and made the whole purchasing experience a real pleasure. If all Harley Davidson salesmen were as good as Nigel I am sure we would see a lot more of these bikes on the road.
Since then I have bought chromed rear turn indicators, luggage rack (probably only big enough for a toasted sandwich), and top and bottom chromed belt guards.
My brother in Seattle has just passed his test and is looking for a bike, I told him he definitely should look at getting a Harley.
Thanks again Nigel it has been a real pleasure.
Regards
T. Houghton
(proud owner of a Harley-Davidson VRSCAW)
(and now a HOG member)