Jake Wilson

[hubcapsc]

Jake Wilson has turned into something called "Riders Domain". To me, the web
site seems clunky and hard to use. I finally drilled down to the Pilot Road 4 GT
I want, and still gave up before I could find the price.

Oh well, I copied down the price from Amazon and RevZilla, and I just
want to show them to the local shop so they can try to come near...

I'm done changing the low profile tires myself on the 1800 anywho...

I "probably" could do Pikeville on the one I've got, but I had chords showing
when I got home from the Morganton InZane, so I'm gonna just do it now and
get it over with for the summer 

-Mike

[Jess from VA]

I know what you mean on websites.

For many years, our Honda Direct Line (in FL, but warehouses in a couple other states) had a very friendly site, and catered to us Valkyrie guys with Valkyrie specific pages (that had listings for all the usual maintenance parts we needed all the time), and a number of their own home made Valkyrie parts. They had pretty good prices and shipping anyway, but I stayed with them even if a bit higher because I appreciated their loyalty to us.  I have whole folders full of HDL receipts from those years.    

After it got sold, all that went away, and the site got noticeably harder to find things.  And if you called, the guys answering the phone were not Valkyrie knowledgeable like the old guys.  I gave up on them, and just went for Amazon, ProCaliber, Partzilla or whoever had the best deals.

I tried getting my local dealer (with my top notch, Valk knowledgeable mechanic tire changer) to price match or even get close on best tire prices a long time ago. Of course, your mechanic buddy has nothing to do with parts sales, and when you walk over to that department, you have no friends at all. They couldn't or wouldn't even come close (like $100 more per tire).  Even if they charged me more labor money if I brought my own tire in, it was still cheaper to order from Amazon.  I seem to remember being told their dealer franchise agreement required them to buy though Parts Unlimited and/or Tucker Rocky, and pay dealer MSRP.  Even my tech buddy said to just get them from Amazon and bring them in.  He has a deal working with the service manager to cut down labor charges for guys who bring their own tires in (but don't tell anybody).  Of course, I tip him 2-lunch money every time I go in.... loyalty is a two way street.

So it goes.

[hubcapsc]

I just got back... he sold me a PR4 GT for $200 (plus tax)... it
was withing $10 of what I saw on Amazon or RevZilla...

Remembering from last year, he'll probably charge me about
$40 for mounting, I'll know tomorrow probably...

-Mike

[old2soon]

My local dealer in West Plains Mo only nicked me $10.00 on my most recent tire change. Front off my Phatt Ghurl that I brought in. AND they had No problem putting the BBs in I use for a balance media. They can and will price match or come close on most everything Except tires. I've asked a lot but no more. Couple years ago the same dealer wanted $50.00 Plus sign a waiver when I wanted a D/S choice mounted on the rear wheel I brought in.   RIDE SAFE.