XS Parts

[gb]

Well I guess with these bikes there are the big TWO parts houses. Both offer a good amount of stock and high performance parts.

I've been dealing the last 30 years with British bikes, Tri,.BSA,Nort. With most of the many part / supply houses and high performance houses part knowledge , customer service , tech info, and common courtesy has been 1st rate. Even with BSA which was of the 1st to go under and stay under, parts, part development, customer service has always been good.

But WTF is it with these 2 XS part houses?!? One has no contact phone number, gives bullnuts, wise guy answers to your emails, 0 customer service. You want to check stock to see IF your ever going to receive a part,,well dam it order on line and IF they have it you'll get it when they want to get it out. Have a tech question,,good luck.Even worse are the prices.

The other of the big 2 seems to have a 'famous' owner. They keep banker hours, 4 day work week, and again, you'll get your part when they're good and dam ready to send it to you, when they can find them.
0 customer service with either place.

Yeah I'm pregnant doging, but never have I seen business conducted like this! It's like neither place wants to make sales.

With all the XS bikes that are coming out of the woodwork the last few years, being in most of the current magazines, still competitive in vintage short track, choppers, tourers, etc. you'd think one of these part houses would step up, make some sales [profits too] and help the owners out..
Yeah I'll get over it.... ..........

[grizld1]

What's up is this. Mike's XS just changed ownership and location, and the new owners have been snowed under with moving and inventory work. Add to that the usual rush of orders from guys who've waited until the weather breaks to do the maintenance and repair work that should have been done in the off season, and you have a recipe for chaos. They're doing the best they can, and they're getting on top of it.

At 650 Central/Vintage Brake, Michael Morse runs a one-man show. He doesn't work a 4-day week; he can only get the work done if he limits the time he spends on the phone. He gives his customers individual attention and is very generous with tech advice; you're not going to get that and finger-snap service as well.

There is and always has been a big difference between the Brit twin market and the XS650 market. Triumph, BSA, and Norton buyers have always been, on average, less touchy about price and more mechanically competent than XS650 buyers. The XS650 was always a price-point bike, and as such it drew first-timers and cheapskates like flies. That was true when I was turning wrenches and working the sales floor in the early '70's, and it's true now. Bottom line: you'll get high-class tech support, instant service, etc., from Domi-Racer because their margins aren't wafer thin, their customers tend to know what they want, and they don't get as swamped with newbie questions.

Why doesn't somebody do a higher-quality, higher-priced, larger operation for the XS650? Because Mike's XS undercuts them on price, and that's all 99% of the XS650 owners look at. Why don't the big parts houses do it? For the same reason they don't support vintage specialty lines in general--they operate on volume. Keep a tally of the number of V-Star cruisers vs. XS650's you see on the road; there's your answer, quick and blunt.

[headcase]

Well said, Griz. It would be nice if the 2 sites made a short disclaimer on their homepages right off the git-go. It took me a while to realize that Mike's doesn't have a tech line, and reading this forum explained why. I would consider THIS the tech line, really. May not be instant response, but it's plenty good enough. Even if the owner(s) decide to pick up once in a while, there's no telling the IQ of the caller by the way the phone rings, and some act like they're in a classroom demanding to know how every little thing works. I see that every day. Tech lines are great for customer relations, but you can't get any work done some days because it rings off the hook.

[gb]

I don't think its" finger snap service" to want simple customer service. This day,age and economy,,if a person is spending their hard earned money at a supply house they should at least have a phone number. Not all bikers have Internet access, sometimes guys simply need product info..

Waiting,not getting done in the off season,,I'd say half of my old customer would wait for their tax returns to get in high gear on their projects. Yeah, the phone will ring, time taken, maybe a person temp hired to answer on phones but this is the business! most bike business is seasonal, and this is the season!
As far as prices, throwing an extra $10./$20 over the regular retail price of an item isn't undercutting one bit. IF buyers knew and took the time to check around you can get 90% of whats on these 2 sites for way less.

* Hey I'm guilty guy #1,, I thought I could call, ask a tech question about an item, make an order and pay right then and there, guess I'm old fashioned or just expect too much....
Anyway, These forums are great help to us all,,the bike will get done very soon and after a few rides things will be better....Thanks for the vent space guys....

[grumpy]

I'm new to the XS club as well but have to say I can only praise the Customer Service I received from Mike"s XS in the States! Prices were right & an email sent after I ordered $1000+ worth of parts. Tried to buy the same down under in OZ but would of had to take out a 2nd morgage on my house! $585 for 1 speedo........

[jedi1]

I agree, Mike's XS has been doin good by me so far, i havent had any problems and the parts were very good quality compared to some others i have found... just got a new kicker arm and it was really nice, it even fits well with aftermarket/custom exausts it doesnt fold in as far so if you have pipes above the case it wont rub on em!