SlowSteve
New Member
This happened to me about 1/2 hour ago. I am still trying to work out if it's funny or annoying.
Backstory:
In about 6 months I will be leaving the UK and going to live in the USA for three years. My current feeling is that I don't think I am going to road-ride/commute on a bike in the US due to the sheer rubbishness of the average driver. However, the area where I'm going has a whole load of trails, dirt and a big enduro scene, so I am thinking a lot about swapping my NC to go in that direction.
The enduro bike I have ALWAYS lusted after, ever since they came out, has been the BMW HP2 - they are not sold any more, and the HP1 is definately second on the list. All my thinking about dirt riding in the US has always featured mental images of me being dashing and brave on one of these two. I have been lucky enough to be on an HP2 twice and it was incredible.
Note - talking about the HP2 Enduro here - looks like there was an HP2 Sport in the US, which was a track monster.
Anyway.... enough with the salivating..... I have been putting feelers out in the US and I can't track either an HP1 or an HP2 down. So, I decided to toddle into a BMW Mottorad main dealer to see if they could help me find one on the second hand market - I also know that the BMW off-road school in the UK has a big group of them as well.
Note for American people: You guys got the HP2 Sport, which was a track monster. I'm talking about here what was called the HP2 Enduro
So, I ride to the dealer in my lunch hour. I'm on my NC-X, good helmet, good gear, have actually had a shave for once etc. Wander in, look at the enormous 1200GS's, watch in amazement/severe doubt as the sales guy sells an S1000RR to a lady of perhaps 50 years old who is 5 foot 4 inches, and pick up a few bits that I need - WD40, reflective stuff etc.
Finally get to talk to the sales guy. It goes like this:
Me: "Hi, I'm after some help....."
Sales Guy: "Is that your Honda outside?"
Me "Yup"
Sales guy: "hmmm... please don't take this the wrong way, but people who buy an economy bike like that aren't really who we sell to...."
Me: "erm..... well, I like the bike and it does the job. I've had BMW's before and the money side isn't really an issue....."
Sales Guy: "I have a lot of people tell me that... but they turn out to be time wasters. We're happy to sell your the bits and pieces, but I'm too busy to go through a sales process about bikes with you at the moment..."
Me: "Seriously? Do I look like a dubious character???"
Sales guy: "I'm sure your not sir, but the kind of person who ride's your bike is never going to be the kind of person who would ride one of mine..."
With that, I get an annoying little smile and told I can pay for my bits and that I should have a great day.
So, either I look decidedly suspicious, which I don't think I do ( Chubby? yes. Suspicious - no ), or the NC-X is giving out the wrong sort of impression to stuck up idiots in BMW showrooms....
Backstory:
In about 6 months I will be leaving the UK and going to live in the USA for three years. My current feeling is that I don't think I am going to road-ride/commute on a bike in the US due to the sheer rubbishness of the average driver. However, the area where I'm going has a whole load of trails, dirt and a big enduro scene, so I am thinking a lot about swapping my NC to go in that direction.
The enduro bike I have ALWAYS lusted after, ever since they came out, has been the BMW HP2 - they are not sold any more, and the HP1 is definately second on the list. All my thinking about dirt riding in the US has always featured mental images of me being dashing and brave on one of these two. I have been lucky enough to be on an HP2 twice and it was incredible.
Note - talking about the HP2 Enduro here - looks like there was an HP2 Sport in the US, which was a track monster.
Anyway.... enough with the salivating..... I have been putting feelers out in the US and I can't track either an HP1 or an HP2 down. So, I decided to toddle into a BMW Mottorad main dealer to see if they could help me find one on the second hand market - I also know that the BMW off-road school in the UK has a big group of them as well.
Note for American people: You guys got the HP2 Sport, which was a track monster. I'm talking about here what was called the HP2 Enduro
So, I ride to the dealer in my lunch hour. I'm on my NC-X, good helmet, good gear, have actually had a shave for once etc. Wander in, look at the enormous 1200GS's, watch in amazement/severe doubt as the sales guy sells an S1000RR to a lady of perhaps 50 years old who is 5 foot 4 inches, and pick up a few bits that I need - WD40, reflective stuff etc.
Finally get to talk to the sales guy. It goes like this:
Me: "Hi, I'm after some help....."
Sales Guy: "Is that your Honda outside?"
Me "Yup"
Sales guy: "hmmm... please don't take this the wrong way, but people who buy an economy bike like that aren't really who we sell to...."
Me: "erm..... well, I like the bike and it does the job. I've had BMW's before and the money side isn't really an issue....."
Sales Guy: "I have a lot of people tell me that... but they turn out to be time wasters. We're happy to sell your the bits and pieces, but I'm too busy to go through a sales process about bikes with you at the moment..."
Me: "Seriously? Do I look like a dubious character???"
Sales guy: "I'm sure your not sir, but the kind of person who ride's your bike is never going to be the kind of person who would ride one of mine..."
With that, I get an annoying little smile and told I can pay for my bits and that I should have a great day.
So, either I look decidedly suspicious, which I don't think I do ( Chubby? yes. Suspicious - no ), or the NC-X is giving out the wrong sort of impression to stuck up idiots in BMW showrooms....
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