Author Topic: PORTLAND, OR: vicious cycle (Read 10053 times)

paulages · « **on:** January 23, 2010, 11:04:39 PM »

EDIT:

i've decided to take the high road on this one and remove my comments. their reputation does enough without me having to actively tell people not to go there. i'll leave the thread up, as other people have had plenty to say, but i'd rather not fan the flames.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #1 on:** January 23, 2010, 11:19:19 PM »

If I may, I'd like to +1 Paul's post. When I was working with Raven on 99w, we would keep getting customers who said "I had my bike at VC and they kept it for awhile, charged me, and the problem's still there!" If it was once or twice, I could understand it... mechanics don't have it easy sometimes, fixing others' work or neglect, but this was a frequent thing. There are a few local mechanics who will do a really good job and need our encouragement and $$. V. Cycles are not these people.

Ryan 550k · « **Reply #2 on:** January 24, 2010, 11:34:27 AM »

Well this really is a shame. I've been hearing reports of terrible customer service for quite a while and was hoping that it would get better, mostly because they're shop is so close to my apt

. I must confess that every time I've dropped into Vicious Cycles there seems to be this overwhelming air of Arrogance that comes off the folks behind the counter. They're very successful at making one feel like a bother rather than a valued customer. Kit's report of shabby work from them is the first I've heard and again is a shame. Taking into note my experiences, my friends experiences and especially Paul's experience last night I will no longer be giving Vicious Cycles my business.

Thanks for posting your experience Paul. Important for us to know.

mrblasty · « **Reply #3 on:** January 24, 2010, 12:11:47 PM »

You mean to say they have gotten worse? It sucked going in there back when I was in town.

Ryan 550k · « **Reply #4 on:** January 24, 2010, 12:47:58 PM »

Quote from: paulages on January 24, 2010, 12:17:38 PM

Almost anyone i know who's been in vicious cycle knows the holier than thou attitude. i think they should fail miserably if they can't figure out that those annoying people that keep coming in and bothering them are the same ones that pay the bills. it's just no way to run any business.

Here, here.

MickeyX · « **Reply #5 on:** January 24, 2010, 01:04:13 PM »

Hmmm, I remember Raven saying that Kit. I also remember a few guys had come to him, while we were there working on your 650, because they felt they got shafted or just treated wrong by VC. Sometimes I chalk it up to guys just being surprised sometimes how much these old bikes can cost them to be worked on but in those cases, they really didn't get good mechanical service. They ended up paying a 2nd guy to make it right.

This is all good to know.

Doc Brown can be a little ornery but in an amusing sort of way. You gotta know to grumble back about these old bikes and then he seems happier.

mlinder · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2010, 09:07:56 AM »

I stopped going to Vicious years ago, and only go there when

I
absolutely
have
to
have
something
NOW

and no one else in town has it.

Their customer service has always been mediocre at best, and just plain horrible at worst, at least as long as I've been going there. Some older customers tell me it used to be quite good. They also have stopped giving Vicious Cycle business.

The deal-breaker for me, outside of piss-poor service and craptacular attitude, was the time Marcus (prosolar) and I ordered some 100 dollar parts or so from them. A month later, I called em up to ask about the status of the order. I got major attitude, telling me NOT to call them back, that they would call me.
At two months, I called them back again. Same thing, don't call us, we'll call you. Took 3 months to get them, and a couple more phone calls, and a crap ton more #$%*ty attitude.
With all the previous crap attitude, and then that, we said forget it, no more Vicious Cycle.

Magpie · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2010, 09:21:34 AM »

Interesting business model this guy has. And when he goes out of business it will because of all "those hard to deal with customers". Kind like a friend of mine. He verbally attacked his wife for years, she left him and he's crushed, wondering what happened.
Cliff.

mlinder · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2010, 09:26:46 AM »

Right now, they are kinda the only game in town for a lot of parts, though.

Makes me consider taking out a business loan, and opening up shop.....

paulages · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2010, 09:45:48 AM »

dr brown can get almost anything they have same day. they have the same tucker rocky account as everyone else.

mlinder · « **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2010, 11:20:55 AM »

Don't think any of these are us, but maybe they should be...

http://portland.citysearch.com/profile/8473720/portland_or/vicious_cycle.html#profileTab-reviews

http://local.yahoo.com/info-21961252-portland-motorcycle-company-portland

mlinder · « **Reply #11 on:** January 25, 2010, 12:18:02 PM »

Quote from: paulages on January 25, 2010, 12:14:23 PM

....You can't please everyone, but you can at least try, right?

No.

Wait, I mean yes. Yes is the right answer, right?

But yeah, I'm not overly fond of any of the parts dealers here in town. Like I said, maybe it's time to do something about it.

sangyo soichiro · « **Reply #12 on:** January 25, 2010, 12:32:03 PM »

Sounds like a place to avoid all right.

What's with these motorcycle "builders" that get these attitudes? Does it have something to do with these "biker build a crappy bike" cable TV shows that are a dime a dozen? Seems like you don't have to go far to find a bike "builder" that thinks he's the #$%*.

Staggerlee · « **Reply #13 on:** January 25, 2010, 12:36:52 PM »

That place is like dating a bipolar chick. Some days they're happy to see you, other days they'd just as soon throw a bottle at your head; I don't get it.

I've only dealt with Joe a few times, and he's always been fairly civil. Those other two broads that work there though; jeezlaweez do they have #$%*ty attitudes.

Ryan 550k · « **Reply #14 on:** January 25, 2010, 12:39:03 PM »

Quote from: Staggerlee on January 25, 2010, 12:36:52 PM

That place is like dating a bipolar chick. Some days they're happy to see you, other days they'd just as soon throw a bottle at your head; I don't get it.

I've only dealt with Joe a few times, and he's always been fairly civil. Those other two broads that work there though; jeezlaweez do they have #$%*ty attitudes.

On the money dude

Frankenkit · « **Reply #15 on:** January 25, 2010, 12:39:45 PM »

a person gets that attitude from the realization that they know far more than the average joe, and then the secondary realization that the average joe may actually really need his expertise. One gets bored with dealing with people who only bring more whinging and problems and don't actually intellectually stimulate them anymore... It's truly difficult and painful to know it all, Soichiro. The only way to make it better is to give these wonderful individuals beer and money for fixing your piece of #$%*.

(This applies in varying degrees, of course. Fortunately most of the builders I know are cool guys.

I think if they give you #$%* about your bike, you can probably expect to get #$%* work back because they already don't respect you or the bike.)

I kinda liked being Raven's "Shop #$%*". I got free PBR from time to time and learned a lot about customer service.

MickeyX · « **Reply #16 on:** January 25, 2010, 01:04:31 PM »

An interesting spin on this is, western cycle salvage guy was antisocial to us the 1st few times we went in there, asking questions, looking around. Not mean, just snooty. It was obvious he figured we were just 2 chicks "playing mechanic" and we'd soon give up. We kept coming back though, told him of the progress each time... he started to smile when we came in... then hold conversations with us... and on Sat, recognized us and said hello.

Now, the old guy who works in the back tinkering was cool and friendly right off the bat with us. We'd tell him what we think is going on and he'd help us out with getting the correct part since not everything is labeled. He's got lots of stories and can't wait to see Kit's bike for the 1st time this spring. We just kept going in because we could talk to the old dude out back, shoot the #$%*, hear some stories, pick up a few things... no pressure or attitude. Now we're cool with the owner too and have sent a few people his way and they've been happy. Not the lowest prices but CB650 parts are hard to come by around here. We'd check them out 1st before going to feebay since we like to go with local folks when we can too. We can pick and choose which part we want if there is one that is nicer, not looking for new anyway and take only 1 of a set if that's all we need. They even pulled parts off of a carb for us and just charged for that. They seem to do a little shop work but I'm not sure how much.

Just another place for used parts if you haven't already been there. Just don't let the front desk guy put you off, he takes time to warm up.

I like Doc Brown too and enjoy his sense of humor. It took me a bit to realize it was humor, but once I figured it out, I began to like him.

I don't know of any others around here. If any of you have some places to get used or new parts, speak up.

mlinder · « **Reply #17 on:** January 25, 2010, 02:24:39 PM »

Lol, I love sohc4 forums.

Already, if you google

vicious cycle service
or
vicious cycle portland service

this thread comes up 5th in the links.....

coldright · « **Reply #18 on:** January 25, 2010, 03:19:50 PM »

Hey guys, I'm interested in hearing who you like. Doc Brown has always been great to me. Oliver at Motofactory is a super nice guy (he split from VC) I've not had any work done by him, but Duncan aka Starkmojo takes his work there. Let's plug the guys out there who do a decent job of providing good customer service. I don't expect any mechanic to be anything less than a little crusty, but crusty and just plain #$%*ty don't have to be mutually exclusive.

mlinder · « **Reply #19 on:** January 25, 2010, 03:49:40 PM »

Quote from: coldright on January 25, 2010, 03:19:50 PM

Hey guys, I'm interested in hearing who you like. Doc Brown has always been great to me. Oliver at Motofactory is a super nice guy (he split from VC) I've not had any work done by him, but Duncan aka Starkmojo takes his work there. Let's plug the guys out there who do a decent job of providing good customer service. I don't expect any mechanic to be anything less than a little crusty, but crusty and just plain #$%*ty don't have to be mutually exclusive.

I guess that's why I don't take anything to anybody, and send the stuff that needs very specific work that is very specialized to whoever is best at doing it, no matter where they live (as long as it's in the lower 48, anyway..)
I mean, hell, I've got Marcus, Paul, and even Curtis to fall back on when I need it.
I guess my point is, make friends with people who actually know what they hell they are doing, and aren't total dicks. Especially for old motorcycles.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #20 on:** January 25, 2010, 05:42:58 PM »

If you're in SW, Raven's alright, but sometimes he can price gouge depending on how tight money is right then. He does good work, though, and takes his time doing stuff for his paying customers. The downside of that is that being a one-man shop, you can wait a really, really long time for your bike to get done, depending on what's wrong with it.

Grnrngr · « **Reply #21 on:** January 25, 2010, 06:01:48 PM »

kinda new to the scene around here, got snapped at once by the guy at Western (saw a neat old Honda in back I misidentified as a Dream 305, touched the bars and he said "It's a SUPERHAWK and DONT PULL THE CLUTCH!!) but he was alright the second and third times I went in, had a lot of fun and no attitude searching the yard at RoadHawk cycle salvage on Johnson Creek blvd, and got a better price on a back wheel...just threw about $400 at some guy named Paul to do my topend.....

paulages · « **Reply #22 on:** January 25, 2010, 06:59:06 PM »

Quote from: grnrngr on January 25, 2010, 06:01:48 PM

kinda new to the scene around here, got snapped at once by the guy at Western (saw a neat old Honda in back I misidentified as a Dream 305, touched the bars and he said "It's a SUPERHAWK and DONT PULL THE CLUTCH!!) but he was alright the second and third times I went in, had a lot of fun and no attitude searching the yard at RoadHawk cycle salvage on Johnson Creek blvd, and got a better price on a back wheel...just threw about $400 at some guy named Paul to do my topend.....

that would be me, dave.

so far all that money is in parts and machining... so technically you're throwing money "through" me.

Grnrngr · « **Reply #23 on:** January 25, 2010, 11:38:22 PM »

heh....yeah.....I know...but props to ya bud! And I'm sure a few will find there way into yer pocket, if not, i'll at least buy ya a beer....

paulages · « **Reply #24 on:** January 25, 2010, 11:42:52 PM »

Quote from: grnrngr on January 25, 2010, 11:38:22 PM

heh....yeah.....I know...but props to ya bud! And I'm sure a few will find there way into yer pocket, if not, i'll at least buy ya a beer....

glad i can help. certain people in this town would have called your bike a piece of crap if you had tried to go to them. ironically enough, i can count half a dozen people in the past few months who came to us after either being turned away from vicious or being told their bike was crap and not worth it. one was a mint condition '69 cb350 that just needed a tune up. oh well, keep bringing me your "crappy" '70's hondas! it's about all i like working on!

Frankenkit · « **Reply #25 on:** January 26, 2010, 12:16:46 AM »

Fine, Paul, I'll take my '80 650, bat 'n ball and go home!

coldright · « **Reply #26 on:** January 26, 2010, 12:44:25 AM »

Doc Brown does just fine selling the parts, Paul and Co can work on the bikes... sounds like a match made in heaven. Crusty, crotchety oil leaden heaven. When can I make an appt? Kit for all intents and purposes, I believe that the decade starts with one and ends with ten... meaning that your bike qualifies as a 70's Honda.

paulages · « **Reply #27 on:** January 26, 2010, 12:45:25 AM »

Quote from: Kit on January 26, 2010, 12:16:46 AM

Fine, Paul, I'll take my '80 650, bat 'n ball and go home!

ha! actually, you have a point... i do work on '80's SOHC cb650s.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #28 on:** January 26, 2010, 12:50:25 AM »

News:

Author Topic: PORTLAND, OR: vicious cycle (Read 10053 times)

Ryan 550k

Ryan 550k

Ryan 550k