Topic: I HATE HONDA!!!

[my78k]

I do...not Honda's but rather Honda itself!

The bastards a little while ago in their infinite wisdom have decided that (up here anyways) no one but them can sell Honda parts!

They started this new Honda PowerHouse deal and all of their dealerships now carry motorcycle parts (or atleast the ability to order parts).

Problem is, most of the places I used to get parts from (Snow City, Cycle World etc) are no longer able to keep or order Honda parts. The big difference here is that they used to STOCK PARTS!!! Now I have to go to a dealer, pre-pay and order parts and then go back in a few days to pick them up!! What a PITA!

I need a new throttle tune for the bar change out I am doing on the CX and I stopped by two places that I know would have had the parts and recently Honda made them ship back their inventory! So instead of doing a 15 minute job yesterday in the sun so I could sneak a quick ride in today my bike sits disassembled in the garage!!! This is the same push pull throttle tube that was probably used on a million of their bikes!

Anyways, I just had to vent....I am sure some of this is not news to others north of the border. I hope that down south they don't change their M.O. for your sakes.

Dennis

[mick750F]

   Well that really sux. How is it though that Honda was able to make them send back their inventory? Surely they had bought it and therefore owned it. Sounds like it's time to start shopping online.

Mike

[my78k]

To be honest I'm not sure how it works. I had heard that they had made the change in another thread but had assumed they would have kept some of the inventory for everyday items. According to the guy at Snow City they had to ship it all back other than the oil filters etc.

I know they had plenty of these in stock before they went though this. I should have grabbed one in the fall when I was last in there.

As for shopping on-line....well I like to get stuff right away which is why I hate the new set-up. Although I suspect that prices will also likely be higher now too so I may just have to go that route.

Dennis

[70cbk0]

Well Dennis, I'm going through the same thing as you..Used to get everything from Snow City, now I have to go to Powerhouse. although for me, Powerhouse is closer. And, I don't want to rain on your rant, (because no-one loves to rant more than me!!!), BUT......
  I restored a CB77 a couple ago, and am now in the middle of a CB750 restore and I've noticed this:
  The Powerhouse people are extremely nice to deal with. It's dead as #$%* in there, so I never wait for anyone to help me. That's nice. Also, Snow city needed me to drop some money every single time I ordered anything, and I ordered plenty!!! Powerhouse has never asked for a cent ahead of time. And they know me now when I call!!!
 Also, Powerhouse has started giving me 15% off all parts, because I've been spending there. I've never even heard of that from  anyone... it's been very nice, and it starts to add up.
Also, although they might not have stock, and my bike is so old, I doubt Snow City ever had any parts in the store either, I've had entire large orders come in, in as little as a day or 2.
  So, I'm sure loosing a local dealer is a pain, but I've had nothing but fantastic service at the Powerhouse (Eglington and DVP)...my 2cents, John.

[Bob Wessner]

I'm just glad I can still get parts for a 40 year old bike. 

[tramp]

I'm just glad I can still get parts for a 40 year old bike. 

same same

[JBMorse]

Will your dealer accept orders over the phone?  My dealer will, and they call you when the part arrives, so you only have to make one trip.  It has typical been around a week for parts to arrive, though.  Still, it usually isn't more expensive to order parts that way, since you don't have to pay shipping costs. 
Also, I don't like ordering online because the online dealers often order the parts, then ship to you, adding more time. 
The parts guys at my dealer are very friendly and have no aversion to ordering parts for old bikes.  It is helpful if you already have the part number, but they don't mind looking it up.
Good luck, sorry to hear your favorite supplier can't help you anymore.

[Bob Wessner]

JB, much the same here. I overlook the fact that the Honda dealer here also owns the Harley dealership down the road as well. 

[kghost]

I'm not so much Mad at Honda about the parts.....I have the Honda dealers managers Cell phone number.

I do get a 15% discount as well.

I'm pissed of that on the 40th ann. of the 750 we got a bunch of crappy new bike models.

[my78k]

hey 70cbk0, glad to hear the good reviews about the one at Eglinton and DVP since I drive right by there every day on my way downtown. I may have to check them out as it would be just as convenient as the one nearest me.

So far my use of Durham Powerhouse has been less than stellar but admittedly it is very early and only my second time going in there. I just found that very common parts tended to be in stock at Snow City but yeah they had to order as well more obscure items. It just seems very protectionist....and what worries me is that smaller places won't have a stock pile when Honda decides to stop making or supplying these parts.

I guess I will have to put my rant on hold and see if it improves. Although I ordered my throttle tube on Thurs or Friday and haven't received a call yet.

Dennis

[70cbk0]

well, good to know you're driving right by..Yes, the parts guy is great there, although they seem to be training a new girl in Parts...not so happy about that. What I like about the guys at Powerhouse is, I don't seem to get any of that attitude, like, "What the &*^ are you riding that old bike for?"

[david 750f]

Dennis, I have found that service has improved with the new Powerhouse dealer in Mississauga. If I order parts in the morning they have them the same day. Cycle World was always a week or more.

As a bonus, some of the prices seem to have dropped. Not sure if they are passing on savings or the stronger Canadian dollar is helping.
Cheers,
David

[HondanutRider]

Not sure if many follow this route, but here's what I do:  There seem to be lots of small engine Honda shops around that sell Honda ATVs, lawnmowers, generators, and such - but they aren't authorized as a motorcycle dealers.  There is one near to me where I pick up Honda oil that they stock and I also order parts that I need.  While they aren't able to check the on-line parts catalogs to find a particular item, if I give them the part number they are able to find out it if it is in the Honda warehouse and then order it in for me.  Earlier this week I checked on the grips for my 350 Four and they had one in Montreal and another in Toronto - so now they are on their way to me.