Patriot doing alright by me...

1954 Views 18 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Riff156, Nov 30, 2007

joediver

Discussion Starter · Jan 26, 2006

Posted some of this in the touring forum but wanted to share with the rest of the gang.

Took my scoot in to get dyno'd this weekend and got an unpleasant call yesterday. Turns out that the performance mufflers that they installed as part of my 103 build can't be dyno tuned! Seems that the sniffer sensor doesn't work with the dual cores of the performance mufflers. Said they would call me back. After a while they called back to say they would remove and refund the cost of the performance mufflers and I'd have to come in and pick out a new set of slip ons. Good news is that I'd already ordered a set of fullsac mufflers with 2" cores (chosen to match the 103 build) that were due to be delivered this week. When I told the guy about them he agreed to install them and dial them in with the dyno!

Patriot is far from perfect but seems they might be getting it right this time. Keeping fingers crossed...

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

DNLEVESQUE

· #2 · Jan 26, 2006

good to hear a local dealership is doing something right. I hope they get the oil level right at my next service interval!!

swmnkdinthervr

· #3 · Jan 26, 2006 (Edited)

joediver said:
Posted some of this in the touring forum but wanted to share with the rest of the gang.

Took my scoot in to get dyno'd this weekend and got an unpleasant call yesterday. Turns out that the performance mufflers that they installed as part of my 103 build can't be dyno tuned! Seems that the sniffer sensor doesn't work with the dual cores of the performance mufflers. Said they would call me back. After a while they called back to say they would remove and refund the cost of the performance mufflers and I'd have to come in and pick out a new set of slip ons. Good news is that I'd already ordered a set of fullsac mufflers with 2" cores (chosen to match the 103 build) that were due to be delivered this week. When I told the guy about them he agreed to install them and dial them in with the dyno!

Patriot is far from perfect but seems they might be getting it right this time. Keeping fingers crossed...

Everyone gets lucky once in a while :yes: ...glad you had a good experience...I'll do my own work before I darken their door or fill their coffers...:duh?:

joediver

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 26, 2006

blind squirrel

Hey folks the blind squirrel theory has served me well over the years. Hoping that Patriot continues to pleasantly surprise me.

GPO03FatBoy

· #5 · Jan 27, 2006

joediver said:
Hey folks the blind squirrel theory has served me well over the years. Hoping that Patriot continues to pleasantly surprise me.

Their GM, Lyndon, used to be their parts manager. He was always good to me as their parts manager. I'm trusting he will continue improvements over there as their GM.

joediver

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 27, 2006

Good guy

Lyndon was the one who sealed the deal on the stoker build and has been a stand up guy so far.

Joe

swmnkdinthervr

· #7 · Jan 27, 2006

How soon y'all gettin' married...:hystria: ...I'm glad you guys are having a good experience...I and too many others I know have had too many negative experiences to trust them now or in the future...but if you're getting good treatment great!

GPO03FatBoy

· #8 · Jan 27, 2006

The Life of a Rabble Rouser

swmnkdinthervr said:
How soon y'all gettin' married...:hystria: ...I'm glad you guys are having a good experience...I and too many others I know have had too many negative experiences to trust them now or in the future...but if you're getting good treatment great!

All I can say is I've been going to Patriot (and the other DC area dealers) for three years now, and while it has been mostly for parts, Patriots service hasn't been bad. They've done warranty work on my bike effectively. In fact, when three sets of heated grips in a row failed on me due to HDs weak design, Lyndon replaced and finally took them back, after the warranty. So, IMHO is Patriot perfect - no. Good - yes.

Aahhh, but to have the life of a rabble rouser.

JJsFLHX

· #9 · Jan 27, 2006

I stood in that place for 2 hrs one night with my check book to get a new bike and could get no none to even talk to me. That is the last time I go in that place. If they are doing you good that is great to hear but when I was in there it's been a couple of years ago now but man I just can't get over that. I guess they didn't need my money or I did not look like had any money, either way glad you are happy.

swmnkdinthervr

· #10 · Jan 27, 2006

GPO03FatBoy said:
Aahhh, but to have the life of a rabble rouser.

We all gotta do something really well...

JJsFLHX said:
I stood in that place for 2 hrs one night with my check book to get a new bike and could get no none to even talk to me. That is the last time I go in that place. If they are doing you good that is great to hear but when I was in there it's been a couple of years ago now but man I just can't get over that. I guess they didn't need my money or I did not look like had any money, either way glad you are happy.

That was only my first experience with them (only a few to follow) fool me once...talk to HD-LUX...

todd comer

· #11 · Jan 28, 2006

I my friends just bought 2 FLHXI from them and had the worse experience.The only reason the deal went through was because they matched my best offer from Lynchburg and saved me a trip.I also waited for an hour before the check was taken.I now have to fill out the HD survey and now they are kissing my ass.I guess the 40K was not a good enough reason.

joediver

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 8, 2006

Happy camper

Got home yesterday (d#mn hard leaving 75 degrees in Nassau and coming back to low 40's) and picked up my scoot today and put about 100 miles on her. Engine runs smooth as a TC can and was according to the printout was dyno'd at 92HP and 100TQ. Miles of smiles ahead for sure! =devil=

New pipes are louder and deep than stock at idle and around town but very well mannered at highway speeds. I've attached a photo of the business end of the new pipe, much larger opening than the double stock tubes of the performance muffler.

Looking forward to some warm weather and the next Delinquents ride! :chopper:

Dibubba

· #13 · Feb 20, 2006

JJsFLHX said:
I stood in that place for 2 hrs one night with my check book to get a new bike and could get no none to even talk to me.

I had exactly the same thing happen to me at Patriot, 4 times in a row. The 5th time, a guy did talk to me - and when I told him I had seen a post on a board saying they might have a '95 Bad Boy in for consignment, he sneered at me and said "if it ain't a Harley, we ain't gonna be sellin' it".

So, when I was ready to buy my 'Glide, I was all set to hop in the car and schlep all the way from Godforsaken Fairfax up to Battley, in Rockville. At Battley, everytime I've ever walked into the place, there are people there willing (and eager) to help me. I wish they were closer.

My wife said I should give Patriot one more chance (since it had been a year since my last "suboptimal event" there). I did, and was pleasantly surprised.

Whatever happened between 2004 and last summer made a big difference. Yeah, they're still somewhat "disengaged" from the public in the showroom, but they're getting better.

I approve of the theory of "voting with your feet", but people - even at a dealership - come and go. As the slackers leave, the place gets better - if only temporarily...

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vafatboy

· #14 · Feb 20, 2006

It's was a fluke, a lark I tell ya.

They may have polished that turd, but as long as the owner is disengaged the stench will rise again.

fj1200

· #15 · Feb 20, 2006

I have heard that the entire sales staff at Patriot has been replaced within the last year. I have never had anyone from sales talk to me when I have been in there. I only know one person who has bought from them, but I know people from Northern Virginia who have gone to Orange to buy.

joediver

Discussion Starter · #16 · Feb 20, 2006 (Edited)

Not everyone

I know there are at least two sales reps that have been there at least two and three years respectively, so I'm not sure where you're getting your information from.

I've been pissed off at them before and probably will be again but similar to Dibubba's experience they seem to have gotten it right this once. (Blind squirrel theory strikes again? :dunno

Got cabin fever today and took the scoot for a parkway cruise this afternoon the engine is still running sweet! :wootdnc:

Hey Wyo, was that you northbound on the GW Parkway around 3:30pm today if not you've got a twin!

Ride safe,

Riff156

· #17 · Nov 29, 2007

Hate to bring back an old thread, but...

I bought my latest Road King from Patriot last month (October 07) and have had nothing but good experience with them so far. They do seem to have changed over the past couple years--never thought much of them before, but they've been ok by me so far.

swmnkdinthervr

· #18 · Nov 29, 2007

Riff156 said:
Hate to bring back an old thread, but...

I bought my latest Road King from Patriot last month (October 07) and have had nothing but good experience with them so far. They do seem to have changed over the past couple years--never thought much of them before, but they've been ok by me so far.

Everyone gets lucky once in a while...

...most of us do our own work and we've been know to pitch and help each other out on our projects so we have little need (and like) for the area dealers...WELCOME, hope you can join us on some rides!!!

Riff156

· #19 · Nov 30, 2007

Thanks for the welcome!
And -- You're right...everybody gets lucky once in a while...lol!
Looking forward to some rides with y'all... Nice ride in to work this morning--beautiful sky, traffic didn't suck like usual...

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

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