Suzuki Dealers

[Dirtbiker Martin]

I bought my Vstrom new from the Dealer in Salisbury, after 2 years they told me they are no longer Suzuki dealers so I went to the dealer in Hythe Near Southampton who were very good, I popped in there yesterday to be told they will not be Suzuki from the end of March. My option now to keep the extended warranty is to go to Bournmouth, Swindon or Reading. Am I unlucky or is this happening across the UK.

[bladeowner]

My nearest dealer became a Tesco Express in 2021.

[kwackboy]

Happening a lot.

I know of one who was a multi dealership and now, its just yamaha. The owner basically stopped selling Suzuki and Honda due to them requiring major revamps to suit their needs at the cost of the owner.

He basically told them to fek off ..!

[NeilM]

We have the opposite in Weston-s-Mare.

A little local s/h motocross specialist has grown the business over the last few years.

They moved to a more central site and stared selling s/h road bikes as well as all the MX stuff and I bought my 650 from them s/h just before lockdown.

Now they are a growing Suzuki dealer and appear to be selling bikes across the range, if their FB posts are anything to go by.

[The Doctor 46]

I think a lot of dealers gave up the Honda franchise when Honda declared that the dealer must have a separate show room for Honda's.  I guess some dealers either couldn't afford a new building or didn't have the space to build one. Personally I think Honda lost out.

My local multi dealer Bridge Motorcycles Exeter has all their bikes except Honda in one building, there is a very popular caffe in there too. So, walk in, look at all the bikes then into the clothing etc department and on to the caffe. Most people don't go in the Honda building unless they specifically want a Honda. 

[Phild]

I purchased my 1050XT from AT Motorcycles in Weston-super-Mare. We used them before they became a main dealer, so we know the staff.

There’s nothing flash about them or their showroom, but we’ve always had a great service from them…… just hope it stays that way.

Prices for Suzuki Services are more expensive than we used to pay for our Honda’s, but I want the Suzuki 7 year full warranty so I’m prepared to pay.👍

[sillyboy]

I honestly don't think you need the 7 yr warranty wuth a Suzuki. I have probably jinxed mine now (7.5yrs old)

[sillyboy]

I honestly don't think you need the 7 yr warranty wuth a Suzuki. I have probably jinxed mine now (7.5yrs old)
[/quote    sorry 6.5yrs, I can't count. 

[Phild]

This bike will probably be my last. I keep my bikes for a long time, so I’ll be into my 70’s. Paying for a Suzuki Dealership to service the bike extends the warranty without further cost to me. The blokes servicing it are the same mechanics that have serviced my bikes for a number of years.👍

I like looking after my bike but servicing etc no longer appeals to me. Ride it, clean it, ride it.👍

[sillyboy]

I'll be 78 in august, don't go out as much now but still enjoy a good ride.    I seem to be busier than ever or just take longer to do stuff hence the reduced mileage.

[timangus]

Many long standing dealerships have given up franchises due to the demands of certain makers. Tippetts in Surbiton closed after being a Honda dealer for nearly 60 years. Hatfields of Crowthorne gave up Honda after 40 years. Both were told to spend on new showrooms when there will be little chance that they will pay. When this happens makers will probably go the route of some car companies and sell direct to the consumer with the dealer handing over the bike for a fee. When the Chinese do to them what they did to the British motorcycle industry, like the British they will have only themselves to blame.

[NeilM]

This is the same as it's always been.

There used to be a bike shop in Weston-s-Mare called Wyverns. Back in the mid 1970's they were a top selling Honda dealer. One year they were THE top selling dealer in the UK, winning an award from Honda... who then told the owner he had to completely upgrade his showroom to suit the Honda brand... all at his own expense, he said he wasn't prepared to do that and he dropped Honda as a brand and concentrated on Suzuki and Yamaha.

[Brockett]

Yeah! that tastes of Bullying. I wonder what would happen if all the dealers said "no" to this sort of thing. But then again I imagine not all dealers in a wider area are subjected to that treatment at the same time, leaving them vulnerable. My local dealer has a Kawasaki area black and dark green with a bit of white stripe: it's a bit gloomy.  A small Suzuki area with very little corporate sinage to match the sparse range on offer and an expanding  KTM area with lots of orange and white bikes.  Judging by what's in stock I suspect Suzuki and Kawasaki sales are not high. Lots of exiting KTM "dirt bikes"  with saddles so high they are up to my armpits. Maybe it's my age  but when I look around the shop there is nothing on offer that is in any way appealing.

[minkyhead]

 unfortunatly ny local dealers are owned by the same firm and are usless and not interested in the bike after its sold  ...
   last three bikes I've bought were online and delivered   the strom was head and shoulders 2500 quid cheaper than local   pre rg with 450 miles up  ...the otherbikes were  similar deals  and   I'm at this point  1000s in front on them 2   ..id say  around 5.5k   with purchase price and home servicing 
    in this case  knock off two main deler services  and I'm already three grand in front  just on the strom   ..if owt goes wrong ill have to  put me big boy pants on and get it fixed   
      I'm betting me three grand stays in my pocket  ..but  you never know  .but id back the v trom  to be reliable enough tp keep me in front of the gamble    ?