Silver Eagle Harley Davidson - Waterloo, IA

My expectations are very high when it comes to customer service. I think the reason for that was the 13 years of my life that I spent working retail. This weekend, on a trip to NE Iowa, I stopped at Silver Eagle Harley Davidson in Waterloo. I have to say this is one of my favorite Harley dealerships in Iowa. Josh and Jim in the parts area didn't hesitate to approach me to see if I needed any help. That meant a lot being a female because there have been various times I've been ignored, in that department, in other dealerships. The ladies in MotorClothes are always friendly and when I made my purchase,I felt so good that I even donated a dollar to a local charity. Thank you Silver Eagle Harley Davidson for being such a welcoming place to visit.

What makes a great visit to the Harley Dealer?

As everyone is aware, that is into Harley Davidson Motorcycles, they are not cheap machines. Even a Sportster can run you around 10k and if you think about it that's a chunk of change to lie down for a bike when you could probably buy a Honda for 1/2 the price. Since you are paying a premium to live the dream, one wants an enjoyable and memorable experience when you finally decide to join the Harley family. The experience shouldn't just end once you've bought the bike. That experience should carry on for as long as you can ride your beautiful dream machine. As I've traveled this great country, I love to stop in Harley Dealerships and check them out. It's fun to see what's out there and if other dealerships are more rockin' then the one in your home town. I'm a huge fan of Rocky Mountain Harley Davidson in Littleton, Co. Here is why...you enter the dealership and there is someone there saying hello and welcoming you. It's always a great feeling to feel welcome and they always have made me feel that way. As you make your way throughout the dealership the staff is there to help you and to just carry on fun conversations. They make you feel at home, like they truly are happy to see you and they make you feel like you want to return each and every time you make it to Littleton. And I always do. Customer Service and just a great amount of Respect toward the Harley customer is important.

Recently I stopped into Metro Harley Davidson in Cedar Rapids, IA and Hawkeye Harley Davidson in Coralville, IA. The staff at Hawkeye definitely out shined the staff at Metro. I'm not going to rip on Metro but I think a customer service course of some sort is needed at that store or maybe hiring people that have a true passion for motorcycles. Our dealership here in Des Moines is Big Barn Harley Davidson. Last year the dealership had an ownership change and what a difference that made. You can just tell it when you walk in the place. And I think Keith and the rest of the ownership/management staff are turning their dealership into a great experience. I'm excited to see what they have in store this year. Last year there were bike-in movie nights and a bike night with a band and a beer garden. There is just so much opportunity to build a strong motorcycle community even if you don't belong to the HOG and I think that Keith and his crew know this. Another really great dealership in Iowa is Silver Eagle HD in Waterloo. Even though they are not my home dealership they send me a Christmas card each and every year! And I stop there every time I'm home(I grew up in Cedar Falls/Waterloo) just because it's a friendly place to visit.

I'd love to know what your favorite dealerships throughout the US are...even if they aren't Harley Dealerships and what makes a good dealership to you. You can either leave a comment on the blog or e-mail me at motorcyclesandskulls@yahoo.com. If I receive enough replies I'll list them in a future post.

I guess I just feel that since I'm supporting the Harley name by buying Harley merchandise and riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle I deserve an amazing top notch experience each and every time I walk into a dealership. I don't expect confetti or a balloon drop but I expect a greeting and a smile.

Have a great week!!!

XO!
IHG

Labor Day Weekend

Wow...Can you believe that Summer '07 is drawing to a close? The years just fly by once you cross over from the age of 25. I'll be 39 this year and I'm thinking, where did it all go? I know...I'm still young...I hear it all the time but it's just wacky how you think you have so much time ahead of you to accomplish things you want to in life.

Thanks Dan for taking me to all of the bike nights this summer. I always feel safe when I'm riding two up with you. Had good times this summer with Dan, Kristen, Brent, Big Don, Jack and made new friends with Vance and Kris. I know...the season hasn't ended yet...thank god! Hopefully as in years past we have until November.

This weekend Dan and I took a trip up to Northeast Iowa on the Zippy Pickle and stayed with Greg and LaRue, my folks. I had to kid Dan because I only required the use of one saddlebag for all my stuff. He had a saddlebag and a knapsack. HA HA HA! The trip up there was really nice. We rolled in about 8:30ish and you could tell Greg and LaRue were very happy we had all the gear on. Especially the helmets. Iowa does not have a helmet law so it's the rider's choice. On Saturday we were up early so we could ride in and hang for a while at Silver Eagle HD. My Dad wigged a little because we didn't have the ole helmets on. I guess it is a little selfish of me for not considering his feelings about it since he is my father but it is my choice and most of the time I go without. The ride into Waterloo was so nice...it was cool, crisp, refreshing. There wasn't anything going on at Silver Eagle but the staff, as always, was friendly. Talked for a long time with one of the sales guys Ken and I got to go back and look at the new '08 Fat Bob that they just got in. It was pretty sweet!

My mom wanted to go out to the new casino in Waterloo so once we got back to their place we headed in on 4 wheels to the Isle. It was a really nice casino. It made me feel like I was in Vegas. I didn't win big, but I never do. I just don't get why I don't have the luck. Once we were done there we went for dinner at Texas Roadhouse in Cedar Falls. YUM! Funny thing...I wanted a Margarita and without thinking I said to my Dad...I'm going to get a Margarita, I'll give you the money for it. I looked at him and was like...OMG I can't believe I just assumed you are paying for dinner. Wow...I felt like a heel. Well he did pay for dinner...thanks Dad.

Sunday we got up and took off for Waverly around 9. Stopped by the Kielman's to check out their new house. Totally beautiful. Took off for home around noon. Stopped in Hampton for a burger at McD's. Dan got to talking to this older gentleman who was so excited to tell him he rode motorcycles too. He said he had to give it up last year when he turned 76. His wife told him that it was just time and he agreed. You could tell it made him sad. He also told us he was a prisoner of war in Korea. I thanked him and he was so modest and told me I didn't have to thank him. I wanted to hug him...he was such a cute old guy and you could tell it made his day that we were listening to him. I love the stories you hear from our elders. I could sit and listen to them for hours. They lived extraordinary lives and we need to take it in before they are gone.

We made it home to Johnston about 3:30 pm. What a great weekend and it was made even greater because we rode the Zippy Pickle and were outside feeling all the elements and clearing our heads from all the mumbo jumbo that goes in and out of it all week long!

Adios Summer...Welcome Fall and more good times ahead!