|
|
|||||
|
The View through the Windshield |
|||||
|
August 2001 Volume 2, Number 4 ============= Member of the
Concours Owners Group
|
"$100.00 Down, No Insurance Required" I was spending some quality time the other day perusing the latest Cycle Trader magazine when I came upon the ad. It was almost a half page in size, and the full color helped to make it stand out against the otherwise drab black and white text. It got my attention, so I read further. That was when I felt the blood start to pulse in my head. What caused me to freak out was the fact that the bikes being advertised were the latest in squid rocket technology. GSXR's, CBR's, and a host of other high performance bikes were all available for the taking. Then the small print: With Approved Credit. Hmmm. Given that the average price for one of these bikes is under 7K, and given that the average 19 year old has a job that makes it possible to get a line of credit for that amount, what the dealer is really doing is making it possible for a whole lot of inexperienced riders to get their hands on machines that are way too powerful for them. Do you ever wonder where those shorts and flip-flop wearing riders passing you at 80 MPH on a country road got their bike? Probably from this guy. I find it totally irresponsible to make a machine so powerful, available to someone whose testosterone levels are higher than their sense of reason, or self preservation. Trying to give the dealer the benefit of the doubt, I called and asked if, in fact, they ever turned down anyone for a bike because they did not think the the person possessed the necessary skills. "What are you nuts?" was the reply I received. "If they have the money, and we have the bike in stock, then they have a bike. We are in business to sell bikes, not to pass judgment". Amazing! There was no hesitation in his response at all. I pressed further, asking him if he wasn't concerned about putting young riders out on such a dangerous machine. "Not my job pal." was the quick reply. He then asked me if I was interested in a bike, or just calling to ask questions. Once I told him the latter was true, that became the end of that conversation. You gotta love the free enterprise system. So, let's recap. Young kid, credit line, fast bike, risk to other motorists, probably ends up dead, or maimed. Well, I am sure the bike dealer is sleeping soundly tonight. Me, I'm scared to death. Take care and ride safe, Larry “SideShow” Fitch Editor in Chief Rollin' eZine |
||||
| < Previous HOME Next > | |||||
|
|
|||||
