Blue Bell.. Williams or Southport Superbikes..???

[stewart]

S,port Super Bikes

For what my tuppence is worth,

Had my GS in last week for annual service and a few other minor probs all sorted, bike is always returned in spotless condition and running A1, Mike is a bit of a bullshitter but he is approachable and friendly .

 

[boxerbeat]

[Finally, whilst I like Williams and BlueBell I find them a bit sterile and BMW Car showroomy where as Southport is a bikers shop and you can have the banter you normally get at a bikers shop... [/B]

How did you come to that conclusion at Williams. I have spoken to all the guys there and all of them have been in the bike industry for years and although they do have a car site(across town) its been nothing but a relaxed and friendly atmosphere coupled with some highly knowledgable and approachable staff.Totally the opposite to a car dealership

 

[AdamZ]

.... I have spoken to all the guys there and all of them have been in the bike industry for years and although they do have a car site(across town) its been nothing but a relaxed and friendly atmosphere coupled with some highly knowledgable and approachable staff....

Don't disagree with you at all regarding Williams' skillset, expertise, approachfulness or consideration that they give to a customer. It is just that, for me and that is all I can say, I find the atmosphere not that that I want from my dealer. I have used them for spares and kit on a number of occaisons when Mike at Southport has got under my skin but only as a second recourse.

If Williams were closer to me I would probably build a relationship with them as I have with Southport but I still find the surroundings sterile and to the standard BMW format.

Personally I prefer Southport and for that matter CW in Dorchester

 

[boxerbeat]

Don't disagree with you at all regarding Williams' skillset, expertise, approachfulness or consideration that they give to a customer. It is just that, for me and that is all I can say, I find the atmosphere not that that I want from my dealer

God would hate to be your wife seems you want more than is possible. You agree that they are capable AND that they consider the customer but it's still not right

 

[Sataa Lunta]

williams..

...earlier this year myself and another beemer are trolling our way around the C roads of Wales and contemplating a trip to Matlock to see what the fuss is about when we notice the reason for the exception grip I was enjoying was a bald back tire..

BMW Navigator consulted and points to Williams. Off we head, explain to the guys that we is a long way from home (London) and kind of stuffed, short version of this story is that coffee is 'magically produced, (I'm talking good coffee.. not your normal machine sludge). bike gets new rubber on the rear and we continue up into the dales for an excellent road trip.

Memories are, nice people, very helpful, suggesting nice roads to try, good coffee and problem disappearing. Another nice touch was the gallery of Polaroid’s behind the coffee bar of smiling owners! I don't recall the cost being extortionate either, but I could have been blinded by the torch of enlightenment and missed it!

Between the two of us we have tried a lot of dealers in the south east (more posts coming soon in "Dealers") and we both agreed that if the next bike we get is another beemer, we'd travel from London in order to use Williams.

They are the best dealer I've come across. (They even pointed out some cosmetic elements that I hadn't noticed that should have been sorted by my local dealer under warrenty).

On the one visit we made there, Williams set the standard that other dealers should aspire to achieve.

 

[rocks]

Busted backs..

Williams currently have no mechanics.. yep one is off on maternity leave and the other one has slipped a disk and the other one is well.. somewhere else..

So my appointment was cancelled this week and now have to take the bike in on wednesday..

I am sticking with them for the moment.. and will see how i get on with them. I guess you cannot help if people slip disks etc..

Though i had the bike out yesterday in the rain.. no problems starting it and ran wthout a hitch.. guess time will tell.

 

[Deleted account W]

Re: Busted backs..

Williams currently have no mechanics.. yep one is off on maternity leave ....

Have they got a lady mechanic or did you mean Paternity leave?

 

[rocks]

Its a world of wonder..

: That would turn a few heads... yep.. paternity.. but then its manchester..

 

[Joe]

dealers

Blue Bell"CRAP"

 

[grandtrousers]

Williams

Lee is back off his European vacation now and is VERY busy playing catch up with the backlog of work. Don`t forget to also ask his advice on how not to pick up motoring fines in Austria and the Czech republic or the quality of the "professional services" offered by ladies in Prague or Berlin. (He is gonna really hate me for this!)

 

[rocks]

Soon..

My bike goes in on wednesday for the lights and to have a look at the fuel pump problem. So will be able to post a review on the service and way i am treated.

 

[rocks]

Blooming van drivers..

Well i have taken the bike in to williams..

Got hit by a van on the way there.. no damage but f***** close..
Managed to get the git to pull over "sorry i didnt see you"..
Where have heard that before.. bright yellow GS, Sam brown and my lights on..

I had my thumb right on the horn as the git pulled over and side swiped me.. and didnt notice he had hit anything..

If i had, had a shot gun there would be one less van driver..
Slight mark on the grip end, but otherwise a close shave..

Well back to the bike.. nice bunch. Were very nice, offered me coffee and was able to speek wth the mechanic. Bike kindly refused to start when i got there, so he saw the fault.. which was good. I also nattered with him about the lights and he has no problem fitting them.. has a migsel bar himself and heard of robs switches, and new the DE need to go ontop and the FF75's below..

So far a great bunch.. gave me an RT in the mean time.. bloody thing looks big but is infact too small for me.. i feel cramped on it.
My legs are constantly touching the fairing.. not a nice feeling. Electric windscreen is best all the way back with free air around my lid.. otherwise it puts the GS to shame for buffeting.

Well just waiting for the phone call to say the bike is ready or i have to keep the RT for a night..

 

[rocks]

Update from williams..

Just rang williams.. bike wont be ready today..
The fuel pump fault appears to have been the meta alarm not being installed correctly by southport superbikes... though waiting for more information on that one.

However they seem happy they have fixed it,, but havent been able to start on the lights. So they are being done tomorrow morning. So i have the dreaded RT till tomorrow.. its the bike club night tonight, so going to go on the RT since i have it..

Just need my flat cap and slippes and i will be sortted..

Why anyone buys an RT over a GS i dont know.. unless its because they cannot get on a GS.. the RT throttles horribly.. its done 2400miles and rattles something grim. My GS is smoother..

I prefer the GS on the motorways too..

 

[rocks]

Update

Well the bike is back.. road back from williams in rain.. and sleet.. fun.

But my lights are working and fitted and the fuel pump problem is fixed. So very glad..

The service was great and staff were enthusiastic and pleasant.. a nice bunch and i will certainly be going back for my 18k service when its due..

I will write a full review shortly..