First Business Trip

[James Embrey]

Hi Guys and Girls

Well I bought my GS1200 last Tuesday and today I used it to go to a business meeting 65 miles away. Sure does cheer up an otherwise dull day!
I bought the bike with this kind of work in mind, I have full BMW luggage on it so plenty of storage for papers etc. Last week i covered over 1000 miles in car (BMW X5 sorry!) and it was bloody boring.
I have my own meat wholesale business and seem to spend hours and hours stuck behind a steering wheel so I have added a bike to my transport mode.
Does anybody else use their bike in this manner?
I live in Bishops Castle, South Shropshire and today i visited a customer in Willenhall. Not a bad ride, almost looked forward to Midlands traffic. Bit cold on way home -3 but never mind. I am fitted with internal padding!
James

 

[Sgt Bilco]

James

Welcome and a lot of use the GS for work. Ideal tool

Check out the West Mids section because we will be at the Riverside Inn Cound tomorrow night for a beer and pies Come down and meet your friendly neighbourhood tossers from 7 pm. You will be more than welcome

You might want to bring some meat samples along

 

[Mr K]

Bishop's Castle you say...

Been to the beer festival a couple of times...

Is "Big Nev" keepin' okay...?

 

[Zanussi]

Lucky Git

I have rode from our Dublin Office to our Shannon office for meetings / training and I have always changed into a suit when I got there. I'm in sales but would never visit a customer on the bike.A friend of mine does it on his KTM but he is in the car parts business and his customers don't mind him turning up on a bike. My comapny wouldn't allow it .How did your customer react to you turning up on a bike? I take it suits are not seen as essential in your daily business?

 

[richorich]

Used my bike to visit my best client recently, planning to park round the corner and change, leaving my stuff in my luggage, not wanting him to know I'm a biker. This being West London, couldn,t find a sodding place to park (is it just me, or is parking a bike in London a f***ing nightmare), so in desperation decided to park on the clients drive rather than be late. Client (v.wealthy lawyer) runs out, pores over the GS for half an hour and moans vociferously about how his wife won't let him have one. Doing business was a piece of piss after that. Will never worry about visiting clients on the bike again

 

[Blackal]

Welcome, James...............

Al

Did I pass you on the M6 the other day?

 

[brassmonkey001]

James, I think Al's found the perfect avatar for you.

 

[James Embrey]

Big Nev

Big Nev is fine. Still brewing up the beer!

 

[James Embrey]

Nice Cow

Great picture of the cow!! Love that where did you get it?
Suit not required, although shirt, tie and trouser is the norm. So quick change out of waterproofs on with a tie, fleece and shoes.
Anyway the buyer i was meeting has a collection of classic bikes so he is a biker.
Sometimes good to be different and turn up on or in something difference, at least they remember you.
Ewan and Charlie + the Hairy Bikers seem to have made bikes more popular with the general public anyway.
I work in the food industry and everybody knows of the Hairy Bikers!!

You can aways tell customer your trying to be more carbon friendly.

James

 

[Blackal]

just Google-imaged "Cow on motorbike"


(you might want Moderate SafeSearch on selected - otherwise you get a pic of a naked Jade Goody on a Harley)

Al

 

[Pukmeister]

Sometimes good to be different and turn up on or in something different, at least they remember you......

You can aways tell the customer you are trying to be more carbon friendly.

If a sensitive customer, why not call them in advance and ask if they mind you 'arriving by motorcycle' or 'can I park my motorcycle at your premises on arrival'? Some people may be in that minority of genuine bike-haters after all ?

If questioned, you could always say you are travelling by bike to ensure your punctuality despite the traffic / being green / doing your bit for traffic congestion and parking etc. It shows you care about getting to the meeting with your important customer/client.

 

[Taff]

One piece of advice though. Make sure you take your crash helmet off before you meet them.

Years ago, I took the bike to meet a client once. I wasn't sure I was at the right house, so just pulled up outside and knocked on the door - just didn't think of taking my helmet off, as I was just checking if I was at the right place. The old biddy (she must have been in her 80s) nearly passed out when she opened the door.

I don't think I got the job.

 

[Owen Snell]

...Does anybody else use their bike in this manner?....

Yes, this is the main use for my bike. I run my company from home so don't have a commute and business trips give me a chance to get out on the bike more.

I have rode from our Dublin Office to our Shannon office for meetings / training and I have always changed into a suit when I got there. I'm in sales but would never visit a customer on the bike.A friend of mine does it on his KTM but he is in the car parts business and his customers don't mind him turning up on a bike. My comapny wouldn't allow it .How did your customer react to you turning up on a bike? I take it suits are not seen as essential in your daily business?

Why not make sales trips? Changing is a bit of a pain, but the shirt and trousers can go under the bike gear with the suit jacket in the panniers. It is easier with established customers where you can turn up a bit more casual, but I have visited new customers as well. Most customers are interested in the bike when you turn up on it - it is a good starting point for a conversation as well.

.......Client (v.wealthy lawyer) runs out, pores over the GS for half an hour and moans vociferously about how his wife won't let him have one. Doing business was a piece of piss after that. Will never worry about visiting clients on the bike again.....

Same experience. I have not met a customer who was anti bike, and most are interested. It is amazing how many ex-bikers are out there who are only too pleased to have you turn up on a GS.

If a sensitive customer, why not call them in advance and ask if they mind you 'arriving by motorcycle' or 'can I park my motorcycle at your premises on arrival'? Some people may be in that minority of genuine bike-haters after all ?

If questioned, you could always say you are travelling by bike to ensure your punctuality despite the traffic / being green / doing your bit for traffic congestion and parking etc. It shows you care about getting to the meeting with your important customer/client.

There are plenty of good excuses - traffic, parking, carbon footprint etc. but not normally needed

 

[luckylucian]

I'm usually based at one office so leave a set of clothes there and change when I arrive.

If I'm visiting customers, I often travel by car first and once they "know" me turn up on the bike with a change of kit in a bag if we're meeting others.

Most people seem to be ex-bikers or wish they had passed their test in their teens. I do think Ewan and Charlie have made the GS a more acceptable face of motorcycling. We're not seen as a speeding Power Ranger or a greasy Hells Angel wannabe - not my comments just repeating non-biker's comments made to me.

 

[Jonny_L]

Interesting thread this, I've not started visiting clients yet with but hopefully will soon, and it'd be interesting to see some reactions from dog owners (and dogs) if I turn up on the bike.

To be honest if they see your bike I think you're fine, a GS isn't exactly the most "unfriendly" looking bike out there, and lots of people seem to enjoy them, like it or not you can probably thank Ewan and Charlie for that. Turn up on an old bandit with urban cammo jeans, simpson helmet and race pipes, I think it'd be a different story Or perhaps an uncorked superduke

 

[stonetown]

I Commute almost everyday with shirt and trousers on underneath good waterproof gear, a heated gilet from EXO2 keeps me toasty as well as the heated grips. No trouble changing, either carry shoes or leave em in the office and I don't need my panniers. Have visited clients also, just a bit more of a faff having to leave helmet with the bike and change where it's dry, use panniers for jacket and tie.

Agree with sentiments of other posters, it is always surprising how many people are bikers/like bikers/wannabe a biker and it breaks the ice at meetings, provides a joke and story or two etc. Once the client is used to you arriving by bike it's easy to turn up in your gear and change in their office.

 

[cherokee]

Way to go

Way to go James,makes work even seem fun......

 

[James Embrey]

I think the fact that the GS is not an offensive bike is a big help. As said before turning up on fire breathing beast and power range leathers sets the wrong image. Does seem to break the ice!

 

[Montrose Sun]

Good thread. Im a motorcycle instructor and plan to open up a new business offering courier duties and summer scottish tours / taxi in the spring. At the mo im doing about 18k PA and im sure that'l sky rocket shortly!

Using the bike for business is 90% of what i need it for and 10% for weekend touring and conti jaunts.

 

[shugie]

I've used my GS to get to various IT clients, the only negative comment was that it was perceived as being an expensive bike, and therefore I might be a bit more expensive than someone who arrived by car. But that lot sold bits for VW Transporters, so I used my van to get to them after that. Don't actually have a car.