‘It’s not easy buying a new motorbike’

I recently decided to sell my KTM 1190 Adventure and had test rides on both a new KTM 790 Adventure and an equally brand-new Honda CB500X. Weeks later, I’m still waiting for a call back from either dealer to discuss my intent.

I settled on the KTM 790 eventually but thought I’d try somewhere else where the salesperson might be a bit keener. There was no-one available at the South West dealership when I rang but I was promised a call back. However, that return call never came either, so I rang a dealer in Oxfordshire instead.

That one did ring me back and five minutes later — and after a wee bit of bargaining — I put a deposit down on a new 790 at a great price as KTM was running one of its fantastic discount promotions.

I’ve since collected my new bike and am delighted with it. It’s booked in at a dealer 50 miles away for its first service. There is a dealer 25 miles closer but I’m still waiting for the mechanic to consult his diary and call me back. I won’t hold my breath — I called him three days ago. I know things have been tough of late but that should be more reason to build good customer relations.

Paul Seddon

Sometimes dealers don’t help themselves, do they? MW