Another New Dealer - Raleigh NC

[Ascender]

I had a chance this past Saturday to visit the new Ape dealer in the Triangle - BIkers Boulevard, on Glenwood Avenue in NW Raleigh (US 70, about a mile inside I-540). They've been around as a custom shop for about 12 years, and are adding the Aprilia street and scooter lines. Steve Bonsignore is the owner, and he's been very helpful so far; you can reach him at 919.786.0033.

(Note: my only interest here is the relief of having dedicated service nearby - always a Good Thing...)

[bme61679]

Not to knock the place but I went in the other day as well. The people were friendly but I got the impression they knew nothing about aprilia. I asked if they would be getting any tuono's in and the guy had no idea what I was talking about. I said the RSV without the fairing and he said you mean the Falco?

They had a RSV, a few scooters and I think a shiver. Regardless it's good to have a local shop again.

[meanstrk]

When I moved to Carthage last year, Steve Jones was carrying them as well as a bigger dealer in Raleigh. (Mattison?) Both have dropped the line though and I am very sceptical about buying from a dealer that knows crap about the brand.

[RSVRFACTORY]

I went to Maitson (has dropped Aprilia) when I first came down. it is a big dealer, lots of bikes and stuff, but staff sucks. they treat you as a number. they called me to come in to put a deposit/purchase a bike, and when i showed i was told to wait for the sales guy (30 mins later) i was told that bike i came in for (that they called ME about) was sold earlier that day and could buy the one coming in next month. that was fine, but when the inventory manager came out, he informed me and the saleman that june was the last shipment until 2009. they dont know their product availability and are not very service minded in my opinion.

[hel2go]

Where has everyone been taking their triangle Aprilias for service? I see that Biker blvd sells Aprilias but do they service them as well? This is my sticking point on picking one up... Do I have to trek all the way to Charlotte or Greensboro for service? I am in Durham now.

[Ascender]

They are providing service. I had some minor work done there recently, and they were nicely attentive.

[hel2go]

Just stopped by and the owner Stephen is very cool. He really looks like a chopper guy, but is very personable. He told me that they are getting in a orange Tuono later this month along with some other bikes. He told me they are full service dealer and service shop and has hopes of growing big on Aprilia. So for customer service I give them a big thumbs up. Oh by the way they gave me and my friend both Aprilia lanyards and key chains.

[Steve C.]

I went in there a couple years ago when all they sold was Hardly Dangerous Chopper clones to get a simple tire sway done, 17X3 to 17X3.5 front rim with a 120/70-17 Pilot Power. The service manager informed me that it would dangerous to mount that tire on the rim because it was too wide. Keep in mind I am surrounded by POS choppers with no suspension, brakes, etc. etc. and they won't mount a tire on a rim 0.5" wider. I lost it, but before going completely off, turned an walked out, never to return, Aprilia dealer or not. Hopefully that guy has left an the local Aprilia owners can use then for at least minor service.

[RSVRFACTORY]

Just stopped by and the owner Stephen is very cool. He really looks like a chopper guy, but is very personable. He told me that they are getting in a orange Tuono later this month along with some other bikes. He told me they are full service dealer and service shop and has hopes of growing big on Aprilia. So for customer service I give them a big thumbs up. Oh by the way they gave me and my friend both Aprilia lanyards and key chains.

I met Steve a couple weeks ago. I rode over on my Falco, and talked to him about his Aprilia line. He had more questions for me (since I have more Aprilias in my garage than he has on the floor), but he seemed he really wanted to get it going. He also gave me a hat, key chain, lanyard and some stickers. I like that he has a dyno to test more involved mods. I say it is good to have a fresh face out there. The other dealer (Matison) got to comfortable being the only Ape dealer and strayed from the service and what made them successful.

[hel2go]

I just worry that his new bike prices are not competitive at all.

[Mana-in-NC]

Steve will openly admit when he doesn't know something, as will most others (if not all) in the shop. They have NO problem with the fact that this is a new venture for them. They are excited about the potential and are more than willing to go the extra mile.

I bought the first Aprilia Mana they have sold. I went in with my own background research and info, and Steve never tried to impress me with all his knowledge about the model or manufacturer. When I asked him "What's it gonna take for me to ride out with this bike?" He was also honest about the economics of the time, and that I would get better financing from my Credit Union, and he even recommended going to State Farm, as they could set up the insurance and loan at the same time.

I know that he probably thought I was just another "test rider" or something. When I came back less than an hour later with a cashier's check, to say that he was as thrilled as I was would be an understatement.

I'm sure that he and everyone else there will openly admit that they're chopper guys and customizing is their specialty. Getting into the Super Sport, Sport and Moped arena must have been a shock for them. I am impressed with their attitude and their desire to learn as much from their customers as they can about the models and Aprilia. I'm not trying to say they haven't done their homework, as they have. It's just not their niche. I think it will become a strong area for them, especially with their customer service and relationship building.

So, to not sound like an employee or an ad man, NO I didn't pay the lowest price I found on the internet. But, most of the internet "deals" aren't much cheaper in the end, when it's all said and done. So, having them as a dealer, service provider and new friends is worth the extra two or three hundred dollars in my mind.

So, although they don't have any Mana's in stock anymore (thanks to me ) I will be more than happy to let everyone that gawks at me on the bike know exactly where I got it and how great they are.

Andrew

[hel2go]

Congrats on the new bike! Me on the other hand, had to find the lowest internet price. But I will still use them for service.