Elkhart Indian Motorcycle — Local services in Elkhart

If you ride or have a friend that rides motorcycles, please read and share this. I took my Indian Motorcycle down to the Elkhart Indian Motorcycle Dealership and had an experience that I want no one else to ever have to go through. It was time for my 10k service, fluid change, and a new battery. The bike has had no problems since I bought it last fall. After picking up my bike from it's service and paying $583 for the service and battery, it didn't even make it home before my entire electrical system failed, including the speedometer. when I called them to tell them what happened, the first words out of their mouth was "It's not our fault". I wrote an email to the owner, laying out my experience, and he made it sound like he knew they screwed up. He was really nice and personally came up to Michigan and picked up my bike and towed it back down there (If only I hadn't allowed that!!!). They kept my bike for two weeks before I heard anything. The owner called me to say that the problem with the bike wasn't their fault. A part had failed that caused another part to fail and then another part to fail. He said it would be $650 to repair it. I shared with him how frustrated I was and that I felt like I was getting taken advantage of, but that I didn't want to miss any more of the riding season, so I gave him permission to do the work. A week went by and I called to inquire as to the status of the repair and was told it would be another week. He called back in a week and said there was yet another part that he needed to replace. He said it would be ready in a week, and he never told me there would be any further charges. Two weeks went by, and I hadn't heard anything, so I call to check in, yet again, and was told my part was lost in shipping. A week and a half they called me to tell me to come pick it up, and the total is now $1,453. I never authorized the additional $800 in charges, but they were not going to give my motorcycle until I paid it. There is plenty more that transpired further depicting their incompetence and lack of professionalism, but I've rambled on enough. Please take your business elsewhere, this place is a scam. Those who know me, know that I do not trash businesses on social media EVER, but I care enough to share my story, to save someone else the heart ache and expense that this establishment will...

I contacted Elkhart Indian Motorcycle after seeing a motorcycle advertised. On enquiry I was given a higher price than what was advertised. The sales associate made enquiries and assured me they would honor the advertised price. On enquiry I was assured the motorcycle ran and that the starter motor was functional. As I knew this was a common problem on the bike in question. I was assured that as a matter of routine the bike would be checked by the "techies" the following week. Later that week, not having heard anything, I contacted the salesman and was told that the starter did not operate and they were looking in to it and had identified some other problems. That Friday I called again and was told that they were waiting for a part. I was told that they were having a meeting and the bike and its problems would be discussed. I was assured I would be kept in the "loop". A week later I called again and spoke to a lady who assured me the salesman would call me back. Received a message response, starter not fixed, front hub a bit crooked more details to come. A week later I called. Excuses about the bike that was to be supplied to customer was in limbo land. No response to my queries of what the diagnosis regarding the starter. The next day I received a call to the effect that the bike could now be sold and as I was interested the processing started. Despite requests for full details of costs to be covered, that only arrived after 8pm Saturday. I contacted the salesman on Tuesday regarding the increased costs of which he semi justified $300 set up as mainly being the cost of a double filament tail/brake light bulb which had been specially imported from India. ( $3.50 for two in a bubble pack localy) Sale price had again been hiked up. This was not addressed. Other than to say he could not remember the advertised price. Wednesday I received a message asking when it would be convenient to call me, to which I responded anytime. Todate no call has been received! I am still interested...

DO NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID! I bought this Indian from a different dealership. Do not do that even if there is a difference in price. I have bought many brand-new motorcycles and cars/trucks and I have been riding for over 30 years. I had a terrible experience with the dealer I bought this bike from that was compounded by some glitches with the bike. They could not figure anything out and tied me up for months and months. I brought my bikes issue up (and the bike itself) to countless people around the United States to no avail. However, everyone kept saying "the guys at Elkhart Indian are the best - take it there." Finally I did. I am so thankful. The customer service experience was hands-down the best I have ever had. When I dropped it off their service team said "We will make this bike work right. We want you to love it." They came through when nobody else could! I never felt like I had to check in on the bike the whole time. I felt like they really did care about what they were doing and kept me informed the whole time. I really feel like they went out of their way. These guys are also the most connected dealership in the nation in terms of contacts within the Indian world. Elkhart Indian has made a lifelong customer out of me. I really wish I had started my Indian experience with them. I don't care if they're a bit further (I'm in Chicago burbs). They are 100% worth the trip to purchase, or even for maintenance. Thank you...