Baxter Cycle — Local services in Marne

This is the WORST dealership I have EVER interacted with. They were rude, dismissive , and downright hostile. I was accused of “Blowing up” their bathroom the week before. All i did was to try on a couple Of pairs of motorcycle pants. They did not work for me. In addition, staff was unwilling to budge on price at all. Mind you, my Daughter and I were the only two people in the whole place! Beyond that, if I did have to “use the facilities “, which I cant exactly recall, it would have been an emergency and a necessity. I have a medical condition right now that is causing quite a bit of Gi issues. But if I did need to use the facilities, I would have done my best to “clean up” after myself.To insinuate that I did not do that, which the woman behind the parts counter did, while further embarrassing me by sharing a private gripe about me with another co-worker named Stretch, while I was standing right there, was unbelievable to me! To attempt to shame and embarrass me, without even asking me what was up with the bathroom from last weekend, was extremely rude, disrespectful, and just plain mean. When I attempted to explain what was going on, again, the woman behind the parts counter ignored me. There went a potential 150-200 dollar sale! But that was only part one. Part II occurred in the parking lot as me and my friend were gearing up to leave. A gentleman who I’d seen there several times previously walked past us and asked us how we were. I thought he worked there, so i wanted to confirm that and said hi to him. I then asked if he worked at the dealership. He replied that he did not, but that he was a long time customer, and that Baxter’s was great. He looked at me and saw that I disagreed with him,and at that time the GM walked into the second building , and kind of said hi to us. Seeing this, that gentleman said something like “ yeah Jeremy is pretty cool.” I didn’t immediately respond, and looked less than enthusiastic. To which the long time customer said “ unless you have a beef with him.” I answered him, saying “ yes I had a beef with Jeremy because they decided not to sell me a street triple RS last year because of how they perceived that I treated an employee on the phone when i was trying to work out the deal. As I was explaining that Jeremy did not get back to me all day that day, and that the dealership was extremely dismissive of me, to the longtime customer , the merchandise and clothing main manager, Logan, came out of the building we were in front of and looked over at us talking and basically shouted “ is there a problem?” He then walked over to me in an aggressive and intimidating manner. Now I’m 5 feet 2 inches tall, and Logan was much bigger and wider than me. His approach and manner seemed threatening to me for sure. I told him that yes there was a problem and started to explain about what had just happened with the other employees and the bathroom situation. He quickly said he didn’t know what I was referring to, but that he was referring to me talking about my previous experience at Baxter’s with another customer. I was like “ what? Hey I can talk to anyone that I want about that and that i was explaining to the other customer about why I have a problem with Jeremy. Logan then recounted his and the dealerships version of that interaction, a version that paints me completely at fault and being a complete A hole to the employee they say I was rude to. At this point , I was like “ ok believe what you want… but you and I both know why I was ALREADY so upset with Jeremy. Logan then said “ look… we told you to find your bike elsewhere… which you obviously did. Well now you can find your parts somewhere else too. You are no longer welcome at this dealership.” My friend who rode there with me was like “ wow. That’s unbelievable. “ i was flabbergasted for sure. He basically banned me for bad mouthing the dealership to another customer. It’s my right to do that . That customer asked. This place is unbelievable!! Im never going back there again.

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For anyone who remembers the pure fun and enjoyment of riding a motorcycle as a kid, I would strongly suggest you visit the fine folks at Baxter Cycle in Marne.

My brother and I are "60-something" lifelong motorcycle riders. We have purchased 20 motorcycles between the two of us since age 14.

Yes, we mostly rode and enjoyed Harley's over the years. As of last fall, my brother hadn't owned a bike for several years and I went my first full summer without a bike in over 40 years.

In October, we decided maybe it's time to look at bikes again. My goal was something different than HD. I found a Triumph online at Baxter's so we made the 2+ hour drive to Marne. From the people answering the phones, to the sales, parts and service people, everyone was friendly and genuinely happy to see us - as if we were long-time customers!

After a test ride, along with some excellent insight from Fuzzy Biker, I purchased the Triumph. The transaction with Jeremy was straight forward and to the point. The plan was for me to come back that weekend and pick up my new ride.

This is the best part of the day, after driving the Triumph I also test drove the Royal Enfield 350 Meteor. Upon my return, my brother could see my ear-to-ear grin - this 350 took me back to my youth. At this time, my brother had not renewed his motorcycle driver's license so he didn't drive the 350. It was obvious, my test drive of the 350 peaked my brother's interest, so much so, he worked a deal with Jeremy on the phone for the 350 - without even a test drive. We left Marne with 2 motorcycles!

Fast forward to March, my brother is excited to see online the Royal Enfield 650 Super Meteor that was a "Baxter Custom". Again, he worked a fair deal with Jeremy on the phone so went back to Marne.

When we arrived, the Royal Enfield rep was at Baxter's, with many driving the new Shotgun, including Fuzzy Biker. During the excitement of people test driving the Shotgun, the enthusiasm caught up with me; I test drove the Super Meteor, Celestial model. We drove away with my brother's new bike. During the trip home, it was now me thinking about my options. I reached out to Mark and Jeremy the next day; within 24 hours we worked a trade for my new ride.

The people at Baxter's LOVE motorcycles, they are knowledgeable, engaging and willing to answer any question you have - with absolutely no pressure to buy. This approach is rare in today's retail world. Need a bike or not, take some time to visit Baxter Cycle in wonderful Marne,...

120miles west of De Moine on the I-80 you’ll see the exit for the little town of Marne IA. Baxter Cycle is a cycle shop from the past. When people were passionate about the things they sold. I’ve been to many bike shops ,none have swept me back to sixties and seventies as this place did. When I walked in I was promptly greeted by Mr .Baxter himself. I told him I saw a bike online ( did a google search just like many of you’re doing right now). I instantly knew this was someone passionate about old British iron. I didn’t even have to ask for a test ride, he offered. He said, “ while I’m getting in outside I have something to show you.” He took me through the parts room ,stacked floor to ceiling with every old part imaginable,to the back showroom. I was in British bike nirvana! Rows and rows of BSA’s ,Norton’s, Royal Enfields, Triumph’s . Even and old Ariel and a 1940 WW2 BSA. I was on overload. When I was done there, I was introduced to Mark and I filled out a form and he made sure my bike was ready and I went for my ride. My ride was on a RE Classic 500, which are now discontinued. It was quirky, clunky and damnit ,for 7 miles I felt like Steve McQueen! I own a Honda Africa Twin and it’s a great bike ,but that 500 gave me a smile bigger than a Chestshire cat. Even though I can’t pull the trigger on that bike right now and Mark knew it we went back out to the old showroom and just stood in the middle of those old bikes and talked about our favorites. So what I’m saying is, I drove 120 miles to go all the way out there, heck I’d drive 1200 miles just to be treated and experience how Baxter Cycle treats people. I told Mark, family owned businesses that actually treat people like family are a rarity now days, just as rare as some of those bikes, don’t ever change that. If you’re thinking about buying a Royal Enfield or Triumph and want to be treated like family and not just a walking wallet, check them out. It’s a nice drive out there. And if you need hard to find parts, they...