That's what businesses do, they try to cut costs. If people want to lend them their bikes in return for free parts then this arrangement won't stop. Don't be surprised also if companies like this have to buy bikes outright then sell them on where that money is clawed back from.....in the price of the product. Personally I'd never do it because I don't like the thought of any Tom, Dick or Harry let loose on my bike with a set of tools.
I dont agree as your looking at this from 1 bike point of view. Everytime a bikes dimensions are changed or new updated model launched your advocating they should buy the bike and sell it on. The depreciation hit each year on all the different bikes would put them out of business in 5 minutes. Its also mentioned that we the buying public dont get a break. Well they have offered the owner a break by loading up the bike with their products FOC. That can be several hundred pounds worth of goodies for loaning your bike to them for a week or two. Personally I think it's a fair offer and ultimately no one is being forced to take it up.
By this logic then no business could afford a delivery truck, tool box, lathe or computer or even a warehouse for that matter. These are all costs of doing business that as legitimate business expenses are all able to be written off. A new Fireblade at 20,000 quid leased or hire purchased or even part exchanged from their local friendly dealer would then be sold on for 17,000 4 weeks later with the VAT being absorbed and the entire loss of 3,000 being a write-off as well as 17,000 of the capital being recouped if they paid cash (which would never happen) - no mate, far from "going out of business in 5 minutes" this model is exactly what takes place every day in every industry. These companies have simply duped the buying public into carrying their costs for them AND still selling their product into the market at a profit. You think that because they "save" buy borrowing bikes the line workers at R&G have been paid huge bonuses every year or you think the MD and senior management pocket the difference? I don't begrudge anyone buying and selling for a profit, but I do draw the line at companies exploiting the gullible public into believing if they the customer don't incur all the costs the poor company will close up shop in an instant
We are going to disagree on this one. How many new bike models are released each year? You propose they should buy each and everyone of those models in order to research and develop their products. That is not good business sense. Tying up hundreds of thousands of working capital unnecessarily. You refer to the workers on the line and bonuses? If the R&D cost suddenly sky rocket how many production workers will be worrying about a bonus or worrying about losing their jobs due to increased costs? A job is a lot better than a bonus. If you have built up a business and you have probably risked everything during the early years why shoukdnt you the owner reap the benefits? Your making a socialist point on an offer by a company ,for anyone who WANTS to take it up, that makes complete sense for the firm and for someone complete sense to bike owner. Both parties here benefit so I fail to see or understand your argument.
Yes, yes I am. It is the cost of doing business. These guys are getting a free ride on the customers backs. You ok with Ford borrowing cars for free from people to do R&D or should they pay their own way? You would have to pay your own way if you wanted to learn something right? So again, why should companies get a free ride? You ok with Virgin Airway borrowing passengers study material to train their pilots for free rather than spending their own money on it? Or are Ford and Virgin big enough to pay their own way - but R&G is not.? Just trying to understand the cut-off valuation for taking free services and stuff? Why does the MD not give up some his moneys pocketed from savings by way of borrowing customer bikes for free? But they haven't risked their own money have they - they borrowed bikes for free to make patterns and then sell at a profit. You cant have it both ways mate - either youare risking the money or you are leachign off other peoples money. But its a snub to rest of the buying public that the profit is higher because they fail to pay for their R&D platform. Looks like R&G (and other companies that do this) are really the socialist ones in this model. R&G distribute WD40. You ok if they and WD40 ask drivers to put WD40 decals on their car doors in exchange for a free can of WD40 while R&G and WD40 make way more than a few cans worth of WD40 per year? If a new lubricant merchant opens up shop and is saddled with real advertising costs should he then just go under because he didn't weasel free advertising? So again, whats the valuation cutoff for paying your own way? I just think it is a cheap and low ball way for a business to do their thing. The real value of those freebies the biker gets in return is a minimal cost to R&G - those items are written off as part of their cost of business, so it really doesn't cost them anything. Even that delivery van they use is written off as a business expense and bolsters their own bottom line. It is a very much 1 way deal with all the upside going to R&G. It is the principal of the matter. I suppose on this subject we do disagree.
Hi Jack I live near Winchester not far from your factory next time I have a new model bike you can gladly have it and load it up with your relevant products..
2020 Blade - niche bike. They borrow a bike and some parts get made. Don't lend it to them and don't get any R&G parts. Simple really.
Folks, heard on the radio day the before yesterday that new car sales were down 42% for the month of March. Now that is quite concerning as normally this is where people want that ‘new number plate’. What I am getting at is do you think Honda will look at the £23500 price tag of the new SP blade? In the current climate who would really want to take on more finance/credit.
I’d love to think they’d knock 10k off, but its not going to happen - the best anyone can hope for are 0% finance deals and possibly a 4 or 5% deposit contribution.
It's alright, I don't think Honda wanted to sell that many anyway....they couldn't have trying to sell them at that price!
I'm gutted mate cos I reckon there will be some fantastic offers towards the end of the summer but I have very little leverage left with her indoors as 3 out 4 vehicles (2 bikes 2 cars) we have were replaced within the last 6 months. That said I'm still watching a few cars. Seen a new 7 series BMW £24k deposit contribution and low rate finance at £499 pm. Bet it drops further and if when it does I might be BEGGING her to be obeyed to let me have one.
I was told expected delivery was April when I picked the Street up 3 weeks ago. Be interesting to see what happens now as most dealers are closed and Japan has declared a state of emergency. I suppose it depends on a number of factors now such as where they are being manufactured, supply chains and when the dealers can take them.
Not for me, not interested any more. Not usable enough on the road for me and at £20k+ I'd be buying something else, a 7 Series maybe.
