i am about the same distance from either. which have you heard more good about?

 

so i decided to call Garden state since they will be opening up about 2 miles from my house in the next few weeks. was less than impressed with the attitude of the service guy. i am taking the bike in for it's first 1k service and will have to wait for it. so he says show up in the morning at 8:30 and it is first come first serve. i said that i would not like to risk having to wait a few hours to get my bike in then wait 3 more for my service. his response was get here earlier.

then i called williams same scenario but nicer attitude and the service guy says show up at 10 and i will have a lift open and waiting for you. so i am going to take the bike to williams.

garden state lost out on having a local customer. i will probably not use GS even though they will be blocks from my house.

 

Get the HD shop manual and do the work yourself. It's really not that difficult. Lots of good resources available to help you out. You might want to even take a look at the "Fix My Hog" DVDs.

http://www.fixmyhog.com/product-category/dvds/

 

while i appreciate the input, i like the peace of mind of having the pro's go over the bike for it's first visit. the 1k service has a laundry list of checks and adjustments. after the first one i will certainly be ding the oil changes and such from now on. plus i have a minor warranty issue they have to look at anyway.

this post was more about the dealers then the service itself.

 

Garden State and Williams are the same owners . Was your appt for Saturday lot of places have a first come first serve on Saturdays. When i went for my 1k service i had a appt it was a saturday and i sat there 3/4 of the day that was at a dealer in New Rochell NY , Last dealer service for me do it myself now ,

 

my understanding is the williams group out of pa own garden state and williams in lebanon is different. either way i like dealing with helpful people better.

 

ok so i asked while there and yes they two dealerships share the same owners but they have a drastically different attitude in staff.

was VERY happy with going to them. i showed up and as promised they were ready for me right away. took just under 3 hours and the bike rides even better and smoother then before. they even did a small warranty job and a recall while i was there.

 

Glad it worked out for you, Maybe when they move to the new location there attitudes will change

 

I just bought my first Harley (motorcycle for that matter) from Williams, I live not too far from where the Morris Plains dealer is going to be opening. Was very happy with the salesperson I dealt with at Williams. I know all three are owned by the same person/family. I guess when they open up the new location, I will go there if I need service, but I may just go to Williams since the ride down 513 to 519 out to 22 is gorgeous in nice weather.

The one thing I don't like about where the new dealer is opening up, is the location. It can get a little chaotic with the merge onto Route 10 from 53 depending on the time of day, and they put it smack dab in the middle of that area.

 

when you are on the ramp from 53 going to 10 east there is a small road to the right. turn down that road and make the first left before the hotel and you will be on the side street between the new dealer and that no name gas station. it will avoid the route 10 debacle.