Our Customers Speak

Here is a collection of comments sent to us by various customers and friends over the last few years.

2ridethe world update

from Simon and Lisa - 2ridetheworld - now in Iran. Tue, December 8, 2009 9:31:55 AMFrom: lisa thomas Add to Contacts To: Lyn Elting -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Lyn hope this email gets to you without too much delay as we are not too sure if our emails are getting through to people at the moment! the internet connection here in Iran (currently we are in Tehran) is not good and a lot of things are hard to get into because they are banned. Yesterday we were unable to send out any communications due to demonstrations being held in the city. Before getting here we had a few rough days (weeks really) traveling this late in the season through Mongolia and Central Asia- however - it was a wonderful experience and the riding was fantastic, if not a little hard at times! In recent weeks we've been working really hard on promoting the 2010 calendars that we have for sale via the website. If you've not had a chance to look, go now - there's a link at the bottom of this email and here: http://www.lulu.com/content/lulustudio-calendar/2rtw---2010-legendary-landscapes-calendar-%28uk%29/7896715 We now have 2 calendars for sale - one is just great photos of us with the motorbikes in stunning locations whilst traveling Central Asia and the other (for those who may not be interested in motorbikes....yes, I suppose those people do exist!) there is a Legendary Landscape calendar. see preview by using this link and then selecting the 'preview' text below the picture. These will make great Xmas presents for ALL of your family and friends...Hint- hint! Tell your friends...your friends friends....even tell the people you don't like! ....we're not proud! NEWS: we have just been told that a limited amount of our calendars have been selected to be amongst a few to be sold not only through our store at Lulu but also via Amazon.com. We are so pleased and surprised All profits from the sale of these calendars go straight towards us being able to afford to buy petrol (gas to those of you in the USA!) You can see a preview of these calendars by using the link and then selecting the 'preview' text below the picture. ;http://www.lulu.com/content/lulustudio-calendar/2-ride-the-world-2010-calendar-%28uk%29/7863331 (at least you can see what you will be buying) If you just want to go straight to our online store to buy a calendar here's the link http://stores.lulu.com/2ridetheworld or use the one at the bottom of this email. Calendars have been separately produced for the UK and USA - taking into account they have different holiday/vacation dates. As you are aware we are not too keen on spending time in cities, especially as one as large and chaotic as Tehran, but we have had to try to sort out our visa for Pakistan. We went to their embassy yesterday -and after obtaining a letter of no objection/recommendation from the British embassy ($63!) here in our host country (Iran) and spending out for taxi journeys over a 3 day period we were handed our Pakistan visa yesterday! We weren't too sure if we would get even the letter of recommendations as the current FCO advice for British citizens is 'no travel at all' to the areas of Northern and Western Balochistan and advise against all but essential travel to Quetta. This is the area we first cross into when using the border between Iran/Pakistan! Understandably we are anxious about this next part of our journey and we'll certainly be taking every precaution that we can. Even though its meant quite a few days here in Tehran we are luckily in a cheap hotel where we have a bathroom/toilet in the room and are not sharing! This may seem strange to be bothered about this after we have been traveling for so long...but here in Iran if I have to leave the room (even to use a loo!) I have to put everything on - head covered, trousers and short coat/dress.....by the time I get to the loo -timing is very fine...if you know what I mean! On traveling from Mashhad (NE Iran) to Tehran we were fortunate to meet Masoud, a 28 year old guy who is studying at a university close to Tehran. He invited us to give a talk - more of a question and answer session at his University where he is doing an advanced English lang and lit course. His English is really really good -better we think than his professors! The talk went down very well and made for a very interesting day. We will put much more information in the diary as explaining the day here would be far too long to put all in an email.. But it gave us a good insight as to the youngsters here in Iran and was a great opportunity to get to know the real Iranians that most people - tourists here (and there aren't many) never get a real chance to meet. Its been a real eye-opener to have the opportunity to travel here and so far we have found the people of Iran to be wonderfully friendly and incredibly excited about the bikes like you wouldn't believe ( max legal size here is we think - 150cc). The police are allowed bigger bikes however. Yesterday during the demonstrations we saw quite literally hundreds of police on their small motorbikes...just a shame that we couldn't take photos...it really isn't worth the risk of being thrown in prison. Taking photos is a risky business here at the best of times let alone during demos. One aspect we weren't prepared for was just how alien Simon looks! Being tall and blond and so obviously a tourist he gets stared at most of the time! In all our time in Iran we've seen one other westerner. its funny, we are used to being stared at on the bikes but being stared at so much whilst we are off the bikes is quite disconcerting. I have been finding it quite difficult to keep my head covered all of the time...despite the fact that I am used to it - but with a motorcycle helmet! Maybe it would be easier for me if I just kept that on all day even when off the bike?? Yeah, yeah, I know what comments will come when reading that sentence! On a lighter note SIMON was 40 YEARS OLD the other day!!!! Dec 6th. (he thinks that he may now be finally grown up?) I know it will be belated but if you have the time, send him a quick note. I know that its at times like this that he misses his family and friends and celebrating his 40th in Iran was not the best of places as no alcohol whatsoever is permitted :-( and on his birthday it was a public holiday - everything was closed and to top it all it was freezing and rained all day!! A few belated good wishes and a few calendar sales would mean the world to him hoping that all is well with you and we will email hopefully again when through Pakistan and we can breath a sigh of relief. BTW - there is new diary up online covering our trip through Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan....in the next few days our incredible journey over the Pamir mountains in Tajikistan will also be online and ready to read! best wishes from us both
— Simon & Lisa Thomas (12-08-2009)

1200GS throttle bodies

Dan Nicoloff wrote: > Hi, > Just wanted to say thanks for getting my throttle bodies synched on my GS. > After a nice ride home through the FingerLake region I'm really pleased with the work. > It took less than an hour to get it done. > Thanks Art and Ron for keeping me occupied while I waited for Dan to finnish up the work. > Keep up the good work, > Dan Nicoloff > '05 GS1200
— (10-22-2009)

Mongolia

Check CRM's link page for a link to this couple's web site Hi all.. well after several months of being unplugged we are now in Kazakhstan where we have better Internet access where we can at long last do some further updates on the website. Mongolia.......we could use every descriptive in our arsenal about this country and still it wouldn't come close. It has a raw barren beauty which at times was overwhelming, and where everyday our riding skills were put to the test but where we were constantly rewarded. we rode from the grassy plains north of Mongolian capital and to the soft testing sand of the Gobi desert to having snow and ice on the roads when we headed West over the mountains towards Russia. we had more falls and spills in our weeks of traveling in Mongolia than we have in years! Simon's total exceeded mine for once.....not that Im happy that he 'kept' falling off as it meant that I had to keep helping him lift his bike. and/or unload..a good workout on its own without trying to do it in sand! we have just managed to upload some photos and diary of Mongolia check it out at http://www.2ridetheworld.com/diary_mongolia_1st_chapter.htm We had to have a laugh during our time in Mongolia as the words of a fairly 'novice' traveler kept coming back to us when we were tiptoeing our 320kg bikes over goat tracks and in between large boulders which was the 'main' route...this guy said, when he proudly puffed up his chest and made sure to impress when we met him,......"ah well...we didn't do the main route. we decided to take the off-road route". Now those of you who have been to Mongolia will know that ALL of Mongolia is basically off road and even the off road gets really off road! Note of caution for those contemplating a trip in Mongolia...the red lines on the maps don't mean a thing ....just a wish list of roads they would like to be tarmac! only a few miles have tarmac on them when they leave the city of Ulan Bataar. take a look at the photos and you'll see what we mean. some of the toughest riding we have done since the Sahara and Amazon. Oh - I have also had it re-confirmed that I DO like sand riding! It has been a long while since we have had the opportunity and WOW what fun it is to have the bike swirling around underneath you as you struggle for control only to think "I'm off!!"....to then surprisingly recover and continue only to fall off when you stationary! I put that down to the bike being tired :-) so we are now pushing it for time as Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan has many passes well over the 4000m (for those if you in the USA...thats 13,000 + feet) and these will be filling with snow as we speak. Some of the passes close due to the amount of snow as early as mid Oct. Had it been possible we would like to have been traveling through this area around a month earlier. So the plan is Kyrgyzstan - Tajikistan and then Uzbekistan...after that we are unsure- we are hoping Turkmenistan and Iran. I was so happy to have been given our authorization code from the Iran embassy ($50 each just to get this!) in order to be able to apply for our visa ( another bundle of $$) ....but then I hear on the news the 'West' is none too happy. Fingers crossed we get our visa as we hear that Iran is a most beautiful country to visit. For you UK bikers....we were lucky enough recently to meet up with Tiffany www.tiffnaytravels.com and her pillion Annie from the UK when we were all in Ulan Bataar- we last saw her in the UK just before we left 7 years ago! Its a small World. Our other friends Rik and Rob whom we met in the USA have just finished their trip after just over 3 years on the road and are now back home in the UK. www.thebigbiketrip.com we are still posting on these sites too. in the UK the UKGSER website. http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2035180&posted=1#post2035180 the BMW Explore site in the USA. http://www.bmwxplor.com/forums/topic/show/4352 also in the USA ADVRider! . http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10991291#post10991291 it would be nice to hear from all you bikers out there if you enjoy these posts! Hope you enjoy the photos with the recent diary...we will get more up soon. regards Lisa and Simon www.2ridetheworld.com "Adventure: the pursuit of life".Daniel Roy Wiarda
— E-mail from Lisa & Simon (10-06-2009)

Demo Day not a total Washout

Hey Ron, I wanted to get a short thank you very much out to you guys and gals ASAP. My friend Tony and I took a ride out today to see everything that we missed last year. Except for the BMW test ride (mother nature at her best today) we left the store today not one bit disappointed! Tony and I talked about the time we spent at the store and the knowledge we learned today most of the way home (40 winks for the older guy). You guys rock and provide a first class dealership! We said how we wish you were a little closer because as a jap bike owner(hopefully soon to be Beemer riders) you are in total touch with your customers, we see that from an outsider prespective. You should and we know you are very proud owners. I frequently log onto your website to read about travel and adventures, look for used bikes and see what CRM events are going to be going on. I wont take up much more of your time but to say thank you again to you and your staff and as we said in the military (21 years and now retired) you guys run one hell of a tight ship! Dean Hall
— Dean from Lockport (06-22-2009)

Travel West

just returned from my travels in the West. I want to thank all the folks at CRM. Your advice and gear recommendations made the trip that much more enjoyable. I also created a short trip write-up with pictures if you'd like to include it in your travel/adventure section on the website. I have lots more pictures and video from the trip but this write-up is a decent summary. Thanks again. Buying the GS has been one of my best decisions. It truly is cheaper than a psychiatrist! Cheers! Dirk Endres
— Dirk Endres (06-12-2009)

BMW Summer GLoves

Lyn, Just wanted to let you know how fantastic the BMW Summer Gloves are. I Rode over 2 hours in driving rain without so much as a drop of water penetration. My hands stayed dry and toasty the entire time. These gloves have far exceeded my expectations as you said they would. Thanks for recommending them!
— Jim Spotts (05-08-2009)

Rob Piatt

Rob, who recently purchased an F650GS says I wanted to let you know I love the bike it's the best thing I ever spent money on thanks rob
— (04-30-2009)

Never owned a German Bike

Direct to: Message to Art Comment: I've never owned a German bike (had an Audi though), Art has always been a gentleman and is more interested in promoting the sport of motorcycling than pressuring you into a sale. CRM is an excellent place to kick tires and learn from people who are passionate about bikes , trikes , scooters , and the like THANKS AGAIN!!
— Dave B. (03-20-2009)

Lane Positioning

Several days ago, I was riding down a busy two-lane road at dusk. Cars were in front of me, behind me, and whizzing by in the opposite lane. There was a limited View. When riding in these conditions I make a point of placing my motorcycle in the left rear tire track of the vehicle in front of me. I never ride between the tire tracks of the vehicle in front of me. And it paid off. The automobile in front of me swerved slightly to the left. I caught the movement and swerved my motorcycle slightly left to maintain my line in the car's left rear tire track. I immediately learned why the car swerved because out from underneath it, flew a broken off muffler canister. If I hadn't been tracking the left rear tire track of the vehicle in front of me, I would have hit the canister. It would have been ugly. See you in Third Gear. Respectfully, Jim Ford www.ridersworkshop.com 866-767-6900 toll free The Rider's Workshop
— Jim Ford (03-11-2009)

Winter Gatherings

Hi Art...I LOVE your winter gatherings! Will be there for the Alaska seminar! Regarding the movie day... My husband John and I actually DID Alton Brown's Pheasting second season where he did the Mississippi River Run. That is one COOL trip. We have the book and maps and could bring them with us if you decide to do that series. And we have TONS of pictures. Rode to the real bottom of the River in Louisiana and then followed the Great River Road all the way to Lake Itasca in Minn, then up and over the Great Lakes (one of our favorite routes home). Season One was also very cool. We haven't followed that one yet...
— Patti (11-21-2008)

Comfortshell comments

Tom, Just wanted to drop you a note to let you know how the Comfort Shell performed thus far. For me it has been a very good jacket. In cool weather it is warm enough (mid 60s) and fits well. I have not had it on in a downpour, but have had it in steady rain and it kept me dry. In the hot weather (upper 70s to 90s) it was very cool and comfortable. Now that we are in the 40s for my morning commute it is not warm enough, but that is to be expected for a jacket without a liner. I just throw a thin windbreaker under the jacket and it still is pretty good in the 40s. The jacket fits very nicely. There is never going to be a perfect jacket but this comfort shell is quite good and comfortable. Regards, Richard Tucker
— Richard (09-20-2008)

Pleasure doing business with you

I just want to say how much I enjoy my new Vespa. The first tank of gas gave me 70mpg using the expressway from Brockport. The gas mileage made me very happy and the scooter is really fun to ride. I would like to commend you on having Drew as your scooter salesman. His enthusiasm was contagious, his knowledge of scooters was impressive. The whole buying process was very enjoyable. There was absolutely no pressure to buy which I greatly appreciated. thanks for creating a very comfortable dealership where you feel you are welcome.
— Rob Berry (08-28-2008)

2-up trip to Kentucky

We just returned from a 1500 mile trip to Kentucky. The bike (K1200LT) ran flawlessly but Ohio construction shook the mirrors off the mounting posts - had to replace one. Wouldn't have been an issue with a GS.
— Glenn & Karen (07-17-2008)

Milestone

Art, Lynn, Ron, Tom, Jake, Toby, Dan: Passed a major milestone today on the LT, 100,000 miles of smiles. It took 8 years, 3 weeks, 3 days. The next 100k should go quicker.
— Dave Granzin (07-17-2008)

CRM Visit

Folks at Country Rode, We came into your dealership on Saturday and spoke with two of your salesmen (I apologize for only remembering one's name, Drew) and I just wanted to let you know what a pleasant time it was! Both employees were courteous and knowledgeable and they made us feel welcome without any pressure to buy a thing. We were looking at scooters and we are still very much interested in them. I did have a question about the Vespa LX150...Drew showed us the silver and black one and told us that you also had a yellow one. I saw online that it also comes in dark purple. Is it possible for you to get one of those for us if we were interested in that color? I look forward to hearing back from you. Thank you again for your Wonderful Customer Service!
— Mary jo Wasik (06-03-2008)

Winter activities & Service thanks

Hi Art and Lyn. First ... Thanks for all the winter get together activities. I just wanted to thank Jake and team, for the great service I got last week. The communication was much appreciated, Toby had to fight a couple stubborn bolts. But as promised, after a valve adj. and throttle sync, the RT is running really nice. I had to let you know because it's great to feel confident taking off and feeling your bike has had a professional seeing to it and letting you know when certain things should be done. I was in and out as promised, phoned that it was ready, and washed up ready to ride. Thanks again Jake !
— Von Martt (05-20-2008)

Informative & thorough

Regarding recent service work 2/08. Very thorough and informative. Gave me all I needed to make an educated decision. Estimated costs were on the dime, a pleasure. Thanks
— Richard Flanagan (03-11-2008)

Restored Faith

You've restored my faith in the upkeep of my bike. I really like dealing with you guys.
— Paul McConologue (03-11-2008)

Fun Saturday events

This letter was received 03/04/08: Art, Lyn and Shop Crew, I appreciate the effort you put into having off season talks, "Demos" and seminars. this is a fun and informative way to keep the interest going when the weather may have other ideas. On 23Feb08 I was present for Eric Cleaveland's tales of travel and was also fortunate enough to win a door prize; the book "Motorcycling Abroad". Thank you, and I hope you all have a great 08 cycling season. Signed, T. M. Suter
— Tom Suter (03-04-2008)

First visit to Country Rode

Hi Art. Thanks for taking the time to speak to me yesterday afternoon with Ron. That was the first time I had been to your business and you have a great display of bikes and accessories. I was surprised when Drew and Lyn showed me the different styles of Gerbing gloves and sizes. I was able to walk away with exactly what I needed and that is a shock indeed these days. I like to take the pulse of a place by speaking with the different people involved in a business, and you guys strike me first off as riders who like to ride. I would rather get on and head out of town by myself and see what I can find in the states around us. I also look forward to some of your seminars and meeting Jim Ford on March 8th. See you guys again and thanks for your candid conversation..Send me email updates if you would please. Jeff Fitch - Feb. 01, 2008
— Jeff (02-02-2008)

Syracuse Auto Show

Wow... I had a ball at the the Syracuse Motorcycle show this weekend! The Country Rode Motowerks booth proved to be a island of sanity in a sea of Orange and Black... Country Rode was kind enough to allow me to park my not-so shiny GS in the midst of the their sparkling K bike, RT, F800 and super cool MP3 Piaggio scooter display. I expect it left a bit of Alaskan mud on the convention floor carpet... I hope so...
— Eric Cleaveland (01-29-2008)

Casa Larga/Jazz Open House 12/01

Dear Lyn, Art and Ron and all the crew, just a quick note to tell you that Joan and I enjoyed our visit today ,a real class act. To get my wife to say that she enjoys a MC experience is noteworthy and she did enjoy it. Thank you again for a very nice event. See you soon.
— Tom (12-04-2007)

Fall Fest Open house

Just a quick note to thank all at Country Rode for a very pleasant open house. The apple goodies were really a top notch treat. Always enjoy a visit to the Rode Thanks again, Tom Have a great day! Dr. Tom Mullaney
— Tom (10-24-2007)

Track Ride Donation

Dear Lyn & Riders, We are writing to extend our sincere appreciation for your generous donation to Alzheimer's disease research. I am sure you are aware Alzheimer's disease is a growing threat to the population of our great nation. Currently in excess of 4 million Americans suffer from this dreadful disease at a cost to this country of over $100 billion per year. It is through gifts such as yours that our research can move toward effective treatments and an eventual cure for Alzheimer's disease. Thank you again. Please rest assured that we will put your gift to good use. Paul D. Coleman, PhD., Director Alzheimer's Disease Center Roger Kurlan,M.D. Director Alzheimer, Disease Center Clinical Core
— Dr. Paul Coleman -University of Rochester Center f (09-10-2007)

Colleen's Vespa

Weather permitting the Vespa is awesome. Only one problem, Bob wants to take it all the time and I had to wait until he was out of town before I could get a chance to ride it! The pleasure was ours in dealing with everyone at Country Rode.
— Colleen & Bob from Buffalo (07-25-2007)

7 or 8 years

I've been a customer of CRM for 7-8 years and they are a fantastic crew of people. They know their business. I love my R1200GS, it's probably the best bike I've ever owned or ridden.
— Don from Fairport (07-25-2007)

Knowledgeable

The folks at this Retailer were extremely knowledgeable nd offered the best advice when it came to ordering his bike.
— Russ from Buffalo (07-25-2007)

Satisfied

Retailer is a great place to do business, they are very attentive. I will always recommend them.
— Scott from Fairport (11-16-2006)

Standup Folk

Heard these guys had a reputation as being standup people and I found it to be true.
— Gordon fom Rochester (11-16-2006)

Better than a 10

CRM staff knowledge of the product rates a 10+. This is my 3rd bike.
— John from Buffalo (11-16-2006)

Service was great

Service and the Retailer are great.
— Bud from Oswego (11-16-2006)

Remember the British bikers who call in for a bit of help in March 2003? We needed a handlebar weight for my F650GS, and you very kindly found one from somewhere. We're pleased to report that it stayed attached after spending 14 months in the USA and Canada, and four months in Mexico and Central America.
— Kate & Phil from the UK (03-26-2005)