I have nothing but good to say about the man!

 

Hi All,

I have never met or spoken to the man in person, but in reading the message board he runs through his business, I have to agree that he seems to be a sincere and ethical businessman. He has always responded to questions I've posted on that board, and seems to have quality influenced answers. He has dealt personally with one friend, and has gone out of his way to assist him with Predator issues, even before any sales were made. There is no doubt he knows the technical end of this business, and unlike most dealers, will give you the time of day even if you don't buy something from him.

I certainly would have bought from him if I was closer to Indiana. My local dealer is an old friend, but his dealership just is not on top of what's happening with the Predator. They rely on me to funnel them info about things from my research on the web and from working on my Predator.

I wish we had a "Gary" quality dealer out here in California.

JJ

 

After that, better give him not only two thumbs up, but a couple of big toes! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] Sometimes on the business end, things can get nuts (Heapster check your e-mail for that one). I think we have a small circle of quality shops....the hard part is that as popularity grows, some yahooos are gonna come out of the woodwork.

 

Gary and the Superbike Shop is leading the way with the Predator right now. There products are tested for durability, despite what alot of people may say on this forum. Gary has been building highly modded 4-strokes for KTM for some time. He was a great choice for the Predator engine. Easy to see why he is working with Polaris on many joint venture's now. I can understand why some people may be upset that he can't run to the phone every time they call, but he has more going on than you can imagine. That's why he created the forum, to handle question's that everyone might have. I know people keep screaming for Dyno numbers, the motor's he built for Polaris will be dyno'ed in a upcoming magazine issue, but polaris will not let him post anything on those motor's until then. He said he will post the dyno number's on my engine, as soon as it's finished. hopefully by this weekend. It will be stock cams, and CDI. The Polaris motors had custom cams and CDI.(and some other stuff).
They are working on several the things for the Predator. Rumors of carbon fiber plastic, and some other technology from the world of superbike racing. ATV's use dinosour technology compaired to other forms of racing. So don't get fooled because Superbike Shop is not a long time Polaris only shop, Nobody has built a serious four-stroke engine, The polaris only shops have some serious two-strokes, but the Four-stroke is new to them just like everybody else. Everybody is new to the Predator engine, Gary has experience at Highly modded four strokes from superbike racing and Factory KTM bikes. So he is the Real Deal. I am not saying the other companies don't have good products, they do, and a good history to back them. But it's mainly with two-stroke motors. I am sure they will adapt also.

 

I will agree they do some good work. Their KTMs make some great power. I know one of their former shop sponsored racers. I think that they seem to be putting more into their aftermarket parts development than they are into selling new quads to customers, especially repeat customers. I had been dealing with SBS way before they were a KTM or a Polaris dealer they also had Cannondale as well. Just a local independent bike shop. I know several guys that have bought new bikes and quads from SBS. I know Gary is a super nice guy but some of the idiots that he has had working in there. They know nothing about the line they are selling let alone the competition. I had a buddy that was wanting a 500 RMK, the salesman said that Polaris didn't make such a quad. Then proceded to tell us that we knew nothing about quads, all Polaris were able to lock in and out of 4x4 etc.... We got a Polaris product guide and showed him the picture of it. I know it seems like there are a lot of salesmen out there that don't know much about their product, but I've never seen one tell a cash holding customer ther had no idea what they were talking about. I know it is hard for an owner to keep a close eye on his employees, but he should be sure they know what they are trying to sell and have at least some ability to deal with the public. I have no doubt that their custom parts make good power and are of good quality. If you get treated good there by all means buy their stuff it sure helps my local economy. Maybe they have had a change of personel or "purged the bad seeds". I may go back in just to check it out this week. You can have 50 happy customers and they will only tell a few but just a couple unhappy ones will tell a hundred.

 

Sounds like you have had a bad experience, I personally manage a large company that survives off retail sales. My first question is did you bring this problem to Gary's attention. I know from personal experience you cant correct what you don't know about. We send out survey's and talk to our customer's as much as possible to make sure we are delivering the best service possible. I know Gary does not have the resource's i have, so he is dependent on people like your self letting him know when people are not properly trained. I would talk to him about what happened. I can assure you he wants the business, we all do.

 

guys guys, there is no "one shop" or "magic bullet" that anyone can provide. Its only a four stroke, come on.......

Many shops have good and bad raps, Trinity, Mickey One-lap at 4 stroke tech, I could name others, but there are many many good shops out there, but sometimes they all have bad days. It's only a machine, and when you build it up past OEM and stock specs, things are stressed and yes they'll break sooner.

Let me tell you about my broke rod punching out two holes in my engine case sometime....

Kudos to Gary, and CT racing, and Sparks, and Powroll, and all others who push the limit!!!

Heck, its only money!

<grins>

 

Da, would calling someone "one lap" be a bad thing? One time at bandcamp, I hit two trees on the first lap.....could've sworn they jumped out in front of me. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] Let's go ride!

 

I know you guys are all talking about the preditor and its speed , I would like to put my two cents in.
I recently bought a polaris 500 and i have gotten nothing but terrible service. The only time Gary treated me like he gave a sh*** i s when i was forking over the money to buy it and then he didnt care about me at all. My Bike has been in the shop for five weeks now for a starter and a inop spedo. and it took them about three weeks to figure out it needed a starter even though i told them it did when i took it in. I think the big money has fogged Garys brain he dosnt care about customers anymore.
fyi--- they have a new shop now on Morgan ave by the way i am a local also maybe that is why he dosnt care about me. i could go on for ever long story short i will NEVER NEVER NEVER buy from them again in fact the bike will prob be sold very soon gotta make room for a honda. Just so all of you can not say that maybe i just had a bad experience two of my friends purchased from him the same day and they feel the same way. Just my tow cents sorry if i am boring all of you

 

I agree with Mudcat they may do some folks good but any time I stop in for a part is is always "we can have it in a few days" That isnt a shop to me.Now the local shop in my little town has about any part you will need but it is a one man operation.