My Bow Ridge Experience

So I have held off on this post for a couple of months to make sure I wasn't just overreacting.

I ended up buying my TE630 from bow ridge sports and just wanted to share my experience of how the transaction went.

Initially before I went into view the bike I e-mailed the store to ask a couple of questions about how long they had been dealing husky's for and what kind of inventory they kept as in Canada they are quite a niche and not widely known and serviced, I also asked about financing as I have only been in the country for 3 years. To this I didn’t receive a response within 2 weeks.

As they were the closest dealer I figured regardless it would be the best place to purchase because of any warranty and servicing issues.

First I spoke with one of the sales guys, and I am pretty sure as soon as they heard the I had an accent they figured that I wasn't going to give them a commission so they stood there and provided no info on the bike until I asked who could speak to about finance.

When I spoke with Byron the owner he was great with trying to help me out with organising finance he really wanted to help me get the bike, I know it was a sale for him, but he seemed quite genuine.

After I filled in the credit app I went back out to talk with the sales guys to ask about getting some aftermarket parts and some new armour and again I hit a brick wall....either they didn’t know or it was a hassle to look up the pricing. To this I responded that I would ask again when I was buying the bike, then left.

With a bitter taste in my mouth at this stage I probably should have just cut my losses and found another dealer, but again I was in contact with the owner who was really quite helpful, so I just figured that my gut feeling was due to the sales staff

Initially I was denied the first round of finance with a bank due to being a temporary resident, kindly Byron offered to apply with their second tier finance provider, who I was happy to speak with to see what kind of plan they were willing to offer. About 2-3 weeks later I was approved and provided with the terms, which required me to get:
- Additional life insurance on top of my current life insurance $81.49
- Micro DOT DNA on the bike $199
- Finance fees 1 - $299
- Finance fees 2 - $225
- Interest over 12 months $694.71

+ GST that was not displayed on any documentation provided, but included in the displayed repayment.

This was a total finance requirements / charges of $1535.35 on a $9700 bike.

When I weighed up the benefits of keeping the transactions and finance in Canada vs. paying on my credit card in Australia and including the exchange and interest charges, the credit card option was substantially cheaper, so after about a half dozen calls between the dealer and the same amount to the 2nd tier finance provider I decided that it would be worth the risk in transferring the money from Aus.

By this stage I received a call from Byron on a Wednesday saying that they were PDI'ing the bike, which at this stage I told him I didn't think I was going to use finance, but rather fund it from my AUD account, but I would more than likely be in on the weekend to pick up the bike.

After transferring the money to my credit card to buy the bike, I went to Bow Ridge on the Saturday excited to pick up my bike.

When I arrived I told Byron that I wanted to pay for the bike $2k on my CAD debit card and $8k on my AUD credit card (full retail Inc. GST) the look on his face was amazing. The response was "If you are paying by credit we can't wear the transaction fees", I said that I guess I am not buying the bike this weekend then. His response was that it had been dragged on long enough and that to finalise it he would split the credit card fees.

At this stage I was pretty disheartened, and felt like I was now being an inconvenience....not really how you want to feel when you're spending $10k on a new bike....

I accepted with one of the worst feelings I have ever had and processed the transaction thinking that once I had the bike I wouldn’t have to deal with Bow Ridge anymore after the purchase.

Once I had processed the 2 payments I was sent down to the workshop to get the bike and receive a once over on the bike.

When I asked about getting the tool kit and manuals for the bike the mechanics went looking.....about 5 mins later they returned and took the seat off and realised that the PDI (told that it was done on the Wednesday) had not actually been done, along with this there was some scuffing on the rear guard, when I asked, I was told that it was just some residue that they would clean off.

I was asked to come back in an hour while they completed the PDI....I went my car to vent my concerns to a friend that was there and then out came Byron to give me the requested manuals. At this stage I told him that I had no faith in their dealership and that I wanted to know what was involved in getting a refund as I didn't think I wanted to purchase from their dealership. I explained all of my concerns and his response was that I had not called after speaking to him on the Wednesday to confirm that I was going to be there on the weekend, otherwise he would have checked that the PDI had been done, he also mentioned that he had spent a lot of time trying to organise finance with me and that we should just continue the purchase and he would make it right.

By this stage I decided that I just wanted to get the bike and cut my losses with the dealer. After going to try and calm down with a coffee for an hour and returning with another friend that had a trailer to pick up the bike I went in to get the key and make sure the PDI was done, I was given the tool kit along with an axle spanner (not sure if this was them making it right?). It was at this stage that Byron asked me who was picking the bike up and I explained that it was somebody at the company that I worked at (our company spends about $50k a year with Bow Ridge), then I was offered anything on the clothing wall (I picked a hoodie worth $180)

After pushing my bike over to the trailer as I didn't want to ride the bike for the first time when I was really p!$$ed off I figured that I would only have to return there once more to get the 1k service which they tech told me that they would take it out of break in mode.

So, 1,000km later I booked it in for the first service and took it back, leaving it overnight as I was told that for them to check the valve clearance they would need the bike the day before so the engine was cool. I left the bike for the night and called the next day around 2pm to make sure that it was going to be ready. Off I got to pick it up and pay the 280 something dollars for the first service, not a problem as I figured the first service was worth it for the warranty and for them to take it out of "break in mode"...After picking it up I realised that "break in mode" was maybe taking the factory break in oil out(which I had to top up as it was below the empty mark in the first week).

At this stage I was pretty bitter, but I figured I would just cut my losses and wouldn’t have to deal with them again, then I decided to do the power up mods to try and open up the power on the bike. When I opened up the air box I realised that it looked exactly the same as it did a couple of days before after I had taken it off-road for the first and only time before taking it in for a service. Realising that the service didn’t even include a 2 min air filter clean it hammered in that I will NEVER go back there again unless my warranty requires it.

After an hour of writing this post I kind of wish I hadn't started as it still to this day (over a month later) still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth just talking about my experience with Bow Ridge.


OK, atleast I feel better having verbalised my experience, I just hope it helps somebody else if they ever consider them.

honestly? i've read this post 3 times and....i'm still not sure what all the sour grapes are about!

congrats and enjoy yer new scoot.

Yeah, to be honest I think you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. Have you tried dealing with Blackfoot Motorsports yet? If you think Bow Ridge was a pain, wait till you take your bike in to Blackfoot. I have bought 2 bikes at Blackfoot and they still have no clue who I am.

I just bought an SMR511 from Bow Ridge and so far it has been quite painless. However I paid in cash so no issues with financing. And to be forthright I haven't actually picked up the bike yet so I guess we shall see what happens when I do.

The one thing that does concern me just a bit is they don't seem to have a lot of experience with the supermoto models or the new 2011 models cause I had to find out some stuff about the bike and tell them what was needed.

I will likely not go to them for parts and service because it is too far to drive each time but that is a geographical issue only at this point.

damn, nothing like informing the salesmen about the bike hes selling you lol ive had to do this with the last couple of trucks my dad and i have purchased. its like man go spend a hour or so on the internet or where ever you get the info from and take notes fools...

I picked up my new SMR on saturday and everything went smoothly. They had the two oil filters I had requested set aside for me. They even installed the race map plug for me once we had figured out what it was and where it went.

I have been emailing questions back and forth with their service manager and he has been excellent about answering my questions to the best of his ability.

I have no issues about bringing the back bike to Bow Ridge for the first couple of 1000 km services to ensure the warrantee is satisfied.

Welllllll.. I just heard about the Bow Ridge Sports fan page that was created!
I am actually the "main" Husquvarna contact in the Dealership.. I am by no means a full on salesman... But I do recall the customer coming in looking for a bike. It was a tad confusing dealing with the customer trying to figure out what he was looking for.. I showed him the Te630 and it pretty much went from one look to him wanting to finance so that's where I introduced Him to our finance guy. After that I basically only heard of the finance issues that came up due to the fact he was not a canadian resident. I also was not in at the time of pickup of the bike.. I do know we have only been a Husky dealer since April of 2010 so it is for sure a learning curve-hence the customer sometimes telling me what needs to be done(which I have no problem) its hard to just call up a Husky rep and get the answer!!
As far as the "break in" period we do the same with most street orientated bike.. 1000 km of "normal" use bring it in for the first service. ex.. oil change, valve adjust etc..
The "power up" kit has lots of rumors going around as to what that involves.. Our 630 bikes in Canada from what I have seen here so far do not come with the o2 plug for the pipe or wire harness.. its extra...
The air filter box mod I believe is a customer mod that they can do on their own.. We don't do that at the dealership..
So we apologize for the "bad experience" you had. Some things are just not a quick overnight answer!

And whiterocket-- If we went by EVERYTHING on the internet we would have to be installing free turbos on bikes and guarantee that they can fly!! The Husqvrana line up of bikes is huge.. hard to know 100% of the info on all of them!
As a customer buyin a bike.. yes I would expect them to have researched the heck out of it already on the internet!

P.S!! Saputin!! I didn't wanna give you full power yet!! heard its hard on pant legs!!

I am not defending anyone cause so far this post is confusing- TC250209- you might want to double check some info with your mechanics as to how bikes are set up stock and in PU mode, my understanding is that Canada isn't that different. Husky should be sending your dealership service updates and service manuals which describe. I suppose its also possible that your mechanic is not up to speed- and is misleading you...

I agree and understand its alot of work transitioning to new models and makes- its like a whole new math system when it comes to tuning and ECU changes. Tuning a 08 versus 09/10 450/510, pu for 450/510. pu for TE/SM, PU for 610/630, 2011 models, Xlites, are all different in some regard as to the basic tuning, PU Kits, and some use a completely different OEM tuner.

I hope this dealership continues to sell Husky's and orientates themselves to the brand- I hope the customer enjoys his new Husky as well. Good Luck guys

Yes all the bikes OTHER than the 630s come with the o2 plug and jumper plug for the wire harness.. we have had 4 630s here.. sms and te model.. none of witch came with those parts to change the mapping..
I have been told straight from our rep that those model do not come with the kit for "full power". Husky recommends changing the exhaust before doing that procedure.

never said beleive everything, but theese forums are full of info. and you learn things that the dealers wont tell you even if they do know. not sayin youd do that. just goin from my experiance with the truck dealers.

Canadian spec 630s do not come with the exhaust plug and resistor for the wiring harness. I am not sure if US spec bikes do?

Curious as to what the "dealers won't tell you" means??

Welcome CH, and thank you for taking the time to reply to this thread.
Next time I roll thru Calgary I'll come in and say 'Hi' and pick up some goodies. Nice to know there's another dealer popping up in the province.

You think Husky will buy me a new pair of riding pants? What were they expecting putting an unguarded header pipe on this bike? Even with the pipe wrapped up in exhaust wrap it is still hot enough to continue to melt my riding pants. I have a CF header guard on order but this is not something that should have to be added to a bike right out of the factory.

Honestly my bike does not feel corked up in any way. It is a wee bit weezy on the top as the power tails off but it has loads of power in the bottom and midrange. I came off an Aprilia 550 so I am well familiar with how a really powerful sumo feels and the 511 is no slouch.

The thing I am really loving about the 511 is how well it jumps. The lack of weight and balance make it really nice to jump. It never feels out of control in the air and I am jumping further and higher than ever. Don't regret trading the Aprilia for the 511 at all.

the little things that maybe make one year not as desirable as the next and that the dealer wouldnt tell joe buyer jsut to get it off his floor. cant really say much bout the bikes but there are definatly years that arent as good or may have a common problem that is know to everybody but the fng thats jsut getting into whatever (broken welds, bad kick starter bolts or crappy carb setups or how bout the new fuel injection isnt all that from what ive read on here on the first year run bikes but its a helluvalot better on the new ones comming out from whats been reported) . as for the trucks when dodge/cummins first came out with the 6.7 engines they were having problems with the recirculating of the exhaust gases it was gumming everything up and the trucks were having problems and a hard time selling. you need to run with the exhaust brake on most of the tiem to keep that year cleaned out cleaned out. the salesman acted like he didnt know anything about it and that they didnt have any probs pfffft bs there the guys been a salesman for along time and we were already a year or so past the problem years and yes they had trucks in the bays being worked on for that. like i said i wasnt sayin you but it happens

Yes! We are actually just out in Cochrane.. 20 min drive from NW Calgary.. Bow Ridge Sports!

haha!! hmm. I will try the warranty claim for some new "Walmart Special Editions" see what happens!

Ya for sure they should be really good down low.. I think If you get rid of that giant muffler they come with stock you could easily get a little more outta the top end.!
Leo Vince? Akra? which one should I order you!!

I agree with you on that most of the time for sure.. but.. as far as the Husky line-up goes.. ALL we have are 2010s and 2011s.. so far I don't really see a bad bike in the bunch.. sure the F.I. systems can be a wee bit tough to tune but they seem to work fairly good for our riding area.