Superbike factory AT location showing as Reading
Discussion
I know they have a bad rep and not considering buying from them but just intrigued about something...
I have noticed recently whilst browsing Auto Trader that I am seeing a huge amount of bikes listed from Superbike Factory showing a local location to me in Reading. I thought they were based up north and their website states Macclesfield. So have they opened up a Southern branch or are they using some kind of wizardry to fool the classifieds and appear local when they are not?
I have noticed recently whilst browsing Auto Trader that I am seeing a huge amount of bikes listed from Superbike Factory showing a local location to me in Reading. I thought they were based up north and their website states Macclesfield. So have they opened up a Southern branch or are they using some kind of wizardry to fool the classifieds and appear local when they are not?
https://www.kbscorporate.com/latest-success/superb...
"Livingbridge’s investment in Superbike will support the company’s plans to accelerate growth through the opening of a new site in the South of England, increased marketing initiatives, more opportunities for staff and provision of added-value services for its loyal customers. The deal is being financed by Livingbridge’s Enterprise 2 Fund, which raised £220m when it opened in October 2015."
"Livingbridge’s investment in Superbike will support the company’s plans to accelerate growth through the opening of a new site in the South of England, increased marketing initiatives, more opportunities for staff and provision of added-value services for its loyal customers. The deal is being financed by Livingbridge’s Enterprise 2 Fund, which raised £220m when it opened in October 2015."
BobSaunders said:
https://www.kbscorporate.com/latest-success/superb...
"Livingbridge’s investment in Superbike will support the company’s plans to accelerate growth through the opening of a new site in the South of England, increased marketing initiatives, more opportunities for staff and provision of added-value services for its loyal customers. The deal is being financed by Livingbridge’s Enterprise 2 Fund, which raised £220m when it opened in October 2015."
Ah thanks, so perhaps it is true that they do have a Reading branch now"Livingbridge’s investment in Superbike will support the company’s plans to accelerate growth through the opening of a new site in the South of England, increased marketing initiatives, more opportunities for staff and provision of added-value services for its loyal customers. The deal is being financed by Livingbridge’s Enterprise 2 Fund, which raised £220m when it opened in October 2015."
anonymous said:
[redacted]
My understanding is its basically the 2 wheel equivalent of Car Giant and the like. They deal in quantity rather than quality. Looking at the sheer number of bikes they have in, I cannot imagine they are able to give them too much time in terms of preparation.https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I sold them a decent bike at a fair price (after the usual bulls
t haggling sessions).
I've never bought from them so can't comment about their after sales, but I think implying because they're big they represent worse value than a smaller dealer is specious reasoning to be honest.
Plenty of terrible private sellers and smaller companies/franchises out there.
t haggling sessions).I've never bought from them so can't comment about their after sales, but I think implying because they're big they represent worse value than a smaller dealer is specious reasoning to be honest.
Plenty of terrible private sellers and smaller companies/franchises out there.
Reviews seem mostly positive. I'd still rather use a trusted local dealer, though unless the savings were HUGE!
https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/superbikefactory....
https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/superbikefactory....
They're fine if you can tolerate the silly modern hard-sell type of affair:
- No test rides at a weekend, but not mentioned until you've actually made the journey there on a Saturday...
- Large cash deposit and a sheaf of paperwork before a test ride
- Pushy/pestering sales tactics - an email a day and a call every two days from first enquiry
Pothole said:
Not in my experience. Licence check code from DVLA, occasional scan of credit/debit card, off you go. (often just your NI number for the licence check) If a dealer wanted a cash deposit for a test ride, they wouldn't get my business.
That was my experience as well - I signed a disclaimer, did a DVLA licence check and that was it.A mate of mine bought a bike from them last year for his sister. Flew over from Ireland to collect it. The bike was immaculate and the sale was simple and eventless. A year on, and the bike is running like a peach and she's completely happy with it.
So on that occasion, one happy customer and thumbs up to the shop.
So on that occasion, one happy customer and thumbs up to the shop.
Fire99 said:
A mate of mine bought a bike from them last year for his sister. Flew over from Ireland to collect it. The bike was immaculate and the sale was simple and eventless. A year on, and the bike is running like a peach and she's completely happy with it.
So on that occasion, one happy customer and thumbs up to the shop.
That's great to hear and the trust pilot reviews are largely positive so perhaps the bad rep is a bit unfair.So on that occasion, one happy customer and thumbs up to the shop.
This post wasn't meant to focus on their merits as a dealer, but more my confusion of them listing loads of bikes locally in the South when I thought they were based in the North. Seems like the Reading branch may exist, despite no mention whatsoever on their website.
All the bad press I've seen relates to after sales care, when things go wrong. I'm sure there's plenty of happy punters that haven't had to test out the after sales.
As I understand it, they buy bikes cheap from auctions and 'we buy any bike' type outlets, and flog them on for a profit. Not sure how much inspection/servicing goes on before they're moved on.
Definitely stack 'em high sell 'em cheap type outfit, and you generally get what you pay for with most things.
As I understand it, they buy bikes cheap from auctions and 'we buy any bike' type outlets, and flog them on for a profit. Not sure how much inspection/servicing goes on before they're moved on.
Definitely stack 'em high sell 'em cheap type outfit, and you generally get what you pay for with most things.
Fire99 said:
A mate of mine bought a bike from them last year for his sister. Flew over from Ireland to collect it. The bike was immaculate and the sale was simple and eventless. A year on, and the bike is running like a peach and she's completely happy with it.
So on that occasion, one happy customer and thumbs up to the shop.
Fair enough - I'm sure they're absolutely fine if you know exactly what you're after, but at the time I wasn't really sure so wanted to try a couple of bikes.So on that occasion, one happy customer and thumbs up to the shop.
I also have an irrational dislike to pushy salesmen and the £99 document fee type rubbish (which they also add on)
Bought our XJ6 from Superbike Factory - no complaints at all really although it was all pretty straight forward stuff.
No Service History, had 2 keys, few nice aftermarket bits, price was reflective.
Bike went through their workshop, was given a once over, stuck a fresh MOT on it and alls well.
Negotiated off the Doc/Admin fee or whatever they call it which they were happy to do if the bike was collected by the end of the following week (all about high turnover of bikes as others have said) - suited us.
I guess it's mostly luck of the draw with what's been sold/traded into them. Go in eyes open - take someone who "knows bikes".
To keep somewhat on topic - bike was purcahsed from their Macclesfield location.
No Service History, had 2 keys, few nice aftermarket bits, price was reflective.
Bike went through their workshop, was given a once over, stuck a fresh MOT on it and alls well.
Negotiated off the Doc/Admin fee or whatever they call it which they were happy to do if the bike was collected by the end of the following week (all about high turnover of bikes as others have said) - suited us.
I guess it's mostly luck of the draw with what's been sold/traded into them. Go in eyes open - take someone who "knows bikes".
To keep somewhat on topic - bike was purcahsed from their Macclesfield location.
Edited by CallorFold on Monday 8th July 12:17
What I've noticed is that they appear to be advertising all their bikes for both locations, so lots of duplication if you do a national search. From my understanding of auto trader pricing, it must be costing them a fortune.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
They do at least show a different side of the bike as the first photo, and the image says Bike is located in Cheshire, Reading site coming soon.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
They do at least show a different side of the bike as the first photo, and the image says Bike is located in Cheshire, Reading site coming soon.
I got my latest RSVR from the Macclesfield branch. Hassle free, straight forward and got it for a great price.
It is no doubt a stack em high sell em cheap operation, no thrills but they don’t make out to be. They do basic prep/mot pass level stuff prior to sale but that’s as far as it goes. They buy tyres from Germany where apparently the legal minimum tread depth is stricter. They would fit new but you pay for them. They don’t do any cosmetic work prior to sale. Most importantly they were happy to tell me all of these things and how they are able to sell the bikes cheap.
I had a good look round the bikes on sale and all looked to be of reasonable standard, no A1 perfect examples but at the same time no real stters
They are what they are and dont make themselves out to be anything else from my experience. If you know what your looking at there are some real bargains to be had from them.
It is no doubt a stack em high sell em cheap operation, no thrills but they don’t make out to be. They do basic prep/mot pass level stuff prior to sale but that’s as far as it goes. They buy tyres from Germany where apparently the legal minimum tread depth is stricter. They would fit new but you pay for them. They don’t do any cosmetic work prior to sale. Most importantly they were happy to tell me all of these things and how they are able to sell the bikes cheap.
I had a good look round the bikes on sale and all looked to be of reasonable standard, no A1 perfect examples but at the same time no real s
ttersThey are what they are and dont make themselves out to be anything else from my experience. If you know what your looking at there are some real bargains to be had from them.
I bought a gsx1250fa from them recently. The sales team were crap, failed to return calls, many excuses as to why they couldn't talk to you. However, the bike was excellent value and they do not bullst on the condition. They give some bks about a 87 (or something) point check they carry out but I suspect they MOT it and give it a good clean.
t on the condition. They give some bks about a 87 (or something) point check they carry out but I suspect they MOT it and give it a good clean. Edited by jjones on Monday 8th July 22:17
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