Caution: Very long post. I'm a noob at “premium brand experiences” and I'm not really sure if this is what a premium experience should feel like. So I'm going as detailed as possible, so other Bhp-ians can draw their own conclusions.
So this was my experience with Kawasaki Mumbai:
Wednesday afternoon
I call up the dealership.
Me: Hey there, I'm interested in the new N300 and I was hoping to get some information regarding the service and the spare parts costs. Have they become cheaper with localisation now?
Kawa S.E: We can't provide spare parts cost at this time……
Me: Would you be able to at least give me a rough estimate for often used spare parts like accelerator/clutch cables, brake pads, etc? Im looking at the R3 too, and the deciding factor between the N300 and the R3 is going to be the maintenance cost.
Kawa S.E: Yes, we will get it from the system and let you know. You can even consider the N400, it's more powerful than the R3 and…….
Me: I was actually following the N400 since it was announced internationally. But for the life of me I can't justify the price you are asking for it! Just can't!
Kawa S.E: Why don't you test ride the N300 and N400 and then decide?
Me: (Ecstatic) Sure, you're on! How about this Saturday? At 11:30 am?
Kawa S.E:(After taking down my contact details) Done.
I was very excited after this conversation. Not only was I getting a proper test ride of the N300 but also the N400, a bike I was drooling over for months now!
Me : (daydreaming at work) This is great. I'm going to get to ride two phenomenal machines this Saturday. I'm going to take a lot of pics, especially of the 400 and post it on T-BHP with a small first impressions review, like my namesake, Shumi from Overdrive! Hehe, I should quit my job and review motorcycles for a living, Wonder how does one apply for a job like that? Would they consider a noob like me?
Boss: (staring daggers at me) SHUMI?!
Me: (getting back to work thinking) Maaan, the weekend could’nt get here faster.
Thursday Morning.
Going through my emails, I find an email from Kawasaki dated 11th September, informing me that I'm getting a pen drive for answering the survey they requested a few days ago. I posted about the survey
HERE (Kawasaki Ninja 300 prices to drop thanks to heavy localisation. EDIT: Launched at 2.98 lakhs) Me: (daydreaming at work again) Wow! Kawasaki sure does make a good first impression! Is this what all the “premium brand” hullabaloo is all about? Will they let me have one of those cool KRT T-Shirts instead of the pen drive? I sure hope they waive off the handling charges. Why doesn't Yamaha provide test rides of the R3?
Boss: (exasperated) SHUMI?!
Me: (thinking) The weekend could'nt be here faster, SMH.
Friday Afternoon.
I call up the dealership again to confirm everything. I also get an email confirmation from them, just in case.
Saturday Morning.
I reach the Kawasaki dealership exactly at 11:30am. The Triumph dealership is next door. Stop to stare longingly at a Red Street Triple S parked outside for a few minutes, telling my (uninterested in motorcycles) friend riding pillion with me, why the ST is the best motorcycle in the world. Moved on towards Kawasaki, still looking at the Street Triple in my right RVM. Absolutely mesmerized by it!! Parked my Gixxer beside a white Z650. Was greeted by 2 Green Ninja 300’s and one N400 standing right at the door! I (wrongly, as I found out later) assumed that they had already kept the bikes ready for test rides. Really excited, I walked into the dealership with anticipation.
Walked through assorted Kawasaki bikes, a few N300’s, mostly green and a couple of blues’ at the end on my right and a black Vulcan S, Z1000 a few versys 650’s and surprisingly a grey versys 1000 on my right, towards a guy sitting at a table, staring at a computer screen. The table was flanked by 4 Ninja 400’s on the left and a ZX10R on the right.
Guy at the table (henceforth
GATT): (Like one of those bouncers at a highly exclusive nightclub, almost scowling): Yes?
Me: Hi! I'm interested in the Ninja…….
GATT:(showing me his palm, curtly) Wait a minute…(goes back to staring at the computer)
My friend and I exchanged a WTH look, slightly irritated, I turned to the blue N300 parked to my right, started checking it out. About 10 minutes later, GATT finally comes over to me standing by the blue N300.
GATT: (Still in the bouncer tone, almost scowling) That's a customer's bike.
Me: (Mildly Annoyed) Yes, I understood that looking at the number plate. FYI, I did not touch the bike, just looking at it as the blue is the one I intend to get.
GATT: So how can I help you?
Me: I'm interested in the Ninja 300 and…….
GATT: The price is 3.79 lakh on-road……
Me: Yes, I know that, I was in touch with one of your colleagues, he was supposed to give me an estimated cost for some regularly used spare parts and also offered test rides for the N300 and N400.
GATT: All test bikes have gone for refueling, will return in half an hour and we don't give out spare parts costs to customers.
Me: But I confirmed over the phone as well as via email yesterday!
GATT: ***Shrugs*** You could wait for the bikes to return?
Me: (Trying my best to be courteous) Hmmm….Could you be kind enough to answer a few questions about the bike in the interim?
GATT: Ya
Me: Would you mind if I were to get insurance on my own? I'm not really happy with only one year of zero dep insurance and 4 years of 3rd party. As it is, your spare parts costs are high.
GATT: You won't get a better deal anywhere. I can offer you RSA for the warranty period too. (30k kms or 2 years which ever is earlier)
Me: Hmmm…..You quoted me 59 odd thousand rupees as RTO charges. A rough calculation however, puts the taxes (12%) at almost 36k. What's the rest of the amount for?
GATT: There's something known as service charges. For the arrangements to bring the vehicle from the factory to the showroom. Arrangements to get the bike registered etc. The company does not pay for it, the dealer has to.
Me: Isn't all that included in the ex-showroom price? Recently we had a consumer court judgment, which struck down these handling charges and…..
GATT: Sorry, these charges are not negotiable.
Me: Final question. If I were to decide to buy the N300, I would like to keep a small part of the prlce of the bike, let's say 25k pending till you deliver the bike. As soon as you handover the keys, I will credit the balance amount to you instantly. This way I have some leverage in case you deliver a bike with dings/scratches or in case something is not working. I also would like to do a PDI before you send the bike for registration.
GATT: PDI’s are done when the truck arrives from the factory, generally 1-2 am in the night. I won't order the bike from the factory unless you make full payment. We are not selling your cheap 150cc bike here.
Me: (sarcastically) Thanks for your time and help.
GATT: The bikes are here, you might as well take a test ride.
Me: Hmmm…...
I stepped out with the keys feeling not so good as I sat on the bike and thumbed the starter, immediately noticing it had an awesome sounding aftermarket exhaust. And like motorcycles often do for us, it made me forget the continuously condescending tone of GATT. Took a short test ride till the next U-turn and returned. GATT took 10 minutes to take back the keys to the test bike and return my license. I had enough and left without even asking about the N400. Although, I did stop to stare at the Street Triple once again.