The story of Hat man and the BMW R1100GS

One of the most interesting and deserving riders I have met

[@markheinig]

What an awesome story and awesome bike salesman! I shudder to think what Hat man may have experienced had he bought that, or any other bike, from anyone else. I had a similar story. Late 2012, I decided to get into riding. Went to the BMW/Triumph/Ducati dealer and just looked around and sat on bikes until a salesman stopped for a helpful chat, after which I told him I'd be back in 3 months after getting my endorsement. 3 months later I got a well-timed email from the salesman asking if I had taken the MSF course. He seemed genuinely ecstatic that I had just passed it and was waiting for my new license to arrive in the mail. A week later, after months of research, I went to the shop and slowly worked thru the mental reservations of owning and riding a Tiger 800. There was never a nudge from the salesman and he was very patient discussing it with me. I felt so comfortable with the decision to buy that bike that I had no concerns while signing the mountain of paperwork as they were closing. What I had not considered was getting the bike home. It was a big bike to me and the thought of riding it home 30 miles on mostly freeway was terrifying. Sensing my nervousness, he offered to have it delivered. The GM had some time so he personally delivered it after closing time on the back of his pickup. He refused a tip, saying "No, thanks. This is what we do." My very first motorcycle shop had impressed me. I didn't have the benefit of a personal safety instructor, but I knew I didn't have the confidence to hit the open road on this big bike, so I built that up by riding short loops in my neighborhood for a couple days, followed by a few days of slow local roads, followed by a few days of nearby 55-mph rural roads. It took several months of commuting on back roads before I felt comfortable riding the freeway to work. After that, I was ready to go anywhere.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Mark that is a great story and one I hope others read.

[@Banditmanuk]

Don't know how I missed this video originally. You went above and beyond for this GS sale. Hard to imagine that happening here. You're a good man.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

This guy deserved the best service possible, in the end the commission was very small but it was my best sale.

[@kimetogo]

Wonderfull story. As it happens I've never taught anyone to ride a bike. And can say your a special person to do that for a customer, Hats of to you my friend. Cheers

[@flatcapcaferacer]

When I went to purchase my first motorcycle the dealer wouldn't sell me the bike I wanted. If he did I would not have lasted a week. He was my favorite customer because that motorcycle meant the world to him. This is video myost disliked one.... funny huh?

[@Keefus-pk5zs]

What a good sport. Wouldn't the world be a better place if more people were to show patience, kindness and respect. Well done sir !

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Thank you sir. I try and do the right thing and treat people like I like to be treated.

[@billdee9622]

Great story FC. You are are a top notch human being. Good on you.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I appreciate that!

[@sarahdell4042]

Rad Story. Customer service like that is so rare!

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Hat man was a very deserving customer. Thanks for the kind words.

[@osimnod]

Well-done, sir! That's an inspiring story about being patient, thoughtful and going the extra mile to assure your customer is confident enough to ride safely. David Hough (Proficient Motorcycling) would be proud of you. As an aside, the MSF course really doesn't prepare a rider for the street environment with traffic ( I took it in 2004 after having not ridden since 1975). I'm sure liability is what prevents MSF from taking new riders out onto the streets.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Thank you for the kind words. He was the kind of customer that makes going to work worth it.

[@cozydram1]

You Sir are awesome that was Awesome....... I.. a year ago bought a 2015 BMW R1200 GSA after not riding for close too 20 years and when they asked me if i wanted a test ride... i told them i was about to do my M licence there EYES were disbelief lol...duely so i bought that bike i had fallen in love with.... passed my Canadian M1 and M2 tests and away i went . that was precious seeing there faces....and concern but they were diamonds with three support...what i failed to mention to them i had ridden motorcycles from fourteen till forty-five back in blighty......oppss i totally love my bike "Felicity" and now back in blighty again awaiting her arrival here as she went on a boat ride here... just over a week away now and soooooo looking forward to seeing her again....

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Thanks Phil for those kind words. I hope you bike gets there and gets unloaded quicker than containers do here. Hatman was a pleasure to work with and probably my most deserving customer.

[@bakeredwards]

Chase the last dollar and it's often spent with a tinge of guilt, but do a good turn and be happy seeing yourself in the mirror every day. A good story for some of the young to take something from👍

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Thanks for the kind words. I met my goal of never being embarrassed to meet a customer down the road or more importantly the customer never feeling he was taken advantage of. A few extra dollars isn't a fair trade for a clear conscious.

[@TheZanshen]

I have the red 1100gs 1998 model,bought it in 2006 and will never sell it.

[@michalisdimitriou3458]

respect my friend a job well done and with honour and integrity not only about the cash ,respect

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Very kind words...thank you.

[@Gman4MF]

Great story. Thnx for sharing 🙏🏾🏍

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Thanks for watching and your comments. He was my favorite and most deserving customer.

[@aaronritzenthaler]

What years your bmw?

[@flatcapcaferacer]

My last BMW was a 2020 R9T/5 was before some rat stole it in August 2022.