Current state of Bikebandit

[sam000lee]

I've been buying parts from Bikebandit for years and have always had great service but wanted share my recent experience with them hopefully help anybody else who needs to order parts. I got a flat on my DRZ400 (also I got a DRZ400) about a month ago and ordered a new tube and rim strip from bike bandit. While I was on the site, I remembered that my licence plate for my GS450 was zip tied on. I found some licence plate bolts and added them, too. A day or so later I got an automated email saying that the plate bolts were on backorder and that my order would ship when they got it or be cancelled 25 days later.

I tried calling the customer support number for BikeBandit which was disconnected. I then tried their chat function and filled out the form with my information when it said nobody was available. I also sent an email to their customer support team letting them know that I really only needed the tube and rim strip and that they could either send the bolts separately or cancel entirely, whichever was easier. I received an automated email from their support team saying they had received my inquiry and would reply soon. All normal and fine. I work in customer support so know how it goes.

Over the next week, I tried calling several times to see if I could get through. The number was disconnected. Tried the chat again, too, and about a week after I emailed again to try to get the tube and rim strip. As of now it's been over three weeks and I still have heard nothing about my order. I've called every few days in hopes that maybe they've just reduced their hours due to COVID but have yet to get anything but a message saying the number has been disconnected. It's been 25 days since I ordered and they charged my card. I guess I'll see whether or not they are even open to cancel the plate bolts - the timeline they gave me.

If you need parts, I would try somewhere else or at least try to call their sales team and order over the phone so that you can confirm when your parts will go out.

 

[storm 64]

I also recently had long delays when ordering from Bike Bandit. I ordered some riding pants and a new face shield for my helmet. It's going on four weeks now... I did finally get through to customer service, they said it should be shipped this week.... so far nothing. It's not a big deal, but I with they would have told me about the delay when I ordered. In the past, I would get tires in 2 days!

 

[1978GS750E]

I had the same issue with an order. The phone number kept saying it was disconnected, but I kept calling and finally got through to a real person after a 10 minute "on hold" wait. I ordered 6 items, some Yamaha and some Honda, and they held the complete order until it was complete. Ordered on April 17th and received the order on May 13th. Very bad service! I placed another order on April 23rd and am still waiting on 2 Yamaha items. All their website tells me is "not shipped yet".

My lesson learned from this....... only buy Suzuki parts, and from Parts Outlaw!

 

[Mike Pellet]

I just ordered and received some parts from "suzukiPARTSnation.com" with all good results and reasonable shipping time.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Lately, I've been ordering from partsoutlaw.com. Always $4.99 shipping, with the code at the top of their page. I placed 2 orders since the COVID lockdown. First one took exactly 2 weeks, with 1 item backordered, that took an extra few days. Last order was bigger, took 11 days, with 2 items backordered (I'm guessing, no mention of missing items on the packing list. I have to call). So, while better that BB, I think most parts places will be experiencing issues. But at least with PartsOutlaw, so far, I've been able to get someone on the phone when I've called.

 

[Nessism]

BikeBandit is headquartered in California where the government has come down hard on "non essential" businesses, even to the point of prosecuting some. I don't know to what extent BB is affected but suspect it's considerable. Since tubes and rim strips are consumables I'd just look for one you can get more quickly and move on. If the BB package ever shows up you could try refusing it or just take it and use the parts as spares.

 

[sam000lee]

After a month without hearing anything I just went down the street and picked up the tube one from a local shop. Should have done that to start with. I really just wish they could have let me know so I didn't keep saying to myself "it will only be a few more days".

Humorously enough, I just got an automated follow up email "How did you like the reflective bolts?" that still have yet to ship...

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Yes, I ordered a tach cable on May 3rd.
Gave up and ordered one on ebay May 18, that's already shipped.
They have a notice up about CV delays. Not surprised about the delay, California…

 

[1978GS750E]

I spent 20 minutes on hold yesterday, just to see if someone would eventually answer. They didn't! So......I sent an email requesting the delivery date for the last order I ever place with Bike Bandit!

(Order was placed April 23rd)

And of course, I haven't heard from them!

Customer No-Service at its best!

 

[1978GS750E]

Well it has been over 4 weeks and still no parts from Bike Bandit! And........ still no response to my email requesting a delivery date. What terrible customer no-service!

 

[Steve]

I have seen other mention occasional deals on things like tires, riding gear, etc., but I came to the conclusion a LONG time ago that they must have earned the BANDIT part of their name by selling bike parts.

I have about a dozen vendors on my favorites list for Suzuki parts. Bike Bandit is consistently the second-most-expensive, and only recently has given up on their own part numbering scheme and started using official numbers.

Yeah, the few times I had ordered from them they seemed to ship a lot quicker than others, so I suspect they either have their own stock or are next door to the OEM warehouse and don't have to wait for shipping.

Thanks for the caution, sam000lee, but I stopped using them a LONG time ago. :encouragement:

.

 

[Guest]

I gave up on Bike Bandit a year or so ago. Long shipping lead times. Right now, Partzilla is not any better. Still waiting on parts to ship, ordered over two weeks ago.

 

[Cipher]

covid19 seriously folks expect delays.
bb has outrageous prices plus uses rapacious brokerage for shipments here.

parts outlaw for the win

 

[1978GS750E]

Finally received an email reply from customer no-service:

Hello,

Your parts have been released to us and we are currently waiting for them to be received into our warehouse. Due to California work restrictions we have been short staffed and have been experiencing delays in getting parts to our warehouse and received but should hope to see them be received soon. Once received and shipped, you will get an updated email with your tracking information.

Thank you and we apologize for the delays regarding this order.

Basically, who the #$%* knows when I'll get my parts!

 

[Guest]

Haven't ordered from them in a while, but have used partsfish.com it the past. I don't know if their prices have went up, or if their shipping is affected by the 'rona, but their prices were on average, with shipping, some of the lowest. Bike Bandit wants waaaay too much for their parts.

 

[1978GS750E]

Well, it's been 5 weeks since I placed my order and still no parts, not even on the way to me! Looks like they may set a record for worst motorcycle parts delivery time for me, EVER!

At least I know it's the last order I'll ever place with them!

 

[storm 64]

I'm in it for the long haul. I did finally receive my riding pants that I ordered. (5 weeks) I'm still waiting on the Shoei face shield... Well, the riding pants have to go back for a exchange. I tried calling them today and was put on hold. After the third time the forman gave me a dirty look because my machine was sitting idle, I hung up. I did send them a e-mail. They sent me a e-mail back saying they got my e-mail... After all this, I think I'm done with Bike Bandit. I don't know, maybe it's Covid related? Other mail order companies have been up to par for me lately...

Remember ordering from Dennis Kirk? Man, I had it down. First, the catalogue I'm ordering from. Then page number, then part number. Next, page number, part number... "Yes, and could you send that C.O.D". (who does that anymore)! Then you would wait 7-10 days for the UPS man. He might as well been Santa Claus to me, that's how jacked up I'd be! Yep, those were the days. ��

 

[cowboyup3371]

Hey Norm, Iron Pony is only an hour south of you (or so)

 

[storm 64]

Hey Norm, Iron Pony is only an hour south of you (or so)

Yes, but Iron Pony doesn't carry my brand. "Oxford" out of England. The only company that has my size, as I am a short fellow. They have a 29" inseam. A lot of the different brands are way to long... The ones I ordered were a little to snug around the waistline. I gave them the size jeans I buy at Walmart. They go by actual size using a tape measure! Can you imagine that?

 

[Big T]

I think all of you have misjudged how seriously the Covid issue has affected online retailers

Parts haven't been coming from China and Japan for months. Manufacturers there were shut down earlier this year and shipping lines also
US warehouses are more or less bare
Online retailers have been closed, or remotely working. Their warehouses are bare

A local online motorcycle store has back orders over a month due to the above

I doubt the issues you are experiencing are limited to Bike Bandit. Especially since they're in CA