New Dog Owner needs advise

N

NewBikeOwner

New Member
A few months back I walked into a dealer and basically said I wanted a new Dog with a certain color scheme and graphics. He showed me a dog
that had the color and the graphics but it was a 2008 Model. Well I said I want a 2009 not a bike that has been laying around all year. I was willing to pay the new 2009 prices.
Well I got a new 09. It looks identical to the one he had shown me.
Now this might sound like paranoia, but is there anyway the dealer could have made the bike he had laying around into the new 2009 model? Like changing the VIN to a 2009? The 2008 and 2009 from bigdog had no changes made that would make it apparant.
I checked the VIN and it indicated it was a 2009. But still this thought is nagging me and I wanted opinions from all you pros and dog owners out there. I was told this is the site to go to.
Thanks again. I would like to sleep better knowing that I did not get scammed with the 2008 model.
 
LDO

LDO

The Cleaner
Troop Supporter
NewBikeOwner said:
The 2008 and 2009 from bigdog had no changes made that would make it apparant.

I checked the VIN and it indicated it was a 2009.
Click to expand...

From reading above, you answered your own questions. Be happy and go ride it!:2thumbs:

sleep well...:D



LDO sends.
 
FatDog

FatDog

Well-Known Member
I would find it very unlikely that something like that would happen, not to mention it would be illegal! Not only that, but it would be alot of work to change a VIN and progect number just to make a sale. If your still paranoid, then ask the dealer what happened to the 2008 bike that looks like your new 2009.

ONE THING I CAN TELL YOU IS................................................YOUR A BIG DOG OWNER, GO ENJOY IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
ChopperJeff

ChopperJeff

Active Member
First of all, welcome to the site and congrats on your purchase!

Interesting question as it does make one wonder if there are any distinguishing features between the '08 and the '09. I would think that a dealer wouldn't want to take the chance of getting caught moving a VIN from one bike to another. Sounds like that could be a pretty serious offense.

Now when you say that perhaps the dealer could have changed the VIN on the '08 to be that of an '09, I really don't see how that could be done. Sure, physically the dealer could move the VIN sticker from one bike to another, but the VIN is also etched into the frame at the neck. He'd have to change the way it's been registered at the computer, which I would think is out of their control. In fact, I believe the VIN is assigned to the bike just as it's being built, perhaps even prior to being built. I therefore think that it would be impossible to convince the powers that be to change it. In fact, I'm sure this whole VIN thing is done in such a way to prevent anyone from changing it.

Not only that, but think about it... if he took the VIN off the '09 and moved it to the '08, then proceeded to scam you and sell you the '08, what's he going to do with the '09? He couldn't very well put the '08 VIN on the '09, as he would then have to claim to the buyer that they are buying an '08 that is in reality an '09. How could the dealer possibly win!

If nobody here comes up with a sure fire way to tell the difference, perhaps an email to Big Dog would help. I've always found them to be very responsive. Their customer support is the best.

There are also a lot of knowledgeable, and helpful people on this site.

Again, welcome... and enjoy the dog!
 
F

Face

New Member
Very unlikely the dealer changed the '08 to a '09. Here at BDM Tampa a '09 Ridgeback was ordered that looked exactly like a '08 that was on the floor. The only way you could tell the difference was by the VIN number as well as the project number. Same situation, the customer liked the paint on the '08 but wanted a '09. He had to wait for the '09, which was of course special ordered. The '08 was sold a couple of days before the '09 came in. No conspiracy here.
 
Raywood

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
Welcome to the site. If your really worried about it just email the Big Dog company with your VIN and they will tell you straight.

Enjoy the ride. :cheers:
 
showdog

showdog

Active Member
The VIN could be changed but then there would be no way to title the bike. The bikes are shipped to the dealers then once they are sold and funded BD ships the MSO. That would be impossible for the dealer to generate because it has to match up to the MSO's for all the components.

It is possible that BD took the tin's back and put them on an 09 since the tins are not considered drive components. If your truely worried that you have an 08 just look at the primary, if the front derby cover sticks out about an inch instead of being flush then you have an 09, that was the only visible change from 08.

There are other changes from 08 to 09 but they are internal and not visible but the cover over the compensator sprocket gives it away on the everything except the Ridgeback.
 
N

NewBikeOwner

New Member
Showdog,
I compared pic of a 2008 and my dog. You are 100% right, the front derby cover sticks out about an inch instead of being flush. Thanks for the peace of mind.
 
V

V

Guru
showdog said:
It is possible that BD took the tin's back and put them on an 09 since the tins are not considered drive components. If your truely worried that you have an 08 just look at the primary, if the front derby cover sticks out about an inch instead of being flush then you have an 09, that was the only visible change from 08.

.
Click to expand...
Why is the 09 Derby set out more? Different gears? Compensator?:confused:

Thanks V.
 
bdmridgeback

bdmridgeback

Low Down Chop Shop
showdog,
I am assuming that BDM went back to using a compensator front drive sprocket on the 2009 bikes? Ridgeback, yes or no?

Thanks,
Just wondered, I'd rather not have one myself.
 
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