skrapiron -FSO wrote on 01/15/08 at 07:01:12:You know Greg, its not impossible that the guy at the dealer was telling the truth.
At any point in the last 15 years, parts have been updated and old part numbers superceded by new ones.
It's likely that whoever the author spoke with on the phone punched in the part number from the 1995 LS650 parts fische and discovered it to indeed be discontinued. However, a quick check of later model years would reveal a new part number that is still available to order.
It happens to me all the time in my line of work. Old part numbers are obsoleted, even though the component is still in production. Idiot logistics people see the 'discontinued' label and give up there. Its sad, but thats what you get when you HAVE to hire unqualified people just to avoid discrimination suits.....
You're being generous, but you mention some of the reasons I say that. Updated/superseded numbers, inexperienced parts people, and general laziness to think beyond the computer screen are my reasons. After all, his dealer said it was discontinued, but I go to Ron Ayers and find one...most of Ron Ayers parts come from Suzuki directly.
Plus there is a general lack of interest in the lower cost product lines (probably a management attitude) that creates an attitude of who cares. Why would they care if you can't get the parts? They'd prefer that you "trade up". They make their money in new sales and service anyway.
Trust me, I didn't become a skeptic without getting extensive experience in dealer BS