Touring - I Can't Find A Koga Miyata Anywhere!!!

Ok,
Now that I've decided to purchase the Koga Miyata Globe Traveller, I just can't seem to find it anywhere. No one in the States seems to have it (I've tried shops in DC, Baltimore, Philly, New York and California). And when I ring the shops in the UK (I'm in the States for a visit; but I live in London), they all say they don't have it in stock and Koga won't produce another batch of these bikes for NINE friggin weeks. :( I even called Koga directly and a couple of bike shops in Amsterdam. Same story. Needless to say, I'm very frustrated. It's taken me so long to decide on a bike and now that I have decided, I can't buy it... anywhere.

You guys are my last hope. Anyone know where I can purchase a 2006 Koga Miyata Globe Traveller, by chance? (I'd settle for a 2006 World Traveller)

Thanks!

Try this place in New Hope, Pa. http://www.newhopecyclery.com/

I got their name from this thread : http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=173677&highlight=Koga+Miyata

BTW, what made you choose the Koga over the Thorn?

If it is that hard to buy then what is it going to be like if you need customer service?

I wish I could afford a Koga and I would buy a Bruce Gordon or Atlantas by Rivendell.

Functional and beautiful.

Good News! I've managed to locate a UK dealer who has the 2006 Globe Traveller!

Ziemas,

Thanks anyway for the link. I called them but they don't have any Globe/World travellers left. I ended up deciding on the Koga after I rode one yesterday. It was an older model world traveller; but after riding it on the trail path behind the bike shop I just fell in love with it. It rides absolutely beautifully. Beyond the great specifications, the durability, the off the shelf ready-to-tour capability and the beauty of this bike, I just love the way this thing rides. I believe it's the bike for me.

fthomas,

I'm not sure that the bike's current unavailability says anything about Koga/Koga dealer customer service. In fact, each dealer that I've spoken to in the UK has been knowledgeable about the product and willing to help; they just have sold out and won't get new ones for nine weeks. One dealer (in the US) was very helpful in calling the Netherlands to try to track down the model I wanted. Another dealer (in the UK) said he would work with Koga to comb the UK/Netherlands shops to find the bike for me. In the customer service department, so far so good.

Thanks!

You can also try Harris Cyclery in the Boston area, a fine shop which says they carry Koga:

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/koga/index.html

Good News! I've managed to locate a UK dealer who has the 2006 Globe Traveller!

Ziemas,

Thanks anyway for the link. I called them but they don't have any Globe/World travellers left. I ended up deciding on the Koga after I rode one yesterday. It was an older model world traveller; but after riding it on the trail path behind the bike shop I just fell in love with it. It rides absolutely beautifully. Beyond the great specifications, the durability, the off the shelf ready-to-tour capability and the beauty of this bike, I just love the way this thing rides. I believe it's the bike for me.

fthomas,

I'm not sure that the bike's current unavailability says anything about Koga/Koga dealer customer service. In fact, each dealer that I've spoken to in the UK has been knowledgeable about the product and willing to help; they just have sold out and won't get new ones for nine weeks. One dealer (in the US) was very helpful in calling the Netherlands to try to track down the model I wanted. Another dealer (in the UK) said he would work with Koga to comb the UK/Netherlands shops to find the bike for me. In the customer service department, so far so good.

Thanks!

The older Kogas were steel. They recently switched to alum. Did you try a steel or alum model?

I believe the bike I tried had an alumnium frame.

As I had a tough time, too, I am just posting so that others can find a US Koga-Miyata dealer: Commuter Bicycles, Santa Barbara, CA, http://www.commuterbicycles.com/ -- it is a boutique shop, by appointment only, one-on-one attention, but I am a happy customer that lives 3 hours away. Many of their clients are from out of state, or so I seem to recall. I have the 2007 Expression 57cm & love it.

For east coast folks, I'd recommend Harris Cyclery in Newton Massachussettes. Excellent customer service (even with Sheldon gone...).

They usually had a few Koga Koga Models built up in the shop.

http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/Images/bikeravennomad.jpg

You may want to consider a Thorn (http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/models.html) if you don't get a KM you want- they are available in the UK and have great customer service.

There is a Dutch guy who is finishing up a tour of SE Asia and is selling a 54 cm Koga Miyata in Bangkok (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1593431&tstart=0).