Dealer story

[wjduke]

Took my bike in to a dealer kind of local to me. Wanted ALL the fluids changed and besides the oil and differential, I’m not going to tackle the rest. Wanted a state inspection and a new battery too. Bike is five years old. They had it a month. Ok, this time of year, not a big deal. The state had a breach with stickers too. He finally calls me. The bike is ready and they discounted the sticker. Bill was $816.00, plus I tipped the mechanics. I said ok, $15, not a major thing but I’ll take it. Picked the bike up mid day between bus runs. First line item, state inspection sticker $15. I kept quiet. Rode it to work, then after work. After I parked it, you know how you look back one last time....well, in my state the sticker goes on the number plate. It’s last years sticker. Not only did they charge me when they said they didn’t, they didn’t even do it. Oh yes, I called the next day. He was embarrassed, said bad business, all that. It’s done now, got it this past weekend. Here’s my real gripe...did they even do all that I wanted done? That’s the way I think, I’m sorry. Besides taking it to someone else and ask them to look at everything, I’m going to assume they did. Sorry this is long, but I had to share. And btw, I got hit the following week lol.

[JackB]

I just had my brake and clutch fluid changed on my 2015 Valkyire and the bill was about $85.
New battery for my F6B was about $125.
I think you paid too much.

[willtill]

Took my bike in to a dealer kind of local to me. Wanted ALL the fluids changed and besides the oil and differential, I’m not going to tackle the rest. Wanted a state inspection and a new battery too. Bike is five years old. They had it a month. Ok, this time of year, not a big deal. The state had a breach with stickers too. He finally calls me. The bike is ready and they discounted the sticker. Bill was $816.00, plus I tipped the mechanics. I said ok, $15, not a major thing but I’ll take it. Picked the bike up mid day between bus runs. First line item, state inspection sticker $15. I kept quiet. Rode it to work, then after work. After I parked it, you know how you look back one last time....well, in my state the sticker goes on the number plate. It’s last years sticker. Not only did they charge me when they said they didn’t, they didn’t even do it. Oh yes, I called the next day. He was embarrassed, said bad business, all that. It’s done now, got it this past weekend. Here’s my real gripe...did they even do all that I wanted done? That’s the way I think, I’m sorry. Besides taking it to someone else and ask them to look at everything, I’m going to assume they did. Sorry this is long, but I had to share. And btw, I got hit the following week lol.

Never, ever trust a Stealership service department. ALWAYS do the maintenance yourself.

[jm21ddd15]

Seems like extremely high price to me. I put in the "Speed Bleeders", and brake fluid and clutch is easy and quick. And doesn't require an extra person. Coolant change is not hard either, but takes a bit longer. WJDuke, do you have a service manual? Just wondering. Give these fluid changes a try, next time they are due. It will save you plenty of $$, and the satisfaction of self maintanence is a great feeling. However, I don't have any idea of your age, or mechanical ability, so, I should just shut my mouth. Anyway, have a good day!

[wjduke]

Here’s what they did...oil and filter change, rear diff fluid change, clutch fluid change, brake fluid change, anti freeze change, new battery, state inspection sticker, and supposedly an overall bike check over. I’m getting old and didn’t want to mess with most of that. I know how dealerships work. They have a labor rate for everything. They were true to the quote, I knew what it was going to cost. Oil and filter, and rear diff. will be done by me in the future. I actually already have it all. I figured to let them do it all. I paid with stimulus money, but that’s not the point. I was ok with the bill since I was being lazy. My problem now is hoping they did what I wanted, so, lesson learned I guess. It may be the last fluid change the bike sees anyway, besides the oil.

[wjduke]

Seems like extremely high price to me. I put in the "Speed Bleeders", and brake fluid and clutch is easy and quick. And doesn't require an extra person. Coolant change is not hard either, but takes a bit longer. WJDuke, do you have a service manual? Just wondering. Give these fluid changes a try, next time they are due. It will save you plenty of $$, and the satisfaction of self maintanence is a great feeling. However, I don't have any idea of your age, or mechanical ability, so, I should just shut my mouth. Anyway, have a good day!
I’m 64, somewhat mechanically inclined, but no mechanic. I’m just at the point of letting someone else do the difficult stuff. I don’t have many tools, or even a good place to work on it. I’ve changed my own tires and always did the oil changes. I used to work in tire shops. I appreciate the advice!

[K2157]

At the best? 2 Hours work?
Do yourself a favor and get Speed Bleeders
And get a Break Bleeder Kit/Bottle
Link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/123517749986?hash=item1cc23b4ae2:g:Ks4AAOSwZltb~~5 1
And a Spanner and a Oil filter wrench
Save you heaps:cool:

[valkmc]

I’m 64, somewhat mechanically inclined, but no mechanic. I’m just at the point of letting someone else do the difficult stuff. I don’t have many tools, or even a good place to work on it. I’ve changed my own tires and always did the oil changes. I used to work in tire shops. I appreciate the advice!

I feel the same. I turn 63 in a couple of days and have done a lot of maintenance myself. Everything from changing tires, brake and clutch fluid, coolant , brake pad, etc. I have started to pay for most of it now. Found a local shop I trust, Ducati guys and they do good work. They ain't cheap though.

[thunder217]

Well I have to admit Im about to turn 63 this year and my bike will never go into the Stealership again unless under grave conditions and only supervised repairs. I change my own brakes, oil, tires differential oil, and put on all of the added extras that I purchase. I had a terrible experience and it has to be supervised now.

[willtill]

Well I have to admit Im about to turn 63 this year and my bike will never go into the Stealership again unless under grave conditions and only supervised repairs. I change my own brakes, oil, tires differential oil, and put on all of the added extras that I purchase. I had a terrible experience and it has to be supervised now.

All of these metric Stealerships up here are less than sincere when it comes to repairing/maintaining your motorcycle. Lying to your face about repairs, damaging your bike, etc. Every single time it used to be; when I would bring in my past bikes for a tire change or recall, or warranty work.

Ya, it sometimes sucks to have to wrench yourself. And at many of our ages, it's no fun getting down on all fours and crawling around under your bike at times. But it is necessity, for what rides on the bike is way too important to trust to a young ill trained "motorcycle technician" at a Stealership service department.

But you know what? When YOU do it, the work is done right; better than anyone else can do it, and money saved for other things.

What even burns me up more is the actual act of cheating and deceiving about a repair or maintenance job that was either never done, or done improperly. They may as well just be pick pocketing you.

[SeaSteve]

I'm sure the dealership charged you the allowable time for each "individual" service job, even though they where combined and done within the same hours. I didn't see Air Filter Change on the list which would make $816 more sensible.

It is true you can't be sure any one or all the service jobs where actually done. Unfortunately, the only way to be sure is to do it yourself.

I "usually" find doing my own maintenance is therapeutic. Right up until...something goes wrong. I will NEVER try to mount my own tires on rims again. :mad:

[six2go]

I feel bad for the guys who have dealers they can't/don't trust. I have just the opposite feeling about taking my bike in for service. It's a Mom & Pop Honda/Kaw dealership that's been around for many years. Mom is the service advisor and really knows her stuff, the head tech has been with them for at least a dozen years and the other techs are well seasoned too. If needed, they will come into the customer lounge and take me to the service area to explain/show me what's going on. At the age of 76 I still do my oil & filter changes, and I installed my driving lights but that's about it. The old knees & back don't allow for much crawling around on the concrete garage floor.

[jm21ddd15]

i wasn't being critical, when I suggested the cost savings of doing the work yourself, hopefully. I will soon be 67, and personally enjoy doing the work. I don't have a wife to bug me, so I spend plenty of time in my garage, or out riding. So, all good!

[Cleaver1]

I found a private mechanic in town that works on mostly Goldwings, he changed all brake fluids the clutch fluid and installed a new air filter ( i supplied the air filter, he supplied the fluids).
I took the bike over Tuesday morning and he called me Wednesday afternoon and said its ready. He inspected all the brake pads and cleaned the bugs and stuff out of my speakers and looked over everything, repaired a crack in a brake cover that must have been done by the tire installer. He charged me a whooping $90 dollars. Any one in Mid Michigan need a good mechinac pm me and I'll get you his info.

[tpwood]

I feel the same. I turn 63 in a couple of days and have done a lot of maintenance myself. Everything from changing tires, brake and clutch fluid, coolant , brake pad, etc. I have started to pay for most of it now. Found a local shop I trust, Ducati guys and they do good work. They ain't cheap though.

Everyone is different "Luckily", I'm only commenting because I too am 64! Iv'e always worked on my bikes and my cars, but at 64 and retired, I'm restoring a 1974 Kawasaki Z900, and on the weekends volunteer at a WW2 Aviation museum working on P61 Black Widow.
So to each their own!
You all have fun!

[tenxxx]

I paid $350 for air filter change and crank sensor replace. I bought the new sensor thinking I would do it but I wasn't going to attempt the air filter.
I think it was a fare price and got it back in 2 days. Suzuki dealer in Alliance Ohio.
He showed me the old filter and we had a good laugh about the mouse turds and nut shells.
And he didn't have any left over parts like I would have.

[billsim]

I paid $350 for air filter change and crank sensor replace. I bought the new sensor thinking I would do it but I wasn't going to attempt the air filter.
I think it was a fare price and got it back in 2 days. Suzuki dealer in Alliance Ohio.
He showed me the old filter and we had a good laugh about the mouse turds and nut shells.
And he didn't have any left over parts like I would have.

If you are happy with that shop, I may give them a try.
My local Honda dealership is quoting 3 month wait list for service.
My tires aren't going to make it that long. Also need all fluids changed and probably a set of brakes.

[naga viper]

Wjduke For you to put you mind at ease About if the dealer did what you paid for.
Oil should smell rather clean and be light on the dip stick, the brake and clutch will be lighter threw sight glasses
No help with coolant due to using aftermarket coolant.
But you should make sure the levels are correct!

[tenxxx]

Its a small dealer. Have used them a few times with good results. Didn't notice a service manager. Easy to talk with the main mechanic.
https://www.actionsportcycles.com

[billsim]

Thank You!

[wjduke]

I'm sure the dealership charged you the allowable time for each "individual" service job, even though they where combined and done within the same hours. I didn't see Air Filter Change on the list which would make $816 more sensible.

It is true you can't be sure any one or all the service jobs where actually done. Unfortunately, the only way to be sure is to do it yourself.

I "usually" find doing my own maintenance is therapeutic. Right up until...something goes wrong. I will NEVER try to mount my own tires on rims again. :mad:
No air filter change yet. I have another place to try next time right in my town. I called them first, but they were backlogged two months. Then, I see a friend I went to elementary school with. He still has his fathers GW running at nearly 200,000 miles. He asked me why I didn’t go there. I told him then he says, next time call me....that’s my best friend. So....maybe next service will be less stressful lol. I’ve done all my own tires, as I have connections in the area, but even that I might not attempt. I’m not rich but sometimes certain things are a young mans game.

[wjduke]

Wjduke For you to put you mind at ease About if the dealer did what you paid for.
Oil should smell rather clean and be light on the dip stick, the brake and clutch will be lighter threw sight glasses
No help with coolant due to using aftermarket coolant.
But you should make sure the levels are correct!
I tried to look at the clutch and brake fluids, but honestly, I couldn’t tell. I’m going with the premise that it’s done and moving on at this point. I do need to just pull some covers and check the rest, but it’s ride time now and up here we can’t waste too many days.