Dealer story

[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.

[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!

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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.

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.

[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.

[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 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 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.