Front wheel backward!!!

[Pokey]

I just paid a dealer to mount my tires I got off the web. I was in my garage with a friend a week or so later and looked down and noticed one of the pinch bolts on the right fork leg was backed out about 3/4". I checked the other bolt right next to it and could spin it with my hand.

That is why you take the tire on rim, that way you are responsible for making sure your wheels get installed/uninstalled correctly and everything torqued appropriately. No dealer will EVER touch the wheels on my bike.

[PlaynInPeoria]

It was the local dealer. I felt guilty for not buying it there, or actually, not even giving them the chance to beat the offer I got on mine. Had they matched the offer I got, I could have saved the $100 in gas and the vast majority of a day it took to drive down and get it.  I left EARLY and unloaded the bike in the dark.  I should have at least called them. Plus, I wanted some warranty work done and wanted to see if they were any good, I had never done business with them.  Guess I got my answer.

I don't think all dealerships are bad. I have done business with several that were great with service. And now this dealership is hiring a guy who is pretty much my best friend, so I could have him do it if I want warranty or a measurement of a brake rotor that I think is out of spec. 

[maxtog]

It was the local dealer. I felt guilty for not buying it there, or actually, not even giving them the chance to beat the offer I got on mine.

It is unlikely any dealer or shop can beat what you get online.  Expecting it is unrealistic.  But if they can come close (10-20%?) AND do good work, I have no problem going ahead.  It is WORTH some extra for the hassle and responsibility and risk.  But dealers that think they can slap 33 to 50% or more on street prices are out of their minds.

The big problem is work quality.  I am leery of ALL dealerships and shops.  Not just because of what I read here, but some personal experience too.

[RideBellChain]

Just to chime in, I just had my 15,000 service at Broward Motorsports in Palm Beach.  They didn't do a damn thing! Kept my bike for 3 days, and "forgot" to change the air filter.  Looks like they "forgot" to change the plugs, too, by looking at the one you can easily get to, but I can't prove it.

I normally do all my own wrenching, but not valves..so when I bought the bike, I was offered a 60% discount for 3 years of servicing, so figured I'd do it because I'll win at 15k miles... heh.

I had them change the tires and brakes while it was there, too, and they did a bait and switch on the pads (didn't replace Kawi OEM pads, and said they used "EBC" after I called them on it because they didn't feel the same and were dragging).  Fought with the tech mgr over an incorrect job or something just being wrong, because I never heard or felt any rubbing for the first 14,000+ miles.  FINALLY, they agreed to change them to OEM after I ran it for 1000 miles like he told me to and the noise didn't go away. (Had to take it on a long trip the day after I picked it up).  Other things...I asked for AMSOIL instead of Dino oil...he forgot to charge me extra until I reminded him...which makes me wonder if they even did that!

I did complain, and the GM called me up and fed me the standard "BS"...."we would never do that"...but in all honesty, I will never go back, I can't trust them any further than I can throw them...and I'll just take a loss on the remaining service because now that I threw the tech guys under the bus, I REALLY don't trust them.

They lost a good customer - I've bought 3 bikes from them already, and referred several friends.

Next time I need a new bike, I'll find the best deal in the country (usually eBay), but a cheap plane ticket, and ride it back.  No more loyalty from me.

...ask me how I feel!! 

[maxtog]

Just to chime in, I just had my 15,000 service at Broward Motorsports in Palm Beach.  They didn't do a damn thing! [...]..but in all honesty, I will never go back, I can't trust them any further than I can throw them...and I'll just take a loss on the remaining service because now that I threw the tech guys under the bus, I REALLY don't trust them.

You should at least request a prorated refund of the service contract.  Plus, you need to make sure the OWNER knows all this.

[stevewfl]

Good luck with that, very good luck. Better learn to wrench yourself as much as possible, and as long as you keep buying new bikes with warranties and or getting extended warranties, you will continue to deal with idiot dealerships. And how unbelievable that this happened, makes we shudder to think how many riders are out there on potentially unsafe bikes due to dealer service snafus.

+1

bet they didn't put fresh loctite red in and replace the rotor bolts as they were supposed to either. I'd keep an eye on that bike

[PH14]

It is unlikely any dealer or shop can beat what you get online.  Expecting it is unrealistic.  But if they can come close (10-20%?) AND do good work, I have no problem going ahead.  It is WORTH some extra for the hassle and responsibility and risk.  But dealers that think they can slap 33 to 50% or more on street prices are out of their minds.

The big problem is work quality.  I am leery of ALL dealerships and shops.  Not just because of what I read here, but some personal experience too.

My dealer has been very good about matching what I can find online. I don't even care if they match, as long as it is a fair price, if I have to pay a little more to buy from them I'm okay with that, but they have always matched or even beat the prices for me. They even beat the online price for my last two sets of tires. They beat the price on my First Gear rain jacket and pants as well, and had to order my size. I was going to buy them from motorcyclegear.com but the dealer had some in stock so I tried on the jacket there. It was too big so I ordered from them. I figure it is good to have a dealer there so you can actually check out a product and try something on before buying so I like giving them my business. In the end they matched the price anyway.

If you find a good dealer patronize them or they will go away. I buy a lot of things online but I like my dealer.

[PH14]

..and I'll just take a loss on the remaining service because now that I threw the tech guys under the bus, I REALLY don't trust them.

They lost a good customer - I've bought 3 bikes from them already, and referred several friends.

Next time I need a new bike, I'll find the best deal in the country (usually eBay), but a cheap plane ticket, and ride it back.  No more loyalty from me.

...ask me how I feel!! 

It is a shame there are dealers like that, and they aren't rare. The dealer I wrote about is great for parts and accessories, but I'm still not sold on their service. If I have someone else do my valves I'll take it to a different dealer nearby where a mechanic I've known for years works. I trust him completely.

I don't blame you a bit.

[Scaffolder]

Just to chime in, I just had my 15,000 service at Broward Motorsports in Palm Beach.  They didn't do a damn thing! Kept my bike for 3 days, and "forgot" to change the air filter.  Looks like they "forgot" to change the plugs, too, by looking at the one you can easily get to, but I can't prove it.

I normally do all my own wrenching, but not valves..so when I bought the bike, I was offered a 60% discount for 3 years of servicing, so figured I'd do it because I'll win at 15k miles... heh.

I had them change the tires and brakes while it was there, too, and they did a bait and switch on the pads (didn't replace Kawi OEM pads, and said they used "EBC" after I called them on it because they didn't feel the same and were dragging).  Fought with the tech mgr over an incorrect job or something just being wrong, because I never heard or felt any rubbing for the first 14,000+ miles.  FINALLY, they agreed to change them to OEM after I ran it for 1000 miles like he told me to and the noise didn't go away. (Had to take it on a long trip the day after I picked it up).  Other things...I asked for AMSOIL instead of Dino oil...he forgot to charge me extra until I reminded him...which makes me wonder if they even did that!

I did complain, and the GM called me up and fed me the standard "BS"...."we would never do that"...but in all honesty, I will never go back, I can't trust them any further than I can throw them...and I'll just take a loss on the remaining service because now that I threw the tech guys under the bus, I REALLY don't trust them.

They lost a good customer - I've bought 3 bikes from them already, and referred several friends.

Next time I need a new bike, I'll find the best deal in the country (usually eBay), but a cheap plane ticket, and ride it back.  No more loyalty from me.

...ask me how I feel!! 

I thought I was the only one that gets taken for a ride by the dealers.

[Barry]

You should at least request a prorated refund of the service contract.  Plus, you need to make sure the OWNER knows all this.

Agree 100%.  If a dealer doesn't know why quality customers are leaving, they can't decide to fix the problem OR say #W$$U^ YOU!

My guess is he won't care.  But reality is he can't solve a problem he doesn't know exists.

Barry

PS - plus I want to read your post about how he responds....