Casbolts Motorcycles - ChCh

[SpeedyGirl]

I have to say that these guys rock!! I brought the old bitch (87 VFR) from them and since then been back to get a pack rack (which they found one for the modified pack rack I had and only charged me $25) , new visor for my lid (which they knocked $20 off the price), bolt for my fairing - free (obvoiusly I did not tighten the old one enough :stupid: ) and all done with a smile and installed for me (Without me asking):2thumbsup

Have to give credit where it is due :ride:

[HenryDorsetCase]

fascinating.

I bought a new motorbike this week from another Canterbury dealer specifically so I wouldnt have to deal with them.

obviously the problem is me.

[imdying]

Wow, have to say I never thought I'd ever see this thread :lol:

[SpeedyGirl]

fascinating.

I bought a new motorbike this week from another Canterbury dealer specifically so I wouldnt have to deal with them.

obviously the problem is me.


Might be because I am a woman maybe????:shake:

[Biff]

I must say - that's the first positive thing I've ever heard about Casbolts on here. Obviously you didn't deal with Graham, because he's a whining, tight-arse. He even tried charging me for a bolt that they'd forgotton to fit to my Bird when I first bought it. By eck did I chuck my teddy.

Craig on the other hand - decent chap.

Good to hear you're back on two wheels again Speedy.

[Rashika]

Must be a girl thing...

I went in there (had Dangerous with me) to test ride a Ducati Monster...the hardest part was getting a bike that D could take at the same time to follow me, as we had arrived by car....the rest was easy.
I think they must like the girls... so all you blokes out there, the answer is to always take ya Mrs in with ya :whistle:

Maybe it distracts them from being aholes?

[Oakie]

Might be because I am a woman maybe????:shake:

That'll be it. I've had a couple of dealings with them that left me lukewarm and in the end not buying the bike from them that I test rode because they offered me $800 less than other dealers were going to give me for my old bike. ($1200 vs $2000)
I guess the difference in what we percieve as service is probably not what the shop does but is how that measures up to our individual expectations of what we should receive in the way of service. In that way, the same level of service provided to different people could be seen as either good or bad depending on the customer's expectation. Also I suppose building a good relationship with them helps. (Oh, and having boobs?)
Good on you for giving credit though. I'll be doing a similar thread for my dealer soon as they have been going way beyond what they needed to for me.

[awd]

These are the same bunch that couldn't even be bothered to find me 2 fairing bolts they had forgotten to tighten properly, after having the fairing off and seemingly dragging it around the workshop paint side down, resulting in severe scratching. Their opinion was then that I had used a pot scourer to clean the bike and caused the scratches.

My brother-in-law has also had bad experience with them when he got a 4-wheeler for his farm.

However, neither of us took our missus' in; you live and learn I guess.

[SpeedyGirl]

Oh, and having boobs?

:nya: and know how to use them :motu:

[TygerTung]

Nah I have been there before, and they are not very helpful and seem pretty uninterested.

CG125? Is that a honda? Seems as if it's not brand new they arn't interested?

[nudemetalz]

When I lived down in ChCh many years ago,..the only place to buy parts was Whiting Honda. Mr Whiting, senior knew about every Honda made.
Ah the memories....

[Oakie]

:nya: and know how to use them :motu:

OK. I'm taking Mrs Oakie in next time I buy a bike and I'll get her dress accordingly.

[HenryDorsetCase]

When I lived down in ChCh many years ago,..the only place to buy parts was Whiting Honda. Mr Whiting, senior knew about every Honda made.
Ah the memories....

when I was a grom (so 25 years ago, you used to go upstairs at Whitings to the parts department, and both Mr and Mrs Whiting would be up there, and they had an absolutely encyclopaedic knowledge, as you say.... "Hi, um have you got a left hand thread widget bolt for a 1974 CB400/4?" "Yes, I think theres one here...." disappear for five minutes "Her ya go, sonny, that'll be $2.50"

"thanks Mr"

Mr Whiting is still alive, and still has the 1968 Ford Galaxie he had specially imported for him brand new. Lovely old bloke.

[nudemetalz]

Thats the one, HDC !!!

And they had that nice collection of classic Hondas (a mint C92 from memory as well) behind where you stood at the counter.

Mr Whiting must blimmin' old now...he was then !!
(All due respect as he's a top notch fellah).

[jim.cox]

I ride a ducati - admittedly a bevelhead dinosaur, but a ducati none the less

Casbolts may be the local dealer, but I buy my oil next door, at the Harley Dealers.

Nuff said

=mjc=
.

[T.W.R]

Casbolts lost the plot when they moved from the corner of Regent st & Gloucester st, the only guy there really worth dealing with is Greg he's been with them over 20yrs & is pretty clued up and helpful.
Whiting's used to be the place to drool over the bikes, like the RC30 that sat in their corner window for a couple of years mmmm:weep: memories
Hornby Honda ( hornby yamaha/ hampton motor company ) were the most approachable for odds n sods for bikes ( that was when they were in the small shop complex by the main rd lights )

[HenryDorsetCase]

my dealings with Ashburton Honda this week have been great: they involved ringing them saying "I'd like a 900 Hornet in black please" and them saying "Certainly, I can have one here tomorrow, if I go to Dunedin tonight and pick it up, or do you mind waiting while I get one in a crate and assembling it" me going "No hurry, get the one in the crate" and them saying, "perfect it will be ready next week" "Do you want a deposit?" I said "two hundy" they replied.

it was like ordering a burger, it was so easy and hassle free.

[dangerous]

fascinating.


obviously the problem is me.
No... cant be its me, brought a brand new bike from them and had to pay full price for a $14.50 can a chain lube


Might be because I am a woman maybe????:shake:
Yes speedy... if my tits were as impresive as yours I reckon I'd get free shit aswell :eek:

when I was a grom (so 25 years ago, you used to go upstairs at Whitings to the parts department, and both Mr and Mrs Whiting would be up there, and they had an absolutely encyclopaedic knowledge, as you say.... "Hi, um have you got a left hand thread widget bolt for a 1974 CB400/4?" "Yes, I think theres one here...." disappear for five minutes "Her ya go, sonny, that'll be $2.50"

"thanks Mr"

fuck man.... that sent a shiver up my spine.... I could tell a story just like that :niceone:


the only guy there really worth dealing with is Greg he's been with them over 20yrs & is pretty clued up and helpful.

Whiting's used to be the place to drool over the bikes, like the RC30 that sat in their corner window for a couple of years mmmm:weep: memories
Greg is a bloody wanker in my books.... I went in recently asking for some 125T parts, he said fuk off, what ya want them for... they are a slow piece a shit... for his info ther are the most powerfull of the 125's of that era
2nd I was serious on a VTR 2nd hand, Greg sat on i side saddle like the girl he is and prevented me from even looking at it... dident like my chance of a test ride... wanker.

Craig is the only Guy I'll deal with, he will look after ya aslong as that old bastard Casbolt isent there. Craig is who speedy deals with

I remember the RC30...... sweet

[orangeback]

:motu:
THE ONLY REASON YOU GOT A GOOD DEAL IS THAT HE MUST HAVE FANCYED YOUR T-TS, AS IVE HAD LATE MODEL BLADE AND HAVE AN OLD SCKOOL DUCATI AND WOULD VEARY REARLY WALK INTO THE PLACE, AS THE SERVICE IS SHIT :shake: AND THE GENRAL OPINION IS THE SAME THROUGH EVERYBODY IVE MEET , BUT THATS GREAT IF YOUR GETTING BETTER SERVICE THAN ALL US , AS ILL GET THE MISSES TO BUY IT FOR ME , :headbang:

[Sniper]

Bloody hell, thats a first. They wanted to charge me for a quote on fork seals

[sefer]

Check me up as another person who is suprised this thread is about good service! :)

I've tried to get them to get a price for a fuel sender for a scoot, to be told "why bother?" by them. Rang about a part, "the parts guy is out and I can't be bothered seeing if we have one, call back later.". Went in to look at helmets for my g/f one day only to be told we couldn't try them on without supervision in case we smashed them on top of the shelves (the helm prices were $50+ more for the helmets we were looking at anyway, so we were happy to just walk straight out again).

[T.W.R]

Honda country are pretty good blokes HDC, pretty much the only shop to deal with in ashvagas when it comes to roadbikes, BP is a power junkie so likes his fast toys. he'd be wanting take the XR6 turbo for a blast over the kilmog to get the hornet for you, did you spy the 2 RC45s parked in the corner there?

Ha Dangerous lols Greg/ Craig whoever ? the older bloke that rides the yammy 650 heritage anyhow, its been years since i dealt with any of them there, the bumtious tall prick with dark hair & a carrot up his arse in there is the one to steer clear of

[Brian d marge]

Yup I have the same opinion, I walk in there and feel like I know sh1t about nowt. Only ever bought one thing from them a clutch centre nut for a XL 250

It does does beg the question WHY are they still in Business????

I remember Whitings, a veritable treasure trove upstairs. There was one more back then on the corner of regent st , I did a few weeks work experience , back when I was in High school .

Stephen

Casbolts must be doing something right , or has Hell just frozen over and we dont know about it yet.

[onearmedbandit]

Fuck this makes me laugh, I used to work there. Graham is a wanker, very arrogant, racist and ignorant. Greg is very arrogant, believes he knows it all (does have some knowledge to back it up though but his delivery is very blunt and offensive). Craig is a decent bloke, will listen to you, help, advise and make sure you are all sorted. I know many many people who wont walk into that building for anything.

Oh the stories I could tell you about Graham. To sum it up I was working there when I had my accident, basically got made to feel like I was worthless by him when I went back to work 2 weeks after my accident (despite my specialist telling me to take at least 6 months off). I knew I wasn't, told ACC of my plight and they admitted the only reason Graham took me back after the accident is that ACC offered to pay part of my wages. I got my own back.

[FlyingDutchMan]

The only reason I go in there is to get new parts for the Honda... apart form that there are plenty of other shops with in 30 seconds walk from there which can provide almost what ever you want... I always seem to get a good deal at cycletreads.

[Dafe]

PM sent dafe. OAB.

[imdying]

/edit: Just PM'd you now mate, must've done you an injustice somewhere, I'll talk to a mod...

[Brian d marge]

Fuck this makes me laugh, I used to work there. Graham is a wanker, very arrogant, racist and ignorant. Greg is very arrogant, believes he knows it all (does have some knowledge to back it up though but his delivery is very blunt and offensive). Craig is a decent bloke, will listen to you, help, advise and make sure you are all sorted. I know many many people who wont walk into that building for anything.

Well they must be doing something right, as they employ a good few people .

But arrogant and knows it all .....sums up a good few people in the MC trade. The people I work with now are nice polite and friendly. Above all proffesional enough ( as in Know their sh1t ) not to shout , abuse . or belittle others.
Its too good to last ........
I have an idea lets enthuse the staff, with enthusiastic staff , sales will rocket. I ll Just pop along and shout at a few, then they will think I am really important,:bs:

When I come back to Nz next time I must put the suit on ( looks very upmarket ) and have a nosey around casbolts

Ahh sod it who am I kidding, the only time Ill go there, is when I am three sheets to the wind and need a piss .

Stephen

[Skyryder]

Must be a girl thing...


I think they must like the girls... so all you blokes out there, the answer is to always take ya Mrs in with ya :whistle:

Maybe it distracts them from being aholes?

Either that or have a 'cut and tuck.'

Skyryder

[SpeedyGirl]

Yes speedy... if my tits were as impresive as yours I reckon I'd get free shit aswell :eek:
:o gee ta D!! :devil2: I would never use them to my advantage.......... well nearly never :nya:

[onearmedbandit]

Well they must be doing something right, as they employ a good few people .


Stephen

Other than Craig and Greg who basically have free reign within the shop, the staff turn over rate is nothing to be proud of. And they must employ about 5-6 staff.

[number33]

Hey! You can't just go talking willy nilly about impressive tits without some sort of visual proof.

[Oakie]

Hey! You can't just go talking willy nilly about impressive tits without some sort of visual proof.

And I'll bet you've already checked out the photo in her user profile haven't you... ?
(Makes mental note to check in on this thread later on tonight to see how it develops)

[dangerous]

And I'll bet you've already checked out the photo in her user profile haven't you... ?
AND... you were rather disapointed wernt you? all ya saw was my arse being groped....... again *sigh*

[Oakie]

AND... you were rather disapointed wernt you? all ya saw was my arse being groped....... again *sigh*

Groped? ... looked like they were just trying to find your bike keys...

[_intense_]

Well you gotta wonder how Casbolts survive (in fact all those big bike shops in that corner of Chch) when youve been in the shop perving at bikes and no-ones even approached you or said hi! yeah i went and bought privately, so they lose out, guess thats what you get for having shit sales reps... But how were they to know i wanted to buy a bigger bike.

[dangerous]

Well you gotta wonder how Casbolts survive
Owns a lot of property and have there own finance Co.

[gav]

And having a Honda franchise is practically a licence to print money....hardly have to chase sales, and the workshop is always busy.
My bike will be going to Sportzone Suzuki when the service is due.....
PS. Craigs pretty good, anyone who owns a Hesketh and actually rides it, gets my vote!

[Oakie]

My bike will be going to Sportzone Suzuki when the service is due.....


Yep, that's where my Honda gets it's lovin'

[Dooly]

Just wondering, having read lots of threads over the months about poor service from some bike shops.
Has anyone, or is it worth it, maybe emailing the shops concerned and posting the relevant forum link about them, in the hope they might take stock of the comments, whether valid or not, and try and 'improve' if thats the word....

[imdying]

Heh, you've not met Graham Casbolt then eh Dooly :lol:

[Dooly]

Heh, you've not met Graham Casbolt then eh Dooly :lol:

Nope.

But I was not just meaning them, was also meaning other shops I've read negativity about.

I know I would appreciate being told if my business had such a bad rep.
I'd be shocked, but still it would force me to act.

About Casbolts, I was looking at their bikes for sale a month or so ago online, as I was toying with the idea of a Ducati, and saw their range.
And whilst it is unlikely I'd travel to the south island to buy a Ducati, I must admit the issues raised about Casbolts on here over a period of time, probably would not endear me to buy off them.

[onearmedbandit]

Understand what you are saying but in this case Christchurch is a small town, they would've been told before in no uncertain terms or heard the stories getting around. I do remember a few pissed off customers letting fly with their opinions before leavingthe shop.

[Dooly]

Understand what you are saying but in this case Christchurch is a small town, they would've been told before in no uncertain terms or heard the stories getting around. I do remember a few pissed off customers letting fly with their opinions before leavingthe shop.

And does the owner or staff really not give a shit about all the bad rep?

Man, I'd be embarassed if it was my business.

[imdying]

Man, I'd be embarassed if it was my business.As would I mate. I guess some people when they get old, don't like young whipper snappers telling them what to do...

[Shaun]

Go see Glenn and Chris at Road and track motorcycles.

[gav]

Go see Glenn and Chris at Road and track motorcycles.
And when you can't find them, try Glenn and Chris at Street & Sport Motorcycles :whistle: ;)

[Monkeyboy]

I'll tell you a story about that silly old bastard who should piss off out of the shop and let his staff do their jobs.

I had my bike in at Pit Lane (more about them later) a couple of years ago getting a new rear tyre fitted. The guy doing the work said to me that my rear wheel bearing was in need of replacement and told me they had dozens of them but would need the part number in order to get the right one for my bike, which incidentally was a 1991 cbr600fm. They told me to go next door to Casbolts and speak to ***** who would help.

Unfortunately I struck Graham Casbolt. When I told him what I needed he said with a grin "sorry we can't help you" in a 'reading between the lines' kind of way. I will never forget as I left his store for THE LAST time him saying to me "next time make sure you bring your Honda into a HONDA shop". When I told Don and the guys at Pit Lane they went off!!! Don subsequently rang ***** and got the part number in no time.

I have a friend who drove to Dunedin with a trailer to buy a brand new Firestorm rather than buy one off that tight bastard.

Last week my rear vision mirror on my Firestorm was smashed by a stone flicked up from a car, I have ordered a new one via Econohonda in Te Aro rather than go through Casbolts. I understand that the business is for sale and Graham wants to play landlords.

To be honest I feel sorry for the other staff members in that shop, I know a lot of people who are motorcyclists and if there's one name that just keeps popping up in terms of bad service it's Casbolts.

I take my bike to Eric Woods and/or Duanes for servicing and repairs and Pit Lane for consumables.

Back to Pit Lane, Don and his guys are great, make you feel welcome and I use no one else for tyres, chains, sprockets, brake pads etc Sportzone are quite good too for service I bought some Ventura gear from them recently.

[Shaun]

And when you can't find them, try Glenn and Chris at Street & Sport Motorcycles :whistle: ;)

I know my spelling is bad, but basic word accosiation games as well?::slap:

[Rhino]

When I lived down in ChCh many years ago,..the only place to buy parts was Whiting Honda. Mr Whiting, senior knew about every Honda made.
Ah the memories....
That brings back memories. Whitings was the ONLY place to go for anything Honda. Casbolts was crap.:yeah: Sounds like it still is.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I have a friend who drove to Dunedin with a trailer to buy a brand new Firestorm rather than buy one off that tight bastard.

Back to Pit Lane, Don and his guys are great, make you feel welcome and I use no one else for tyres, chains, sprockets, brake pads etc Sportzone are quite good too for service I bought some Ventura gear from them recently.

Im only going as far as Ashvegas.... but I know how he feels.

I wouldnt buy the business if he was the landlord. I'd only buy it if I got the dirt as well or my lease was limited to CPI rent reviews. (having said that, itd be $1M plus)

and yeah, Yay for Pit Lane!

[gav]

Wonder if we should forward this thread onto Blue Wing Honda, nah, they probably couldnt give a toss either......

[onearmedbandit]

Graham is the poster boy for Blue Wing!

[imdying]

Ok, that was a bad mental image OAB...

[HenryDorsetCase]

Thats the problem innit? The product is great.

[denill]

And when you can't find them, try Glenn and Chris at Street & Sport Motorcycles :whistle: ;)
Yeah, they were a great team to deal with when we called in on them a couple of weeks ago. The rear tyre of the Triumph Sprint we were riding with had no tread showing on the centre line as we were to leave Greymouth on a Sunday morning. Tip-toed to Akaroa and booked into Street & Sport for Tuesday morn.
After an old sheilas pace to Chch at around 80kph (Tyre was deflating and steel showing??) we received excellent and friendly service from the workshop and parts guys. 2 new tyres, chain and rear pads on the Trumpy and we ended up buying 2 prs of DriRider gloves that seemed good value, and the parts guy was to pass on the old ones to some young and broke bucket racers.

Seemed like a Bike Shop from the olden days, run by motorcyclists - for motorcyclists. That must surely STILL be the recipe for a sucessful M/c shop...........

[scooter1]

I realise this reply is years later but you are right whitings new everything honda.I went to school with whiting jnr and would like to make contact he to was a honda nut.and a good freind 20 yrs ago.you must no family or freinnds of the whitings your help would be appreciated.Justin Whiting is son in question cheers Simon email pensim@paradise.net.nz

[LBD]

I realise this reply is years later ]

Only 4 years....late

I just bought a second bike from Casbolts....I am happy with my dealings there

[Muppet]

That's because you gave them money.....

[neels]

Don't know if things have generally changed there, or I've just been lucky, but I've been there a few times lately and had good service from them.

Bought my last 3 helmets from there, as they actually had a decent range to check out, had no problem with trying them on, and actually came over and asked if they could help rather than ignoring me.

Parts guy who's name I can't remember tracked down a some bits for my bike, new parts and one used bit that's no longer available new from some obscure place. He also spent a reasonable amount of time pricing shock linkage bushes before presenting me with an obscene total cost and suggesting a couple of engineering places that could make them for heaps less.