black marks for honda dealer [Archive]

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simo j

12th April 2006, 23:00

WINJA

12th April 2006, 23:03

N4CR

12th April 2006, 23:04

Wonder if they would say the same thing to the myriads of early 90's cbr250 owners/newbies etc.... and bigger ones of course.

justsomeguy

12th April 2006, 23:18

Wonder if they would say the same thing to the myriads of early 90's cbr250 owners/newbies etc.... and bigger ones of course.

If he's talking about the Honda dealer closer to where you and I live I've recieved nothing but the best deals and service from them - THEY ROCK!!!

Biff

12th April 2006, 23:23

Don't name and shame, as one of the shops employees slipped them their own business card and is working on the bike as a side line. And you don't want him to get a bollocking.

Otherwise I'd say go for it. Not that I condone slagging off shops here (unless they've been absolute arseholes, and in this case I don't believe they have), but it's always good for an arguement.

Velox

12th April 2006, 23:25

If that's totally true, post the name of the shop - if they said it publicly they can't be too fussed about having it on here.

What crap service.

cowpoos

12th April 2006, 23:30

If that's totally true, post the name of the shop - if they said it publicly they can't be too fussed about having it on here.

What crap service.
typical fuckin honda if ya ask me....build a crap bike and then won't dare fix em coz they fall apart....pifft....and slow....bloody slow....sheeeesh!!!

Velox

12th April 2006, 23:34

typical fuckin honda if ya ask me....build a crap bike and then won't dare fix em coz they fall apart....pifft....and slow....bloody slow....sheeeesh!!!
At least a Honda's worth fixing. If it was a Suzuki they'd just take it out the back and shoot it.

Kornholio

12th April 2006, 23:43

friend of mine took his ageing 650 in to honda shop to have afew minor repairs done, sorry mate we dont work on any bikes over 10 yrs old'''.what sort of bullshite is this, fortunately for them he had left his 12 guage over at the gunsmiths; its 30plus yrs old, no discrimination there though, however as he was being shown the door, one of the staff slipped him a card,seems he felt bad about things and wanted to help, he is sorting out the problem privately with my mate, good on yer mate, you are a bloody legend. by the way this all happened in auckland, must be hell and death on the nails darlings. think ill stay a country hick.

I can see the shops point of view tho, I mean imagine the workload of fixing those pieces of shite from the last 10 yrs let alone 30 or 40 yrs... they would need a mighty workshop with hundreds of mechanics :blip: :doobey:

cowpoos

12th April 2006, 23:49

At least a Honda's worth fixing. If it was a Suzuki they'd just take it out the back and shoot it.
you getting a suzuki in how many days lass?

Velox

12th April 2006, 23:57

you getting a suzuki in how many days lass?
It's ethically and morally wrong to compare cars and bikes. You know that.:moon:

Bonez

13th April 2006, 05:26

Bonez

13th April 2006, 05:36

I can see the shops point of view tho, I mean imagine the workload of fixing those pieces of shite from the last 10 yrs let alone 30 or 40 yrs... they would need a mighty workshop with hundreds of mechanics :blip: :doobey:

Could be an bit of an education though for some. :spudbn:

Bonez

13th April 2006, 05:51

unless they've been absolute arseholes, and in this case I don't believe they haveIt's a motocycle shop, that that refused to service/repair a motorcycle. They are indeed being arseholes.

James Deuce

13th April 2006, 06:45

On the one hand, the mechanic who knows what he is doing will look at an older bike and want to fix any bodge jobs that have happened over the years (not suggesting this particular bike is bodged though). The owner then gets a bill the size of a small moon and does his nut, refusing to pay for stuff that he didn't authorise.

On the other hand, the owner has a genuine need, the will to get it serviced and any necessary repairs and is grateful to the shop for their professional service.

The first hand happens so often as to make it uneconomic to entertain, and often the human communication issues are something make the whole scenario bloody unpleasant as well.

The very BEST way to manage it was done for me by WMCC when I ressurected a CBR600 to get back into bikes. Every time, and I mean EVERY time they found something wrong they contacted me and explained what needed doing and how much it would cost to do, and what it might cost me on a personal level if I ignored it. Communication by both parties was respectful.

At the end of the day, said shop has every right to turn a job away, and said potential customer has every right to complain, and the shop gets it servicing policy spread for free. You just need to read some of Motu's posts to see how hard it can be to achieve a good end result for both parties in the automotive world to get a feel for how bad it can go in the motorcycling world too.

Insanity_rules

13th April 2006, 07:08

I got enough grief finding a good mechanic for my 18 year old Honda. Go TSS! The treated me like I was a human being who is prepared to spend money on his bike. 250's are at enough of a premium without a bike shop telling you your bikes too old.

Not to mention the great find of econohonda for hard to find parts (Thanks heaps Nude metals).

Owned this bike about a month and have spend about $450 so far on new tyres (good ones) Cam chains, recovered seat and am about to do a serious remodel on it and I know where I'll be spending my money!

Ixion

13th April 2006, 07:15

As a matter of interest , I searched Trademe for Hondas pre 1996. About 200 of them, dearest $18000 for a Goldwing.

All of which one would presume this Honda dealer (who we must assume is following the Honda official line) would say should be scrapped (not much other choice if you can't get them serviced).

Wonder if other marques have the same attitude. If not, seems a very good reason not to buy a Honda. I know Experience BMW will service 1970's BMWs. Must try Colemans on one of my Suzukis sometime, be an interesting test.

I think that the real test of a dealership is its service department. The salesmen will always grease up to you and promise you the earth, but its how the workshop treat customers that shows what the dealership really is like.

Riff Raff

13th April 2006, 07:16

I had the same problem with a bike shop in Hastings 12 years ago with my 1967 B120. They did a little bit of work on it, then told me it was too hard and to take it away and not bring it back. Found someone who knew what they were doing with old bikes and it was fixed in a very short time.

SARGE

13th April 2006, 07:30

Wonder if other marques have the same attitude. If not, seems a very good reason not to buy a Honda. I know Experience BMW will service 1970's BMWs. Must try Colemans on one of my Suzukis sometime, be an interesting test.

I think that the real test of a dealership is its service department. The salesmen will always grease up to you and promise you the earth, but its how the workshop treat customers that shows what the dealership really is like.

we work on older stuff all the time Ixion.. even Motat brings thier old cop bikes up to us.. ive seen several mid-80's bikes in there too.. the problem fixing the older stuff is parts availability.. figure 15 years old and not many manufacturers are still making replacemet bits for a 1966 AFRTG-175 .. if we take this job on and cant get bits.. of course we will tell you to come collect your bike.. even if its 4 months ex-japan for bits .. most shops dont have much long-term storage.. every day your bike sits in the corner is another day it could get damaged.. sometimes its just not worth the effort

Motu

13th April 2006, 07:57

I remember back in the '70's when a certain grubby bike mechanic working in a dingy cave refused to work on older bikes,saying they had too many problems and were a waste of his time.A lot of people were shocked with his hard line attiude.

He still opperates a successful motorcycle business in Auckland,I doubt if anyone has been in this game longer than him....did he do the right thing - I think so.Try it from this side of the fence,you lose money working on older vehicles,you lose customers working on older vehicles by being accused of overcharging for shoddy work.

White trash

13th April 2006, 08:03

The very BEST way to manage it was done for me by WMCC when I ressurected a CBR600 to get back into bikes. Every time, and I mean EVERY time they found something wrong they contacted me and explained what needed doing and how much it would cost to do, and what it might cost me on a personal level if I ignored it. Communication by both parties was respectful.

What a laugh. I'm assuming this is the same WMCC that if you roll up on a 30 year old Harley Davidson Sportster trying to get work done, for which they are the only Wellington genuine service agent, they'll tell you to fuck right off. They don't work on old heaps of shit.

Swoop

13th April 2006, 09:31

Sometimes the technology of an older bike is actually easier to work on. No computers, no gizmos and widgets that need computer analyzing...

Yes, older bikes have their problems, but a competent mechanic can work wonders!

Motu

13th April 2006, 10:01

But will the customer willingly pay for all the time and effort he puts in? That's where the problem lies.

Paul in NZ

13th April 2006, 10:17

This was a factor in me passing on the Africa Twin that was being sold through here. I wanted a modern, reliable bike and I could not find a local Honda dealer to baseline it before I rode it home. The fact they are rare here (not sold new here) cemented the deal as far as I was concerned, I don't have time for another hobby vehicle.

Thing is, if you run an aged vehicle you better learn to twirl spanners. One thing the Guzzi is good at is easy servicing. Even a moron like me can keep it running.. sort of.

SARGE

13th April 2006, 10:19

But will the customer willingly pay for all the time and effort he puts in? That's where the problem lies.

first words i usually hear are

" how much Discount?"

"i want it but i dont want to pay for it.."

well then you dont want it that bad do you ?

yes i do.. but i dont want to pay for it ...

do i LOOK like the Warehouse ???

This was a factor in me passing on the Africa Twin that was being sold through here. I wanted a modern, reliable bike and I could not find a local Honda dealer to baseline it before I rode it home. The fact they are rare here (not sold new here) cemented the deal as far as I was concerned, I don't have time for another hobby vehicle.

Thing is, if you run an aged vehicle you better learn to twirl spanners. One thing the Guzzi is good at is easy servicing. Even a moron like me can keep it running.. sort of.

you should look at the Vstrom Paul...

White trash

13th April 2006, 10:44

you should look at the Vstrom Paul...

He did. And promptly threw up all over the carpet. Took me days to get the smell out.

Got to admit, much as I love riding the Vstrom, it deffinitely aint Suzukis best effort in motorcycle design.

SARGE

13th April 2006, 10:57

Jantar

13th April 2006, 10:59

I have never struck this attitude, and I have one of the rarest Japenese bikes in New Zealand, only 6700 ever made, only 1700 left in the world, and its now over 30 years old.

Howver I do recognise that it is now almost impossible to find a mechanic who has trained on the old RE5, so even if it is just a wof, I take the service manual with me. If parts are required then I source the parts before taking the bike into the shop, and if parts have to be made, I take the worn/broken part to the shopand let them choose the engineering workshop they will get to make the parts.

I also make it clear that when I take a bike to any mechanic for work to be done that I want a good job, not a cheap job. My life depends on the bike being in good working order so I only want original parts, or parts manufactured to a higher standard than original to be used.

inlinefour

13th April 2006, 11:01

friend of mine took his ageing 650 in to honda shop to have afew minor repairs done, sorry mate we dont work on any bikes over 10 yrs old'''.what sort of bullshite is this, fortunately for them he had left his 12 guage over at the gunsmiths; its 30plus yrs old, no discrimination there though, however as he was being shown the door, one of the staff slipped him a card,seems he felt bad about things and wanted to help, he is sorting out the problem privately with my mate, good on yer mate, you are a bloody legend. by the way this all happened in auckland, must be hell and death on the nails darlings. think ill stay a country hick.

maybe they did not want your friends custom for whatever reason? The local dealer here has told me that they will work on any of my bikes, no matter what the age, or manufacturer...
Or maybe the bike was a total basketcase? I've restored a few bikes that when I would have never considered taking into a shop. However once all they donkey work was done, they was more than happy to tune em up for me. I think this thread needs to be put into perspective. I'm sure any of the other dealers would not want a shitbox to work on (irrelevant of make) as they all appear to be busy in the naki...

Ixion

13th April 2006, 11:07

we work on older stuff all the time Ixion.. even Motat brings thier old cop bikes up to us.. ive seen several mid-80's bikes in there too.. the problem fixing the older stuff is parts availability.. figure 15 years old and not many manufacturers are still making replacemet bits for a 1966 AFRTG-175 .. if we take this job on and cant get bits.. of course we will tell you to come collect your bike.. even if its 4 months ex-japan for bits .. most shops dont have much long-term storage.. every day your bike sits in the corner is another day it could get damaged.. sometimes its just not worth the effort

That's fair enough. With the old bikes , if I was getting it done outside, I'd source and obtain whatever was likely to be needed , and take it in with the bike.

And I wish workshops would say "come and collect it, cos the widget is 4 months away". Often , even though the widget needs replacing, the vehicle can still be used in the meantime. Nothing worse than a vehicle sitting in a workshop waiting and waiting for parts. Sometimes, it relaly can't be helped. Often it could be put back on the road in the interim.

HenryDorsetCase

13th April 2006, 11:40

I have never struck this attitude, and I have one of the rarest Japenese bikes in New Zealand, only 6700 ever made, only 1700 left in the world, and its now over 30 years old.

I also make it clear that when I take a bike to any mechanic for work to be done that I want a good job, not a cheap job. My life depends on the bike being in good working order so I only want original parts, or parts manufactured to a higher standard than original to be used.

I rode an RE5 from Wellington to Christchurch once. fantastic experience.

I can see the issue from the shops POV, and it being a free country and all they are of course allowed to say, "Thank you, but we decline the opportunity to work on your fine machine". The owner is then free to find someone else. I went thru the same stuff with SOHC CB750 stuff, and luckily the CB400 bits I need are readily available, and I have a great mechanic here I can turn to for stuff I cant do myself.

Yay for the interweb! Econohonda and David Silver Spares and CMSL for old Honda bits.

the thing is, these bikes are now enthusiast bikes, and demand enthusiast levels of commitment to own (IMO).

I would happily get on my CB400 and ride it to Greymouth tomorrow, and its nearly 30 y.o. Not sure I would be happy to do that with a correspondingly aged brit bike. But of course that "JAp crap" will only last for five minutes... Yeah right.

2_SL0

13th April 2006, 12:13

I cant be bothered typing up a long responce. Lets just say Motu has hit the nail
on the head. My cut off date is pre 1980, and Im looking at moving that up to 1985. Old shit aint worth my time or effort.

Ixion

13th April 2006, 12:21

So you would say this was not worth maintaining, cos it's old shit and not worth time or effort ?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-53208799.htm

Or this ?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-53610557.htm

Certainly not worth the effort, it's a Honda

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-53613725.htm

HenryDorsetCase

13th April 2006, 12:23

If we're spending $30k on that, we send it to Ken McIntosh whenever it needs anything done, kay?

God I love that bike. its a bargain really (it was $35k) I am playing a waiting game. waiting till I win Big Wednesday.. I will straight swap the poxy range rover for it.

2_SL0

13th April 2006, 12:38

So you would say this was not worth maintaining, cos it's old shit and not worth time or effort ?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-53208799.htm

I would happily maintain a bike of that CONDITION and quality, but if your so dim to not reconise the difference between a heap of shit and classic, you should get some glasses. But for a start is that the bike we are talking about. Compare apples with apples, if you wanna read my statement carefully, is does state "worth my time" I see a big difference between that bike and a old heap of crap.
You guys with your old heaps of shit, piss me off. (I am not meaning the above bike) You buy these heaps of shit, (Example Magua piece of crap) (No offence) You aint got a clue how to fix them yourselves. You bitch at the bill, not realising the mechanic spent 2 hrs over the time he has charged you fixing other things on the bike. Then a week later more shit craps out, your back on his doorstep wanting the piece of crap fixed for free "Cus bro it was just in here getting fixed"
Comparing that scenario with a Manx Norton 500 1952 that has completely been restored is pure stupidity. But hey this is KB and I would expect nothing
less.

Motu

13th April 2006, 12:38

If you can afford that bike you can afford the repairs.

But people who own an old bike bought it because it was cheap,and can't afford proper repairs....or they have had it from new and are too tight to trade up to a better bike.Working on a 20 yr old bike there is a 95% chance of uncovering an unforseen fault....so do you go ahead and fix it,and have the customer bleating about the price and doing a flame on an internet forum about how **** shop are rip off artists.Or do you leave it alone and hand it back with something wrong....and then have the customer moan and start a flame thread on an internet forum about how **** shop never fixed your bike and how useless they are.

For the bike shop it's a lose/lose situation....best to stay away from the whole issue.Wish I'd take my own advise sometimes....

Ixion

13th April 2006, 12:46

Polciy wasn't "Sorry, we won't work on bikes where the condition is too bad". But "We won't work on bikes more than 10 years old". As you have said, old bike could be in first class nick, just need some routine maintainence.

I can perfectly go along with a shop or mechanic saying "Sorry,mate it's too far gone, my time to fix it would be more than it's worth".

Fortunately, I can fix my own piles of shit myself.

Cos, yeah I *am* too mean to buy a brand new bike every couple of years and junk the "old" one. Don't like the "disposable , built in obsolesence" thing at best of times, let alone for bikes.

HenryDorsetCase

13th April 2006, 12:49

Certainly not worth the effort, it's a Honda

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-53613725.htm

I think $20k is a bit over the top for a CBX personally. A very nice one sold on tardme for $10k last year. that particular one needs NOS exhausts to be worth that money.

but who wouldnt want one for the collection? Its among Irimajiri-sans finest work.

and people who say it isnt a classic motorbike need their heads read.

HenryDorsetCase

13th April 2006, 12:51

[QUOTE=Motu]If you can afford that bike you can afford the repairs.

But people who own an old bike bought it because it was cheap,and can't afford proper repairs....or they have had it from new and are too tight to trade up to a better bike.Working on a 20 yr old bike there is a 95% chance of uncovering an unforseen fault....so do you go ahead and fix it,and have the customer bleating about the price and doing a flame on an internet forum about how **** shop are rip off artists.Or do you leave it alone and hand it back with something wrong....and then have the customer moan and start a flame thread on an internet forum about how **** shop never fixed your bike and how useless they are.

QUOTE]

Um, my view would be that communication is the key in that situation, like in any business.

that gives the punter the option.

HenryDorsetCase

13th April 2006, 12:55

If you can afford that bike you can afford the repairs.

But people who own an old bike bought it because it was cheap,and can't afford proper repairs....or they have had it from new and are too tight to trade up to a better bike.Working on a 20 yr old bike there is a 95% chance of uncovering an unforseen fault....so do you go ahead and fix it,and have the customer bleating about the price and doing a flame on an internet forum about how **** shop are rip off artists.Or do you leave it alone and hand it back with something wrong....and then have the customer moan and start a flame thread on an internet forum about how **** shop never fixed your bike and how useless they are.

Um, my view would be that communication is the key in that situation, like in any business.

that gives the punter the option.

Paul in NZ

13th April 2006, 12:57

He did. And promptly threw up all over the carpet. Took me days to get the smell out.

Got to admit, much as I love riding the Vstrom, it deffinitely aint Suzukis best effort in motorcycle design.

Design? Someone designed it? Gleep, it's the only bike I know that looks better with Givi hard panniers on it 'cos they cover some more of it up! Sadly, it's exactly what I would like but - shudder - It's just not me.... (mind you it does make me look pretty slick in comparison so it may be a good idea after all)

I've actually wondered if the 10 years old thing is more to filter out people with 'trouble' in big neon above their heads? Dunno?

Not fair to compare a Manx norton with a 10 year old Honda though. All vehicle go through the 'useless rubbish' stage until they are around 20 years old them they become 'collectable' and specialists set up shop working on them.

HenryDorsetCase

13th April 2006, 13:03

Not fair to compare a Manx norton with a 10 year old Honda though. All vehicle go through the 'useless rubbish' stage until they are around 20 years old them they become 'collectable' and specialists set up shop working on them.

fair call that.

I think the 10y.o. thing means its just on the lowest point of that cycle.

(though if it IS a CB650 itll probably NEVER hit te "up" part of that cycle)

Brian d marge

13th April 2006, 15:19

Um, my view would be that communication is the key in that situation, like in any business.

that gives the punter the option.

Ok fellas off you go get a cup of coffee. a pull up a chair. cos this is a subject dear to my heart...

I know where motu is coming from been there many times. cb 750 comes in for a tune with worn carb slides, it aint going to idle smoothly in a month of sundays. and you STILL have to charge the fella.

BUT there are ways to go about this , and this is the job of the service manager, ( get a good one and life is sweet , get a bad one who came from another dept and life sucks )

Me I agree with Henry. Communication, The customer (you) wants to feel like the shop is treatig him/her extra special like and if it a bit greasy he/she will smell a rat a mile away. So we are talking about simple person to person ...I really genuinely want to help you type talking ..

The customer has needs and wants results ( one click on the internet) We the shop owners/staff have to recognise those needs and make the person leave the shop feeling that those needs have been met.

No its not bull. walk into a dairy buy an ice cream and pay and walk out , your needs were met. you had a range of product/price and at ALL times felt like YOU were in control of the situation and if you were un sure you asked and had a simple clear answer ...they are over there sir by the frozen peas ! ( and the transaction happened smoothly , and without risk )

Now from the mechanics point of view. . Customer has say a ohh trying to think of the model , it was a yamaha and the alternator was also a starter motor ,,, and it doesnt start ,,, or say a early Gl 1000 which burnt the alternator out due to the connector getting corroded engine out job...

Either way I would be truthful and respectful to the person, I am a mechanic and know the process involved in the above bikes and know what most likely could go wrong ... get a feel for what outcomes the customer wants by asking lots of questions ( what happens when you go to the doctors...??) and CLEARLY inform the customer ( a genuine likeing for people - except hoodies- and good comunication skills help here )

Then work towards a solution for the customers needs.. looking at the BIG picture

I remember a post about from Motu about an Iranian ?? lady and her clutch ... Fantastic service given by Motu ,,,a bit of mis comunication but it came right in the end ,,,and Ill bet she is now a life time customer..so in the Long run it payed off

Solutions can ALWAYS be found . and as for this 4 weeks from Japan ,,,thats absolute crap ,,,5 days ( 2 people on this list already have found that out .posted friday arrived tuesday I think it was)

Dont tell me they cant pick up a phone ( using skype as its cheap) and ring Japan ...they are already importing from a dealer here who speaks English , and ask how much a wigit cost and are they available ..takes 10 min to find out ..all the major manufactures are online anyway !) ..David silver spares ! is a 7 day turnaround ,,great service ...

finally if you are wondering how I would help a spotty teenager with a dunga of a first bike and the inteligence of a slackjaw ( trust me I was one , they are out there)

Depending on the situation ( lets say fork seals) I would ask him/ to do as much as they can to reduce the overall cost so that the final bill is very much reduced and I would follow up with a free check to see if the work was safe, before they started zooming around on it , I would invest a small amount of my time to show them how to do it, or if they cant at least remove the bits that could get damaged , tank, seat, mirrors ...
All depends upon the customer and the situation ..
End of the day the customer goes away feeling empowered . ( thats a bit of a new agey touchy feely word ,,but its the best one I could think of !)

Finally if its a really impossible situation or you really dont want to get involved with the customer. Adopt a can do attitude , but due to the amount of work you cant possible get onto it untill at least 6 months from now as some times it is better to refuse in such a way that the customer feels like you are trying to help

Ive been involved with people for the last twenty years ( friggen eck where did that go ) ,,and only in the last 3 or 4 years have I actually seen , really understood what its like to SERVE the customer. thats why I chose this job , because I like Helping people ,

Sorry if the above seems like a pipe dream , or the wafflings of a derranged looney ( it is) ,,,but even when i re read it it still doesnt quite explain my feelings about customer service

Good customer service does happen... it happens to me , and I go back to that shop time and time again, ( and I am certainly not a profit making customer...but I am a customer)

Stephen

HenryDorsetCase

13th April 2006, 15:35

. All vehicle go through the 'useless rubbish' stage until they are around 20 years old them they become 'collectable' and specialists set up shop working on them.

speaking of which..........

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=26319

:)

also, I'm with Stephen. bloody right

Jantar

13th April 2006, 15:46

....Working on a 20 yr old bike there is a 95% chance of uncovering an unforseen fault....so do you go ahead and fix it,and have the customer bleating about the price and doing a flame on an internet forum about how **** shop are rip off artists.Or do you leave it alone and hand it back with something wrong....and then have the customer moan and start a flame thread on an internet forum about how **** shop never fixed your bike and how useless they are.

For the bike shop it's a lose/lose situation....best to stay away from the whole issue.Wish I'd take my own advise sometimes....

You could always tell the customer just what you have found, and leave it up the customer to decide whether or not to fix it. Of course the customer must realise that there is a cost for the work already done.

Motu, if you are ever working on a vehicle of mne, and find a fault that relates to safety or performance, then fix it, Otherwise I'm likely to come onto an internet forum and bitch about the poor workmanship. :Pokey:

Incidentally, I recently changed garages for my cage, because the previous garage thought they were doing me a favour by taking shortcuts when issuing a wof or doing a 6000K service. Fortunately I found out before any serious damage damage was done. I have said it before, and I will say it again, there is good work or there is cheap work, but there is seldom good cheap work.

2_SL0

13th April 2006, 15:54

Stephen, well written. I aint got the time to write such a long responce. But you have put my thoughts into words.
However at times it is unwise in my industry to become involved in the repair of a engine that we know will still continue to be unreliable. It is with that we operate a cut off point for age of product we will work on.
I agree entirely it is how you handle the customer, everyone likes to feel they are important/valued customer. However I will not attempt to hide the truth from a customer, if I feel his motor is unsafe, poor condition, and not worth repairing. I tell it to them straight. I have retained many a customer because I havent bullshited them and attempted to repair something that ain't worth repairing. BUT as stated it is all in the way you present the information.

sunhuntin

13th April 2006, 16:40

APPLE

13th April 2006, 16:45

At least a Honda's worth fixing. If it was a Suzuki they'd just take it out the back and shoot it.
HAY? CUT IT OUT MATE????

WINJA

13th April 2006, 16:51

At least a Honda's worth fixing. If it was a Suzuki they'd just take it out the back and shoot it.
YEAH SHOOT IT WITH A HUGE DOLLOP OF JIZZ CAUSE THEY MAKE SUCH HORNY BIKES

inlinefour

13th April 2006, 17:18

YEAH SHOOT IT WITH A HUGE DOLLOP OF JIZZ CAUSE THEY MAKE SUCH HORNY BIKES

so thats why your into suzukis? Sounds like hillbilly behaviour to me...:whocares:

cowpoos

13th April 2006, 20:56

so thats why your into suzukis? Sounds like hillbilly behaviour to me...:whocares:
He's taking banjo leassons I believe!

Edbear

13th April 2006, 21:01

HAY? CUT IT OUT MATE????

I agree! After all, Suzuki just keep,on making the same bike year after year! I bet I could get a new bike just by overhauling my old one! They made the 600F for over ten years!

Biff

14th April 2006, 12:52

It's a motocycle shop, that that refused to service/repair a motorcycle. They are indeed being arseholes.

I see where you coming from, but here's why I believe that while they're not being very helpful in this instance, and I can kinda justify their decision, having been on the other end of a similarish scenario:

I once ran a team of techies whose sole responsible was to repair Sony TVs (we were all employees of Sony). We would sometimes get asked, by customers, to repair old Sony TVs and this caused us problems. These included, but were not limited to, the fact that our techies weren't familiar/trained on older models, and that, more importantly, to repair an older TV more, a model you weren't overly familiar with, was more labour intensive than repairing a modern TV. So not only was it likely to cost the customer of the older TV if we compared it to repairing a more modern TV (in labour costs alone) but it also took up the techies valuable time, which could/should be better spent repairing some of Sony's more recent/profitable customers. By accepting an older TV in for repair, we couldn't provide the more recent customers with the service they required and demanded. So we would always suggest to anyone with an older TV to go to a 'general' TV repair shop.

So while I agree that the Honda shop in question hasn't made a friend by making this decision, in a harsh world where the $ talks, this policy has been probably been put in place in an attempt to make their business more profitable. So I can understand their decision to a point.

Either that or they're arseholes.

cowpoos

14th April 2006, 15:00

I agree! After all, Suzuki just keep,on making the same bike year after year! I bet I could get a new bike just by overhauling my old one! They made the 600F for over ten years!
they up date there sports bike range every two years...

Edbear

14th April 2006, 17:11

they up date there sports bike range every two years...

You are quite correct, of course, I can only refer to certain models. Personal favourite is the GSX750-R.

Doesn't it seem almost at the stage where one is reluctant to buy the latest GSXRCBRZXR1 'cause they'll have a new model out in few months making ones latest pride and joy old news? I love seeing the advances in technology, though. I also love classics. One reason I haven't updated the F is due to the bewildering variety of bikes to choose from! And the fact that mine has only done 39k and is in good nick with servicing and parts, (should I ever need any...), still economically available. (Read - The F is cheap to own and still cuts the mustard on the road). Colemans don't bat an eyelid when I bring it in even though it's now 17 years old!

cowpoos

14th April 2006, 17:55

You are quite correct, of course, I can only refer to certain models. Personal favourite is the GSX750-R.

Doesn't it seem almost at the stage where one is reluctant to buy the latest GSXRCBRZXR1 'cause they'll have a new model out in few months making ones latest pride and joy old news? I love seeing the advances in technology, though. I also love classics. One reason I haven't updated the F is due to the bewildering variety of bikes to choose from! And the fact that mine has only done 39k and is in good nick with servicing and parts, (should I ever need any...), still economically available. (Read - The F is cheap to own and still cuts the mustard on the road). Colemans don't bat an eyelid when I bring it in even though it's now 17 years old!
the only reason to update is if theres something you want....so if ur happy....you'll have no reason...

number33

14th April 2006, 20:10

Picking most are the same if you're 16 - 20 years old now and in 25 years time your current style bike will be your favourite still you'll think all the 2030 models are characterless modern shite. Late 70's was when superbikes appeared on the road in NZ - didn't NZ get the first bikes? I betcha motorbike sales were the highest ever then. Castrol 6 hour and all. Seemed like everyone was into motorbikes. Kiwi Crosby was sliding the rear and winning GP's also.

You can tweak a GS11 or XS11 to reliable 150 horses rear wheel with simple gas you know so these are dungers can be fucking fast too. Turbos and nitrous was giving modern shite bike performance 25 years ago also hot cams, reworked valvetrains, springs, big-bores, ported, piped, jetted etc... my current hotted 1200cc 4 cyl aircooled jappo gives litre sportbikes a big fright up to 200 kph before they slip away. Gixxer 6's and R6's are easy meat in a short drag. Lucky I've got a 160 rim the standard 130 tyres were the widest you could get and Cheng Shins are slippery as ice. heh heh. H1's were copping a bad rap for death and you could tweak a road H2 to 10 sec 1/4's easy enough. I think the GPZ900 was the first light/powerful/compact/liquid cooled 4 stroke motor in a production bike. These outfits won't even work on a GPZ900?