One problem with buying new bikes...

[dipshit]

^This!

If they try to back out of a valid warranty claim because you changed the oil & filter and lubed the chain yourself then you can tell them you will be making a complaint to whoever you need to

I very well may do this at my next compulsory 6k service. Looking at the maintenance chart - its a pretty basic service with nothing too technical.

[Ecclesnz]

As someone else has said I think, document all the problems you have had. Back it up with photos where possible and contact Suzuki NZ asking what your options are.

I would say if you present yourself as someone in a state of disbelief at the level of incompetence displayed by those representing Suzuki's brand rather than someone having a rant (not saying you are) they might be quite accomodating about what can be done.

I'm not saying go cap in hand acting meek and mild, just present your experiences to them and ask for their advice on how to proceed. Let them know it looks like your best option at this stage is to either have to travel 100km to another town, or risk voiding the warranty yourself just to make sure you receive a competent level of service. Put the ball in their court without seeming abusive.

[dipshit]

I would say if you present yourself as someone in a state of disbelief at the level of incompetence displayed by those representing Suzuki's brand rather than someone having a rant (not saying you are) they might be quite accomodating about what can be done.

Thanks. Sensible advice and i will be doing just this.

[steve_t]

Does anyone know if 'service technicians' use torque wrenches when they tighten stuff like spark plugs, wheel nuts etc etc? My guts say no having heard/read so many stories of stripped threads or things coming loose

[MotoGirl]

Services to keep your bike under warranty are just a pain in the arse.

We've been dealing with our local dealer for the past two years but that company has just given up the aprilia franchise. Now, instead of travelling 3km to get a service, it has become a 160 km return trip to Morrinsville. And we have no idea how this dealer is going to treat my bike.

We always supply our own oil/filters and haven't had any problems with our dealers. Mind you, we give pretty explicit instructions about what needs to be done.

If the RSVR didn't have a four year warranty period, this wouldn't be an issue.

[Pussy]

Does anyone know if 'service technicians' use torque wrenches when they tighten stuff like spark plugs, wheel nuts etc etc? My guts say no having heard/read so many stories of stripped threads or things coming loose

I have observed very few "service technicians" using torque wrenches for those applications

[TimeOut]

That's the problem. Even if i know of a good mechanic somewhere... i have to take it to an authorised Suzuki dealer for a compulsory service to keep the warranty valid.

It's a crock of shit if their "authorised" dealers are useless fucks that couldn't service a wheelbarrow.

Hi
Lyndon knows what he's doing, the only one I trust at that dealership, he just did the 24,000 check on my bike (tappets etc)
The only other service was the first, I've done all the others and it won't affect the warranty, Mark (the owner)agreed to that when I bought the bike.

One of the boys replaced a seal on the Quad and punched it in to far it failed within a week.

[p.dath]

Best to speak with your dollar, and stop supporting a brand that doesn't give you what you want. What other brands are there that you can purchase in your area?

Failing that, have you considered purchasing an after market warranty (I think a crowd called AutoSure does them), that has less restrictions? Of course, you do have to pay for more flexibility ...

[dipshit]

Hi
Lyndon knows what he's doing, the only one I trust at that dealership, he just did the 24,000 check on my bike (tappets etc)
The only other service was the first, I've done all the others and it won't affect the warranty, Mark (the owner)agreed to that when I bought the bike.

One of the boys replaced a seal on the Quad and punched it in to far it failed within a week.

Taking your bike to a dealer for a service shouldn't be a crapshoot. I'm not prepared to take the risk anymore. I was never much of a gambling man anyhow.

Very interesting that he let you do the 2nd service yourself. Good to know.

[dipshit]

Best to speak with your dollar, and stop supporting a brand that doesn't give you what you want. What other brands are there that you can purchase in your area?

Like buy a Honda next time you mean..??

No way! I'm very pleased with the GSXR. It rocks and i have no problems with the Suzuki brand.

It's just dealing with the typical shit NZ style of service that is a pain in the backside.

[idleidolidyll]

I was talking to a bike shop owner recently and he advised me that under NZ law, you cannot be forced to use any particular dealership or even franchised dealer.

All products sold in NZ are subject to the consumer guarantees act and he said that as long as the machine is serviced to the spec of the manufacturer, it makes no difference who does it. The warranty should not be affected.

I think he was correct but I'd like to see a legal opinion on this.

[98tls]

Like buy a Honda next time you mean..??

No way! I'm very pleased with the GSXR. It rocks and i have no problems with the Suzuki brand.

It's just dealing with the typical shit NZ style of service that is a pain in the backside.

Sorry to hear of your woes there Dip,ive been dealing with Mark n co for years and have had nothing but great service from them and have never hesitated to reccomend them to anyone thats asked.Sounds like you have had plenty of problems with others as well,on the others i cant comment but Marks a hell of a nice bloke and gone well out of his way over the years to help me out,personally a wrongly fitted fairing clip and some excess oil on chain wouldnt bother me to much but if it did i would be pointing it out to him and i am sure he welcome your concerns so as to see them not repeated.

[dipshit]

Sorry to hear of your woes there Dip,ive been dealing with Mark n co for years and have had nothing but great service from them and have never hesitated to reccomend them to anyone thats asked.

Yeah Mark seems like a good guy and it was good dealing with him trading in and buying the 600. Things went very smoothly with good service in that regard... to the point i was happy to keep dealing with him.

Sounds like you have had plenty of problems with others as well,on the others i cant comment but Marks a hell of a nice bloke and gone well out of his way over the years to help me out,personally a wrongly fitted fairing clip and some excess oil on chain wouldnt bother me to much but if it did i would be pointing it out to him and i am sure he welcome your concerns so as to see them not repeated.

Every time getting my bikes back from a service i have found myself fixing things up and getting things right again afterwards. There seems to be a serious lack of professionalism in the workshops. I have had enough of it.

My beef is the requirement of the compulsory services from a dealer when i know i could do the job better myself as obviously they are getting the juniors to do these services.

[Max Preload]

I was talking to a bike shop owner recently and he advised me that under NZ law, you cannot be forced to use any particular dealership or even franchised dealer.

All products sold in NZ are subject to the consumer guarantees act and he said that as long as the machine is serviced to the spec of the manufacturer, it makes no difference who does it. The warranty should not be affected.

I think he was correct but I'd like to see a legal opinion on this.

Technically correct and more specifically, even if left completely unserviced, unless a failure is a result of non-servicing you'd still be covered by the manufacturers warranty if you took issue with it and went to to the Disputes Tribunal over a declined claim. Claim lodgement fees are: $30 for claims of up to $1000, $50 for up to $5000 and $100 for up to $7500. Up to $12000 (if both parties agree) is also $100.

[steve_t]

I was talking to a bike shop owner recently and he advised me that under NZ law, you cannot be forced to use any particular dealership or even franchised dealer.

All products sold in NZ are subject to the consumer guarantees act and he said that as long as the machine is serviced to the spec of the manufacturer, it makes no difference who does it. The warranty should not be affected.

I think he was correct but I'd like to see a legal opinion on this.

But how does the manufacturer know that the servicing has been up to their specs unless you get it done by people who are "authorized service agents"? Obviously, we'd like to think "authorized" means "well trained by the manufacturer" but clearly it doesn't