One problem with buying new bikes...

[dipshit]

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.

This is my understanding too. I have written to Suzuki NZ stating that i wish to do the next compulsory servers myself and will keep dockets of the oil and filters used etc as some proof the service had been done should any warranty issues come up in the future.

It will be interesting to see what they have to say.

[dipshit]

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

It may mean at least one of their mechanics attends training workshops and they have any necessary diagnostic equipment and specialty service tools.

But i bet they don't send junior who is actually doing the servicing off to the training workshops... so it kind of defeats the purpose.

[98tls]

This is my understanding too. I have written to Suzuki NZ stating that i wish to do the next compulsory servers myself and will keep dockets of the oil and filters used etc as some proof the service had been done should any warranty issues come up in the future.

It will be interesting to see what they have say.

Post up what they come back with eh.

[dipshit]

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.

This is true. It's the same as if you would put an aftermarket exhaust system on a new bike... and during the warranty period the gearbox shat itself. You would still be covered under warranty because a gearbox problem say, would be unrelated to you fitting a different exhaust system.

They would have to prove it was what you did that caused the problem.

[FROSTY:Me]

Watch the price of bikes go up if people are allowed to do their own servicing.

[dipshit]

Watch the price of bikes go up if people are allowed to do their own servicing.

Maybe so if that money spinner was eroded away from them.

But it may also see the standards of workshop services go up because they would need to compete for the workshop jobs instead of getting the work as a given.

As not only would it give the customer the option of doing the services themselves... it also would give us the option of giving the work to another workshop down the road that we may have more faith in. So basically you would end up with the better workshop in town getting more of the work. That is a good thing for everybody ultimately.

[Katman]

it also would give us the option of giving the work to another workshop down the road that we may have more faith in. So basically you would end up with the better workshop in town getting more of the work. That is a good thing for everybody ultimately.

Amen to that.

The reality is that there are small independent workshops out there that offer a greater standard of work and better level of customer service.

[PeeJay]

... is the f*&^#*! compulsory services by an "authorised" dealer if you want to keep your warranty valid!

Been there and done that. No such thing. Its a bit of BS the dealers push but they cant cancel your warranty if they dont do the services. Provided the services are done by a competant mechanic/person, documented, and done as per the service schedule, they cant argue the point. Ring the AA legal dept to confirm it.
Same goes with using the "special" oil that you can only get from them.
cheers

[YellowDog]

I would always recommend getting the first service done by an authorised dealer however if you have a tried and tested model, like a GSXR or an SV, then you can read about the recall notices yourself and if their ain't none and the bike is running well: WHY RISK SOME SPOTTY KID SCREWING UP YOUR LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM?

YOU'RE WARRANTEE IS WORTHLESS TOO YOU AND ONLY OF VALUE TO THE DEALER TO KEEP YOU HOOKED.

[AllanB]

But i bet they don't send junior who is actually doing the servicing off to the training workshops... so it kind of defeats the purpose.

Just to throw a spanner into the works

A oil & filter change should easily be preformed to a satisfactory standard by junior, as should chain oiling!
So back to your original complaint, regardless if it was a 20 year veteran or 'green' apprentice who did the work, it should have been up to standard. If it indeed was a junior doing the work then it should have been checked by the senior mechanic prior to the customer receiving the bike.

I'll be interested to see what Suzuki say about self-servicing your bike.

[AllanB]

YOU'RE WARRANTEE IS WORTHLESS TOO YOU AND ONLY OF VALUE TO THE DEALER TO KEEP YOU HOOKED.

Hmmm - there are posts on KB with entire bikes being replaced under warranty.

[Stormer]

I`m usually kinda anxious when picking up my bike from a service or whatever...give it the once over just to make sure everything is as it should be.
And with the guys looking after the GSXR (Dave Anderson Suzuki), I`ve had no worries at all.

[dipshit]

Been there and done that. No such thing. Its a bit of BS the dealers push but they cant cancel your warranty if they dont do the services. Provided the services are done by a competant mechanic/person, documented, and done as per the service schedule, they cant argue the point. Ring the AA legal dept to confirm it.

Good to know!

[FROSTY:Me]

YD I'd have a good read of the fine print on the warranty. A factory supplied warranty CAN specify that the vehicle be serviced by a (for example) Suzuki workshop. They CANT say it must be serviced here

[dipshit]

A oil & filter change should easily be preformed to a satisfactory standard by junior,

You would think wouldn't you. But no, i have picked up a bike when clearly it had not had its oil changed properly as the manufacturer intended.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...14#post1935914

The manufacturer stated for said particular bike that the engine needs to be run for a short period then shut off and wait for two minutes then take a reading. If oil is below the low mark then oil should be added. If the oil is above the full line then some oil should be drained off from the sump.

A service from an authorised dealer failed to perform the service as the manufacturer intended.

So back to your original complaint, regardless if it was a 20 year veteran or 'green' apprentice who did the work, it should have been up to standard.

Yes it should have.

If it indeed was a junior doing the work then it should have been checked by the senior mechanic prior to the customer receiving the bike.

It should be more than just checked before the customer gets it back. The apprentice should be trained to do it the correct way from someone more experienced. They should be working alongside someone and get shown how to do things properly in exactly the same way the experienced mechanic would do. He should not be doing any jobs on any bikes that he has not been trained to do. Simply letting them do their own thing without someone looking over their shoulder and keeping a close eye on them isn't giving the one learning the knowledge of the more experienced and skilled mechanic.

Checking their work afterwards is not enough as you would only see what is visible. Did junior correctly tighten the sump plug without overtightening it..?? Once a sump plug has been over tightened - the sump thread is damaged from then on. Simply looking at it afterwards will not pick the problem.

I'll be interested to see what Suzuki say about self-servicing your bike.

Indeed.