One problem with buying new bikes...

[dipshit]

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

It says... "The Service Record pages must be filled out by an Authorised Suzuki Dealer the at the time of servicing. All prescribed services must be carried out at the mileage specified to ensure your Warranty remains valid"

With my previous bike, i actually received a letter in the mail from the dealer reminding me that i am required to perform the first two services at a Suzuki dealership.

Actually looking at my new warranty and service booklet... it makes no mention of only the first two services as the compulsory ones. From the sound of it from what is written above... it sounds like all services during the warranty period need to be done at a authorised Suzuki dealer.

[FROSTY:Me]

Yup thought so dipshit. My experience with warranty is cars not bikes but same principle applies. Quite often the car is sold at little up front profit with the knowledge the dealership stands a really good chance of picking up all the servicing work for years to come.

[Katman]

Yup thought so dipshit. My experience with warranty is cars not bikes but same principle applies. Quite often the car is sold at little up front profit with the knowledge the dealership stands a really good chance of picking up all the servicing work for years to come.

And that concept is morally corrupt.

[FROSTY:Me]

And that concept is morally corrupt.

Sorry dude I don't understand that. Someone offers you a product --Lets not be fooled here it is a product.They make it clear the terms of recieving that product. Its simple really. If you want our warranty then meet the conditions of it. If you don't and simply want cover under the CGA and FTA then hey thats cool. Have it serviced where you want.
Incidently I would be rather interested to see what happens if someone has a bike serviced FROM NEW at your workshop with receipts showing the work.then had reason to claim on warranty.I'd strongly suspect that under the CGA they would have to pay out.

[98tls]

Yup thought so dipshit. My experience with warranty is cars not bikes but same principle applies. Quite often the car is sold at little up front profit with the knowledge the dealership stands a really good chance of picking up all the servicing work for years to come.

Yep is about my thoughts to Frosty,back in the day when selling Toyotas it was the service dept that was making money,there was 12.5 % profit in a new car but not to many stupid enough to pay retail.Service dept and trade ins is where they made there money.

[Katman]

Sorry dude I don't understand that.

Why should the consumer be forced to support a business that they may have no confidence in?

That concept is morally corrupt.

[TimeOut]

Incidently I would be rather interested to see what happens if someone has a bike serviced FROM NEW at your workshop with receipts showing the work.then had reason to claim on warranty.I'd strongly suspect that under the CGA they would have to pay out.

I have always done every second service on all bikes and quads from new. I've had three major warranty claims with Honda's (rings, a rebore, and complete set of gears) and a couple of minor claims with Suzuki.

Never once did they try to get out of claim by saying the servicing hadn't been done by an autherised dealer.

[popelli]

there have been court cases in the sates over companies insisting that all vehciles be services at offical dealerships in order for waranties to remain valid

under antimonopoly leglislation the legal position there is that servicing no longer has to be done at offical dealerships, but servicing must be done to dealership standards if you went to court on this premis you would have a better than even chance of succeeding if you could prove the servicing was done to dealer standards - and that is a sticking point

However I do remember Shaft Motorcycles selling a new Harley they forgot to put oil into and I know of another case where they did an oil change for a customer where they forgot to put fresh oil in, in both cases they completely wrecked the engines involved - so much for dealer servicing

[Max Preload]

...servicing no longer has to be done at offical dealerships, but servicing must be done to dealership standards...

But just where the hell are you going to find a non-dealer mechanic prepared to compromise his integrity and reputation to lower his standards and do that?

[dipshit]

But just where the hell are you going to find a non-dealer mechanic prepared to compromise his integrity and reputation to lower his standards and do that?

Yeah, doing it to the manufacturer's standards would be a better idea.!

[PeeJay]

It says... "The Service Record pages must be filled out by an Authorised Suzuki Dealer the at the time of servicing. All prescribed services must be carried out at the mileage specified to ensure your Warranty remains valid"

With my previous bike, i actually received a letter in the mail from the dealer reminding me that i am required to perform the first two services at a Suzuki dealership.

Actually looking at my new warranty and service booklet... it makes no mention of only the first two services as the compulsory ones. From the sound of it from what is written above... it sounds like all services during the warranty period need to be done at a authorised Suzuki dealer.

Bollocks. Who owns this bike, you or them? The only people who can Require you to do something are the Police. Everyone else has to request and you can agree if you like.

They can do what they like with the warranty, you will still have rights under the CGA

The CGA is in addition to any warranty, eg if your engine blew up 2 months out of warranty, the dealer will probably say tough luck sunshine, but it is likely you will have a case under the CGA to get a new motor, repairs or even a new bike if it comes to it. (obviously if you have been racing it solid for two years it may not go all your way)
Also if some defect caused you to crash or resulted in other damage, under the CGA they are also responsible for consequential damages.
Warranty is between the dealer and the manufacturer, if your bike has a problem it is between you and the dealer. It is irrelevant if Suzuki turn the dealer down for a warranty repair, thats between them. What they are saying is they wont be paying the dealer to repair your bike. This doesnt remove the dealers obligation to you under the CGA

Have a good read of the CGA and the Fair Trading Act, and get some legal advice so you are sure in your own mind where you stand.

But basically they are full of it. They actively promote the thought that you will lose your warranty blah blah blah but conveniently don’t mention you would still have redress under the CGA regardless.
good luck

[dipshit]

Just had a phone call. Yes i am entitled to do my own servicing (or get them done at any other workshop for that matter) providing i keep a record and receipts etc for proof.

And apparently it wasn't the junior/apprentice that did the poor service on my 600.

So good news for anybody with a new bike (well a Suzuki at least) that is getting poor servicing from your local dealers. You are certainly entitled to vote with your feet and go elsewhere.

[MarkH]

Just had a phone call. Yes i am entitled to do my own servicing (or get them done at any other workshop for that matter) providing i keep a record and receipts etc for proof.

That is good to know. I really don't want to pay someone else good money to drain out the oil, replace the oil filter and put fresh oil in - that shit ain't exactly rocket science. Maybe certain more complicated jobs are best left to experience motorcycle mechanics, especially during the warranty period - but the more straight forward simple stuff you might as well do yourself.

[davebullet]

I'd be inclined to take it to your preferred mechanic. Have them document what they do. I don't know what registration / affiliation mechanics have in NZ, but if they are reputable and you had a warranty claim, the onus (surely) would be on Suzuki to prove it was a lack of servicing by them that caused the issue.

Such proof would be impossible, if the servicing is done properly.

The other option is to take it back to them and point out what happened. If they don't care, send it up the line to Suzuki HO in NZ. IF they don't like it, go up to Mr. Honda Suzuki (or whatever he's called - the Chief Effluent Officer).

[dipshit]

That is good to know. I really don't want to pay someone else good money to drain out the oil, replace the oil filter and put fresh oil in - that shit ain't exactly rocket science. Maybe certain more complicated jobs are best left to experience motorcycle mechanics, especially during the warranty period - but the more straight forward simple stuff you might as well do yourself.

Yep, do the simpler services myself and any i wouldn't feel confident enough tackling - take to whatever workshop i please.