Whangarei : Bike shops to get bikes tested?

**Rocket** · 16th March 2004, 08:19

Anyone know of a good bike shop to take a bike to to get it tested? Thinking about possibly buying a bike but need it to be checked over, as you do.

Thx!

**Sharkey** · 16th March 2004, 10:17

I got completely nailed by the Kawasaki dealer up there - Shaw Motorcycles. Took my bike in just after I'd bought it and asked them to do a bit of a service - change the oil etc. Asked them what they thought it would cost, and the guy said $200-300, which was fine. If there was anything major he'd give me a call. Took them a full week, despite my booking it in, and they charged me $900. It was all justifiable - chain, sprockets, plugs etc, but pissed me off no end. I mean the bike was a bit munted, as all first bikes should be, and yet they put $40, gold plated spark plugs in it!

The bike had the wrong sized tyre fitted when I bought it, but it wasn't a big problem. However riding between Whangarei and Auckland, I filled the tank at Wellsford and realised that the tyre was now rubbing on the frame because of the new shorter chain. So I putted down to Takapuna, fitted a new tyre, and when I was back up in Whangarei went in and saw them. The mechanic said that he had noticed that the tyre was wrong, and yet he hadn't compensated for it!! They refused to pay for the tyre, claiming that it was half worn (3 months learner rider use - half worn?!?), and as such offered me $100. I accepted it, but felt as though the whole episode was a big have. They saw the L-plate on the bike and thought they'd have a go.

Anyway, to summarise, don't go to Shaw Motorcycles.

**aff-man** · 16th March 2004, 10:20

the guys at MT eden said that if i brought a new bike over they would give it a once over, but if i wanted a good test it would be between 50 and $100. But go talk to them they are pretty good

**Rocket** · 16th March 2004, 11:18

didnt realise there was a new suburb in whangarei named Mt Eden?

**aff-man** · 16th March 2004, 11:35

Well the ride from whangarei to auckland will be the test and the shop can verify what you have found wrong aye

**merv** · 16th March 2004, 11:37

Originally Posted by Rocket

didnt realise there was a new suburb in whangarei named Mt Eden?

The way the urban sprawl is heading North won't be long and it will be all the same eh! Auckland Whangarei and just fancy houses in between.

**Rocket** · 16th March 2004, 12:01

Originally Posted by merv

The way the urban sprawl is heading North won't be long and it will be all the same eh! Auckland Whangarei and just fancy houses in between.

Yep, Whangerei will be a suburb of auckland in no time, then we shall take over the world! hehe ( pinky and the brain :P )

but back to bike shops, had some info on a shop to avoid what about a good referal.

And your dreaming if my first ride will be from whangarei to auckland mate lol.

**georgedubyabush** · 16th March 2004, 14:51

pm'd you Rocket.
Shaws do good work but yes you pay for it. $700 for clutch replace and valve adjustment for me. 70 something bucks for oil and filter to take home and do myself.

**Holy Roller** · 16th March 2004, 19:57

Originally Posted by georgedubyabush

pm'd you Rocket.
Shaws do good work but yes you pay for it. $700 for clutch replace and valve adjustment for me. 70 something bucks for oil and filter to take home and do myself.

Just has my clutch done at Tony Rees in Whakatane $360 and that included a new clutch cable, the parts had to be shipped in from Japan. Great service

**Antallica** · 16th March 2004, 20:18

Personally I think all the bike shops here in Whangarei suck, but Shaws have the nice people. However I goto Moto-One as they are the Suzuki dealer. They suck but it's acceptable.

**DEATH_INC.** · 27th March 2004, 08:20

I always had good service from shaws,but that was a few years ago.....
Though John gave us a really good deal on a Gixx1100 we bought a few months ago.....
Never dealt with moto-one,Brett worked for shaws still when I lived up there,but he was always a good bloke and I'd like to think any shop he owned reflected this....
I can vouch for Mt edens thouroughness(?) they looked at my 12 when I was selling it and john picked up a couple of things that I hadn't noticed....