Honda CBR1000R5 - I got a lemon...

[ams67]

Hi All,
I need an advice.
I bought a Honda CBR1000RR mod. 2005.
It was my dream bike until I start to have a long list of trouble with her:
1. After 2 days of the purchase, while I was going at work the bike stopped on the motorway. I had to wait about 30 mins before the bike started again.
2. After a week a very annoying ticking noise started to get louder and louder.
So I brought the bike to the Honda dealer. They opened the head and replaced the shim.
I was not a happy chap as the bike was only a week old and they already had to open the head. I asked to replace the bike but they assured me that the fault was rectified.
3. Few months later I went to the South Island with my mates. Beautiful trip, until, in the middle of nowhere, the clutch started to slip. I managed to get to Timaru so I went to the local Honda dealer. They opened the clutch and found that it fried because of lack of oil circulation. It happed just after 3,500Km on the clock!. So they drilled some additional holes in the inner clutch hub to improve the oil circulation after replacing the fried plates. I was very pissed off. It spoiled my trip as I had to wait 2 days for the parts.
4. Furthermore the side stand came loose. So after I parked the side stand failed cracking the fairing.
4. When I was about 200km from Auckland the bloody ticking noise started again.

I went back to the Honda dealer in Auckland and I said that I don’t want that lemon. I asked for a replacement. They addressed me to the Honda Distributor. They wanted to assess the bike so I gave the bike to the Honda dealer asking for a courtesy bike. They gave me a rusty Suzuki 250 Volty. As I use the bike everyday I found pretty embarrassing riding that rusty vacuum cleaner (with all due respect to the Volty owners).

They told me that I will receive the bike back within a couple of days. Three weeks later I was still riding the ‘vacuum cleaner’.

Finally after almost 4 weeks they said that the bike is ready. They told me that they could not fix the ticking noise and therefore is a normal noise, plus they replaced the drilled inner clutch hub with a standard one. They could not find the reasons of the clutch failure. They also said that they would replace the cracked fairing.
From my perspective that bike had already enough issue for a brand new bike. So I was still trying to get a replacement.

Anyway I was so happy to get a real bike (even a lemon) and return the Volty back to the dealer that I was prepared to ride the Honda even with a just one working cylinder.
So I started the bike and a raved a bit.
Arrggghh!!
After about 5k RPM the power was cut!!!! What the he….!!! It was a new electrical problem.
I was lucky because I was still to the Honda dealer. They took the bike back to the workshop and they gave me a Honda CBR600. I was so pissed off. I refused to get that lemon back. I do not expect to have all these problems with a brand new bike. I gave them the chance to rectify the issues and they failed. Therefore I wanted a new bike.
The bike went back to the Honda Distributor. They said that the fault could be related to the wiring, so they ordered from Belgium. I didn’t care as I asked for a replacement.

Today after 5 weeks without my bike I received a letter from Honda Distributor stating that it was my fault if the clutch fried "...was caused by incorrect operator usage, and not from any design defect ...", it was my fault if the side stand failed, the ticking noise is normal and the parts will probably arrive in NZ around the 17th of May.
Basically they said: Get Stuffed!

Considering this:
http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/c...st-15-Dec.html

What shall I do? Did you ever have similar issues with a dealer?
However, one thing is sure: I will never buy a Honda for the rest of my life. Shame on them!!!

[N4CR]

Throw the friggen book at them in my opinion the issues you have had are totally unacceptable! How can a new bike sent in to be 'fixed' come back still stuffed Argh!!! must make you so darn annoyed, new bike and all that waiting just to get screwed over. Condolences to you my freind.

Best of luck too

edit : post in the newbies section and introduce yourself! (WELCOME!! )

[Odin]

I would also go the leagel way. I'm just guessing that since its a 1000cc that you have been riding for a while and know how to handle a clutch. If you have, as they say "missused" the clutch why did you not frie it on the other bikes you have had ?

All good luck to you and who is the dealer ? Honda in Auck ?

[Mooch]

Consumer rights looks to be the best bet , but consider the follow.
Write to Honda NZ and explain what's happened with your bike and the outcome that you want . Mention that 1100 kiwibiker members are most interested in the outcome . With the dealer you could have some recourse via the Motor Vehicle Dealers Institute . If the dealer is part of the MTA then the MTA offers a mediation service. http://www.mvdi.co.nz/?id=240 .
Otherwise do as many Honda reviews on the internet on various sites so Honda can improve this model for future owners.

[Brian d marge]

Nope
you shouldnt get treated like that ...what the dealer is saying is pure crap ....As has been suggested throw the book at em

If you need help ( and it is genuine ...sorry ) I may be able to help this end ...I know a few people from the car design plant here in Wako and I know how they feel about their product and would be VERY interested in and production or manufacturing fault.

BUT ,,,I have had customers who have fitted new chrome aftermarket levers to brand new gold wing and the levers were badly made and kept the clutch on and the brakes slightly on ..and they have ridden it untill the clutch pack had welded itself together
So assuming you aint in the above catagory I am more than willing to get on the phone this end

but you are right and the dealer is full of it ....( assuming )

Stephen

[Zed]

Hi All,
I need an advice.
I bought a Honda CBR1000RR mod. 2005.
It was my dream bike until I start to have a long list of trouble with her:

Today after 5 weeks without my bike I received a letter from Honda Distributor stating that it was my fault if the clutch fried "...was caused by incorrect operator usage, and not from any design defect ...", it was my fault if the side stand failed, the ticking noise is normal and the parts will probably arrive in NZ around the 17th of May.
Basically they said: Get Stuffed!

Considering this:
http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/c...st-15-Dec.html

What shall I do? Did you ever have similar issues with a dealer?
However, one thing is sure: I will never buy a Honda for the rest of my life. Shame on them!!!

Hi ams67 & welcome to the site.

Not a good note to start on. Sorry to hear you've had such a bad run with your new bike, what a terrible experience to go through! Sounds like you've done the right things so far by returning it to the supplier, etc, that's what I would have done too.

Short of legal action you may just have to hang in there and wait for the parts to arrive and also put up with that foreign noise - hopefully you won't have any more probs with it in future! Sorry to hear it's put you off Hondas for good, I've had next to no probs with the 4 CBR's I've owned over the years.

Keep us posted with your progress.


Zed

[Zapf]

Hello ams,
Sorry to hear about your problem. Since I noted that you are new to KB I would like to extend a warm welcome.

Do understand thou that none of us know or have met you, and knows how you ride. It could very well that the clutch problem is to do with you? (perhaps).... but none of the others should have happened.

Now the Consumers Gar... Act, is between you and the business you bought the bike off. So it has nothing to do with the Distrubitor, hence if the dealer is not treating you right. Then give them a written complain, with a dead line for a resolution. And if nothing by then you'll go and get the Act applied to them.

The crowd that brings in Honda's bike to NZ is Blue wing honda, so I would also think you might like to give them a visit yourself and perhaps give them a piece of your mind.

Also it may also help contacting the Official Honda riders club, as they have close relationship with Blue wing honda.

And you should also try to claim for all the cost and expense incurred due to the failing bike when you are travelling, since you have notified the Honda dealer that there is a general problem with the bike. Yet they insist that it is ok. Because if they did replace the bike, the follow on problems would most likely not have occured.

Good luck and keep us posted....

oh and thought of complaining directly to Japan?

Cheers
Zapf

[jimbo600]

I don't think it's unique to Honda. Alot of bike manufacturers in NZ treat customers like crap and often have the attitude that we are very fortunate to be able to buy their products. If it were a Holden you would have had a replacement vehicle straight away. It's time for us consumers to toughen the fuck up and not stand for this bollocks anymore.

[Storm]

Dont stand for that kind of crap mate, give em hell till they make good

[Riff Raff]

Don't take it lying down - this is not acceptable in a brand new bike. Have you thought about going to Fair Go - get them to help fight your battle and it brings your plight out in public. No one likes adverse publicity.

And then when it's all sorted - go out and buy a Suzuki!

[Hooks]

I don't think it's unique to Honda. Alot of bike manufacturers in NZ treat customers like crap and often have the attitude that we are very fortunate to be able to buy their products. If it were a Holden you would have had a replacement vehicle straight away. It's time for us consumers to toughen the fuck up and not stand for this bollocks anymore.

Yeah mate ... What he said !! ... And next time buy Suzuki ....

Give them hell .. .. and name that dealer ....

Make a list of all the things that you have had to suffer under, expenses waiting for parts,accomodation & food etc, extra fuel costs, all that kind of thing. max it right out and put a dollar value on it ... then they might decide it would be cheaper to give you a new bike than fight it !!

good luck

Hooks

[vifferman]

Name that dealer....

I will - it's Cyclespot. (Picked it up from the poxy Suzuki 250 Volty - the same one they gave me when I took the VFR back to have some minor faults rectified).
They're very good - until they've got your money. Well, they ain't getting any more of mine. Just ordered some parts - from AMPS. I'm giving them a chance to prove they can do customer service better. So far, so good - they didn't ask for cash up front before ordering the parts (unlike Cyclespot) and they had them within 3 days as promised, unlike the 3 weeks I've had to wait in the past.

Anyway, sorry to hear of your problems, ams67. While Honda's do have the odd problem, they're usually VERY reliable. However, I did read last year of a friendof mine (in the USA) who had problems with his CBR1000RR, where the camcahin was very noisy (the ticking you spoke of?), and the dealer wouldn't repair/replace it till it failed.

Given the string of problems you've had with your bike, I reckon the Consumer Guarantees Act is an appropriate recourse for you to get things sorted.

Once again, it appears that getting your money is more important to the dealer than customer service and satisfaction.

[trev]

Most Citizens Advice Bureaus have a free legal service where you get a short period of time to receive advice (only) from a lawyer.
Check out the CGA - it is powerful for the consumer. I know I am potentially
on the receiving end in my business.
e.g. - my understanding is that you as the consumer do not have to prove your claims - the other party has to prove you are wrong.

[TwoSeven]

Consumer rights looks to be the best bet , but consider the follow.
Write to Honda NZ and explain what's happened with your bike and the outcome that you want . Mention that 1100 kiwibiker members are most interested in the outcome . With the dealer you could have some recourse via the Motor Vehicle Dealers Institute . If the dealer is part of the MTA then the MTA offers a mediation service. http://www.mvdi.co.nz/?id=240 .
Otherwise do as many Honda reviews on the internet on various sites so Honda can improve this model for future owners.

Dont write to mainline honda - phone them up and get an immediate response. Personally, the bike is still under warrantee, its faulty and should be replaced. One or two faults ok, but more than that means its a defective machine and is 'not fit for purpose'.

[MD]

Welcome ams67. Firstly, check the labels on the bike. Are you sure they say Honda? Just joking, sounds like you have got the one in 10,000 lemon. Sorry to hear of your problems -THEY ARE NOT NORMAL FOR ANY JAP BIKE but the poor service you are getting is abnormal ! I agree you deserve a full replacement new bike and the one you have should be returned to Honda or used as a demonstrator, not that it will gain many sales by the way it craps out. That'll test their faith in their own repair job.
This might not cheer you up but the Wgtn shop I used are far better. e.g. the first shipment of CBR1000s had a weak spot on a side fairing and mine developed a hairline crack about 5 cms. Without hesitation the shop replaced both sides free.
I've done 20,000kms on same model. My alternator shorted recently, again unusual fault but the shop immediately got to work on it same day, ordered parts and gave me a good loaner. Never charged me a cent.
Your side stand being loose- again I blame your shop for that. I've not heard of others having your list of problems and the shop and Blue wing should go the extra distance to put it right.
Absolute bollocks them saying your riding did the clutch in. ITS THEIR HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORTS BIKE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! Built to race and be ridden hard. That's why the factory gives a warranty - it has faith in its product and is prepared to right the odd exception. I've given mine some good workouts on road and track days no problem- that's why we buy them Mr Honda. Next they will say the dirt bikes shouldn't be taken off sealed roads in case water & dirt affects the performance. No modern sportsbike should have weak clutches. Do they expect Chris Vermuelen to ride gently because the bike wasn't designed for him to race?
Good luck with the outcome but I feel for you, I wouldn't want THAT bike back but please don't think they are all like the one you got.
MD