black marks for honda dealer

[HenryDorsetCase]

I have never struck this attitude, and I have one of the rarest Japenese bikes in New Zealand, only 6700 ever made, only 1700 left in the world, and its now over 30 years old.

I also make it clear that when I take a bike to any mechanic for work to be done that I want a good job, not a cheap job. My life depends on the bike being in good working order so I only want original parts, or parts manufactured to a higher standard than original to be used.

I rode an RE5 from Wellington to Christchurch once. fantastic experience.

I can see the issue from the shops POV, and it being a free country and all they are of course allowed to say, "Thank you, but we decline the opportunity to work on your fine machine". The owner is then free to find someone else. I went thru the same stuff with SOHC CB750 stuff, and luckily the CB400 bits I need are readily available, and I have a great mechanic here I can turn to for stuff I cant do myself.

Yay for the interweb! Econohonda and David Silver Spares and CMSL for old Honda bits.

the thing is, these bikes are now enthusiast bikes, and demand enthusiast levels of commitment to own (IMO).

I would happily get on my CB400 and ride it to Greymouth tomorrow, and its nearly 30 y.o. Not sure I would be happy to do that with a correspondingly aged brit bike. But of course that "JAp crap" will only last for five minutes... Yeah right.

[2_SL0]

I cant be bothered typing up a long responce. Lets just say Motu has hit the nail
on the head. My cut off date is pre 1980, and Im looking at moving that up to 1985. Old shit aint worth my time or effort.

[Ixion]

So you would say this was not worth maintaining, cos it's old shit and not worth time or effort ?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-53208799.htm

Or this ?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-53610557.htm

Certainly not worth the effort, it's a Honda

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-53613725.htm

[HenryDorsetCase]

If we're spending $30k on that, we send it to Ken McIntosh whenever it needs anything done, kay?

God I love that bike. its a bargain really (it was $35k) I am playing a waiting game. waiting till I win Big Wednesday.. I will straight swap the poxy range rover for it.

[2_SL0]

So you would say this was not worth maintaining, cos it's old shit and not worth time or effort ?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-53208799.htm

I would happily maintain a bike of that CONDITION and quality, but if your so dim to not reconise the difference between a heap of shit and classic, you should get some glasses. But for a start is that the bike we are talking about. Compare apples with apples, if you wanna read my statement carefully, is does state "worth my time" I see a big difference between that bike and a old heap of crap.
You guys with your old heaps of shit, piss me off. (I am not meaning the above bike) You buy these heaps of shit, (Example Magua piece of crap) (No offence) You aint got a clue how to fix them yourselves. You bitch at the bill, not realising the mechanic spent 2 hrs over the time he has charged you fixing other things on the bike. Then a week later more shit craps out, your back on his doorstep wanting the piece of crap fixed for free "Cus bro it was just in here getting fixed"
Comparing that scenario with a Manx Norton 500 1952 that has completely been restored is pure stupidity. But hey this is KB and I would expect nothing
less.

[Motu]

If you can afford that bike you can afford the repairs.

But people who own an old bike bought it because it was cheap,and can't afford proper repairs....or they have had it from new and are too tight to trade up to a better bike.Working on a 20 yr old bike there is a 95% chance of uncovering an unforseen fault....so do you go ahead and fix it,and have the customer bleating about the price and doing a flame on an internet forum about how **** shop are rip off artists.Or do you leave it alone and hand it back with something wrong....and then have the customer moan and start a flame thread on an internet forum about how **** shop never fixed your bike and how useless they are.

For the bike shop it's a lose/lose situation....best to stay away from the whole issue.Wish I'd take my own advise sometimes....

[Ixion]

Polciy wasn't "Sorry, we won't work on bikes where the condition is too bad". But "We won't work on bikes more than 10 years old". As you have said, old bike could be in first class nick, just need some routine maintainence.

I can perfectly go along with a shop or mechanic saying "Sorry,mate it's too far gone, my time to fix it would be more than it's worth".

Fortunately, I can fix my own piles of shit myself.

Cos, yeah I *am* too mean to buy a brand new bike every couple of years and junk the "old" one. Don't like the "disposable , built in obsolesence" thing at best of times, let alone for bikes.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Certainly not worth the effort, it's a Honda

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-53613725.htm

I think $20k is a bit over the top for a CBX personally. A very nice one sold on tardme for $10k last year. that particular one needs NOS exhausts to be worth that money.

but who wouldnt want one for the collection? Its among Irimajiri-sans finest work.

and people who say it isnt a classic motorbike need their heads read.

[HenryDorsetCase]

[QUOTE=Motu]If you can afford that bike you can afford the repairs.

But people who own an old bike bought it because it was cheap,and can't afford proper repairs....or they have had it from new and are too tight to trade up to a better bike.Working on a 20 yr old bike there is a 95% chance of uncovering an unforseen fault....so do you go ahead and fix it,and have the customer bleating about the price and doing a flame on an internet forum about how **** shop are rip off artists.Or do you leave it alone and hand it back with something wrong....and then have the customer moan and start a flame thread on an internet forum about how **** shop never fixed your bike and how useless they are.

QUOTE]

Um, my view would be that communication is the key in that situation, like in any business.

that gives the punter the option.

[HenryDorsetCase]

If you can afford that bike you can afford the repairs.

But people who own an old bike bought it because it was cheap,and can't afford proper repairs....or they have had it from new and are too tight to trade up to a better bike.Working on a 20 yr old bike there is a 95% chance of uncovering an unforseen fault....so do you go ahead and fix it,and have the customer bleating about the price and doing a flame on an internet forum about how **** shop are rip off artists.Or do you leave it alone and hand it back with something wrong....and then have the customer moan and start a flame thread on an internet forum about how **** shop never fixed your bike and how useless they are.

Um, my view would be that communication is the key in that situation, like in any business.

that gives the punter the option.

[Paul in NZ]

He did. And promptly threw up all over the carpet. Took me days to get the smell out.

Got to admit, much as I love riding the Vstrom, it deffinitely aint Suzukis best effort in motorcycle design.

Design? Someone designed it? Gleep, it's the only bike I know that looks better with Givi hard panniers on it 'cos they cover some more of it up! Sadly, it's exactly what I would like but - shudder - It's just not me.... (mind you it does make me look pretty slick in comparison so it may be a good idea after all)

I've actually wondered if the 10 years old thing is more to filter out people with 'trouble' in big neon above their heads? Dunno?

Not fair to compare a Manx norton with a 10 year old Honda though. All vehicle go through the 'useless rubbish' stage until they are around 20 years old them they become 'collectable' and specialists set up shop working on them.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Not fair to compare a Manx norton with a 10 year old Honda though. All vehicle go through the 'useless rubbish' stage until they are around 20 years old them they become 'collectable' and specialists set up shop working on them.

fair call that.

I think the 10y.o. thing means its just on the lowest point of that cycle.

(though if it IS a CB650 itll probably NEVER hit te "up" part of that cycle)

[Brian d marge]

Um, my view would be that communication is the key in that situation, like in any business.

that gives the punter the option.

Ok fellas off you go get a cup of coffee. a pull up a chair. cos this is a subject dear to my heart...

I know where motu is coming from been there many times. cb 750 comes in for a tune with worn carb slides, it aint going to idle smoothly in a month of sundays. and you STILL have to charge the fella.

BUT there are ways to go about this , and this is the job of the service manager, ( get a good one and life is sweet , get a bad one who came from another dept and life sucks )

Me I agree with Henry. Communication, The customer (you) wants to feel like the shop is treatig him/her extra special like and if it a bit greasy he/she will smell a rat a mile away. So we are talking about simple person to person ...I really genuinely want to help you type talking ..

The customer has needs and wants results ( one click on the internet) We the shop owners/staff have to recognise those needs and make the person leave the shop feeling that those needs have been met.

No its not bull. walk into a dairy buy an ice cream and pay and walk out , your needs were met. you had a range of product/price and at ALL times felt like YOU were in control of the situation and if you were un sure you asked and had a simple clear answer ...they are over there sir by the frozen peas ! ( and the transaction happened smoothly , and without risk )

Now from the mechanics point of view. . Customer has say a ohh trying to think of the model , it was a yamaha and the alternator was also a starter motor ,,, and it doesnt start ,,, or say a early Gl 1000 which burnt the alternator out due to the connector getting corroded engine out job...

Either way I would be truthful and respectful to the person, I am a mechanic and know the process involved in the above bikes and know what most likely could go wrong ... get a feel for what outcomes the customer wants by asking lots of questions ( what happens when you go to the doctors...??) and CLEARLY inform the customer ( a genuine likeing for people - except hoodies- and good comunication skills help here )

Then work towards a solution for the customers needs.. looking at the BIG picture

I remember a post about from Motu about an Iranian ?? lady and her clutch ... Fantastic service given by Motu ,,,a bit of mis comunication but it came right in the end ,,,and Ill bet she is now a life time customer..so in the Long run it payed off

Solutions can ALWAYS be found . and as for this 4 weeks from Japan ,,,thats absolute crap ,,,5 days ( 2 people on this list already have found that out .posted friday arrived tuesday I think it was)

Dont tell me they cant pick up a phone ( using skype as its cheap) and ring Japan ...they are already importing from a dealer here who speaks English , and ask how much a wigit cost and are they available ..takes 10 min to find out ..all the major manufactures are online anyway !) ..David silver spares ! is a 7 day turnaround ,,great service ...

finally if you are wondering how I would help a spotty teenager with a dunga of a first bike and the inteligence of a slackjaw ( trust me I was one , they are out there)

Depending on the situation ( lets say fork seals) I would ask him/ to do as much as they can to reduce the overall cost so that the final bill is very much reduced and I would follow up with a free check to see if the work was safe, before they started zooming around on it , I would invest a small amount of my time to show them how to do it, or if they cant at least remove the bits that could get damaged , tank, seat, mirrors ...
All depends upon the customer and the situation ..
End of the day the customer goes away feeling empowered . ( thats a bit of a new agey touchy feely word ,,but its the best one I could think of !)

Finally if its a really impossible situation or you really dont want to get involved with the customer. Adopt a can do attitude , but due to the amount of work you cant possible get onto it untill at least 6 months from now as some times it is better to refuse in such a way that the customer feels like you are trying to help

Ive been involved with people for the last twenty years ( friggen eck where did that go ) ,,and only in the last 3 or 4 years have I actually seen , really understood what its like to SERVE the customer. thats why I chose this job , because I like Helping people ,

Sorry if the above seems like a pipe dream , or the wafflings of a derranged looney ( it is) ,,,but even when i re read it it still doesnt quite explain my feelings about customer service

Good customer service does happen... it happens to me , and I go back to that shop time and time again, ( and I am certainly not a profit making customer...but I am a customer)


Stephen

[HenryDorsetCase]

. All vehicle go through the 'useless rubbish' stage until they are around 20 years old them they become 'collectable' and specialists set up shop working on them.

speaking of which..........

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=26319




also, I'm with Stephen. bloody right

[Jantar]

....Working on a 20 yr old bike there is a 95% chance of uncovering an unforseen fault....so do you go ahead and fix it,and have the customer bleating about the price and doing a flame on an internet forum about how **** shop are rip off artists.Or do you leave it alone and hand it back with something wrong....and then have the customer moan and start a flame thread on an internet forum about how **** shop never fixed your bike and how useless they are.

For the bike shop it's a lose/lose situation....best to stay away from the whole issue.Wish I'd take my own advise sometimes....

You could always tell the customer just what you have found, and leave it up the customer to decide whether or not to fix it. Of course the customer must realise that there is a cost for the work already done.

Motu, if you are ever working on a vehicle of mne, and find a fault that relates to safety or performance, then fix it, Otherwise I'm likely to come onto an internet forum and bitch about the poor workmanship.

Incidentally, I recently changed garages for my cage, because the previous garage thought they were doing me a favour by taking shortcuts when issuing a wof or doing a 6000K service. Fortunately I found out before any serious damage damage was done. I have said it before, and I will say it again, there is good work or there is cheap work, but there is seldom good cheap work.