WOF. Interesting...

[gav]

Depends on the shop.
Most don't want to do them, as it takes away the mechanics from more lucrative work. Doing WOFs is usually more of a service than a money-spinner.

Huh? $32 for a ten minute check and the possibility of building a rapport with a potential new customer and maybe sourcing some more work.
Yeah, I can see why it must be a drag for some shops ......
Is it more the fact they don't have any one qualified to issue a WOF?
If they are not qualified to do that, then how safe are they to service your bike?
Do they merely do exactly as instructed, oil and filter change, replace tyre etc?

Or are most people more comfortable going somewhere "neutral" for a WOF? Then getting there local shop to do any repairs that are required?
Are the bike shops finding they no longer get the demand for a WOF so have dropped that option? Maybe they get tyres fitted as outwork too?

[Motu]

Just a question of money....the answer to everything.It costs the shop to become an AVIC,then they have to pay the mechanics for the AVI course.Some mechanics can't be bothered with all the drama of being an AVI,tests,revues,responsibility etc....and it gives them no more money in the pay packet for all that.They will add up the floor traffic requesting a WoF,balance that against the costs...and possibly decide it's not worth it.

I do about 12 WoF's a day,and a handful of bikes a year....just enough to keep the motorcycle part active.

[Eddieb]

I don't see the point of paying an overhead for someone else to do something basic I can do myself, and the risk the bike being damaged.

I've had an experience with a local 'Premium brand' dealer where I rang to see if they did warrants and was told they did so I booked it in. When I collected my Premium brand bike afterwards I discovered:
a) the warrant was issued by another company and the dealer didn't in fact do the warrants themselves
b) The tank had 2 new 6cm scratches side by side down the side of the tank

When I showed the dealer the new scratches the response was 'We shouldn't be responsible for every bike left in our care that could have been scratched by someone else' and didn't really want to know about it.

WTF kind of attitude is that? I left the bike in their care because they are the official dealer for the brand & I obviously wrongly believed there would be a reasonable level of care while THEY issued a Wof.

[Bonez]

Hope you had a good nights sleep

I have a centre stand on the current bike, it comes in real handy at chain lube time. As for the unwanted weight, it'd probably be better if I lost a couple of stone rather than worry about the weight of a stand.

Don't know why folk moan about centre stand weight. It's low son fuck all to worry about really. Hell Dougs Duc only has a centre stand as stock standard.

[Trudes]

So I took my Hornet down to VTNZ yesterday.
Rolled in, no cars there, place was deserted. Went inside, 5 guys standing about with nothing to do, so the bike gets attended to immediately. Warned them to be careful putting the bike's entire weight on the side stand as it's been chopped and welded back on twice so may be a little weak. No worries they say (although they did look a little nervous), one guy picks it up on the stand while another fiddles with the back wheel, then goes to do the front, guy holding the bike just about drops it, I cover my face waiting to hear 'crunch', but the guys decide they've seen enough and let my bike alone.
They all had to come and have a look at the bike, ask some questions "how much? How many cylinders? 900 CC, that's a lot of bike for a little lady to handle..... blah blah blah. Guy got me to sit on so he could check the lights etc then got me to ride up a little and get the back wheel to skid to check rear brake works (I told him I never use the back brake, sure you need it tested? have a look at the brake pads! ) Anyway, they were all very nice, failed my warrant, need to do some welding.... broken exhaust braket... how'd I do that? Then it's all sweet.
So yeah, I'd go back.... although I'd be tempted to get someone to come down in the car and bring some stands so they can put the bike up to test the wheels that way!!!

[Pixie]

I always go to VTNZ, $32 and they're pretty quick and pleasant. This last time I arrived quite early and they had to see if their motorbike inspector was available so I guess there's real training and all.

He was a bit thrown by the lack of a centre stand for my bike but no trouble got the jack and lifted all 220kg to check if the wheels turned. I kept a steadying hand on at all times, suspect the small print about due care and diligence excludes dropping bikes off of car jacks. He very pleasantly suggested I was unlikely to get a full 6 months out of my back tyre, and maybe I should think of a replacement. In the interests of my personal safety and all, of course. Passed it, though. (And I will get a new tyre).

By comparison, last time I took my bike to a bike shop for a service and a WOF they forgot the WOF.

I'd be lucky to get 6 months out of a brand new tyre.
And if someone tried to put my bike on a car jack or lift it on it's side stand I'd tell him where to go.

I bet he didn't take the bike for the test ride that is required by the NZTA procedures.

[rainman]

I'd be lucky to get 6 months out of a brand new tyre.
And if someone tried to put my bike on a car jack or lift it on it's side stand I'd tell him where to go.

I bet he didn't take the bike for the test ride that is required by the NZTA procedures.

Yeah, I'm not hard on tyres though.

I would not let them take the bike for a test ride, not that they asked. I did have to do the ride up and down and prove you can stop thing, of course.

[Mystic13]

Someone posted $32 for a bike warrant Haldanes are $40.

VTNZ at Kingsland are tossers. I stop in with my bike to be told they do motorcycle warrants but their motorcycle guy is away for the afternoon. Come back Thursday.

So I do.

"Oh.... motorcycle guy is away again you'll have to come back... "

"#%%$^$ this is the second time... surely someone can do it."

"Well yes we have ....... but he can only do up to 250cc"

"Okay lets talk to him and see if he'll do it then."

I explains myself and the nice guy agrees to do it.

(FYI the two overweight ladies in this place are officious bitches)

The guy then calls me over and asks does the rear wheel not turn when the bike is stopped. (I always stop in gear) I said no it's in gear. He'd been pulling the clutch lever in and out for a while and no luck. So he continues this routine in front of me and i mention when he pulls the clutch he also needs to move the gear lever. So he asks me to put it in neutral.

He points out the rear pad is low. Which it is but it'll easily make the next service so I thank him and assure him it will be fixed. He hops on and then can't start the bike.

So I show him how to start it. It didn't occur to me he was going to ride around the forecourt. He rides off shakily and I think "Stop him! Stop him! My bike is a gonna!"

He manages to ride around the forecourt and gently stop. WTF?

Nice enough guy and I appreciated him doing my bike but he was not confident on a bike and chose not to wear a lid.

I got my warrant and left.

Never ever ever again will I grace VTNZ Kingsland. The two cows in there are just too rude and difficult to deal with.

_______________

My local bike shop dropped doing warrants because it was too costly to have the right to do them for the few warrants they did. They take them to another bike shop down the road. Actually when you ring them they suggest you take them else where.