One problem with buying new bikes...

[dave_a]

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.

Thats good to know!!

[PeeJay]

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.

A couple of points here
A phone call is worth diddly squat, get it clarified in writing (this only applies to the manufacturers warranty)
This isnt open slather for the average Joe to do his own servicing and expect Suzuki or the CGA to automatically come to the party if something goes wrong. The CGA is not there to protect people from themselves. You can screw things up by doing something you shouldnt, and also by not doing something you should have, even if you didnt know. Tough.
The servicing should be done by a competent person.
If you are doing it yourself do it as per the service schedule and do it at the recommended intervals. Which is what you would do if you are a competent person.
If I were a technical manager and had to look into a major warranty claim, the first thing I want to see is the bikes history. Service history, who did them? Suzuki dealer oh well we will wear this, Joes Motorcycles? I know Joe good mechanic, give him a ring, go and see him, no problem. Bills cycles and lawnmowers, who the hell is Bill? does he know what he is doing? Owner serviced! does this guy know which end is the open end? all he has is a bunch of receipts for oil and filters, wrong spec oil at that. A general conversation would soon give me a good idea of your compentancy and whether to pursue that avenue.
Obviously if the failure is a direct result of incompetent servicing you are on your own. You and your service agent is going to have to wear it. Also if it can be shown that a competant mechanic would have noticed a problem (during a scheduled service) before it resulted in a catastrophic failure tough luck sunshine. Go and see your "service agent"
None of this applies if the servicing was undertaken by the authorised dealer.
NZ is a small place, wont take long to figure out if you or your "service agent" are competent to service a modern motorcycle or should you be sticking to wheelbarrows?
cheers

[Swoop]

But i bet they don't send junior who is actually doing the servicing off to the training workshops...

Does anyone know how many places in NZ offer comprehensive training for motorcycle mechanics? Wellington is the only place I know about. They have run short courses in Auckland (extremely rarely) previously, but what level of training is happening in NZ?

[crazyhorse]

Go to the top man,

I'd speak to the owner and tell them how unhappy you are - I bet you'll get results - and better service in the future too.

[Max Preload]

If I were a technical manager and had to look into a major warranty claim, the first thing I want to see is the bikes history. Service history, who did them? Suzuki dealer oh well we will wear this...

Got any other fairy tales? I particularly like the ones with unicorns and gnomes!

It's more like "How can we blame the customer for these warped discs? Do you think s/he'll stand up for himself or just roll over and buy new ones and we can make some more money off him/her?"

[Taz]

Many years ago we had our new company Hiace van serviced by a large Toyota dealer that the van was purchased from. They forgot to tighten the diff drain plug..... Diff seized down by Kawerau....... Do your own services if you are capable and competent. No one will put the care and attention into your bike that you would. Now just wait for Shaun to chime in

[mikeey01]

I'm picking they didn't take it for a decent road test after the service?
More than likely had they done so (rather than just around the block) they would have noticed it and cleaned it up. On the other hand, had they road tested it, noticed it and not cleaned it up then I'd be asking them why?

I'm picking it's just a quick slack service, I'm sure they're aware too much oil can be dangerous not only just on hot exhausts either, they should know that!

Given all this it's a shame especially when you consider you've got too few bikes shops already down your way.

[dipshit]

The servicing should be done by a competent person.

And this is why i will not get my bike serviced at either of my local Suzuki dealers again.

Workshops that cannot change the oil or spark plugs or oil chains properly certainly don't count as competent in my book.

[dipshit]

I'm picking they didn't take it for a decent road test after the service?

Well the oil was already splattered everywhere when i picked it up. I am thinking it either was taken on a short test ride... or more probably it was oiled while on a stand with the engine running spinning the rear wheel. This would account for the amount of oil and how it was splattered everywhere... including on top of the end of the chain guard as seen in the pics.

I could imagine a mechanic more used to working on dirt bikes oiling a chain like that.

The workshop was a bit on the dark and gloomy side and couldn't really see how bad it actually was until i got home. Even had oil all down the side stand.

[ynot slow]

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

Another of the systems stuff ups with that comment,not getting at you,when I bought my bike which had 9months left in warranty and due for 12000km service before warranty ended.I rang Suzuki and asked "do I have to have bike serviced for 12km at Suzuki dealer"they said yep to honor warranty,I said well the shop I've bought it off have another franchise so know how to service bikes to warranty standards,and end result was took it to Suzuki outlet to be safe.

[dipshit]

Over the last few days with some better weather and getting the bike out a bit more... i have discovered a few more cock ups from the dealer's service.

Noticed the breather/overflow tubes coming from the fuel tank (i think) seemed to be hanging down further underneath the bike than before. Upon investigating found the tubes were rather than following an S pattern on the inside of the fairing, were more taking a straight path down and were squashed between the fairing and the frame. Squashed enough that at least one was pinched closed. Pulled some slack up and got them free from being squashed and they looked to be routed better now. I would presume breather and overflow tubes work better when not pinched closed..???

And in direct sunlight i can see very bad scuff marks from where the owner of the shop rubbed some fingerprint smudges off with his cotton hankie as i was standing there after noticing the oil everywhere. And i mean he was rubbing very hard and vigorously. I was just standing there dumbfounded that someone would do that to a new plastic fairing. Basically i just wanted to get on my bike and get the hell out of his shop.

Have used some black coloured polish to try and hide the scuff marks. It has reduced the finer ones, but there is still obvious marks that can be seen from the right angle in direct sunlight.

I know it seems minor... but do we have any rights for getting even small damage like this rectified? Or is it just a matter of taking it on the chin?

[YLWDUC]

To be honest, there's 300 replies already, but here's my two cents anyway.

If it's a compulsory service, it should be part of the total purchase price. They are selling a whole package, that provided it has been run in properly, will be warranted for the 2-5 years. Would make sense for an authorised Dealer to check out the bike while they service it.

[steve_t]

Shit bud. That's some pretty bad swirling. U might need to get some specialist plastic cut/polish products to get that looking good again. That's pretty messed up. If you were going back, I'd complain but by the sounds of things, your bike is safer to never go back
Maybe a letter with photo attached?

[dipshit]

Shit bud. That's some pretty bad swirling. U might need to get some specialist plastic cut/polish products to get that looking good again.

What worries me about trying to cut/polish it out, is that Suzuki put the paint on fairly thin to begin with.

That's pretty messed up. If you were going back, I'd complain but by the sounds of things, your bike is safer to never go back
Maybe a letter with photo attached?

Next time i am passing through that town on the bike, i may stop in and see them.

Of course after having a workshop foreman fail to see an oil change was way overfilled (at another dealer)... i aren't exactly holding my breath that the owner of the shop will see what i am on about either.

[hayd3n]

And in direct sunlight i can see very bad scuff marks from where the owner of the shop rubbed some fingerprint smudges off with his cotton hankie as i was standing there after noticing the oil everywhere. And i mean he was rubbing very hard and vigorously. I was just standing there dumbfounded that someone would do that to a new plastic fairing. Basically i just wanted to get on my bike and get the hell out of his shop.

Have used some black coloured polish to try and hide the scuff marks. It has reduced the finer ones, but there is still obvious marks that can be seen from the right angle in direct sunlight.

i have some supa fine polish