Ch-ch - Avon City or Sportzone?

[Geeman]

I had some issues with the steering lock on my SV which was still under warranty - just. Took it back to Sportzone as that's where I bought it. They stripped the ignition and despite not finding anything wrong were bloody good to deal with so no complaints about the workshop or the workshop manager.

That said whenever I've been in Avon City they've been helpful too although no experience with the workshop yet.

[PeterJ]

Been into Avon City a few times for little stuff(oil, Lube, etc) they are very helpful, Don't know much about the workshop but if you go in there with kids they always have something for them (posters, stickers that sort of thing). Next time I am looking for a bike I will consider them....

[Molly]

From the replies it looks like it makes no difference which one you use. Either way, you'll still be stuck riding a Suzuki...

[AllanB]

if you go in there with kids they always have something for them, posters, stickers that sort of thing.

Cool - guess where I'm going on Saturday morning with my kids, they come away happy, and I get to look & talk bikes. Win Win

[Muppet]

Thanks for all your replies guys.

Upon talking to my CHCH buddy, hes informed me Sportzone have taken on a new workshop manager (sounds like the previous one caused many an issue) and since then things have been running far smoother and hes had nothing but pleasant dealings.

So have any of you had RECENT dealings in the sportzone workshop? (as in the last couple of months)

Not sure of the new guys name sorry...

Recent dealings? Yes they made some repairs to my bike and fitted some parts I bought from the U S and A. I think the workshop manager is a guy called Steve, I hope it's not him who has been replaced, he's a good bloke as is Grant in the shop. My father goes there with his M109R for servicing etc he has no complaints either. My two cents worth.

[BikerFred]

Figured I better give you guys an update.

Based mainly on my friends recommendations I decided to go with Sportzone - though Im sure Avon would have done a fine job by the sounds of it.

The service on my bike was fantastic. The price came through almost exactly what was quoted. The Steve fella in the workshop was a genuinely good bloke and we ended up having a great chat - that guy has done some things on bikes most of us could only dream of, hes a young guy but I dont think you could find a better person for that position. They gave my bike a quick groom free of charge and spent the time answering a bunch of questions for me - so impressed.

But what was REALLY impressive was what they did for another guy while I was there. While I was offside talking to one of the mechanics, some guy walked up to Steve in a panic. He'd come down from Palmy North on a big trip with his wife and developed some issue with his footpeg it was almost falling off and he was already behind schedule. Steve organised his mechanic to drop what he was doing, put this guys bike on the bench, fixed his footpeg issue, THEN cleaned all the dead bugs and crap off this guys bike and THEN filled it with gas and sent this guy on his way AND DIDNT CHARGE HIM A CENT! Granted the job only took them 10-15mins but if you ask me thats really going the extra mile to solve a big problem for that guy - who left with a HUGE smile on his face.

We need more guys like this in the industry!

I for one will be spending plenty of money at sportzone in the future!

[Mikkel]

I have only good things to say about Sportzone. Good bastards one and all in my experience.

On the other hand I also have to vouch for Gordon, who now works in the workshop at Avonside - he knows his business and is a really good bastard!

[Muppet]

Sniff sniff

[NiggleC]

I've had my VStrom serviced by both. No issues with either shop. The bike felt more "in tune" after being in both workshops.

These days it gets serviced at Avon City because its close to my work.
But i get the odd part from Sportzone because my wife can walk down at lunchtime and pick it up.
So its a matter of convenience for me.
Either way we are lucky to have 2 good dealers in ChCh.