Me, Red Baron and 6 month anniversary

**OutLander** · 3rd September 2013, 10:07

Hi everyone,

Next week on Monday I will celebrate 6 month anniversary of my bike repair.

I crashed it in March and the only actual damage was broken rear break pedal, apart from them I scratched plastic and frame a little bit. I called my insurance company and they suggested to take my bike to official dealer. I have an Aprilia bike and the only dealer I found was RB Auckland so I took my bike there. And it is still in there workshop...

As you can imagine, there were a lot of calls and promises, reasons and excuses... and the outcome is nothing. My bike is still in the same condition as it was in March.
I think I will bake a cake and deliver it to their manager as I want to share my happiness of a satisfied customer with them.
What do you think about that?
Could you please suggest any other workshop that actually fixes bikes?

**strandedinnz** · 3rd September 2013, 10:52

RB managed to remove themselves from Christmas card list as well for the poor service they did on my bike (missing O-rings etc) and then followed up by fobbing me off with excuses about how the missing o-rings were not really required ..... ummmmmmmmmm excuse me ???

I've heard good things about Motorcyle Doctors not used them myself yet though.

**Hitcher** · 3rd September 2013, 11:15

Your bike is an Aprilia. The New Zealand agent/distributor for Aprilia cares not a shit about anything other than selling new motorcycles. You may well find that Red Baron is waiting on parts to be delivered through official supply channels, which as an officially-sanctioned Aprilia dealer they are probably required to do. If that is the case, then I recommend taking up the cudgels against Aprilia New Zealand Ltd (part of the Triumph/BMW/Aprilia/Moto Guzzi empire). If that doesn't work, then get Red Baron to order the parts they need directly from AF1 Racing in Texas. These will be delivered within five working days.

**Ender EnZed** · 3rd September 2013, 12:30

What does your insurance company have to say about the situation?

**imdying** · 3rd September 2013, 12:49

I would have thought the contract was with the insurance company? Tell them you're off to the ombudsman? Maybe PM Oscar on here?

**OutLander** · 3rd September 2013, 13:56

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Your bike is an Aprilia. The New Zealand agent/distributor for Aprilia cares not a shit about anything other than selling new motorcycles. You may well find that Red Baron is waiting on parts to be delivered through official supply channels, which as an officially-sanctioned Aprilia dealer they are probably required to do. If that is the case, then I recommend taking up the cudgels against Aprilia New Zealand Ltd (part of the Triumph/BMW/Aprilia/Moto Guzzi empire). If that doesn't work, then get Red Baron to order the parts they need directly from AF1 Racing in Texas. These will be delivered within five working days.

I realize that anything might happen but why couldn't they just tell me that. I could purchase the parts from states with one week delivery. Instead of that they were telling me about next week... This is the main problem.

Originally Posted by Ender EnZed

What does your insurance company have to say about the situation?

Today they called me and said that the process was started. Contact them in a week...

Originally Posted by imdying

I would have thought the contract was with the insurance company? Tell them you're off to the ombudsman?

I'm really new to all insurance related things. That is my first case and I thought there is nothing much insurance company can do. Am I right?

**The Reibz** · 3rd September 2013, 13:57

Were you the guy that was in the NZ Herald? Thought you got paid out in court for that bike...

Don't use the Barron for anything. Expensive parts and bad service.

**OutLander** · 3rd September 2013, 13:59

Originally Posted by The Reibz

Were you the guy that was in the NZ Herald? Thought you got paid out in court for that bike...

Don't use the Barron for anything. Expensive parts and bad service.

No, I'm not the one. This is all new story

**imdying** · 3rd September 2013, 14:18

Originally Posted by OutLander

I'm really new to all insurance related things. That is my first case and I thought there is nothing much insurance company can do. Am I right?

Have a read of the contract you accepted, presumably there are clauses for timely repairs? Give them a ring too. Don't get all in their face about it, but presumably they're into helping their customers get the service they've paid for.

**avgas** · 3rd September 2013, 14:28

Go in - buy a new bike, put down a deposit and forget to pay the remainder.

**Ender EnZed** · 3rd September 2013, 15:25

Originally Posted by The Reibz

Were you the guy that was in the NZ Herald? Thought you got paid out in court for that bike...

Different situation. That was a guy who had bought a new bike off them and the warranty work took ages. His contract was with Red Baron as sold him the bike.

In this case the OP has a contract with the company that sold him the insurance, that's where I'd be looking to resolve any issues.

**Icemaestro** · 3rd September 2013, 18:18

just received a speedo cable from BMW NZ.....4 months to the day... it was around 3 months that I saw that article in the paper, was very tempted!!

**Mom** · 3rd September 2013, 18:33

Originally Posted by OutLander

Hi everyone,

Next week on Monday I will celebrate 6 month anniversary of my bike repair.

I crashed it in March and the only actual damage was broken rear break pedal, apart from them I scratched plastic and frame a little bit. I called my insurance company and they suggested to take my bike to official dealer. I have an Aprilia bike and the only dealer I found was RB Auckland so I took my bike there. And it is still in there workshop...

As you can imagine, there were a lot of calls and promises, reasons and excuses... and the outcome is nothing. My bike is still in the same condition as it was in March.
I think I will bake a cake and deliver it to their manager as I want to share my happiness of a satisfied customer with them.
What do you think about that?
Could you please suggest any other workshop that actually fixes bikes?

Get hold of your insurance company and ask them what they consider a reasonable length of time for a repair. Bear in mind they don't care, you are just another piece of paper on the claims desk, no one there is really troubled about the fact you have not got your bike back. Make this your insurance companies problem by reminding them often that you are not happy. You pay premiums for them to cover you, and you have a right to expect repairs in a reasonable timeframe. Good luck with it, Red Baron gives me the shits FWIW.

**haydes55** · 3rd September 2013, 18:38

Get insurance with a company that will supply a rental bike until repairs are done... I can imagine they would be putting repairs high on their priorities. AA roadside plus gives you a rental doesn't it?