Service (or lack thereof)

[skibum]

Don't get me wrong guys...........I didn't take any offense to anything that was said.  As a matter of fact, I agree that what was said pretty much sums up the local dealer(s) position on the matter.  I just don't understand anyone doing business that way, particularly when the economy is in a downward spiral.  Like I said before, I will make it a point not to do business with dealers who have this policy.  And not just in the purchase of a new bike, but in every facet of motorcycling.  I won't buy parts there, I won't buy accessories there, I won't buy gear there and I sure as hell won't recommend them to anyone.  The thing is, I'm not some kid who is currently infatuated with the idea of motorcycles.  I've been riding since I was twelve and I'm now 47.  I raced professionally.  I've been an AMA member forever.  For me this is a lifelong commitment.  So go ahead Mr. Dealer........Ignore me in favor of somebody who bought his bike last week (but quite possibly may decide that riding is not for him in the next few years) but it is a shortsighted way of running your business.  Rant off. 

Note:  all of this aside, I did manage to find a dealer who, not only will work on my bike, but who knows what it is and seems genuinely excited to see something old and cool. I will report results later since my appointment is for next Wednesday.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.

[Red01]

Note:  all of this aside, I did manage to find a dealer who, not only will work on my bike, but who knows what it is and seems genuinely excited to see something old and cool. I will report results later since my appointment is for next Wednesday.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.

  Best of luck to you!  I'm glad to hear you found someone willing to work on your machine.

FWIW - I've noticed some of the car dealers are taking this policy of not working on older stuff.  They'll usually go back a little further than 10 years, maybe 15 or 20.  OTOH, there are a lot more independent car shops out there that'll take in anything.

[skibum]

OK............dropped my bike off this morning.  Talk about seperation anxiety!  But, I just got it back and surprise of surprises, the work seems to have been done correctly, there are no dealer installed dings, scrapes, scratches, etc., it was even free of mechanic fingerprints.  AND, their pricing was very reasonable.  WOW!!! I guess I won't have to worry about finding competent service anymore.  FWIW, I can recommend Freedom Cycle in Concord, NH if anybody in New England is looking for a vintage friendly dealer.  And now it's  time.

[aussiebandit]

We don't have a Suzuki dealer locally anymore.  The nearest one is nearly 1.5 hours away.  The 2 local shops we have will work on any age bike, but I think that's more to do with being a country town then any particular desire to offer 'customer service'.

Although having said that, the mechanic at one shop told my wife not to even think about bringing her 'voodoo black magic Italian exotica' to him for anything more than an oil change.

[mademiriam]

Glad to hear it went well...maybe that shop could meet a nice lady shop and they could have children of like shops that the rest of us could then use...

'voodoo black magic Italian exotica'

man how I wish I could ever think of a bike as that, and then own it. Sounds so exciting!

[aussiebandit]

Glad to hear it went well...maybe that shop could meet a nice lady shop and they could have children of like shops that the rest of us could then use...

'voodoo black magic Italian exotica'

man how I wish I could ever think of a bike as that, and then own it. Sounds so exciting!

funny how perception changes things.  I think of her bike as that expensive blue thing in the garage.  My wife on the other hand looks at it as the best motorcycle over built.  All these opinions of a humble 750 monster.

[Have Blue]

funny how perception changes things.  I think of her bike as that expensive blue thing in the garage.  My wife on the other hand looks at it as the best motorcycle over built.  All these opinions of a humble 750 monster.

Yeah, I've always been a Ducati fan, but I'll never buy one as I simply refuse
to deal with the service quirks.

Blue

[mademiriam]

funny how perception changes things.  I think of her bike as that expensive blue thing in the garage.  My wife on the other hand looks at it as the best motorcycle over built.  All these opinions of a humble 750 monster.

Oh I like Ducatis (sort of a lot actually 1098 anyone? read my blog in the blog section for that) BUT i just don't think of it as voodoo magic. Its too common to qualify for that. But as I think about it... I want something with magic whatever that may be. ..

[aussiebandit]

funny how perception changes things.  I think of her bike as that expensive blue thing in the garage.  My wife on the other hand looks at it as the best motorcycle over built.  All these opinions of a humble 750 monster.

Yeah, I've always been a Ducati fan, but I'll never buy one as I simply refuse
to deal with the service quirks.

Blue

Yep, like you I'd always thought that Ducati's were expensive to service.  That was until a mate of mine had the major service done on his ZRX1200 - Total Cost $1100.00 (AUD) and that was only because the mechanic stopped counting hours after 10.  After some research I found out that that's not unusual and a couple of hundred cheaper than some Melbourne shops.  As a comparision my wifes M750 only cost $950 for the major service, and that included a new chain and sprocket set.

[ippo]

Ducati and kawasaki are expencive to service also here in Finland.
Suzuki is  the cheapest.

[Red01]

Oh I like Ducatis (sort of a lot actually 1098 anyone? read my blog in the blog section for that) BUT i just don't think of it as voodoo magic. Its too common to qualify for that. But as I think about it... I want something with magic whatever that may be. ..

Pretty sure the "voodoo black magic" in this case has nothing to do with commonality (the "exotica" part, maybe), but more to do with the mysteries of desmodromic valve adjustments.

[smooth operator]

  I had always lusted over the ducs. My SV1000s is my working mans version of a Duc. Too bad I don't have $ for street tires now. Its been grounded since the last couple months. The track tires are still good but no $ for the track now either. Last track day of the season will be next week.

[mademiriam]

Pretty sure the "voodoo black magic" in this case has nothing to do with commonality (the "exotica" part, maybe), but more to do with the mysteries of desmodromic valve adjustments.

Oh I realize that  really part of the allure of a bike like a duc, or a bimota or something else not from the BIG four is that things are different! At least for me, and yes I would love something so different it appeared like black magic...
But really, I know some guys adjust their own and considering most of us here manage to adjust our own boring spring valves I think a mechanic should be able to handle the duc.