Bad Service or par for the course?

[FalcoPerigri]

Let me ask this? Is it INEVITABLE that when you take your bike to where you bought it from, you will end up getting poor service?
Here's my story.
My new Busa has just had it's 6000km service. When I sent it in, and for all the kms since it left the showroom, the oil level has been right on top or right near the top line of the little oil-check window. Right, that's impressive!
Now, 285km after I got it back after the service and after a long ride, I put it on the RW Stand as usual. The next morning I looked at the oil window and could not see ANY OIL. Not even a trace, even below the lowest level mark. What would YOU DO?
I can't go out and ride it like this! By now it was past midday on a Saturday and no one would be at the shop. I started the bike to see if there was any oil pressure...there was, thank God, as the oil pressure red light went off. I allowed the engine to warm then switched it off. I saw a small spit of oil on the window. Put it down level on both wheels, still no oil showing. Then with the help of my son, tilted the bike to the right from the upright position and was relieved that oil showed in the window. This has NEVER happened before. My garage is LEVEL and all other times previously, the oil level hardly changed whether it was flat on the ground or on the RW Stand.
Second thing, I knew the chain was adjusted as I checked it straight after the service. When it went in, with engine off, the chain was just touching the plastic pad on the swing arm. After service it was off the pad so that's good they did it! Now after 285km, less than one tankful, the chain is again touching the plastic pad! My bet is that nobody ever checks their work, whether done by 15 y.o. apprentices or even by seasoned technicians. I could have been on a 1500km road trip and could have seriously compromised my engine. I have heard not so good things about BMC Service, but never believed them till NOW.

[Rainbow7]

You bought from a stealership; it's par for the course. They use apprentices to do basic servicing, paying them $6/hr, while charging you $70/hr for labour.

[Landmine]

Normally the oil is checked both wheels on the level and bike brought off the side stand to vertical so I think your oil level was correct. Can,t comment on the chain but have not had to adjust too much myself. Depend on how hard you ride? To be honest have found dealer service to be be quite good.

[Dave]

Let me ask this? Is it INEVITABLE that when you take your bike to where you bought it from, you will end up getting poor service?
Here's my story.
My new Busa has just had it's 6000km service. When I sent it in, and for all the kms since it left the showroom, the oil level has been right on top or right near the top line of the little oil-check window. Right, that's impressive!
Now, 285km after I got it back after the service and after a long ride, I put it on the RW Stand as usual. The next morning I looked at the oil window and could not see ANY OIL. Not even a trace, even below the lowest level mark. What would YOU DO?
I can't go out and ride it like this! By now it was past midday on a Saturday and no one would be at the shop. I started the bike to see if there was any oil pressure...there was, thank God, as the oil pressure red light went off. I allowed the engine to warm then switched it off. I saw a small spit of oil on the window. Put it down level on both wheels, still no oil showing. Then with the help of my son, tilted the bike to the right from the upright position and was relieved that oil showed in the window. This has NEVER happened before. My garage is LEVEL and all other times previously, the oil level hardly changed whether it was flat on the ground or on the RW Stand.
Second thing, I knew the chain was adjusted as I checked it straight after the service. When it went in, with engine off, the chain was just touching the plastic pad on the swing arm. After service it was off the pad so that's good they did it! Now after 285km, less than one tankful, the chain is again touching the plastic pad! My bet is that nobody ever checks their work, whether done by 15 y.o. apprentices or even by seasoned technicians. I could have been on a 1500km road trip and could have seriously compromised my engine. I have heard not so good things about BMC Service, but never believed them till NOW.

Name and shame the dealer!


Dave

[Ruffy]

Falco - as mentioned before you never get a correct reading whilst the bike is on any stand (front,rear etc) as this is not the position that the bike rides in. To get a correct reading you need to have both wheels on the ground with the bike upright - don't worry many have looked at the oil level before and seen it empty but still get 3.5ltrs out when they drop the oil plug.
Just get your son to check it when you are sitting on the bike in the riding position and you will see the correct level

Cheers John

[bazman]

hey Falco,

I could tell you a (sad but true) horror story about a brand new '09 busa going back to where it was bought for it's 1st service.....and it would totally make you cringe, as well as make anyone seriously question certain feelings and issues re: dealerships and trust! (might PM you later about it if you want...)

In regards to your chain issue.....new chains will and do stretch a lot and require adjustment after a bit of initial work....is the amount of stretch anything overly out of the ordinary???

K.I.F.

[FalcoPerigri]

Falco - as mentioned before you never get a correct reading whilst the bike is on any stand (front,rear etc) as this is not the position that the bike rides in. To get a correct reading you need to have both wheels on the ground with the bike upright - don't worry many have looked at the oil level before and seen it empty but still get 3.5ltrs out when they drop the oil plug.
Just get your son to check it when you are sitting on the bike in the riding position and you will see the correct level

Cheers John

As already mentioned, with both wheels on the ground and in upright position, NO OIL visible.

---

hey Falco,

I could tell you a (sad but true) horror story about a brand new '09 busa going back to where it was bought for it's 1st service.....and it would totally make you cringe, as well as make anyone seriously question certain feelings and issues re: dealerships and trust! (might PM you later about it if you want...)

In regards to your chain issue.....new chains will and do stretch a lot and require adjustment after a bit of initial work....is the amount of stretch anything overly out of the ordinary???

K.I.F.

RE chain, after 285km? Also seeing it needed ONE adjustment prior to this service, after the 1000km service. No I don't ride hard at all, not even by normal standards...

---

hey Falco,

I could tell you a (sad but true) horror story about a brand new '09 busa going back to where it was bought for it's 1st service.....and it would totally make you cringe, as well as make anyone seriously question certain feelings and issues re: dealerships and trust! (might PM you later about it if you want...)

In regards to your chain issue.....new chains will and do stretch a lot and require adjustment after a bit of initial work....is the amount of stretch anything overly out of the ordinary???

K.I.F.

Yes, please tell me that particular horror story. I would not be surprised if the two were related. FP

[Rainbow7]

hey Falco,

I could tell you a (sad but true) horror story about a brand new '09 busa going back to where it was bought for it's 1st service.....and it would totally make you cringe, as well as make anyone seriously question certain feelings and issues re: dealerships and trust! (might PM you later about it if you want...)

In regards to your chain issue.....new chains will and do stretch a lot and require adjustment after a bit of initial work....is the amount of stretch anything overly out of the ordinary???

K.I.F.

I want to read this story!

[Greeny_SA]

[quote='bazman' pid='220980' dateline='1280025433']
hey Falco,

I could tell you a (sad but true) horror story about a brand new '09 busa going back to where it was bought for it's 1st service.....and it would totally make you cringe, as well as make anyone seriously question certain feelings and issues re: dealerships and trust! (might PM you later about it if you want...)

In regards to your chain issue.....new chains will and do stretch a lot and require adjustment after a bit of initial work....is the amount of stretch anything overly out of the ordinary???

K.I.F.

[/qu .

I want to read this story!

Come on Bazz, Spill your gut's .

[Driller]

If it wasnt for a warranty issue Do as much of the work yourself cheaper and helps to know your ride especially on a big trips or find a better shop to deal with even if you have to travel some way to get there plenty of dodgy places out there

[Vellaterra]

Mate as far as I am concerned the Dealers give themselfs a Bad name. When I bought my Busa brand new Dec 2008, I did 1,000ks then in the new year called the same dealer and spoke to the rep that sold me the bike. He told me that i could not bring it in for its first service the first week they were back from holidays. I thought O.K. They sugested I wait another 2 weeks before they could look at it. I was pissed as they knew I would be back considering the time I bought the bike. They didnt even sugest to just drop it off and as a gesture they could fit it in. I know everyone can be busy at times, but if I ran my Plumbing buisness that way with warrenty, service or call back enquiries with my clients I would not exist. I ran a professional outfit regardless if a client had a leaking tap or a burst hot water tank.
These unprofessional outfits dont deserve our hard earned money. They think its their god given right. Well I vote with my wallet, I do my own servicing and if a dyno tune is required I call up and ride her in minus fairings so I get charged minimum on labour $. I hate being cheated by the cheats. Not everyone is like that BUT 1ST IMPRESSIONS COUNT in my book.

[FalcoPerigri]

I am now wondering who ACTUALLY gets their bikes done by the Dealers' Workshop? All sounds very unhealthy.
FP

[FalcoPerigri]

Let me ask this? Is it INEVITABLE that when you take your bike to where you bought it from, you will end up getting poor service?
Here's my story.
My new Busa has just had it's 6000km service. When I sent it in, and for all the kms since it left the showroom, the oil level has been right on top or right near the top line of the little oil-check window. Right, that's impressive!
Now, 285km after I got it back after the service and after a long ride, I put it on the RW Stand as usual. The next morning I looked at the oil window and could not see ANY OIL. Not even a trace, even below the lowest level mark. What would YOU DO?
I can't go out and ride it like this! By now it was past midday on a Saturday and no one would be at the shop. I started the bike to see if there was any oil pressure...there was, thank God, as the oil pressure red light went off. I allowed the engine to warm then switched it off. I saw a small spit of oil on the window. Put it down level on both wheels, still no oil showing. Then with the help of my son, tilted the bike to the right from the upright position and was relieved that oil showed in the window. This has NEVER happened before. My garage is LEVEL and all other times previously, the oil level hardly changed whether it was flat on the ground or on the RW Stand.
Second thing, I knew the chain was adjusted as I checked it straight after the service. When it went in, with engine off, the chain was just touching the plastic pad on the swing arm. After service it was off the pad so that's good they did it! Now after 285km, less than one tankful, the chain is again touching the plastic pad! My bet is that nobody ever checks their work, whether done by 15 y.o. apprentices or even by seasoned technicians. I could have been on a 1500km road trip and could have seriously compromised my engine. I have heard not so good things about BMC Service, but never believed them till NOW.

Name and shame the dealer!


Dave

*MC, a prominent dealer in Brisbane.

[BikerBoy]

I can't say a single bad word about the Suzuki Dealership I bought my Busa and GSX650F from.
They have looked after me time and time again and as for the mechanical work, it has been top notch all the way.
Byrners Suzuki in Seaford Vic. have gone above and beyond to make sure I am always happy and if not, fix it up on the spot
without hesitation. I am more than happy to keep going back and having them work on my bike.

[Vellaterra]

Mate as far as I am concerned the Dealers give themselfs a Bad name. When I bought my Busa brand new Dec 2008, I did 1,000ks then in the new year called the same dealer and spoke to the rep that sold me the bike. He told me that i could not bring it in for its first service the first week they were back from holidays. I thought O.K. They sugested I wait another 2 weeks before they could look at it. I was pissed as they knew I would be back considering the time I bought the bike. They didnt even sugest to just drop it off and as a gesture they could fit it in. I know everyone can be busy at times, but if I ran my Plumbing buisness that way with warrenty, service or call back enquiries with my clients I would not exist. I ran a professional outfit regardless if a client had a leaking tap or a burst hot water tank.
These unprofessional outfits dont deserve our hard earned money. They think its their god given right. Well I vote with my wallet, I do my own servicing and if a dyno tune is required I call up and ride her in minus fairings so I get charged minimum on labour $. I hate being cheated by the cheats. Not everyone is like that BUT 1ST IMPRESSIONS COUNT in my book.

This is just a reflection of my experience, unfortunatly very disapointing considering I bought a Top Of The Shelf Motorcycle. My point is I was treated this way, I just wonder how I would have been treated spending lesser money on a cheeper bike.
A majority of Dealers must have a "we cant live without them" attitude. Once they get over this barrier, then we will see better service.
Maybe a Website like this needs deelers to be members of this site and activly contribute their thoughts, Then and only then we may have a better relationship and then they will understand that "A bike is not just a bike".
These are my thoughts.......