What does Ma Kaw need to do to keep us?

[skeeter]

I like low maintenance. Whatever the make. I take it to a qualified shop for the things that are beyond my scope (don't have the tools and don't want the tools). I work hard enough in my trade. I'll pay someone to work on the bike so all I have to do is fly. If wrenching is your thing, more power to you. All I really need is some old retired fart to take it to the shop and bring it home for me.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by glwilson

Ponch... if you want to ride German engineering... you'll have to pay the price. You wouldn't work on an Italian sports-car yourself; so the same applies to a BMW. It is the cost of attending the game.

With regard to an HD; I wouldn't ever buy an HD that some "home-grown wrench-monkey" has done the work on. I would definitely buy one that has a history of dealer maintenance over that.

One problem HD has is the the cost of the bike makes it prohibitive for many of the owners to pay for the maintenance through a dealer -- thus all the sites talking about how "they" can do it themselves.

Well... unless you are as mechanically inclined like CJ, BD, or Mac... you likely are going to screw something up... thus making your bike a "risk" for future problems. (I am not talking about oil-changes or stuff like that.)

Just look and some of the threads on KawaNOW and you'll hear about people doing all kinds of stupid stuff with their bikes because some other person "posts" that they think it is okay or that "they" have done whatever and haven't had any problems. (This is particularly so with electrical issues.)

So... if you buy an expensive bike (or car, or whatever); you should expect to pay to have it maintained to the standards the engineers designed.

Just saying....

It's not beyond me, but I could do without the extortion indicator. The only time I go to the dealer is for warranty or if I am too lazy to change the oil on the suburban, which usually happens when it's -10 out. I would never buy an Italian car. Italian's are farcockte when it comes to building cars. IF I HAVE to have anything serviced at a dealer, it'll be for sale shortly. I still don't get it other than the manufacturer wants to funnel business to its dealers. That's not good enough reason for me.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by skeeter

I like low maintenance. Whatever the make. I take it to a qualified shop for the things that are beyond my scope (don't have the tools and don't want the tools). I work hard enough in my trade. I'll pay someone to work on the bike so all I have to do is fly. If wrenching is your thing, more power to you. All I really need is some old retired fart to take it to the shop and bring it home for me.

In another life I worked on cars. I saw enough thievery that I've come to the conclusion that it must be impossible to run a 100% honest business. The truth is besides being frugal, I don't trust anyone else. Chances are you are getting bent over for something.

[skeeter]

I know which ones are thieves and which ones aint. Depends on what I need done whether I deal local or take it to dealer I bought from ( 2hr ride). Only been to the dealer twice for service with no troubles and fair prices. I intend to buy from him again.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by ponch

In another life I worked on cars. I saw enough thievery that I've come to the conclusion that it must be impossible to run a 100% honest business. The truth is besides being frugal, I don't trust anyone else. Chances are you are getting bent over for something.

If the "Lib's" had their choice... you'd have to take it to the dealer otherwise you would not be supporting a "union-deal"; or possibly causing harm to the Socialistic movement; or possibly violating the rule against using your "own mind"... which is their biggest fear that anyone has their "own mind".

[ponch]

Originally Posted by glwilson

If the "Lib's" had their choice... you'd have to take it to the dealer otherwise you would not be supporting a "union-deal"; or possibly causing harm to the Socialistic movement; or possibly violating the rule against using your "own mind"... which is their biggest fear that anyone has their "own mind".

That's one possibility and it actually exists...I read a posting on a BMW forum from a guy in Japan. They are required to have their motorcycles serviced every two years by a dealer. At least that is what this chap was saying. May be it's not based on unions, but it sounded compulsory. Even in NY we had to have a safety inspection every year. I am sure the dealers wouldn't object.

[markclark57]

Originally Posted by glwilson

So... if you buy an expensive bike (or car, or whatever); you should expect to pay to have it maintained to the standards the engineers designed.

Just saying....

Or learn those standards in order to do the work right.

Just sayin'. . .

[jonsamson]

For me needed changes:
handle bars without risers, or riser option
Quick release pillion, sissy bar, windshield
Belt drive
Clutch Oil Seal that stays in place
Radiators that don't leak
Cam chains that don't need an after market part to fix
Sprk plug tubs that won't get cut through even when doing the cam chain fix
More power HP
More torque
More comfortable saddle
Better paint
Better graphics (no stickers)
Fix the buffeting so we don't have to fix to make it comfortable at highway speeds
Easier maintenace
Easier Oil level check
Better fuel milleage (tank is big enough on 1600)
Keep fram length, shorten the rake
Handle bars not so wide for easier slow speed handling
Center of weight lower
Run on regular octane gas
Get rid of all the engines noises
Get rid of the ping
Lights on the bags
4 way flashers
Running lights
Fuel Filter outside the gas tank
Bigger fuse box for stuff
Battery department to replace it.
Cooling system maintenace easier
No need to special tools (front axl nug, spark plug tubs)
Fix the swing arm maintenace
Easier to adjust rear shocks
Rear Drive oil change easier (put the drain plug on the bottom)
More accessories

Just some thoughts.

[Loafer]

Originally Posted by jonsamson

For me needed changes:
handle bars without risers, or riser option
Quick release pillion, sissy bar, windshield
Belt drive
Clutch Oil Seal that stays in place
Radiators that don't leak
Cam chains that don't need an after market part to fix
Sprk plug tubs that won't get cut through even when doing the cam chain fix
More power HP
More torque
More comfortable saddle
Better paint
Better graphics (no stickers)
Fix the buffeting so we don't have to fix to make it comfortable at highway speeds
Easier maintenace
Easier Oil level check
Better fuel milleage (tank is big enough on 1600)
Keep fram length, shorten the rake
Handle bars not so wide for easier slow speed handling
Center of weight lower
Run on regular octane gas
Get rid of all the engines noises
Get rid of the ping
Lights on the bags
4 way flashers
Running lights
Fuel Filter outside the gas tank
Bigger fuse box for stuff
Battery department to replace it.
Cooling system maintenace easier
No need to special tools (front axl nug, spark plug tubs)
Fix the swing arm maintenace
Easier to adjust rear shocks
Rear Drive oil change easier (put the drain plug on the bottom)
More accessories

Just some thoughts.

Sounds like you should have bought a different brand.

[ponch]

If they changed to belt drive changing the FD fluid is irrelevant, but he has a few good points. Still, manufacturers do what they do. I have yet to know anyone that was part of a focus group for a vehicle manufacturer...I wonder where they get their ideas as to what people want?

[ponch]

Originally Posted by markclark57

Or learn those standards in order to do the work right.

Just sayin'. . .

More or less. The list of items that are done at a particular service are available. As Greg said though, some will not buy a used bike if it doesn't have a dealer verified service history. I keep a spreadsheet of everything I do with notes as well. It might not be an issue if you never sell a bike, but I don't keep mine forever. The longest was 6 or 7 years, the shortest 2 years. Figure 3-4 years.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by jonsamson

For me needed changes:
handle bars without risers, or riser option
Quick release pillion, sissy bar, windshield
Belt drive
Clutch Oil Seal that stays in place
Radiators that don't leak
Cam chains that don't need an after market part to fix
Sprk plug tubs that won't get cut through even when doing the cam chain fix
More power HP
More torque
More comfortable saddle
Better paint
Better graphics (no stickers)
Fix the buffeting so we don't have to fix to make it comfortable at highway speeds
Easier maintenace
Easier Oil level check
Better fuel milleage (tank is big enough on 1600)
Keep fram length, shorten the rake
Handle bars not so wide for easier slow speed handling
Center of weight lower
Run on regular octane gas
Get rid of all the engines noises
Get rid of the ping
Lights on the bags
4 way flashers
Running lights
Fuel Filter outside the gas tank
Bigger fuse box for stuff
Battery department to replace it.
Cooling system maintenace easier
No need to special tools (front axl nug, spark plug tubs)
Fix the swing arm maintenace
Easier to adjust rear shocks
Rear Drive oil change easier (put the drain plug on the bottom)
More accessories

Just some thoughts.

You realize if Kawasaki implemented these suggestions, a new Nomad would run $25,000 or more? Might as well buy a Harley Ultra Classic. ::)

A lot of these do make sense. 4-way flashers, for example.

Others are "nit-picky", eg: "easier to adjust rear shocks". Then you end up with saddlebags like on the 1700's, with a huge gap around the shocks making them look like an afterthought and out of place. What's so difficult about adjusting the rear shocks in the first place?

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by ponch

More or less. The list of items that are done at a particular service are available. As Greg said though, some will not buy a used bike if it doesn't have a dealer verified service history. I keep a spreadsheet of everything I do with notes as well. It might not be an issue if you never sell a bike, but I don't keep mine forever. The longest was 6 or 7 years, the shortest 2 years. Figure 3-4 years.

I track my maintenance (both DIY and dealer) with an Access database I wrote. I can spit out reports, etc. I also keep receipts for anything I buy related to the bike.

[markclark57]

I expect that it will be another year or 2 before I have enough discretionary $$$ for another motorcycle.
When that happens it will probably be + Grace, not instead of.
I've lost bikes to accidents, divorce, and just worn some out. I've never sold one.
The only way to "get your $$$ worth" out of a "New" motorcycle is to ride it till it's dead (IMHO). Might as well get one that will last. That was high on my list when I chose a new '06 Nomad over anything else available at the time.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I track my maintenance (both DIY and dealer) with an Access database I wrote. I can spit out reports, etc. I also keep receipts for anything I buy related to the bike.

I just use an excel spreadsheet as it's more universal. I also put in where I bought it, the cost, the salesperson, email addresses, VIN etc.