Motorcycle Trip Blog

[Chili]

I can't say I was very pleased with the dealer overall. I know my breakdown doesn't necessitate an emergency response on their part but I'd like to think if this was either of my local dealers they would have found a way to get this done faster.

Part of the problem was when I went in I told them quite likely exactly what part had failed and that I would prefer the Barnett MT-25 spring. The service writer tells me I have two choices they can order the part, do no diagnostics and simply install it and send me on my way. Or they can tear down the clutch and make sure there was no other issues. Since we are in the middle of a major trip and I don't want to be guessing over a few hours labor I tell him to tear down the clutch to make sure I was right. This was first thing Tuesday morning.

On Wednesday near closing they call me and tell me they've had the reservoir apart and did all sorts of tests and the system is holding pressure so their tech is confused because he figured I was losing the clutch due to a failure in the pressurizing of the system. I again explain that the most common failure is the spring that the MT-25 replaces from my research on the net. The service writer makes a comment not to believe everything you read online and he will relay the info to the tech.

Thursday morning they call me back and tell me I was correct about the parts failure and they can overnight the parts for me at a cost of $30. They can't find a Barnett spring for my 01 Nomad but can get me OEM parts. Even though I talked to Barnett monday and confirmed they had parts in stock at this point I just want my friggen bike back so OEM is fine.

In the end I paid 3 hours labor for them to have me diagnose the clutch over the phone and they replaced the spring and a few other washers and a snap ring for $225 worth of parts for a grand total of $523.

Sadly for me that's was the cost of traveling with limited tools.

[Chili]

Day 23 update http://motorcycletour2011.blogspot.c...07/day-23.html

[ringadingh]

That clutch repair is ten times what I paid to do my own. The spring and gasket should have been about $55.00 plus around an hour and a half labour.
Its not fair that you had to pay for their stupidity.

[ponch]

You would have been better off contacting someone on the emergency list, go to them and had the part shipped there. Of course that assumes the person on the list could and would do the repair or you could... YMMV. Service Managers can be thieves.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Chili

I can't say I was very pleased with the dealer overall. I know my breakdown doesn't necessitate an emergency response on their part but I'd like to think if this was either of my local dealers they would have found a way to get this done faster.

Part of the problem was when I went in I told them quite likely exactly what part had failed and that I would prefer the Barnett MT-25 spring. The service writer tells me I have two choices they can order the part, do no diagnostics and simply install it and send me on my way. Or they can tear down the clutch and make sure there was no other issues. Since we are in the middle of a major trip and I don't want to be guessing over a few hours labor I tell him to tear down the clutch to make sure I was right. This was first thing Tuesday morning.

On Wednesday near closing they call me and tell me they've had the reservoir apart and did all sorts of tests and the system is holding pressure so their tech is confused because he figured I was losing the clutch due to a failure in the pressurizing of the system. I again explain that the most common failure is the spring that the MT-25 replaces from my research on the net. The service writer makes a comment not to believe everything you read online and he will relay the info to the tech.

Thursday morning they call me back and tell me I was correct about the parts failure and they can overnight the parts for me at a cost of $30. They can't find a Barnett spring for my 01 Nomad but can get me OEM parts. Even though I talked to Barnett monday and confirmed they had parts in stock at this point I just want my friggen bike back so OEM is fine.

In the end I paid 3 hours labor for them to have me diagnose the clutch over the phone and they replaced the spring and a few other washers and a snap ring for $225 worth of parts for a grand total of $523.

Sadly for me that's was the cost of traveling with limited tools.

Don't believe everything a service writer tells you.

That situation really sucks. You were at their mercy 1500 miles from home and had few options.

[Chili]

Day 24 update http://motorcycletour2011.blogspot.c...07/day-24.html

[Chili]

Day 25 update http://motorcycletour2011.blogspot.c...07/day-25.html

[ringadingh]

Im amazed at how many pics you take and find the time to post all the days events. I wouldn't be out of town If it was me having to do all that stuff. Good Job.

[Chili]

A lot of the photo's are taken by Char as we ride other than rest stops. It usually takes me about 45 mins each night to resize the photo's selected and write up the blog. There has been a few nights I've wanted to skip it but most of the time it's a nice relaxing time after we grab dinner wherever we end up.

[rickyboy]

Great job and I enjoy reading and looking at the photos. Wish we could have hooked up.
Maybe we can meet up at the next National in Colorado.

[Chili]

Day 26 update http://motorcycletour2011.blogspot.c...07/day-26.html

[waterman]

Originally Posted by Chili

Day 26 update http://motorcycletour2011.blogspot.c...07/day-26.html

Looks like you are having a grand ole time. Enjoyed the comment on Rabbit Ears Pass with how much snow is left. You should have seen it in late Winter.

[Chili]

Originally Posted by waterman

Looks like you are having a grand ole time. Enjoyed the comment on Rabbit Ears Pass with how much snow is left. You should have seen it in late Winter.

Must have been a ton of snow this past winter. A group I talked to today who were headed for Montana mentioned the Going to the Sun road is still closed and they thought Beartooth Pass was as well.

[Chili]

Day 27 update http://motorcycletour2011.blogspot.c...07/day-27.html

[ringadingh]

Im really jealous, your having a fantastic tour by the looks of it.