service, kawa. or other dealer

[fish]

Other then oil and final drive oil changes my bike goes to a local HONDA dealer (where I bought the wife honda) for tires and inspection. Its a small place with friendly people. This time I took it to a Kawasaki dealer (which also has HD and Yamaha) for the coolant leak which they said would be covered under warranty. I had an appointment for today the 29th. When they took the info. and asked if I bought it from them I said no, then they asked if it need any other service. While your doing the leak repair change the coolant. As far as service I told them no but shortly I'll need a new back tire and the swing arm serviced at the same time.
I watched as the tech. pushed my bike through the shop and into the storage area. The service manager said they will call when its done sometime by the end of the week or next week. WTF! I thought, I had an appointment what if I was going to wait for it. If it was a HD they might of started on it right a way :-/.
I was thinking of taking my business to this dealer since Elaine bought a Kawa 900LT. Maybe I should stay with the local Honda shop :-/ I see when I get my baby back.
So who goes to a different dealer for service???

[AlabamaNomadRider]

The dealer that I bought my Nomad from is a Kawasaki, Honda and Yamaha dealer. Guess they sell and service more Hondas than the other two. They do keep a good inventory of all three bike makers. Any time I have needed parts I can call and they order and will be there the next day in most cases. I have not had any service performed by them on the Nomad. I did have warranty work done on my 2007 Honda VTX1300R and was well satisfied.

[Loafer]

Next time ask them if your getting an appointment that you will be waiting for it, or a day to bring it to be left with them, and picked up up at a later time. I have two shops here that I use. Sometimes they expect me to wait, and sometimes to drop it off. I always ask now. ;)

[brote]

I go to dealer for serviced that I did not buy the bike from. They work on it when it comes in he shop. I haven't had a problem that has involved warranty work though. This dealer has other bike lines but has a constant flow through the service department.

[Jared]

Coolant replacement is a 20 minute job. I would have taken my business elsewhere.

[dank]

Jared, in fairness to the dealer, fixing a coolant leak my take longer than just replacing the coolant.

I go to the shop where I bought my Kawasakis and Honda. Dealership sells and services both brands. Have always gotten great service from them.

[Jared]

Originally Posted by dank

Jared, in fairness to the dealer, fixing a coolant leak my take longer than just replacing the coolant.

I go to the shop where I bought my Kawasakis and Honda. Dealership sells and services both brands. Have always gotten great service from them.

I have owned 5 Kawasakis. EVERYONE of them had a coolant leak at some point. To fix it consisted of tightening a clamp, which they should be doing anyways while they are replacing the coolant. Sure it could have been something more difficult to repair, but I doubt it.

[ringadingh]

I wouldn't have been to pleased with that answer either Larry. Maybe the paying customers move to the front of the line.

[fish]

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

I wouldn't have been to pleased with that answer either Larry. Maybe the paying customers move to the front of the line.

My thoughts exactly Steve. Someone on here said it was fixed for them under warranty and thats what the dealer told me. If it wasn't I'd do it myself. I've had the tank lifted when I put the cobra 2000 on. I should of checked the hoses at the time. I told them to change the coolant not only because it was time to change it but getting rid of it is a problem, so let them do it.

[cnc]

When the dealer said something about the end of the week or next, I would of asked right there what did I make an appointment for.
In my mind if they are busy and can't look at the bike right away, then it should only go in on the day they are ready to look at it.
Different story if you just showed up off the street and said I have such and such an issue, can you look at it.

[Bull Durham]

I've pretty much experienced that too, where if you are bringing something in a warranty or recall item, you get pushed to the back of the line, as they know it is guaranteed money for them.

I would of told them I'd bring it back when they were ready for it, that's why you made the appoitment with them in the first place.

[wiz]

Originally Posted by Utah Motorcyclist

Coolant replacement is a 20 minute job. I would have taken my business elsewhere.

I agree, having an "appointment" to drop the bike off for a couple weeks for a coolant problem doesn't make much sense. having an appointment to have the bike worked on that day is a bit more normal.

[mobandy78]

I agree with Bull & Wiz... I probably would have taken the bike back home and told them I'd bring it back when they were ready for it. And, if not, then I'd go somewhere else. I don't put up with sh*tty customer service.

[ponch]

It shouldn't matter where you bought it. I have heard this about bike dealers more than a couple times and I don't get it. I used to work in an Apple authorized reseller and repair shop. I never asked where someone bought a computer when it came in for repair, warranty or not. The money is green whether from Apple or the customer and even if they didn't buy there, it's an opportunity to gain a customer. Such parochial attitude is counterproductive to success. I wouldn't have left the bike there.

[fish]

They had the bike from Tuesday and called on Friday that it was finished. Dealer said they replaced the O-ring on the front cylinder and changed the coolant. I picked it up this morning and will test it by going for a ride tomorrow. I would think they should of changer the O-ring for the rear cyl. also while it was apart. Anyway it was covered under warranty :)
I took Chips bike for inspection to the local Honda dealer, although they were busy they took it in right a way, good people so I ordered a new Cobra rear tire for MaryJane :)