Rant - Bike shop is taking WAY to long

[neoxaero]

I dropped by bike off at a local shop to get the transmission fixed. It was falling out of 2nd so I assume the shift fork is bent, or something is fishy with the gears. Anyways, I drop it off at the shop on Saturday (9/29/12) and was told that they wouldn't be able to get to it until the following Wednesday (10/3/12)

I called them on 10/5/12 and I was told that they had to order a tool to pull the flywheel on the bike so they had the bike partially disassembled.

Called and checked up again on 10/12/12 and was told they were waiting on the part to come in still.

So I called again on 10/20/12. At this point they've had the bike for about 3 weeks but we're still waiting on this tool to come in so they can remove the flywheel.

I'd like to point out that on 10/5/12 I ordered some goodies for my bike from Procycle (They have the flywheel puller tool) and it took 3 days to get here. I should have just did the work myself. I'd already have the bike fixed and running by now. The only reason I took it to the shop was to have them get it fixed and good to go before my track day on 11/3/12. At this rate I should have the bike back by December. Christmas Present?

[focus frenzy]

Are you sure they are still waiting on the tool and not the transmission part?

It took a month and a half to get a dinky little crank case vent hose for a kohler engine.
When I ordered the headlight bucket for my SV it was not available any place and they ended up getting it from a dealer in Holland who just happened to have one.
Suzuki didn't have it in any warehouses any place. It took three weeks for a very persistent parts guy to track one down.


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[poser]

It's also likely that they ordered the tool from the OEM, increasing the time it takes to get it.

[hizzo3]

Parts are my biggest complaint with motorcycles. No matter how you slice it, if you need an OEM part, count on 1-3 weeks. Hope they get it back up and running for ya soon

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[RECIT]

Cars are a lot more plentiful than bikes and I have waited for weeks for dealer specific parts that were obsolete or hard to come by. Trim/interior parts are the worst! Did you communicate the time frame or expectations you have to the shop when you dropped it off? I know at my shop if someone doesn't specify a time frame I assume I have some time with it and don't get in a big rush. Usually folks with time issues are the first to ask when its going to be ready...even before I diagnose a problem...how much and when?

[neoxaero]

I did specify that I needed the bike back by the 27th so I'd have a chance to sort it out before the track day. I was told by the shop that they'd have it finished in 3-4 weeks. While longer than I wanted to wait, I do understand the delay in receiving parts. I try to be understanding and realize that unexpected things happen. However, that doesn't keep me from being frustrated by the lack of progress.

In hind sight, I should have just done the work myself. I also asked them to go ahead and pre-order the shift fork, 2nd drive/driven gear and 3rd gear and to replace them if they needed it or not. I don't mind paying through the nose to not have to wait

[Meriden]

Lone Star in Austin has done some really outstanding work rounding up parts for me, not just once but several times. I realize that doesn't help a Suzuki owner, but it says a lot about what a good dealer can do. Get your bike to someone who is serious about taking care of you.

[bones_708]

Originally Posted by neoxaero

I did specify that I needed the bike back by the 27th so I'd have a chance to sort it out before the track day.

I realize you are more venting than complaining but if they are within the time frame you gave them and the time they estimated.....

[neoxaero]

Originally Posted by bones_708

I realize you are more venting than complaining but if they are within the time frame you gave them and the time they estimated.....

I am just venting and not really complaining about it. Which is why I haven't mentioned the the shop's name or anything. If I don't have my bike back by the 2nd (so I can make it to the track day on the 3rd) my venting will become complaining for sure.. LOL

If they were reassembling it or something I wouldn't even be venting about it. The fact that they haven't gotten the engine completely disassembled or ordered the parts is telling me that its going to take longer than the agreed upon time frame.

Plus.. the weather right now is freaking amazing and i really want to be riding!

[neoxaero]

Oh and @Meriden

I see you're in Rabbs Prairie - My parents live in La Grange. Any good unpaved roads out that direction?

[japako]

Rumour spreadin' a-'round in that Texas town
'bout that shack outside La Grange
And you know what I'm talkin' about.
Just let me know if you wanna go
To that home out on the range.
They gotta lotta nice girls ah.

[Meriden]

Originally Posted by neoxaero

Oh and @Meriden

I see you're in Rabbs Prairie - My parents live in La Grange. Any good unpaved roads out that direction?

Not in Fayette County proper. LCRA money has turned most roads into something easy to maintain but not suitable for either streetbike nor dualsport. Mostly it's SUMO territory away from the farm to markets, sort of paved and bumpy with some potholes.

But there are a lot of dirt roads to be ridden nearby. Catch up with RollingJ on the thread Bastrop Trails Irregular Saturday Ride.. Bastrop can be as easy or tough as your want it to be. There is some good, but dusty rides in Gonzales county on Sundays, the rest of the week is oilfield traffic. Lavaca County has some roads that are as remote and easily as entertaining as anything you will find east of I35. Plan on riding sand and dodging cows.

Keep an eye on these guys. Honda XR650L Owners as they set up rides in the area from time to time.

My ride card is full until December 1, but give me a call if you're coming out after Thanksgiving. Rman and I can show you around.

m

[Meriden]

Originally Posted by japako

Rumour spreadin' a-'round in that Texas town
'bout that shack outside La Grange
And you know what I'm talkin' about.
Just let me know if you wanna go
To that home out on the range.
They gotta lotta nice girls ah.

I'm a friend of Sheriff Jim! The few times I met that TV news caster with the white wig he acted like a jerk.

[neoxaero]

Okay, I'm far beyond frustrated. 4 weeks in and they still haven't disassembled the bike to see what is damaged so they can order parts.

I'm ready to just go pick the bike up and fix it myself. Sure it might take me another 2-3 weeks to get the parts in and get the bike fixed but at least some progress would be made.

I will never take anything to TJs Cycles again. I was mulling over buying myself one of those purdy orange KTMs they have up there but I'll go else where.

[SparkyBlue]

Is the bike you took in a Suzuki DR 650? TJs appears to be a KTM shop. Did you consider a Suzuki shop for the fix. And I'm also wondering something else. The labor to tear down your bike and fix could be several hours, they may be a little reluctant to do that depending on your bike's value. Don't know, just speculation.

[dutchinterceptor]

From what I saw of their shop they work on most anything. TJ's is where I bought my XR and everybody in the place was easy to deal with and friendly. Have you spoken with Brian Johnson? I'd pull him aside and let him know your concerns.

[neoxaero]

They do work on everything. I had them work on a Honda about 10 years ago and had a great experience back then.

The quoted cost to repair the bike was in the 600-800 range. I've already paid them 500 on it. I figured if I put a nice chunk of change up front, they'd be more likely to get it finished quickly for me.

I decided today to say to **** with it. I'm going to let them fix it since I really don't want to screw with it. I got pre-approved for a loan from my bank so I'm going to go take a look at a bike or two in the morning before I head in to work. I'm tired of waiting on this one so I'm just going to buy another one. Can't ever have to many motorcycles (unless you ask my wife)

Now I just need to decide what kind of bike I want to buy.. hmm

[TwoSmokeDS]

I hope you don't give anymore business to TJ. Especially a brand new bike purchase. They screwed you good. Instead of sitting around on their hands waiting for the tool to show up, they should be running around Central Texas doing everything they can to get a hold of the tool to crack the case. But looks like they don't really give a <beep> about your bike. Is it possible that, since this is a KTM shop, they're giving priority to KTM bikes? Your bike keeps getting shoved to the back of the line for bikes that were purchased at that dealership. I've heard dealers give preference to their own bikes.

[neoxaero]

Originally Posted by TwoSmokeDS

I hope you don't give anymore business to TJ. Especially a brand new bike purchase. They screwed you good. Instead of sitting around on their hands waiting for the tool to show up, they should be running around Central Texas doing everything they can to get a hold of the tool to crack the case. But looks like they don't really give a <beep> about your bike. Is it possible that, since this is a KTM shop, they're giving priority to KTM bikes? Your bike keeps getting shoved to the back of the line for bikes that were purchased at that dealership. I've heard dealers give preference to their own bikes.

Thats entirely plausible. I was seriously considering buying a 690smr from them but after this experience.. no way in ****. I'll find another dealer I to buy another bike.

I ordered some stuff from procycle and got it within 3 days. They carry the flywheel tool. I guess I should have bought the tool and let them use it to fix my bike.

[WoodButcher]

Originally Posted by neoxaero

Thats entirely plausible. I was seriously considering buying a 690smr from them but after this experience.. no way in ****. I'll find another dealer I to buy another bike.

I ordered some stuff from procycle and got it within 3 days. They carry the flywheel tool. I guess I should have bought the tool and let them use it to fix my bike.

I have the puller, BTW. Let me know if you get the bike back and want to use it. Just don't let it go to TJ's.