Hi,
I want to share my experience with dealer service, but first some background info.
I recently relocated to US, and bought new FZ8 2012 here. It was very positive experience, got my bike in two days without any problems, so I was really excited. Ride a month, and it was a time to do first service. Obviously I went to same dealership, and asked for quotes. They said full service is $250-$300 . When I asked what's included, answer was like "oil and oil filter change, check other things, maybe tune something, it'll take 3 hours or so", it was so undefined, and come on: I am paying $40 full service for my Jeep Patriot, and this is a car! I refused, and asked quotes only for oil and oil filter change - it was $100, interestingly enough, I was told that it'll take same 3 hours. I agreed, I don't know why actually.
Prior to relocation I was riding FZ6, I was doing oil and oil filter changes myself - pretty straightforward process, I was also doing other easy maintenance like replacing spark plugs, installing accessories, etc.
Anyway, I gave them my keys, was waiting outside when some "mechanic" came to take my bike. Engine stalled 3! times, before he managed to ride bike to service room. I was already unhappy at that time, but listen what happened next.
Got my bike back in an hour, and I was riding home. Approximately after 2 miles I saw oil light on panel - emergency stop, checked oil level - it was under minimal level! I couldn't even imagine, thing like this could happen! That retarded boy, who was doing maintenance didn't even knew, that if you're changing oil filter, you need to either put oil inside filter prior to installation, or run the engine for several minutes first and add more oil afterwards. So as you can imagine I was really pissed off, returned to dealership, they've sent to me another mechanic, who was keep telling me "sorry, I wasn't around at that time" blablabla. They added more oil, and I was so mad I simply told them that it was my last time at their service and left. On one hand it was terrible, on the other - I am happy, that I didn't let them to mess with my precious bike more (I mean full service), lesson taught. I checked everything after them, if oil filter is tight, etc. I read on the net feedback to these guys, and saw only unsatisfied ones.
That said, I have couple of questions to you guys:
Is this happening often in US?
Should I share information on that retarded dealership service for anybody to know, where they shouldn't go?
To experienced FZ8 owners: I never had any problem with my FZ6, is that still a case with FZ8? Maybe I shouldn't bother with warranty and do everything myself? Actually what is needed to maintain my warranty, only dealership oil changes, or more?
To Michigan residents: I am in Troy area, can you recommend me some proven mechanic/service/etc.? I am not talking about oil/filters change, I am talking about more serious stuff like brake pads change/adjustments/etc? Are there any services, where I can see, what they're doing with my bike?
EDIT:
So dealership is K&W Cycle, beware!
I want to share my experience with dealer service, but first some background info.
I recently relocated to US, and bought new FZ8 2012 here. It was very positive experience, got my bike in two days without any problems, so I was really excited. Ride a month, and it was a time to do first service. Obviously I went to same dealership, and asked for quotes. They said full service is $250-$300 . When I asked what's included, answer was like "oil and oil filter change, check other things, maybe tune something, it'll take 3 hours or so", it was so undefined, and come on: I am paying $40 full service for my Jeep Patriot, and this is a car! I refused, and asked quotes only for oil and oil filter change - it was $100, interestingly enough, I was told that it'll take same 3 hours. I agreed, I don't know why actually.
Prior to relocation I was riding FZ6, I was doing oil and oil filter changes myself - pretty straightforward process, I was also doing other easy maintenance like replacing spark plugs, installing accessories, etc.
Anyway, I gave them my keys, was waiting outside when some "mechanic" came to take my bike. Engine stalled 3! times, before he managed to ride bike to service room. I was already unhappy at that time, but listen what happened next.
Got my bike back in an hour, and I was riding home. Approximately after 2 miles I saw oil light on panel - emergency stop, checked oil level - it was under minimal level! I couldn't even imagine, thing like this could happen! That retarded boy, who was doing maintenance didn't even knew, that if you're changing oil filter, you need to either put oil inside filter prior to installation, or run the engine for several minutes first and add more oil afterwards. So as you can imagine I was really pissed off, returned to dealership, they've sent to me another mechanic, who was keep telling me "sorry, I wasn't around at that time" blablabla. They added more oil, and I was so mad I simply told them that it was my last time at their service and left. On one hand it was terrible, on the other - I am happy, that I didn't let them to mess with my precious bike more (I mean full service), lesson taught. I checked everything after them, if oil filter is tight, etc. I read on the net feedback to these guys, and saw only unsatisfied ones.
That said, I have couple of questions to you guys:
Is this happening often in US?
Should I share information on that retarded dealership service for anybody to know, where they shouldn't go?
To experienced FZ8 owners: I never had any problem with my FZ6, is that still a case with FZ8? Maybe I shouldn't bother with warranty and do everything myself? Actually what is needed to maintain my warranty, only dealership oil changes, or more?
To Michigan residents: I am in Troy area, can you recommend me some proven mechanic/service/etc.? I am not talking about oil/filters change, I am talking about more serious stuff like brake pads change/adjustments/etc? Are there any services, where I can see, what they're doing with my bike?
EDIT:
So dealership is K&W Cycle, beware!
Last edited: