Who takes their VFR to a dealer for service?

While I could go may places closer after being messed around by a dealer wanted someone who was familiar with VFR's so asked around. In this case the recommendation to use this particular mechanic came from word of mouth from a fellow OzVFRer, he was a VFR trained ex Honda mechanic, owned a Gen 5 himself and while not cheaper than a dealer at least know he's not some underpaid apprentice thinking of wenches while he wrenchs. Another bonus he doesn't mind me hanging around asking dum questions so can see first hand how he works.

As you say having the Service stamp is a good thing to have at sales time so still have my book stamped at the end and having built up a good client mechanic relationship means no problem calling him with more dumb questions from time to time or if something serious goes wrong know he'll treat me honestly. :thumbsup:

 

I took my '03 to the dealer to have my power commander map loaded and tweaked,and to have the dash harness replaced under warranty. Other than that NOONE touches my bikes but me Hondajt. I'm a heavy equipment mechanic by trade,so I have all the torque wrenches and tools necessary to perform any needed maintenance/repair work on my bikes. If I need a specialty tool,I simply have my buddy Pez machine it for me. It's good to have friends like that. I always buy a shop manual with my bikes,and the first thing I do is completely disassemble them to see how they were made. I get intimate and familiar with the bike that way and if something should wrong with it out on the road,I know how the bike was built,I know what to look for,and I know how to repair it. I just feel more confident knowing that my hands performed all the maintenance/repair work on the machine that I'm riding. Take a good look at my Jokermobile Hondajt,I can honestly tell you that I've had it apart several times now just sweating the attention to details.

 

I have to agree with that 100%. I find that while getting a service at the dealership, the mechanics seem to be in a general state of frustration and annoyance. Asking them questions is apparently more than they are paid to accept. I always figured that at $80 or $90 an hour they would do whatever is required to keep me happy. Not the case.

In contrast, when I take it to my local guy( who happens to do all of mods etc. ) he seems happy to see me and will give me all the info I request and then some. In fact I often find myself staying at the shop a hell of a lot longer then I intended, due to much unsolicited info. Even unsolicited is however, greatly appreciated, compared to McDonalds atmosphere at the dealership.

 

I do fluid top ups and changes and chain adjustment but figure I will use the dealer to do tire installations, hard case attachments and of course the upcoming valve adjustment.

 

The only thing I have ever let the dealer do is my factory wiring harness recall.
EVERYTHING else-I do. I like to know that all bolts have been torqued down correctly, and that loving care and attention to detail has been paid to my bike repairs/maintenance. Seeing the punks who wrench at my local Honda dealer gives me NO comfort in that regard.
If there is something I don't know how to do- I'll research the job and do it.
If there is a tool I need- I'll buy it.
Besides, winters are long here....I have about 5 months to get projects done, no reason to pay $70/hr for some "other man" to touch my girl.(Plus I'm a cheap bastid)!!!!!

 

I do for stuff that I can't do at home like tire replacement, and any technical stuff that I don't have the tools for!

 

I get almost the same enjoyment wrenching on the bike than I do riding it. This site and the search function has been awesome in bringing my ride back to near mint condition - mechanically at least. So far, the only thing I couldn't do myself was the new tires install. I am contemplating one of those Harbor Freight changer/balancing machines.

 

I try to do as much as I can myself. At least I will know What was done to my bike. I have had too many shops not do everything I was charged for on both car and bike.

Oil Changes
Chain adjustments and Lube
Coolant changes
air filter

You should be able to do all that your self, Do it right, Learn a little something about your bike and save enough for a new seat or wind screen.

 

F no! No way I'm I ever taking my bike to the local Honda dealer here, now I did take to Brothers powersports only because Mike Valasco runs the shop and Dyno. came out with a pretty decent running machine. even then I was watching them with a keen eye, some folks (a many I'm afraid to say) just do not have the touch in giving a shit.

 

when I rode my bike off the deales lot.... was the last time they will ever see it.

Between myself & a coulpe of good friends I don't need a hired Mech.

 

I do the oil and fluid changes, and anything to do with the chains and sprockets. Other than changing light bulbs, anything electrical goes to the dealer, as well as stuff related to the engine internals (valves, etc.).

Paying $100 for someone else to change your oil is just ridiculous. It's throwing money away.

A good service manual goes a LONG way.

 

This is actually something that iv been thinking about lately.

iv decided to have the dealer put a new piston in my bike. only people here that do that work.

Working 2 full time jobs i simply dont have time. aside from that im simply tired of working on cars. perhaps if i had a few more tools and a lift it would be different.

I once spent 4 hours on the cold hard driveway just trying to change a spark plug. found out why the shop wanted 1500 bucks for a plug and wire change.

besides. oil from auto zone $22. oil change from lentz. same brand oil 19 bucks.

 

Well, I just had the 6000km service done which was basically just a lube change. Came out to be the equivalent of $80, the bulk of the cost being the Motul synthetic oil and labour. Considering the average cost of dealer work being well over $100, I ain't complaining. :thumbsup:

 

Anything I can do, I do.

Anything I can't do, I try to learn.

Anything I can't learn, I pay someone else to do correctly.

The only exceptions to these rules are jobs that require expensive special tools that I would most likely only use once. I will pay for a pro to do those jobs.

Remember, there is nothing like the satisfaction that comes from knowiing you screwed it up yourself & no motorcycle is truly yours until you've christened it with your own blood.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

When I bought my bike, they "included" a service package in the deal. I know I paid for it somewhere, but I still got a great deal on the bike even with it included so I didn't complain. So, I take the bike to the dealer for all service, and every time I go it's free. Even the 16K major service with valve adjustment will be free. It expires in 2012, so I'm sure I will use up all of my oil changes and major services way before then, since I just took it in for 8K service and I just got it last July. Once my services are all gone, I'll see what it costs to buy another package and if I don't go with them, I will take it to the Dynotech shop up at the track. The guy there did my PCIII tuning on his Dyno and I loved what he did, plus he explained everything to me as he was doing it. Great guy.

So far, I have no complaints about the work done on my bike at the dealership, but I will say that if I ever have a problem and it's not just service, I probably wouldn't take it to the dealer, it would go to my Dynotech buddy.

 

Stuff that I do myself:

Oil
Spark plugs
Chain adjustment
Greasing control pivots, side stand, linkages, etc.
Cleaning (once in a blue moon, stuka' knows, haha)
Steering head bearings/tightening head
Wheel bearings
Brake bleeding
Bulb replacements
Upgrades/bolt ons
Coolant drain/flush
Consumable parts (brake pads, rotors, cables, etc.)

Things I don't do myself:

Valve adjustments
Fork seal replacement (though i will take the fork tubes out)

 

Do it myself. It takes me longer, but like Daddy said," Good, fast, or cheap. Pick two."

Mac