Did I get ripped off in Mesa AZ? Feedback wanted on 16k major service on 06 6th gen

From reading here on the forum I knew the 16k service (valve inspection/adj) was gonna be $$$ called around Portland Oregon near where I live, and was quoted between $600-700...I happen to be ridding in Arizona right now and decided to bite the bullet at 16,8xx miles and have it done here...ended up going to Apache Motorcycles in Mesa Arizona, a large Honda dealership with a supposedly good reputation. Here's my problem: My $640 invoice shows nothing but "16k service" along with oil/filter/and 2 body clips (which I pointed out were missing when I dropped it off).... that's it! it does say valves were in spec and no adjustments/shims needed. The valve cover gaskets are clearly the old gaskets...no mention of air filter, spark plugs, etc. Is it me or is this a little weird? They don't list any of the "services" preformed. When I questioned the service manager about this his response was "we do everything the manual says to do". The only things I can see that were obviously done is the chain lubed and a new oil filter (and oil) for this kind of money wouldn't you expect them to list out what was serviced/replaced/inspected/adjusted/lubed/topped off/tire pressure, etc? maybe wash the bike? When I take my truck to the lube joint they give me a printout with tons of info like this...and that's for $30! There are no notes or recommendations from the tech whatsoever on my paperwork. Your thoughts? feedback? am I paranoid or just sore from a $640 oil change?

 

Yes,

Ripped off. I was at Western Honda (Phx/scottsdale line) last week. They did not have the item to do the inspection (special tool needed). So, oil/filter/airfilter/chain inspection, etc.... $283.

If you're still around, I would certainly go back.

 

If they did actually do the valve inspection, would a Honda dealer re-use the valve cover gaskets/bolts seals, etc? I dropped the bike off on Thursday last week and just got it back yesterday (wed) and am a bit steamed about being bikeless for 6 days, so not relishing the thought of going back...

 

Call Western Honda and ask them if they replace stuff. I don't know if you should explain why you're asking.

Call Apache and ask them (as a new guy) what a valve inspections involves, how long, etc....

 

Good idea- I just called western but keep getting a busy signal...Apache told me its 7 hours book time for the valves and "everything else"

was hoping some 6th gen owners on here could share their 16k experiences...

 

I agree tinkern, it's just concerning to me they don't even tell ya anything that affirms they did it all...like how my battery and coolant tested (hydrometer test? did they test it?) condition of air filter, plugs, etc...
I always ask to see my old parts, but in this case nothing to see...maybe im just blowin this outta proportion but it's NOT confidence inspiring AT ALL in my opinion!

 

You get what you get with dealers. You have to assume that most places are decent, but you never really know. That's why I do all my work myself, plus I enjoy it.
It's not like you brought in a Lexus or Mercedes. I think the kind of over-the-top service you are expecting from a bike shop is extremely rare. Vast majority of places have plenty of work to do, they do it according to their work sheets, and on to the next bike.

If the bike has no apparent problems, I would relax and enjoy your ride. No use getting worked up over it.

I don't ever remember needing to change shims on any of my Honda's at their first service, so its a safe bet to wait quite a ways past the recommended 16k miles. Even if they are slightly off, you'll never know it/feel it anyway. Might be worth it to check yourself at 24k, but big money wasted to have the shop open it up just to look at them at 16k, in my opinion.

 

I would suggest in the future to ask for the spec of each valve. The first service is a base line and all others past that will show a trend of good health or possible wear issue.

 

I don't care how good the old gaskets look I ALWAYS replace them.

+1 on Toe's recommendation to ask for the specs for each valve in the future or if you are mechanically inclined in any way you can do the job yourself using this excellent guide I found on the net. It has lots of pics and very detailed explanations of everything. Click the link below to check it out!!

VALVE ADJUSTMENT LINKY



Rollin

 

I'm with you on this one Smooth.

Regardless of whether or not it was within specs, a generic printout and a comment that says "per the manual" are totally unacceptable.

Anything that is done to your ride should have been listed, with results. I don't care what the dealer's reputation is, they should provide it. Whether its my car, boat or bike, if I get work done, I want to see the results on the piece of paper.

If I were you, I'd be back there first requesting better info, and if that doesn't work, then demand it.

 

Nothing unusual about reusing valve cover gaskets.

You could have asked them to notify you when the valve covers were off, then go in to see. That way you'd be pretty shure they at least checked clearances.

The constant temptation for a service manager would be to think, based upon hiustory in the shop, that your bike likely needed no adjustment at that mileage, so he didn't even check valves but reasoned that by charging for it he had set your mind at ease and stopped your worries. That kind of shit happens frequently. ( Actually, i worked for a very short time as a service manager at an independent shop in Mesa a few years ago. I knew guys at Apache and Western, but have no inside info.)

Add in the fact that you're not a regular customer and from out of town, you probably got swindled.......but don't worry cuz your valves probably didn't really need adjustment anyway, let's hope.

 

and shops wonder why people rather get their parts online. everytime i leave a mechanics shop i always feel ripped off
or wonder if they tried to miss something up on purpose

 

It sounds very similar to a dealership I do business with here in Denver. If I take it in saying I need a scheduled service, I will get back paperwork that states X mileage service completed. If I go into the dealership and itemize what I would like done, then I will receive detailed information. I would never expect them to go above and beyond what the "manual" says to do, because customer service is no longer part of the equation. So I feel that if you want new valve cover gaskets, you had better tell them as much. To a certain extent, I understand why; for every person that would like them replaced, there will be another person who complains about the extra cost, therefore it's not routine to just do it. On the positive side, I highly doubt you were ripped off. If they said the 16K service was completed and that the valves were in spec and they gave you paperwork saying as much, then I think it safe to assume all of the work was done and that $643 is a "fair" price for that particular service. It would really take a special kind of dealership to risk their licenses by giving you verifiable proof that the 16k service was completed, only to have a valve go in a year. Honda, in the past, has generaly dealt with those types of dealerships rather harshley; not to mention local government. Not saying it can't happen, but for the dealership, there's a lot at stake.

 

Havcars got it right. They can say and write down anything they want, but if they really did it is the question. In this game you have to have a little trust, or else do it yourself. But I definitely understand your concern. All dealers will do it a little different from each other, (and some are nicer than others). Chances are good that if there's a big HONDA sign out front and you havent heard anything bad about the place, you'll be getting decent service. And about the valve cover gaskets, them and maybe one more set will outlast the bike. But maybe in the future, I would ask in advance for a detailed receipt, most I have dealt with have no problem with that. For now, I would'nt worry, rock on man.

 

I worked part time in a "Mom and Pop" bike shop for a couple years. In my experience at that shop, anything that was written as being done, was in fact done. They might say they didn't do it because it didn't need it, or they didn't feel that it was necessary, but if they said they did it then they did.

Like the man says: if you take your bike in to a reputable shop then you have to take them at their word at some point. Sounds like what they charged was about what you had expected to pay.

I've only replaced a valve cover gasket if the original was leaking/seeping. It would be normal for them not to replace it.

 

Thank you to all who replied- I truly appreciate the feedback and guess I'm not off my rocker to be concerned....one of the buddies I'm riding with thinks i should contest it to my credit card co (seems extreme, but he got me worked up)....it is one of those situations: I got Oregon plates/address and it's obvious I'm on a road trip, so I'm sort of at their mercy.

On another note (and I'll probably post this as a separate post) I am planning a one or probably two day trip from the Phoenix area down to Tombstone and Bisbee and back in a loop through the Sierra vista or Wilcox area. I'm looking for pointers from anyone who has rode this area or wants to join in. This will be in the next two weeks. Thanks again for the awesome responses: at the very least I will be contacting this dealer to relay my concerns and hopefully get some resolutions. Peace.

 

Dude..You got hosed. You lucked out some though. Those gaskets at that shop are another $240.00.

A chain inspection? LOL

" Yep Cletus the chain is still there, Ring up another $65.00 but don't write it down, this dude is from out of town."

 

I might meet for a day trip. Send me a PM with the times/dates.