Expensive LUNCH!!

Took the VFR out during lunch to grab a bite. Half way through the ride, got a flat rear tire. Pulled in to the near by parking lot and called the insurance company for a tow truck to the shop where I get the work done. The insurance company told me that they can only cover the tow to the nearest dealership and have to pay for the extra distance if I have to take it to the shop of my choice. It was going to cost another 50$ to take it to my preferred shop. So had to compromise and waited for an hour for the tow truck to come. I got the bike towed to the nearest Honda dealership and they gave me a great deal on the tire and installation. I went with Michelin Pilot for 139.99 and 37.5 for installation. Since I was already at the dealer, I had all the fluids changed and also had the air filter checked. All in all, after couple hours, the bill came to 480 and half day of PTO.

It was an eventful lunch break and I am glad that the flat tire happened while I was slow

 

You should have ordered the salad. That is some major coin for a flat tire and fluids change. I guess you changed the clutch, brake and coolant whcih I guess is not that bad...I think....

 

Yeah, I should have stayed home and made the salad . I was looking for a excuse to ride the bike They changed the brake, clutch fluid and coolant. I actually went with the engine ice coolant and that was little expensive compared to the Honda coolant.

 

Sorry for the little mishap......I would not feel to bad seen you are safe.
Let put it this way I have my tires change at BMWmotorad and labor alone cost me 100 clamps

 

Wow that is alot of money for just a tire and fluids change! I still don't understand how dealers justify the high price of changing a VFR rear tire that is mounted on a single sided swingarm. It literally takes 10 minutes to mount and balance it and I still see many dealers charging close to $50 to do it.

Rollin

 

100 for a tire change? Holy !!

 

I guess that is the problem going in to the dealership. They go by the book. Even though it took the tech about 2 hours to do everything, they still charged me for 3.5 hours labor. Going in to this shop was not my choice, but the insurance company said that they can only tow to this shop at free of cost

 

Seems pretty reasonable to me. They had to pull the wheel from the bike, dismount the tire, install and balance the new tire and then install back on the bike. If they only charged $37 for that I think he did really well.

 

I think the tire installation charge was very reasonable. Was not sure if it takes 2.5 hours to change the brake,clutch and coolant fluids. I wanted them to do it, because I usually tend to break something when I try to do something. So I let the pro's do their work

But, I really want to thank the dealer (Stubbs 59, Houston). It was late in the evening, but they took me in, did all the work and were very patient to answer all the questions. Even the tech spent some time with me going over the bike and giving some tips.

 

Thats why I dont call them "dealers" instead I call em "stealers."

I would have gotten a ride home and gotten my tyre repair kit.

Goldwings have single sided swing arms and are still a pain in der arse to change. Around here, they charge an hour shop labour for removing wheel and changing tyres regardless of front, rear or middle. Labour goes between 80-90 plus an hour...there is one place that will do it for $35.00 if you bring in your wheels...

 

WOW! Another long lost brother! We gotta be twins.

 

Amen !! Letting the stealers do it the first time has always been low cost to me

 

Yes labor only by the time tax, disposal fee, sterm valves and etc.............close to 140 clamps
Ouch............

 

It would take me five times as long to do the job half as well as a qualified tech could do it. Exception was wiring my accessories. When I had the dealership wire up my USB power and radar detector they just strung it up straight to the battery. When I got the VFR I figured if I wanted it done right I'd do it myself. But mechanical work? Pass.