low and lazy

[Devon Jarvis]

Chris wrote:

>>I have ONE local shop I really like, Action Yamaha in >>Metuchen, NJ. >> >> > >They were friendly and helpful, even when I was just windowshopping >which I know will irritate a dealer in this area to no end. They >actually make sane recommendations based on rider experience which >is extremely rare with the shops I've been in around here. I value >that a lot. > >Any Kawasaki dealers in NJ/NY area that you have found particularly >tolerable? >

Not really. There's Motorcycle Mall (in Bellemead NJ I believe, or maybe it's N Sterling) but I never had service there. I buy parts and get dyno runs at Cycle Therapy in NYC sometimes, but opinions seem to be mixed regarding that place. You need to know what you want, once they realize you are informed and serious they will stop trying to bullsh*t you. If I knew what I know now, I would have looked for a low mileage used KLR instead of buying new. Devon

[Devon Jarvis]

gpokluda wrote:

>--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, ronnie lyons wrote: > > >>Let me tellya little bit about the local dealer. $60.00 an hour to >> >> >change my oil...no thanks. > >$60.00 an hour is actually a reasonable rate. >

Sure, when it's an experienced mechanic who commands $20-$30/hr. There are plenty of guys getting under $10/hr for mechanic work, which if done wrong could cause a fatal accident.

> > > >>Mail order tire needs mounted..."you didn't buy it from us so it's >> >> >your problem." > >Uh, and your point is? Mounting and balancing is free if you buy the >tire from me. Buy it else where and bring it to me, it's $45.00. >Sorry, but maybe the UPS guy will mount them for you. >

For $60/hr my local guys will mount tires, any tires at all. They'd probably be willing to detail your bike for $60/hr, and maybe tie your shoes for you as well (for $60/hr). The point is you charge a shop rate that makes a profit, and that people are willing to pay. I have NO problem paying $60/hr for a mechanic if I am getting what I pay for.

> > >>It's no secret that service departments are cash cows for dealers. >> >> > >Know that for a fact? Do you have any idea what some of the hidden >costs are in running a motorcycle dealership? If the service bays >are so fat ion profit, how come it is it takes a motorcycle >delaership anywhere from 3-5 years before it can even turn a profit? > >

"Cash Cow" and "Motorcycle Dealership" shouldn't be used in the same sentence. Any small business struggles in the beginning, but the amount of money in stocks, equipment, etc vs the revenue on repairs is rough.

> > > >>The parts departments mark up their parts sometime up to 1000%, all >> >> >in the name of profit. > >I think you are slightly exaggerating there >

Ask Millerized how much he was quoted for KLR rear spokes and nipples.

> > > >>Plus they never have anything in stock, can't get your bike in for 1- >> >> >2 weeks, take a week longer than estimated to fix it. > > >Yep, good shops are busy. I'm scheduled out until mid June. I do >take in work for travellers and people needing tires and stuff. Also >room is an issue for some of us. We have to plan service around >shipments of new bikes and such. > >

Or it's badly scheduled, and since a lot of people (including some who work on bikes for a living) think they're toys and not transportation, they don't get too worried. I don't own a car- if I need the drive somewhere, I take the bike. Period. So I can't work on someone else's schedule. When I bought my KLR new and tried to make an appointment for the 500mi service the next week, they said it would be at least three weeks. And I had JUST bought a new bike from them. What sort of service do you get if you just bring the bike in and don't buy it there? I never stuck around to find out.

> > >> And to all this I say BULLSHIT. >> >>Ronie >> >> >> > >Too each his own. I'm sorry you don't have kind words for your >dealer, but don't lump all of us in the same bucket. > >Gino, MZ, Ural, Rokon dealer >www.rvmc.com > >

"Fortunately" for you, Fred, Action Yamaha, and a few others who seem to be the exception rather than the rule, the bar is set pretty low. Devon

[James L. Miller Jr.]

> >>The parts departments mark up their parts sometime up to 1000%,

all

> >> > >> > >in the name of profit. > > > >I think you are slightly exaggerating there > > > > Ask Millerized how much he was quoted for KLR rear spokes and

nipples. $7.20 per spoke, $3.40 per nipple, $288 for the rear rim (hub not included) Oh, and a 4-6 week wait for parts, and a 6+ week wait for assembly. You figure out the total (close to $800 for the rim, not including assembly), but I got an EXCEL complete, shipped 2day UPS for $332. I buy my motorcycle parts from WalMart. They're more knowledgeable than Ridersville Cycle. They're mostly dealing with quads now. No talent required to ride one of those. (Also no license, registration or insurance needed to ride on the roads here in WV. Do the guys who've lost their license due to DUI can now legally drive on public highways. Ain't it nice?) Are some items worth paying more for? Yes. Are some items worth paying THAT much more? Not a chance. millerized (7 days til millerquest2003!)

[kdxkawboy@aol.com]

In a message dated 2003-05-29 5:57:23 AM Pacific Daylight Time, millerized_2000@... writes:

> > $7.20 per spoke, $3.40 per nipple, $288 for the rear rim (hub not > included) Oh, and a 4-6 week wait for parts, and a 6+ week wait for > assembly. You figure out the total (close to $800 for the rim, not > including assembly), but I got an EXCEL complete, shipped 2day UPS > for $332. I buy my motorcycle parts from WalMart. They're more > knowledgeable than Ridersville Cycle. They're mostly dealing with > quads now. No talent required to ride one of those. (Also no > license, registration or insurance needed to ride on the roads here > in WV. Do the guys who've lost their license due to DUI can now > legally drive on public highways. Ain't it nice?) > > Are some items worth paying more for? Yes. Are some items worth > paying THAT much more? Not a chance. > millerized > (7 days til millerquest2003!) > >

To offer an alternate view of a well run dealership. Same scenario, Michael's Cycleworks in Carson City. Knowing that factory prices are ridiculous they quote aftermarket prices while offering to get you the OEM parts if you want to pay more. Result was a new Excel rim, Wheelworks beefier spokes and spoke nipples for $200 with my discount. Knowing that Wheelworks typically takes a month to get the parts, if I had wanted the shop to lace up the new rim the Parts Department would have scheduled my job the day I ordered the parts. Went through this same procedure when I got the parts to tune the suspension on my DRZ. We ordered the Race Tech parts and scheduled the shop work on the same day. Parts came in on a Wednesday and the DRZ was good to go by Saturday. Pat G'ville, Nv [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Krgrife@aol.com]

In a message dated 5/28/03 9:39:19 PM Central Daylight Time, k650dsn@... writes:

> Too each his own. I'm sorry you don't have kind words for your > dealer, but don't lump all of us in the same bucket.

Gino, yes there are good dealers out there and my local shop used to be one of them. I mentioned them favorably several times over the years when this sort of thing came up but they have changed their philosophy and business methods to the point that I buy there only if I have no other choice. The service mgr and the top mechanic who are buddies of mine both left rather deal with the way customers are now treated. They had both been with the shop for more than 10 years. And yes, I am familiar with the hidden costs of running a business but that doesn't excuse the blatent screwing of customers. I support any shop that gives me a fair deal but I won't pay over list price for parts and won't pay $70.00/hr for shoddy service. I respect the mechanics right to make a good living and never question the charges from the guys that I trust. I'm in business too and if I treated my customers like this shop treats theirs I would be out of business in a heartbeat. Kurt Grife [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[RM]

On Wed, 28 May 2003, ronnie lyons wrote:

> It's no secret that service departments are cash cows for dealers. Shop >foreman hires some dumbshit kid to do the service, and they don't wanna >train him because it costs to much. Yet they want to charge me $60.00 an >hour for subpar service that I have to go home and finish myself. The >parts departments mark up their parts sometime up to 1000%, all in the >name of profit. Plus they never have anything in stock, can't get your >bike in for 1-2 weeks, take a week longer than estimated to fix it.

My ZR-7 was a 100% dealer-serviced bike when I bought it from the original owner. I have the work orders and receipts from every job that was performed. The two dealers involved screwed something up EACH AND EVERY TIME. Valves way out of adjustment, foam air filter from the second shop with no oil in it to replace the OEM filter that the first shop busted when re-assembling the airbox (and subsequently wanted to charge the PO $200+ to rebuild the carbs on an in-warranty bike after he took it in complaining of a lean hesitation). Over-tightened fasteners. Loose front axle. Love them dealers... RM

[xs650@dejazzd.com]

I stopped by my local Kaw/Suz/Duc dealer today to pick up a front brake lever. Not in stock, 3-5 days....oil filter was $6.50. I don't mind paying a little, but I DID expect them to have a lever in stock. The local Yam/KTM dealer is a bit high on parts prices, but usually have whatever, and aftermarket as well. They charge $48/hour labor, and some of the mechanics are very experienced. The Honda/Aprillia/BMW dealer seems to carry a fair inventory of OEM and aftermarket parts. The local "Independent" has the best selection of aftermarket parts for H/Y/K/S, much better prices, and excellent mechanics. Unfortuantely their shop is normally back logged a couple of weeks even during the winter. I try to spread my business between several dealers and do some mail order, but I won't be going back to the Kawasaki dealership for anything. I do as much wrenching as I feel comfortable with, and the independent guy gets the remainder. Eric in Pa

[monahanwb]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, wrote:

> > > The local "Independent" has the best selection of aftermarket

parts for H/Y/K/S, much better prices, and excellent mechanics. Unfortuantely their shop is normally back logged a couple of weeks even during the winter.

> > I try to spread my business between several dealers and do some

mail order, but I won't be going back to the Kawasaki dealership for anything. I do as much wrenching as I feel comfortable with, and the independent guy gets the remainder. My sentiments exactly. The local independent here, Cycle Pro of Santa Rosa, gets my business because they stock more levers, cables, filters, tires, and special tools than the Kaw dealer here, whose shop I have not set foot in in four years. Why bother, since they are so aloof and only want to treat you like a stupid guy whose role seems to be walk in and get fleeced. When I have them do work for me I always cheerfully pay up, they earned it and deserve it. I always let Cycle Pro know just how much I appreciate the great service they give me. Bill Santa Rosa CA (not the greatest town in the world, but you can not beat the weather here)

[gpokluda]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "monahanwb" wrote:

> The local independent here, Cycle Pro of > Santa Rosa, gets my business because they stock more levers,

cables,

> filters, tires, and special tools.... > > Bill

Bill, haven't you been keeping up with this thread? No one carries more levers, cables, filters, tires and special tools than Walmart! Gino www.rvmc.com

[monahanwb]

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "gpokluda" wrote:

> Bill, haven't you been keeping up with this thread? No one carries > more levers, cables, filters, tires and special tools than Walmart! > > Gino > www.rvmc.com

I've only been to WalMart once, about 8 years ago, when I bought some new RayBans.....still wearing them. Haven't been back since, not much of a shopper. But I did buy two new shirts for work this weekend, it seemed like kind of a strange experience to go shopping. I can't believe I haven't lost or broken those sunglasses yet.