I think I have had it with Dealers

[snakebitten]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

I had fantastic service from my dealer for the first 3 years I owned it. Got treated like royalty when I stopped in.
I will admit that I bought a service contract from them that came with all the special treatment.

They saw me very often, early on, as I was piling up the miles. Each time I arrived, they would all quickly come look at the bike to see what condition it was in and ask me to describe my last 4000 miles. (or less)
I never had to wait. I never had to argue over warranty. It was awesome.

But then I got denied for my request to replace my noisy CCT. And I was almost done with my 3 year contract.
I still say it was not my dealer. Nor my trusted mechanic. It was the gooberhead suit that works for Yamaha USA. I refuse to let that one foolish decision ruin all the goodwill that Yamaha (mothership and dealer) built up between us. But it was disappointing.

Keep in mind this was before the sudden rash of CCT related maladies landed on Yamahas YES desk. I bet the same request would have been honored a couple of months later.
But I took matters into my own hands because it is MY bike. Not Yamahas. I trust this machine more than I trust YES or the suits. I'm not going to comply with them at the risk of my bike being less reliable.

I also admit that this thread is about fork seals. But the subject matter has wandered enough that I thought my experiences match enough to relate them.

Fork Seals and spokes and CCT and any other small quirk that crops up will NOT steal the joy this amazing machine has afforded me all over the world.

 

[Donk]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

In Shrek's defense sometimes it is a little thing that does you in with a bike or a brand. The straw that broke the camel's back if you will. With me and my Explorer it was the side stand bolt. Stupid item that just took me longer to type than it did the dealer to fix it. I lived through the Explorer with an ECU recall, a service bulletin to replace the head, cruise control gremlins, and I forget what else but when I got the recall for a side stand bolt I had enough. A stupid 20 cent bolt! That bike is gone. Now there has been enough time and energy invested in this thread to change a set of fork seals but the point is if Shrek isn't happy anymore then it's time for him to move on. Maybe he can find a dealer that will make him happy again and bring him back in the fold, maybe not? Venting on forums is fine but venting and expecting lots of support from mostly happy owners is not going to happen.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

. . .
I am saddened that so many people on this forum have had such crappy customer service over the years, they expect so little.

It is odd that those I know in person, most of whom have wrenching experience feel the same way as I do.

I agree with Donk and will add the following about ANY of our views.


"Fallacy of Composition - A presumption that if something is true of part(s) of a whole, then it is true of the whole itself." - Wiktionary



This is before we get all the folks with good experiences chiming in, and then the discussion about how small a population of Tenere owners we are.

 

[shrekonwheels]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

In Shrek's defense sometimes it is a little thing that does you in with a bike or a brand. The straw that broke the camel's back if you will. With me and my Explorer it was the side stand bolt. Stupid item that just took me longer to type than it did the dealer to fix it. I lived through the Explorer with an ECU recall, a service bulletin to replace the head, cruise control gremlins, and I forget what else but when I got the recall for a side stand bolt I had enough. A stupid 20 cent bolt! That bike is gone. Now there has been enough time and energy invested in this thread to change a set of fork seals but the point is if Shrek isn't happy anymore then it's time for him to move on. Maybe he can find a dealer that will make him happy again and bring him back in the fold, maybe not? Venting on forums is fine but venting and expecting lots of support from mostly happy owners is not going to happen.

I do not need support from anyone on the net, its just a blip, some place to talk nothing more other than hoping people will stand up and quit allowing themselves to be taken advantage of.

Deaf ears in the later regard I know

Thanks for the response.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

HA
My partner keeps telling me to shut up and listen - she just wants to talk and there's nothing I can fix.

She's worth it.

I do not need support from anyone on the net, its just a blip, some place to talk nothing more other than hoping people will stand up and quit allowing themselves to be taken advantage of.

Deaf ears in the later regard I know

Thanks for the response.

 

[shrekonwheels]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

HA
My partner keeps telling me to shut up and listen - she just wants to talk and there's nothing I can fix.

She's worth it.

???

 

[shredmeister]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

???

Now THAT last post...is funny. I don't care who you are.

 

[nhdiesel]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

As the new guy here I'll throw in a few cents. I can kind of see both sides. But in the end, any dealer who is throwing away what could be a lifetime customer based on cheap parts and minimal labor probably won't have that business long.

I thought I was doing the prudent thing when I bought mine. For several years I vowed that when I bought my new bike I was going to buy it from North Ridge Yamaha in Geneva, OH because when I had a problem with my KLR during a trip (not even one of their brands, but a Raptor sprocket fits the KLR) they went WAY above the call of duty to help me. When it came time to purchase, however, I decided that I would have better luck with future service and warranty issues by buying local. The dealer gave me a great story, kissed up, had all the slick talk that dealers are known for. And I fell for it.

Well first off even though they assured me they could get ANY aftermarket accessories added to the loan, once it came time to order them, they dragged their feet and tried several excuses to keep it all Yamaha. Then they even got the wrong loan amount, limiting what I could buy at the time. Dealers live for accessory sales, so this was a dumb move...yes, some of the stuff was Yamaha accessories. I also purchased the YES for an extra 4 years, mainly due to my lack of trust in the electronic suspension for that long.

Next was the fact that it took them a week and a half to assemble the bike and get it ready for sale. OK, my confidence is going down. Also, after that week and a half, NONE of the ordered parts were in. This is after me letting them know the day I purchased the bike that I had a trip and a rally planned, and I would appreciate, and would be happy to pay for, expedited shipping. But I still chalked up my feeling to impatience. I'll move on and enjoy my new bike.

Well the day after I took delivery I had to adjust a misadjusted clutch lever perch, and tighten the front brake perch. And adjust the headlights that pointed at the trees. BUT...while doing those things, I noticed a few more things. A left side panel that had several loose screws. And front axle pinch bolts that were loose. Yup, that is right. After my 150 mile ride the night I picked it up I find out my axle was very loose. I let them know my feelings about this in a very polite way. Barely.

Well here we are two weeks after I ordered the bike and accessories, and I can't even get the dealer to return my phone call inquiring about when the Jesse luggage is due to arrive. I leave for the first trip in a week and I have no luggage, no wind deflectors, no tank bag. All still on order. I already cancelled the Yamaha windshield that they finally admitted was backordered.

I'm really wishing I had purchased from North Ridge. I also know that the YES will be worthless to me because I'll never let this dealer touch my bike again.

 

[shrekonwheels]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

Looks like I am taking the 2.5 hour drive. Als Cycle Center is willing to do it under warranty.

::008::

 

[pnelson]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

Just catching the tail end of this thread. The good news with the Super Tenere... Once you get it and tighten everything yourself, you'll never really need your dealer again. I still think YES is a good buy for the four extra years as long as you got the $400 deal you'll find on this forum.

I'd call the folks at Jesse yourself and not wait for the dealer. They are great but may have an order backlog this time of year.

This is a great bike and once you get it farkled the way you want it, you'll forget all about the dealer.

;-) Paul

 

[Tyke]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

Now THAT last post...is funny. I don't care who you are.

+1

 

[nhdiesel]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

Just catching the tail end of this thread. The good news with the Super Tenere... Once you get it and tighten everything yourself, you'll never really need your dealer again. I still think YES is a good buy for the four extra years as long as you got the $400 deal you'll find on this forum.

I'd call the folks at Jesse yourself and not wait for the dealer. They are great but may have an order backlog this time of year.

This is a great bike and once you get it farkled the way you want it, you'll forget all about the dealer.

;-) Paul

I didn't know anything about a $400 deal. It was $795 for the extra 4 years. With the electronic suspension, and the number of miles I'll be putting on, that $795 will easily pay for itself in far less than 5 years.

I did finally get an answer about the luggage by e-mailing Jesse myself. There was a holdup on their end (parts being powder coated) but the bags have now been shipped. At least I got an answer from them, not more excuses and lack of return phone calls from the dealer.

 

[shrekonwheels]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

I didn't know anything about a $400 deal. It was $795 for the extra 4 years. With the electronic suspension, and the number of miles I'll be putting on, that $795 will easily pay for itself in far less than 5 years.

I did finally get an answer about the luggage by e-mailing Jesse myself. There was a holdup on their end (parts being powder coated) but the bags have now been shipped. At least I got an answer from them, not more excuses and lack of return phone calls from the dealer.

Might want to call around, some are getting way better deals on warranties.




Brakes were dragging on the trailer for some reason, after going home to diagnose the problem it occured to me all I had to do was unplug the damn trailer ::010::
Called Als, and they assured me they had time in the afternoon to still change out the seals.

I arrived at one, it was ready at 3.

Great service, more than happy with them, just wish they were closer.

 

[nhdiesel]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

Bike & YES are already bought and paid for. Just doing the farkling and putting on the miles now. Should be doing around 2500 miles next weekend taking the long way to Wilmington, NC and back.

 

[Donk]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

Might want to call around, some are getting way better deals on warranties.




Brakes were dragging on the trailer for some reason, after going home to diagnose the problem it occured to me all I had to do was unplug the damn trailer ::010::
Called Als, and they assured me they had time in the afternoon to still change out the seals.

I arrived at one, it was ready at 3.

Great service, more than happy with them, just wish they were closer.

Shrek, 2 questions. Did you leave beer with the service dept when they were done with your bike? Have you decided to hang onto the bike and hang around here a little bit longer? I certainly hope so.

 

[shrekonwheels]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

Of course I left beer for the Service Department. 8)

I never said I was going to get rid of the bike now, I have a new baby, god only knows how often I will get to ride it now, ::26:: what I did say is in the future I would consider a Bmr or something along that lines, not that I want too but.....

I like the Tenere, I just hate poor customer service damn it. Als was outstanding, Helena not bad, the other two I already pissed and moaned about.

On a side note, you have Mules? For some reason that was my dads dream nag.

 

[Donk]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

Glad it all worked out. I also just left a case of beer with the service mgr who is sorting the clutch on my FZ1. Clutches are not covered under warranty which I can understand but mine is sticking and slow to release. Service mgr has gone to bat with Yamaha to get them to cover it. Hell of a lot better than the first dealer that did nothing and told me he fixed it.

I don't have mules, other than the S10. I am in the horse business, I do love mules and given my name the avatar seemed to fit.

 

[BarkSlayer]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

Nearly all dealers stink. Occasionally you find a good one here or there. There is a good dealer about 45 minutes from me. Smallish outfit and a Yamaha dealer. I think it's a good dealer also because it is in an ideal motorcycle area. Good climate and not much competition near by. Family owned.

That's a shame. In contrast, I've found the majority of dealerships I've dealt with to be excellent small businesses, run with integrity by good people who share the same passion for motorcycling. What ruins things is an overabundance of entitlement-minded price grinders who expect the goods and services a dealership provides to be free, or darned close - regardless of the brands they carry. There's no such thing as something for nothing, so when I go to a dealership...I expect to pay a fair market price for things, including experienced, professional labor. Healthy competition generally means more choices for all of us, which in the end...is hardly anything to complain about.

 

[Spaggy]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

A little bit more about dealers.

The other day I saw two people out riding.
Spanking new Ducati MultiStrada and another Ducati.
I saw them riding the bikes hard and revving very high.
I was interested in the Ducati Multistrada so went to have a look at it.
It had 55 miles on it.
I told the guy riding it that he should not rev it too high until its run in a bit more.
He told me he was a dealer and that I knew nothing about bikes.
Turns out he works for a dealer (office work) and he regularly takes out
new bikes that then get sold to customers.
Thats great. You pay a dealer premium and get a bike that has been thrashed.

Back in about 2004 or so, I was at a BMW dealership looking at a new K1200LT on the showroom floor. I noticed the under cowling was all scraped up from pavement. When I asked an employee about it he said that he had done it while test riding it like a sport bike, cornering low enough to scrape. He was quite proud of himself too. They were still selling it as a new bike. I was totally disgusted and if he were my employee, he would have paid for the repairs and been sent packing.

 

[shrekonwheels]

I took my Tundra in for its 90k mile service.

I have always hated changing the oil on that thing since you have to drop the skid plate to change the damned filter.

The last dealer who was changing my oil (not Toyota dealership) Managed to overfill the oil by a staggering quart and a half.

I would drain that extra oil out grrr.

Now follow up the with Toyota Dealer who managed to completely strip out the drain plug, and whos only solution was to try and charge me 600 dollars for a new pan, that went over well of course.

I would end up with my truck in the parking lot dripping oil and a plug which was barely finger tight. I am no longer allowed in that dealership after giving them a piece of my mind.

I fixed the problem at home with a 4 dollar oversized self tapping bolt, not exactly rocket science but I had other things to do besides breaking out a tap kit to get that damned thing started.

I will from this point on deal with my own oil changes, and I guess do everthing I can myself like I used to.

I am simply disgusted with dealerships in general at this point, thankfully there are good ones here and there, but clearly not as many as their needs to be.

Looks like more letters to manufacturers regarding dealer support are on their way.