I think I have had it with Dealers

[shrekonwheels]

So after a wopping 4k miles my fork seals are leaking.

The original dealer whom I purchased it from is 3 hours away, and willing to repair the seals under warranty. Two closer dealers both within a half hour drive in other directions are not willing to do so as a warranty issue. One flat out states it is not covered, and will not check, the other is not sure, will have to have the bike on the property and is unwilling to simply take the vin number and call the factory to see if it is or not. He is also certain since it was a 12 it is not covered under warranty.

I think I might have to join the Big Blu bandwagon and jump ship in the future, at present It certainly is not a huge deal as It not exactly a high end repair. Eventually there will be and honestly, I now understand what others have been going thru.

Yami, kiss my ass, very unsatisfied customer. Maybe instead of churning out bikes as quick as you can you raised the price a bit and held your dealers to some kind of a standard, this is completely unacceptable.

 

[frez]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

Is it a failure of the seal, or is it a failure of the rider to clean the forks after getting them muddy and allowing grit to get under the seals? If you have looked after them and they have failed then I'd say you have every right to get them replaced under warranty.

Nevertheless, I'm not that surprised to hear your local dealers going slow on the issue when you bought the bike from a dealer 3 hours away.

I'm also not surprised the dealer wants to see the bike before making a call as to whether it is covered as they are the ones that will have to pick up the bill if you turn up and for some reason it is clearly not a warranty issue (for instance if you had work done on the forks and the person working on them had not used genuine Yamaha seals when they did the work).

Not trying to wind you up, but it doesn't seem like a big deal to me to have to ride half an hour to the dealer so he can check them out, or if you saved a ton by buying it out of state, having to ride 3 hours back to the supplying dealer.

 

[barkingllizard]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

I feel for you, shrekonwheels, but I wouldn't necessarily jump ship solely on fork seals...
I would however based on dealer network, that's why I left Honda and never looked at KTM...
One would think your two closer dealers are just being pissy AND already are making too much profit [paying taxes, hiding excess in the Caymans] to bother with a minor warranty issue... it sucks but go the three hours to where you are loved...
I know I am very lucky to have a dealer I can work with because there are several around here who leave their customers with a sore butt on a regular basis.....

 

[shrekonwheels]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

I figure it may help other South Western Montana future Yami owners to know who is willing to at least try.

Granite Sportland in Philippsburg are not willing to submit an inquiry as is Staacks Motorsports in Butte.

Montana Motorsports and Marine in Helena are willing to at least submit a claim to see if Yamaha will cover it, which is all I wanted to begin with grrr.

Is it a failure of the seal, or is it a failure of the rider to clean the forks after getting them muddy and allowing grit to get under the seals? If you have looked after them and they have failed then I'd say you have every right to get them replaced under warranty.

Nevertheless, I'm not that surprised to hear your local dealers going slow on the issue when you bought the bike from a dealer 3 hours away.

I'm also not surprised the dealer wants to see the bike before making a call as to whether it is covered as they are the ones that will have to pick up the bill if you turn up and for some reason it is clearly not a warranty issue (for instance if you had work done on the forks and the person working on them had not used genuine Yamaha seals when they did the work).

Not trying to wind you up, but it doesn't seem like a big deal to me to have to ride half an hour to the dealer so he can check them out, or if you saved a ton by buying it out of state, having to ride 3 hours back to the supplying dealer.

I only ride dirt/gravel roads occasionally. I hose off my bike after every dirt road journey (other than up my alley for the wopping 50 feet). And usually after any long Day ride.

This is not my first Rodeo I have been riding for 39 years now, with 25 on the street.

I mountain bike Daily and the fork/rear shock are wiped down after every ride so I am again, not exactly new to all this, of course dare I mention that my dirt bikes i just beat the piss out of and never worried about.

I have purchased two Four wheelers previously from Granite Sportland in Pburg, and usually buy parts from Staacks in Butte.

The place I purchased my Tenere from was the only place in SW Montana to carry one, save Ronan Power Sports which was 2k more expensive and the same distance away.

Regardless the Helena Dealership is doing the right thing and simply submitting a claim, not that hard to do. I am not driving 45 minutes to Granite to get a "maybe" IF I want to be charged, I will do the repair myself and know that it is done properly.

IT seems that I am not the only one having problems with Yamaha Dealerships, at this point I wont bother wasting my money on more yes coverage as that is all it will be (mainly from reading others posts)

IF I buy new again, which is Unlikely, BMW will get hte Nod, if not I will simply go back to a bike I can do absolutely everything myself such as the KLR and build the motor and suspension for two up.

I do not have time, nor should anyone with a new ride to deal with this nonsense.

 

[shrekonwheels]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

I feel for you, shrekonwheels, but I wouldn't necessarily jump ship solely on fork seals...
I would however based on dealer network, that's why I left Honda and never looked at KTM...
One would think your two closer dealers are just being pissy AND already are making too much profit [paying taxes, hiding excess in the Caymans] to bother with a minor warranty issue... it sucks but go the three hours to where you are loved...
I know I am very lucky to have a dealer I can work with because there are several around here who leave their customers with a sore butt on a regular basis.....

Als Cycle in Hamilton MT is where I purchased it from, Ryan the Owner is very nice and always seems willing to go the extra mile. He stated yesterday if I wanted to ride down there on my next day off they would have it done in a couple of hours while I ate lunch, it is now running down the fork so not something I will risk on that windy road getting on the tires.

All I want is what Helena did "I doubt it is covered but I absolutely will submit a claim to see"

That is customer service regardless.

 

[caillou]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

I would be VERY surprised that both seals need to be changed... One of the problem of USD fork is to catch some dirt underneath the seal (same on standard forks but it does not systematically lead to oil leak) and it creates oil leak. You can simply clean it using acetate (not sure about the english word. Rigid plastic, exactly like the old photography films), you then surround the plunger and have the plastic going underneath the seal. Push upward and it will clean the dirt. You can also cut a hook form in your plastic and catch the grit.
It works pretty well, is almost free, and takes less than 2 mns. Worth a try, don't you think?
There is also a cheap insurance against leakimg seals. It is called neoprene boots and several people have reach more than 50Kmiles on original seals with no problems.

 

[shrekonwheels]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

I would be VERY surprised that both seals need to be changed

More surprised if i was able to count to two? ^-^

... One of the problem of USD fork is to catch some dirt underneath the seal (same on standard forks but it does not systematically lead to oil leak) and it creates oil leak. You can simply clean it using acetate (not sure about the english word. Rigid plastic, exactly like the old photography films), you then surround the plunger and have the plastic going underneath the seal. Push upward and it will clean the dirt. You can also cut a hook form in your plastic and catch the grit.
It works pretty well, is almost free, and takes less than 2 mns. Worth a try, don't you think?

Made my own, tried it twice, no go.

There is also a cheap insurance against leakimg seals. It is called neoprene boots and several people have reach more than 50Kmiles on original seals with no problems.

 

[Karson]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

As Big_Blu says, ride what makes you happy.

Fork seals aren't expensive or that hard to replace.

I realize you're not asking, but I don't think you'll get much empathy from folks here. If it were me I'd have the parts on order and plan on doing it some evening and ride until they get to my doorstep (unless they're leaking on the brakes) They are a wear item, after all. But you should already know that after nearly 40 years of riding. Consider it a bonus if warranty covers them.

Best of luck on your journey. Life's too short to not be happy!

 

[shrekonwheels]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

As Big_Blu says, ride what makes you happy.

Fork seals aren't expensive or that hard to replace.

I realize you're not asking, but I don't think you'll get much empathy from folks here. If it were me I'd have the parts on order and plan on doing it some evening and ride until they get to my doorstep (unless they're leaking on the brakes) They are a wear item, after all. But you should already know that after nearly 40 years of riding. Consider it a bonus if warranty covers them.

Best of luck on your journey. Life's too short to not be happy!

Its a safety issue, after one year oil leaking on front brakes and tires is not a good thing. Dealer I purchased from said he has had this problem with two other twelves. Considering he is in the middle of no where its probably all three of hte twelves he sold. I seriously doubt he is the only dealer having this problem.

As for "not much sympathy here" Not sure what part you are having trouble understanding of many people seemingly getting varied service from dealerships, which is the point of this thread overall. You should be on board wanting even service, not "well figure the shit out yourself" Ok its 1955, I will get right on that.

I have other things to work on than the bike. I will be putting a Bobcat together this afternoon, and well not counting the wrenching I do while I am at work.

That is not why I, or any rational person purchases something brand new.

 

[Karson]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

All a matter of perspective, I guess. For you, a leaky fork seal is a deal breaker and makes you prepared to take a bath oon trade/private party sale. Again, not sure I understand the issue for a $20 part and a little bit of time.

If it was bigger warranty issue, like a failed CCT/clutch/FD, or something less trivial than a fork seal, I'd have my pitchfork and lantern ready to go on witch hunt with ya. Take a couple hours, at most, and just DIY.

https://thetenerist.wordpress.com/2014/10/18/fork-rebuild-v3-0-including-fork-seal-and-bushing/

 

[trikepilot]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

You obviously want to get and stay all wound up about this.

Bear in mind fork seals are almost never warrantied since they are a wear item. It does not matter if you have less than 4k miles on them. If you got a piece of grit in there at 4, 400, 4000, or 40000 miles - it is not Yamahas responsibility to fix it.

First off... take a deep breath and calm down. Then get a SealMate tool or some homemade approximation, and swipe the seals a few times to make sure that it is not just grit rather than a blown seal. Then watch and ride it and see what continues to leak or not. Continue breathing deep and consider what one of the other brands would tell you. Probably about the same thing.

Now I cannot speak to the extent of your fork seal leaks. Are they "leaking" or did they puke all over the place like mine did:

As you can see... my bike was dirty. This was NOT Yamaha's fault that my seal puked oil all over the bike. I was in the middle of a three day ride and I rode it home like this. I ran a Sealmate around the fork arm and... voila - it quit leaking. Now I was worried about the largish quantity of fork oil that I lost so I did get the seals and oil replaced. I had lost about 20-25% but not to any point where it would have been dangerous to ride the bike.

Or continue to rail against a bike that has had relative few "legitimate" faults and one where the vast majority of owners have had a good experience with Yamaha. I think this is where some are coming from when they doubt you will get much sympathy from this group.

 

[Big Blu]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

As Big_Blu says, ride what makes you happy.

...................
........
....

+1
If you're not smiling you're not having fun! ::015::

When my go-to Yamaha dealer closed my smile went away. When the time came for the 26k mile service the ST want away, replaced it with a '15 GSA and it's been 7.5K miles of smiles!

My local BMW dealer welcomed me to the "family" in '04 shortly after they opened when I complemented the owner on the professional treatment I received from the service manager and service tech.. To this day I feel like family when I'm there, especially on Saturdays when they provide a free lunch.... burgers, sausage, wurst, Yum! Some will say I've paid the price to belong to the "family", maybe so, but to me it's well worth the price. ::012::

Paul

 

[shrekonwheels]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

You obviously want to get and stay all wound up about this.

Bear in mind fork seals are almost never warrantied since they are a wear item. It does not matter if you have less than 4k miles on them. If you got a piece of grit in there at 4, 400, 4000, or 40000 miles - it is not Yamahas responsibility to fix it.

First off... take a deep breath and calm down. Then get a SealMate tool or some homemade approximation, and swipe the seals a few times to make sure that it is not just grit rather than a blown seal. Then watch and ride it and see what continues to leak or not. Continue breathing deep and consider what one of the other brands would tell you. Probably about the same thing.

Now I cannot speak to the extent of your fork seal leaks. Are they "leaking" or did they puke all over the place like mine did:

As you can see... my bike was dirty. This was NOT Yamaha's fault that my seal puked oil all over the bike. I was in the middle of a three day ride and I rode it home like this. I ran a Sealmate around the fork arm and... voila - it quit leaking. Now I was worried about the largish quantity of fork oil that I lost so I did get the seals and oil replaced. I had lost about 20-25% but not to any point where it would have been dangerous to ride the bike.

Or continue to rail against a bike that has had relative few "legitimate" faults and one where the vast majority of owners have had a good experience with Yamaha. I think this is where some are coming from when they doubt you will get much sympathy from this group.

Must have been the pot hole in the alley that started the leak and the lean angle parked in the garage that had it start gushing like yours, intense wear you know ::26::.

Had I beat the piss out of it like many of you, I would understand, since I do not I fail to understand how something so simple with such minor wear could puke out in well under a year in so few miles under what would be considered normal riding for most bikes, that is simply unacceptable and ridiculous.

Happy the original Dealer agrees.

As for "few faults" against what? I purchased the T knowing at some point it would break, and hoping with dealers everywhere I would be able to get easy repairs. Clearly that is a problem, again that is the point of this thread in general.

I am very happy it is not serious issue, I dread the day there is and I get to deal with "Well we are not sure" BS. uhgg.

they have more nerve than I would asking for warranty.

Why would you simply not ask? A no is the worst thing that can happen, a yes means you save $$$

 

[shrekonwheels]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

HA! I had a spring put on the shock of my KLR a couple years ago, the local wrench said it was free, I went and got him a 12 pack of Beer ::018:: Funny you brought that up.

 

[Donk]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

So after a wopping 4k miles my fork seals are leaking.

The original dealer whom I purchased it from is 3 hours away, and willing to repair the seals under warranty. Two closer dealers both within a half hour drive in other directions are not willing to do so as a warranty issue. One flat out states it is not covered, and will not check, the other is not sure, will have to have the bike on the property and is unwilling to simply take the vin number and call the factory to see if it is or not. He is also certain since it was a 12 it is not covered under warranty.

I think I might have to join the Big Blu bandwagon and jump ship in the future, at present It certainly is not a huge deal as It not exactly a high end repair. Eventually there will be and honestly, I now understand what others have been going thru.

Yami, kiss my ass, very unsatisfied customer. Maybe instead of churning out bikes as quick as you can you raised the price a bit and held your dealers to some kind of a standard, this is completely unacceptable.

I don't think Yamaha holds a very tight rein on it's dealers. My dealer in Wisconsin, Mukwonago Yamaha has been great. Of the 2 dealers I've dealt with in Florida one was as close to redneck scum as you can find, the other has bent over backwards to resolve the issue the first dealer ignored and then tried to bs his way out of not fixing. (Issue is on a FZ1 not a S10.) When I called Yamaha customer service (oxymoron) they told me dealers are independent business' and they had no control over them. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over? Not every dealer is going to be great to deal with, nor is every customer from the dealers perspective. Find a dealer you can work with and work together to get the problem solved. I've also found once I find a dealer I can work with a case of beer on the service counter generates a ton of goodwill!

 

[Donk]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

+1
If you're not smiling you're not having fun! ::015::

When my go-to Yamaha dealer closed my smile went away. When the time came for the 26k mile service the ST want away, replaced it with a '15 GSA and it's been 7.5K miles of smiles!

My local BMW dealer welcomed me to the "family" in '04 shortly after they opened when I complemented the owner on the professional treatment I received from the service manager and service tech.. To this day I feel like family when I'm there, especially on Saturdays when they provide a free lunch.... burgers, sausage, wurst, Yum! Some will say I've paid the price to belong to the "family", maybe so, but to me it's well worth the price. ::012::

Paul

Paul, I know the dealer of which you speak. They are great, did some minor service on my Triumph when they handled them. Nice people although I've never bought a bike from them.

 

[Tremor38]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

Als Cycle in Hamilton MT is where I purchased it from, Ryan the Owner is very nice and always seems willing to go the extra mile. He stated yesterday if I wanted to ride down there on my next day off they would have it done in a couple of hours while I ate lunch, it is now running down the fork so not something I will risk on that windy road getting on the tires.

All I want is what Helena did "I doubt it is covered but I absolutely will submit a claim to see"

That is customer service regardless.

Regardless of your experience/pedigree, chances are the seals are not blown after 4000 miles. Lookup 'Sealmate.' It's a thin, flexible, hook-shaped tool made for removing dirt from fork seals. Chances are that you didn't need to replace the seals at all. I don't get why people do that.

 

[Tremor38]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

More surprised if i was able to count to two? ^-^
Made my own, tried it twice, no go.

Remove the dust caps, insert the hook-shaped tool, slide it in a COMPLETE CIRCLE around the seals then pull out. Repeat as necessary. You are doing something wrong.

 

[Tremor38]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

+1
If you're not smiling you're not having fun! ::015::

When my go-to Yamaha dealer closed my smile went away. When the time came for the 26k mile service the ST want away, replaced it with a '15 GSA and it's been 7.5K miles of smiles!

My local BMW dealer welcomed me to the "family" in '04 shortly after they opened when I complemented the owner on the professional treatment I received from the service manager and service tech.. To this day I feel like family when I'm there, especially on Saturdays when they provide a free lunch.... burgers, sausage, wurst, Yum! Some will say I've paid the price to belong to the "family", maybe so, but to me it's well worth the price. ::012::

Paul

...And you still hang around here why?

 

[shrekonwheels]

Re: I think I have had it with Yamaha Dealers

Remove the dust caps, insert the hook-shaped tool, slide it in a COMPLETE CIRCLE around the seals then pull out. Repeat as necessary. You are doing something wrong.

Nah, yami dropped the ball not putting sufficient protection on its seals out of the box. Had I planned on riding more dirt it is something that would have concerned me.
http://supertenere1200.com/2011/09/18/protecting-your-fork-seals/