Supporting a local dealer

[Stig / Major Tom]

Wish my dealer didn't have such a massive overhead - would like to support them.....but can't afford to carry them.
They pushed me out the door with a $375 first service quote on a small,  simple-to-service aircooled scooter. ---- A Burgman valve check price....on a LIKE.
I'd never seen a scooter up close before - but now I had the proper motivation for DIY'ing !!
I know, I'm not supporting the future scooter owner in my neighborhood. Owning a horse was probably fun, too.
Mass transit is better for Mother Earth anyway. And safer....
Stig

[CROSSBOLT]

I understand you, Stig! I don't understand the dealer. They are supposed to be so smart. So how do they back themselves into such a corner? My Memphis dealer seems to have the idea since he is a stand alone and has been for many years. Sells anything with two or more wheels 'cept cars. Services all since he has most major world brands. Do not know the shop rate 'cause I do my own stuff. Probably do my own stuff anyway.

Karl

[Mr. Paul]

I know they have to make a living, but geez Stig! Another reason I work on my own scooter is because of the hastle of having to get it to the shop, leave it there, then have to worry about the transportation to get it. (And the lost days of riding time.) For the most part it is just simpler and cheaper for me to do it myself.

[ole two wheels]

I echo the thoughts of crossbolt and Mr. Paul. I have had to many mess-ups by dealers who either didn't know and/or didn't care. Since they are spending MY money, they can throw as many parts at a problem as the care to, hoping they'll get lucky. Then there's always the doubt as to wither or not the job was done right or even done at all. When I get to where I can't do it myself, then it''ll be time to quit riding. Just my thoughts.

[MJR]

Having worked as a professional mechanic for a long time the people I've seen working on them over the years is enough to scare the hell out of you. There are very few people I'd trust to work on my stuff. There are good and bad and finding a good one can be challenging.

I work on my own stuff for several reasons, I trust myself to do the job right without breaking or damaging other stuff, I own several vehicles and it's far less expensive to work on them myself vs having to pay someone else to do it, I also enjoy doing things myself even if I have to learn while I'm doing it, and in the process I can maybe help others through the various forums.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Yes, after I did the first valve lash check --- I discovered something truly scary, because I  had my feeler blade in there in 30 mins.
This dealer had sold any number of my LIKE200i 's.......and yet the service manager, with the help of his computer --- was quoting me 3 hours of shop labor time for this 1st service. "First we have to get down through all that plastic!"
This was scary, because either --- no owner had ever returned his LIKE200I for a 600 mile service.
           ----- or the serv. dept. was massively overcharging.
            ------ or the mechanics had never done a 600 mile'r on a LIKE200I.

All of which I found disheartening as a scooter newbie.
This was when I also discovered that Kymco had not issued a job/time manual to the dealer. (Piaggio gives this info to new owners)

Humorously --- because my new scooter apparently was NASA complicated - for the first year or two I carried enough tools and spares under the seat to build a new shuttle. Did wonders for my mpg's!
Ah me....
Stig

[Tromper]

Seriously Stig?
My local dealer is paying Seattle rents and isn't that high for a simple valve check.
Mostly have done my own but I've paid a couple times for that, a new plug, filter, oil change, general check up and buffing, & with all the add ons was still a lot less.
Heck even had them go over the wife's liquid cooled HD last year and it was less than half that.

[souzamoto]

"This was when I also discovered that Kymco had not issued a job/time manual to the dealer."

Incorrect statement. Kymco has always provided the dealers with a flat rate manual either by hard copy (PDF) or on the dealer only website and in the warranty submission website. If they had not dealers would be unable to file warranty claims. I do warranty claims for several different dealers at a service. Dealers usually bump the customer flat rate up as warranty time is not doable in most cases. Flat rate is a guideline.
CJS

[Redk]

There has never been a scooter dealer hold up on a long run around here. And only one MC repair shop that is not a dealership has stood the test of time.
'Tis a shame, because I'd like to see more of the smaller two wheelers get more use !
redk

[MJR]

This was when I also discovered that Kymco had not issued a job/time manual to the dealer.

Incorrect statement. Kymco has always provided the dealers with a flat rate manual either by hard copy (PDF) or on the dealer only website and in the warranty submission website. If they had not dealers would be unable to file warranty claims. I do warranty claims for several different dealers at a service. Dealers usually bump the customer flat rate up as warranty time is not doable in most cases. Flat rate is a guideline.

I can not confirm or deny either of those statements. My long time in the automotive business most manufacturers do provide warranty labor time guides. There are aftermarket companies also selling time study labor guide for motorcycles ( http://www.servicemanagerpro.com/how.php ) similiar to automotive Chilton guides. In my lines the dealers are self authorizing (can perform warranty repairs without getting a authorization from the manufacturer under a certain amount before working on it). Kymco is a bit different in my dealings with warranty repairs the dealers were required to seek authorization from Kymco USA before performing any warranty repairs and it may be possible under that arrangement they don't provide labor time guides since all repairs have to be authorized by Kymco USA so when that happens they may tell the dealer the time or amount they will pay for that/those warranty repairs. Kymco really needs to work on its owner and service manuals as they are not even close to the Japanese manufacturers in detail or accuracy.

[Stig / Major Tom]

I agree. Kymco must list some kind of guides for warranty work. But why not labor times for something like a valve check on each model Kymco?
Dealer could even post the chart by the service desk.
When I am quoted a job price equal to the work required for a PCX or a big maxi --- that indicates to me that this shop has no experience servicing my scooter. Thus, they've lost my business, and my confidence.
That my service manager used his computer to source that 1st service
was.....discouraging.
I might email a suggestion to Kymco USA for their dealers to post job times/prices.
Stig