Triumph Warranties And Main Dealer Servicing

Hi Richard,
just viewed your video, interesting.
I am going to be using a non dealer independent workshop, as identified in your east midlands service recommendations post.
I am, like you tired of the main dealer scene.
My Bonneville is out of warranty and has had its first MOT, so the choices are all mine to make, particularly so since I will be keeping hold of the bike for at least another 7 years or so.
A few years ago I had a VFR800 and took advantage of a winter service offer by the dealer you have been careful not to name.
In fact my brother was involved and his VTR 1000 was collected by the dealer at the same time as mine and taken away for service.
When the bikes were returned to us it was pointed out that they had been taken to a non Honda branch of their then network for the service work.
Although surprised by this we were happy enough with what had been done, filters marked pre service etc, so we knew things had been changed and so on.
About 3 weeks later we went for a ride out to Skegness, sitting on the sea front eating the customary fish and chips I happened to notice that the plastic cap that covered the rear axle was missing.
I knew full well that it had been present pre service, so we called in to the dealer on the way home and I pointed out that the cap was missing following service.
The service desk person went out of sight for a few minutes and returned having spoken to the technician who clearly remembered re-fitting the cap!!!!!!!!
Of course they did.
I left having paid almost £10 for a new replacement.
A trifle I know, but no more work their way from us.
Excellent video by the way!

 

Yep was in two minds to use that independent guy in Burton, just went with Arnold's because of good experience with my WR250 and my MT10 that needed a few repairs after a little incident. Both times I'm able to chat to the tech doing the work.
I'm also a little sad how the Triumph dealer in question has developed, yes its big, flash, got a cafe but we got better service when it was in the small building across the road.
Please let me know how you get on with your service. Cheers.

 

Will do

 

Hi, new here and researching the service costs of a Tiger 1200 as interested in buying. However, i am seeing some eye watering costs for major services which are at 12k I believe? Figures of £700!! Is this the reality of Triumph ownership? I note the comments on independent service but if i buy a bike in warrenty this is not an option. Thanks in advance

 

Yanto it is as DD stated.
Some Ducati services are much more than £700 as I've posted elsewhere on this forum so it's not just Triumph. I would have expected most main brands to be quite expensive plus the warranty doesn't last forever. Please yourself then
It pays to shop around.

 

I would agree when worn with a blue or grey suit but not with mustard corduroys. In that event, the offence has been committed by the corduroys!

 

Servicing costs are down to a myriad of things from the Factory specifying minimum standards to hold the franchise, heating & lighting costs on large spaces , wages, business rates, VAT @20% etc., etc.

The things to focus on are:

The actual expertise for which you are paying

And

The quality of the materials used.

Everything else is equal under warranty law so you pays your money....

 

Lot's of negative comments regarding main dealer servicing on this thread. I wonder how many forum members have positive experiences from their main dealers; just a thought?

I think if you are experienced and capable to complete your own servicing it will seem like the dealers are ripping you off. You are all very skilled and I take my hat off to you all.
If you don't have the capability and you feel that you want to use a local shop to complete your servicing, if it fits your budget then that is also ok.
And lastly if you have had good customer service and servicing from your main dealer, then that is ok as well.

We are all different and will have storys to tell. At the end of the day you have to do what works for you and if it fits with your budget that is also ok..
Wessa

 

I am dyspraxic so have to have my servicing done professionally. That said, my local dealer charged £700 for a 12,000 mile service on my Tiger Sport while another about 40 miles away quoted £495. Wasn't possible to get to the cheap one unfortunately as wife was poorly.

 

I'm surprised more people don't have a go at servicing their bikes themselves: The costs of purchasing a basic tool kit will soon repay itself and there is no magic in doing this, even the 12000 valve check is easy if you work methodically.
And when you come to sell the bike a fully stamped up service book does not enhance the value by much really.
I would rather buy a bike that has been looked after by a knowledgeable amateur rather than a dealer maintained machine.

 

And therein lies the issue buddy. I only have to look at a spanner to get a rash I have a mate who runs a bike workshop in Tamworth and he reckons at least 50% of his work involves rectifying knowledgeable amateur work to their bikes great for him, expensive for them

 

Very true and I would like to think I do a good job of being a human being, just don't let me loose in a china shop or near a set of spanners. - or a tool set.

 

You will find that the main deals they are called technicians not mechanics. Most have not done an apprenticeship but have only been trained by the franchise that they hold. A true mechanic is very had to find these days.
In the 80s i can remember if you hadn't done a 3-year apprenticeship no garage would take you on. i did the 3-year apprenticeship with a city and guilds certificate to prove i was competent. By this time i got fed up with low pay and joined the Army.

Also why with a bike you have to pay for the running in service when with a car it's free.

 

Totally agree, some of these"training schemes" debase the word apprenticeship.
Mine lasted 5 years and covered most aspects of engineering, simply doing some on the job training and a couple of NVQ's does not make a properly qualified motor technician (see my earlier posts on this)

 

I’ve had mixed experiences across some of the UK for servicing and bike purchase experience.
If you find a good franchise, the rates are reasonable or maybe a touch high, but they’re more likely to help out with warranty claims, or partial contribution, outside the 2 year period. That’s goodwill and worth it in my books.
Some of the bad ones really are shoddy aren’t worth going to - go to a further franchise or go independent.
I do minor fixes but no spare time to do a 12k service myself.

 

I know this is an old post, but seemed the only one relevant to my rant about crappy dealer servicing.
I've had my 2018 speedmaster serviced at my bristol dealer a few months ago, a so called free labour service, and they used old engine oil to lubricate everything, chain, levers, anything that moved, which covered the back end of the bike within a few miles, including brakes; so bad I had to jet wash it off and re-lube the chain. Since then I've noticed the brake lever piston is covered in white gunk, which my local bike dealer says is oxidized old oil, so they have used the same old engine oil to lube everything. I have had to clean the whole bike and chase out the contaminated oil on levers and cylinders with wd40 and practically do a whole service again myself. I don't know if this is going to cause a failure of the brake cylinder seals after this contamination so I'll just have to keep a careful eye on it. Not a good situation at all. Bottom line is that I agree with the previous comments about main dealer servicing, they are not to be trusted. Go to a local motorcycle centre that you know and trust, as long as they follow the service requirements your warranty won't be affected.

 

Which Bristol dealer might this be not Fowlups by any chance

 

SpanField I think you should name and shame the dealer. used engine oil shouldn't be used for lubing bike parts.
having said that I find it is great on wooden fence panels