Servicing.. Need a decent dealer to take my GTR to!

[AJ]

I am in Kent (Maidstone) and got a brand new GTR from my local dealer and I have had several bikes from them over the years. On the sales side, I have to say they have been brilliant - but unfortunately their service department lets them down massively.. I just had the 600 mile service done, and made a massive thing about the final drive oil being changed. They confirmed it is part of the first service, and when I picked the bike up I asked if it had been done, they confirmed it had - even gave me the checklist with it ticked off.. Now, they hadnt charged me for the oil, or a gasket and previous experience made a nagging thought appear in my mind.. had they done it??

Anyhow, couldnt shake the nagging in my head, so I popped outside and checked it over. The filler hadnt been taken off (no tool marks on it), so I unscrewed it and sure enough.. oil was black! I rang them up and asked if they definitely changed the oil.. they went and asked the tech, and then came backing saying that it had been "a miscommunication and it hadnt been done. Run it down and we will do it right away".. So, to be fair they sorted it and they didnt charge me (BTW first service cost was £74.90 as there was no labour charge on it).. And yes, I did double check they had done it when I got home!!

So.. can anyone recommend a good service department in the Kent (or close) area?

[O.C.]

"miscommunication problem"....yeah right, more like a way of making a quick buck 

[tapps]

i'm not certain whether my dealer changed my SHAFT OIL on the 600 mile service,it was ticked on their check list.i would like to think they have,on my 4k service i'm gonna be a pain in the  & watch what they actualy do during a service,i hate the thought of being ripped off.not only that it's the piece of mind knowing the work's been done.

[Rossendale Rider]

When I bought my GTR a few weeks ago, the dealer serviced the bike (*maybe*).  I had to take it back a few days ago to try and have them sort out a few minor problems.  I asked them to crack open the final drive filler cap and nip it up again because for the life of me, I couldn't open it.  The bloke came out with a couple of washers and a wrench.  He couldn't open it a first saying they didn't have the proper tool!  Eventually, it opened and guess what?  Oil's never been changed.  Is it just the normal engine oil that goes in?

[Lonewolf]

Andy, the oil isnt normal engine oil! I use Castrol GL5, I think it has to be a GL5. If you tell any bike dealer what its for they will give you the right stuff.  One bottle will last you ages.
I've found that a pound coin is a perfect fit and with the assistance of a pair of mole grips you'll release the cap. However, it may cost you a £1 every time you do it. 



New oil....



Old oil.....

[O.C.]

When I bought my GTR a few weeks ago, the dealer serviced the bike (*maybe*).  I had to take it back a few days ago to try and have them sort out a few minor problems.  I asked them to crack open the final drive filler cap and nip it up again because for the life of me, I couldn't open it.  The bloke came out with a couple of washers and a wrench.  He couldn't open it a first saying they didn't have the proper tool!  Eventually, it opened and guess what?  Oil's never been changed.  Is it just the normal engine oil that goes in?

no, no, no Andy ! it requires differential type oil hypoid gear oil is waht you need     

[Rossendale Rider]

Thanks chaps.  I shall get some asap.  However, no riding this week.  Seats in to get lowered and it's absolutely throwing it down!

[Kwikasfuki]

Hmm. Think I'll drain my final drive oil today

[Barry7]

I am in Meopham near Gravesend and I have tried all of the dealers in Kent, and I can't find a good one. Laguna, total rip off and very little product knowledge, Bowen do the job ok but the staff treat you like scum and the bike is never ready on time, you end up having to phone and chase, not good customer service ...........

Its a shame but the only good dealers I have found so far are Bournemouth Kawasaki and Colchester Kawasaki both miles away but they have treated me very well and don't over charge.

Make a day of it, drop off in the morning, book a loan bike, go for a ride, a spot of lunch, and pick up your bike for a nice ride home. Its a great ride to Bournemouth if you go cross country.

My GTR is a 2007 so all servicing is done by me now, I treated myself to a Sealey bike ramp for this, I am too old to crawl around on the floor of the garage now....................................

Its a shame that Kent Motorcycles aren't Kawasaki dealers cos I bought a CBF1000 off of them a few years ago, and I could not fault them, If Honda ever make a bike that I like as much as the GTR I will be off to Kents double quick.....

[wiltsguy]

Not much use to you AJ but anyone with a brain round here always get stuff done by Gary Vardy Racing in Swindon.
Working on his own Gary is Kawasaki certified and you can actually watch him working if you want to wait. No fancy chrome and flash , just loads of knowledge and competance.
He's on Swindon 481008 and charges about 40 quid an hour.

[AJ]

Cheers for the responses all :)

They didnt charge me for the oil etc on the shaft drive, so I guess that was OK..

I may look up the dealers that you all mention, and as suggested make a day of it :)

Thanks Again
AJ

[Rusty]

if you are going to make a day of it come down to the Sussex Coast.... to Worthing and book yourself into Alfs Motorcycles ( a quick Google search will suffice ) ... myself and others have been here, purchased and serviced and they are very good on all counts ... there is a decent cafe opposite, or book yourself in on a day when I am off, get a loan bike and I'll take you to The Sea Lane Cafe on the beach a few miles away for a fry up .... you are more than welcome to a bit of Sussex hospitality ! 

[Boomer]

Another good one is John E. Vines in Rayleigh, Essex.
Not cheap but fair and they don't try to shortcut the services or diddle you.
That said, since mine is well out of warranty, I do my own servicing now.