Given the threads we've had on dealer service, I thought I'd start one to review experienced with dealerships - the good, the bad, and ugly.
Dealer: Kawasaki Autorama
Location: Batley, West Yorkshire (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&cp=10&gs_id=10&xhr=t&safe=off&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1242&bih=1156&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=autorama+batley&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=autorama&hnear=0x48795fe289ab4b01:0x9d69a51635cd025d,Batley,+Kirklees&cid=0,0,1929000648787760835&ei=TFLOTuagLJSl8gPfs_zoDw&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&sqi=2&ved=0CAkQ_BI)
Recommended: Yes
Review:
Autorama is in between the Padgetts dealerships of Honda and Suzuki. It is related to Padgets though some family connections. Having had a bad experience with Padgetts in the past, it was with some trepidation I left my GTR with Autorama. Need not have worried. Brian is absolutely fantastic and will make sure you're happy. The servicing is on the pricey side but it is done throughly. Any warranty issues have been dealt with quickly. I even had an issue with my clutch biting point and they changed the fluid there and then free of charge. In the interest of fairness, I did deal with someone other than Brian and the communication did was somewhat lacking.
Pegusus Kawasaki down in Tadley are the dealership who prompted me to start the post 7.5K service £350+VAT.....
They have declined to even quote a price for 7.5K service without changing the plugs so I will not be going near them.
However Premier bikes in Didcot were very helpful and have quoted £300 for 7.5K service with plugs or £200 without plugs. I found them more than happy to just chat about bikes and will also be doing my tyre changes from now on.
I can't do the map thing but I'm sure you can google both the above.
Quote from: Kwikasfuki on November 24, 2011, 02:44:46 PM
Given the threads we've had on dealer service, I thought I'd start one to review experienced with dealerships - the good, the bad, and ugly.
Dealer: Kawasaki Autorama
Location: Batley, West Yorkshire (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&cp=10&gs_id=10&xhr=t&safe=off&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1242&bih=1156&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=autorama+batley&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=autorama&hnear=0x48795fe289ab4b01:0x9d69a51635cd025d,Batley,+Kirklees&cid=0,0,1929000648787760835&ei=TFLOTuagLJSl8gPfs_zoDw&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&sqi=2&ved=0CAkQ_BI)
Recommended: Yes
Review:
Autorama is in between the Padgetts dealerships of Honda and Suzuki. It is related to Padgets though some family connections. Having had a bad experience with Padgetts in the past, it was with some trepidation I left my GTR with Autorama. Need not have worried. Brian is absolutely fantastic and will make sure you're happy. The servicing is on the pricey side but it is done throughly. Any warranty issues have been dealt with quickly. I even had an issue with my clutch biting point and they changed the fluid there and then free of charge. In the interest of fairness, I did deal with someone other than Brian and the communication did was somewhat lacking.
brian is very good and will see things are done right and is very helpfull, things sometimes are more expensive but cheap is not always the best
Brian is the only reason I take my bike there for servicing.
Quote from: mattye on November 26, 2011, 08:41:38 AM
Pegusus Kawasaki down in Tadley are the dealership who prompted me to start the post 7.5K service £350+VAT.....
They have declined to even quote a price for 7.5K service without changing the plugs so I will not be going near them.
However Premier bikes in Didcot were very helpful and have quoted £300 for 7.5K service with plugs or £200 without plugs. I found them more than happy to just chat about bikes and will also be doing my tyre changes from now on.
I can't do the map thing but I'm sure you can google both the above.
Premier bikes in Didcot are whom I purchased my bike from last Sep, an excellent dealership and more than happy to get them servicing my bike.
Alan
ive bought new bikes from all of these;
rossendale kawasaki, first class service even after they had sold to me, family owned business, my favourite kwaka dealer
LM kawasaki ashton u lyne, possibly the most miserable and ignorant man ever to live. even other kwaka dealers moan about him . Once refused to sell me engine oil for my z750 as i wanted to do an iterim oil change, id rather cut my cock off then ever buy from him again
preston super bikes " super " will always do a good deal
robinsons of rochdale , ok, bought my gtr from there, had problems but after letters to director they came good, honoured my free 3.5k service, will continue to use them
Robspeed of Grimsby have been brilliant for me.
Would recommend them to anyone.
Quote from: viper on February 13, 2012, 10:18:31 PM
LM kawasaki ashton u lyne, possibly the most miserable and ignorant man ever to live. even other kwaka dealers moan about him . Once refused to sell me engine oil for my z750 as i wanted to do an iterim oil change, id rather cut my cock off then ever buy from him again
F me, he is miserable. I once thought of using them to service my bike as they are relatively close to work. He just came across very badly on the phone.
KAWASAKI AUTORAMA ....BRILLIANT DEALER :agree: :agree: score 10 outa 10 :yes:
I've known Brian Alford for many years he's Kawasaki through and through and through, he's the 'old school' type and I say that in a complimentary way. Brian and his lovely family have even visisted me here in the Lakes when on holiday...absolute Top Bloke
I've bought two GTRs from Brian at Padgetts, I have to admit though that my current GTR came from MCO (Motorcycle Center Orrel) and the reason I chose them was price and price alone.. the deal was so good even Brian at Autorama couldn't believe it.
I will be going back to Autorama for my servicing even though its twice as far away as MCO because Brian looks after me.
The rest of the team at Autorama are great too and have become friends over the years
Quote from: Kwikasfuki on February 13, 2012, 11:10:38 PM
F me, he is miserable. I once thought of using them to service my bike as they are relatively close to work. He just came across very badly on the phone.
I cant begin to tell you how bad this guy is, if he did not own the building he would have gone out of business years ago. he gets no repeat business and just sells a few bikes here and there to " new " unsuspecting customers.
Cant keep any mechanics on the payroll, so ends up doing the work himslef, badly.
the man is a legend in Ashton !
He had a zrx1200 ( 12 months old ) in there a few years back that I wanted and had priced it more expensive than new one, when I asked him about doing a deal on it he would nt even knock 1 pence off and get quite aggressive with me ! I think the bike was sat there a year or so later.
Ok so this is kinda not about the Gtr but for 2nd to none servicing on my previous bike ( FJR1300 ) i only ever went to the Fj owners H.Q. in Wooton under edge near bristol, a trip of 165mile each way ,not only was they cheap enough to warrent the trip but you could see them stripping the bike down and working on it ,when they said the work been done then you knew the work had been done. Ernie only ever worked on 1 bike per day so he gave it the attention it deserved.
Interesting accounts from folk....its the same old story, find a good mechanic/dealer and they are worth their weight in gold.
I like Bradford Motorcycles on Canal Road, Bradford, (Kawasaki Dealer). I've heard mixed reviews from folk on them but personally they've always been attentive and seem to appreciate my business which is why I constantly return and use them. I've had three bikes from them recently and will probably buy my next GTR from them.
Yep., so far my dealer has been top drawer and will continue going back there ... it does help that he is only 3 miles away but I would like to think that in these austere times they would be ultra customer efficient and pleasant .... which to be fair he has been since i walked in there !
Quote from: Rusty on February 14, 2012, 02:04:35 PM
Yep., so far my dealer has been top drawer and will continue going back there ... it does help that he is only 3 miles away but I would like to think that in these austere times they would be ultra customer efficient and pleasant .... which to be fair he has been since i walked in there !
.
..... and he is........???
Only had one service to date and that was by Bolton Kawasaki (was Doug Hackings old place). No complaints, very helpful and good reasonable prices, even for 2 new tyres.
Part of the MotoGB Group, which includes Preston Superbikes, Millenium Motorcycles St Helens, Wigan Yamaha, and Robinsons Rochdale I believe.
Glad someone else thinks the same as me and my mate (and he has a Honda) about LM Kawasaki in Ashton. I have never been to such a depressing unhelpful dealership. Not had any work done there so can't comment on that.
Laguna Maidstone Kent are a bunch of rip off merchants, I will never use them again, tried to charge me £200 for a basic service.
I would have bought a Triumph as a second bike, but they are the only local dealer, they are also a Kawasaki dealer.
I have used, and am very impressed with, Bournmouth Kawasaki and Colchester Kawasaki and would recommend them both without hesitation.
Laguna came up on another thread a while backkkkk .... that was the general opinion ...... shite !! :hang:
:innocent: My DEALER can get any thing I want. He can be located at the tight thong night club any Friday or Saturday from 11 pm- 2 am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!You what!!!!!!!!!! OH that sort of dealer.!!!!!! :oops: Sorry
South London Kawasaki not that great...
New dealership and have no idea really. I have been waiting for some parts for a warranty issue for over two weeks, every time I call i get the answer " when they come in we will call you".
I have spoken to other dealers in the area and they say they can get them in 24-48 hours!!
Hi Guys
The worst dealer in my opinion is Kawasaki Limoges France.I had discs & pads fitted by them after a argument with there foreman as he said they all vibrate when braking from speed.I phoned Kawasaki France & they agreed there was a issue and agreed to fit new under warranty.
I waited while they fitted them ,the bike was returned to me with out a road test(so the brakes were poor for the 1st few miles) but when i got home there was brake fluid from the master cyclinder drippig on to the fairing , this is because the IDIOTS had not removed the cap ect when do the repair!!.Luckly i had just polished the bike the previous week so i managed to advert any damage.I e mailed Kawasaki Limoges,no respone..use these guys at your peril.
The dozy pillocks....thanks for the warning , if I'm ever touring near there I'll give them a wide berth
I bought my bike from P&H in Crawley, and have found them brilliant. After several years on a BMW, with their alledgedly superior service, it has been a refreshing change.
When the battery died, P&H had one ready, assembled and charged waiting for me the day after I phoned them. When the ECU died, they communicated really well, chased Kawasaki for answers and got me back on the bike ASAP. Servicing is effeicient and prices are ok, and there is always a full explanation of what has been done and why.
The staff, sales, service, clothing are all knowledgable and really helpful. If you want a test ride then you get one, need something returned under warranty, bike or clothing, it just gets done.
Used a lot of dealers and small garages as well with mixed results, but these guys have seldom dissapointed, and on the rare occasion they do they make up for it quickly and courteously. They also have sold, and look after, about 7 other bikes I know, all with the same standard.
I like them....a lot.
.... Sadly when I was after my CBR1300 6 years ago I popped in there for what I thought would be a chat about figures and how they could help me and delivery times .. the old boy just wasn't interested ... wrote down a price on a piece of paper and shoved it in my hand "There you go" he said ... and he was right ... I was straight out the door and never been back. It was shit I am afraid to say. :no:
I have a general principle I apply to dealers. If they are on the ball, attentive, and don't piss me off then they will get my repeat custom. When I was buying my VStrom we'd agreed on a deal and when it came to signing the paperwork they decided to renegade on it. They lost that deal and any further custom.
Quote from: Rusty on February 18, 2012, 05:20:31 PM
.... Sadly when I was after my CBR1300 6 years ago I popped in there for what I thought would be a chat about figures and how they could help me and delivery times .. the old boy just wasn't interested ... wrote down a price on a piece of paper and shoved it in my hand "There you go" he said ... and he was right ... I was straight out the door and never been back. It was shit I am afraid to say. :no:
Six years ago?! My local BMW dealer has changed hands twice in that time, I see as I find now not more than half a decade ago.
Quote from: Kwikasfuki on February 18, 2012, 07:55:42 PM
I have a general principle I apply to dealers. If they are on the ball, attentive, and don't piss me off then they will get my repeat custom. When I was buying my VStrom we'd agreed on a deal and when it came to signing the paperwork they decided to renegade on it. They lost that deal and any further custom.
Which dealer?
I understand what you are saying Cartman but P+H hasn't changed hands as far as I am aware ... I just think that there are many dealers and bike shops out there so why go back to someone who gave you bad service in the first place ? BUT, next time I,m up at Gatwick I shall pop in and let you know !