Mechanic??

[chickridin]

I don't remember if I've posted this question previously or not so here I go......

There has been many dicussions on mechanics and their qualifications to work on our precious machines but I have a question that I've not seen anywhere before this. I need to take Maxx in for his 6000 mile service soon, in fact, I was going to schedule it today. This is a dealer that has 2 stores, one that sells HD's and the other sells Can-Ams and other brands. Their repair shop however, is located at the HD store. There is only one reference to BRP which is this............

Service Writer
"---- has worked at Ray C's for going on 6 years now, taking over as service writer 4 years and the best we've had. He was originally hired as our boat specialist but works on all of our product lines. He is certified through Bombardier and is currently working on his Harley-Davidson certification. -----------------------------------------"

My questions is.......Do service writers double as mechanics too? If not, what good is a service writer being BRP certified? No other mechanic has any reference to BRP at all. While a friend was at the shop one day he asked someone, I think one of the shop guys, what they thought about the Spyders and he responded with....."they're a piece of s--t." (maybe not exact words, heck, might have been worse!) I've thought about that since he told me that and feel very uneasy taking Maxx there. It is where I bought it though. There is another shop about the same distance the other direction but not sure what their prices are, haven't called yet. Prices......that's a whole other thread that's been discussed beyond the moon.


Any suggestions/opinions are appreciated!

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I would ask them if they have a Spyder certified mechanic. Have you checked out the dealer in Mt. Morris?

 

[Bob Denman]

I would ask them if they have a Spyder certified mechanic.

:agree:
Having a service writer who is "certified" might just mean that they'll know what it is that they're talking about when discussing work that needs being done on a customer's bike... It doesn'tmean that they'll be the ones who spin the wrenches though...

 

[chickridin]

I would ask them if they have a Spyder certified mechanic. Have you checked out the dealer in Mt. Morris?

I have not done that, I will though, thanks. I'm just a bit nervous about having someone work on my bike that knows nothing about it. The dealer in Mt Morris is a bit further away but.......have you had dealings with them?

 

[chickridin]

:agree:
Having a service writer who is "certified" might just mean that they'll know what it is that they're talking about when discussing work that needs being done on a customer's bike... It doesn'tmean that they'll be the ones who spin the wrenches though...

That's what I figured too. I guess I can't figure out what good a ceritified service writer is if there's no certified mechanic. :dontknow:

 

[Bob Denman]

He just explains to the mechanics what needs to be done in a way that they can't possibly understand! :roflblack:

 

[Firefly]

The 6,000 mile service is a pretty simple one. I guess I would give your local dealer who you bought it from the first shot at it. Give the opportunity to prove either way whether their mechanic is competent or not......

Just my .02.

 

[Bob Denman]

isn't it the 12,000 mile one when things get... interesting?? :shocked:

 

[MikeinGA]

Having a service writer who is "certified" might just mean that they'll know what it is that they're talking about when discussing work that needs being done on a customer's bike... It doesn'tmean that they'll be the ones who spin the wrenches though...

:agree: When I was a mechanic and a service writer. I had over three years of training and 5 years of turning the wrenches. When I was finished with customers. I worked in the shop and instructed the new guys. Then I worked three nights a week for an engine builder that built engines for race cars and two nights a week I went to school for automotive engineering. On the weekends I raced. Having a good service writer that makes sure everything is done right, is good for the customers and for the business owner.

Mike

 

[Bob Denman]

So spinning pencils correctly is every bit as important as the spinning of the wrenches... :thumbup:

 

[chickridin]

He just explains to the mechanics what needs to be done in a way that they can't possibly understand! :roflblack:

I had a feeling it'd be something like that!

 

[chickridin]

The 6,000 mile service is a pretty simple one. I guess I would give your local dealer who you bought it from the first shot at it. Give the opportunity to prove either way whether their mechanic is competent or not......

Just my .02.

I was talking with some friends about it last night and that's about the conclusion I've come up with....I think.

BTW....the 6000 mile service is when you're supposed to have the valve adjustment done, but, this service writer said I can wait until the next service with no problems.

 

[chickridin]

isn't it the 12,000 mile one when things get... interesting?? :shocked:

It really is the 6000 mile service, for valve adjustment, but, the service writer said it can wait until the next service.

 

[chickridin]

:agree: When I was a mechanic and a service writer. I had over three years of training and 5 years of turning the wrenches. When I was finished with customers. I worked in the shop and instructed the new guys. Then I worked three nights a week for an engine builder that built engines for race cars and two nights a week I went to school for automotive engineering. On the weekends I raced. Having a good service writer that makes sure everything is done right, is good for the customers and for the business owner.

Mike

So they make sure the mechanics are doing the job right then???
:dontknow:

 

[NancysToy]

isn't it the 12,000 mile one when things get... interesting?? :shocked:

It really is the 6000 mile service, for valve adjustment, but, the service writer said it can wait until the next service.

Valve inspection/adjustment is called for at 12,000 mile intervals in the maintenance schedule, but if you look at the fine print it calls for the first inspection at 6,000 miles. Both are serious overkill, IMO.

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: Whew! :thumbup:

 

[chickridin]

Valve inspection/adjustment is called for at 12,000 mile intervals in the maintenance schedule, but if you look at the fine print it calls for the first inspection at 6,000 miles. Both are serious overkill, IMO.

That's what the service writer at my dealer said too. He suggested waiting until the 12000 mile service, unless of course there's a problem. Fine by me. :clap: