Ride

[pierrelogic]

First off my juice box settings were wrong when I got the bike back, I just purchased it 2 weeks ago, I put 500 miles on the first week so I let them do the first service, I purchased phantom wheels so I had them install them at the same time. Sales guy lied to me at the time of purchase, when I got the bike back from the first service with the new wheels there was a terrible vibration at 60mph, so that tells me they didnt test drive the bike to check their work. I took it back that following sunday and dropped it off because the black sprocket cover was wrong so I had them address the vibration at the same time. I got the bike back Thursday, still have the same vibration, same speed, same everything. I guess my expectations are a little high, I have been in automotive service departments my whole adult life and I guess I expect to be treated the same way I have treated my customers over the years but I cant say that I would recommend them at this point. I guess its a disappointment more than anything that I just dropped over 20k in their dealership and my brand new bike has a vibration due to no wheel weights on the back wheel!! I will handle the vibration myself at this point and hope that they can improve their service department. I do love my bike though!!

PM sent...

You do realize there is the possibility your rear wheel actually did not require any balancing weights to be balanced. The vibration could be due to something else completely. Did you specifically TELL them the vibration was at 60 MPH?

I'm in shock the same place that treats me like a king could treat someone else so bad. :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: This kind of thing really bothers me and once I get more details about the situation I will confront Aaron the owner face-to-face. If the complaint is legitimate and they really are snubbing their collective noses at a customer, I'm all for jumping on the bandwagon to burn them at the stake. But not before giving them a chance to make it right.

there are three sides to every story...yours, theirs, and the facts. nojoke

 

[NITSPYDER]

I EVEN HELPED THEM DIAGNOSE IT, LIKE I SAID I WAS A SERVICE MANAGER FOR TEN YEARS, I KNOW HOW TO CONVEY A ISSUE WITH SOMETHING WHERE STEVIE WONDER COULD EVEN SEE IT. I EVEN TOLD HIM I HAD THE BIKE UP TO 60 MPH AND PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND THE VIBRATION WAS STILL THERE, WHICH WOULD INDICATE A WHEEL/TIRE ISSUE. I ASKED IF HE CHECKED BELT TENSION, HE SAID YES, BESIDES THOSE 2 THINGS WHAT ELSE COULD IT BE?? NO VIBRATION BEFORE WHEELS AND TIRES, NOW THERES A VIBRATION. AFTER I BALANCE THE REAR TIRE TOMORROW, I WILL LET ALL KNOW THE RESULTS. I AM 100 PERCENT SURE THATS THE ISSUE. THEN I AM GOING TO MAKE A PHONE CALL TO MIDDLETOWN AND THEY CAN SEND ME 120 BUCKS FOR THE MOUNT AND BALANCING OF THE TIRES THAT THEY CHARGED. I DONT REALLY EVER GET WORK DONE ANYWHERE I JUST DO IT MYSELF AND I HAVE SUCH HIGH EXPECTATIONS THEY COULD BE A LITTLE HARD TO MEET. BUT WHEN WE ALL SPEND THIS KIND OF MONEY ON A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE SHOULDNT WE HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS?

 

[NITSPYDER]

ALSO IN MY BUSINESS NOW, WHICH IS STILL CAR BUSINESS, IF I HAD A CUSTOMER THAT JUST BOUGHT A CAR AND THEY HAD A ISSUE LIKE THIS YOU CAN BET THEY WOULD HAVE ALREADY MADE A BBB OR ATTORNEY GENERAL COMLAINT. I HAVENT BEEN CRAPPY WITH THEM AT ALL, I HAVE BEEN AGREEABLE AND TRIED NOT TO LOSE MY TEMPER OR BE A JACKASS. RUSS IS A NICE BUY AND SEEMS TO MEAN WELL BUT RESULTS ARE RESULTS AND WHEN YOU ARE STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT YOU TOOK THE BIKE IN FOR THERE IS A PROBLEM.

 

[pierrelogic]

PM sent...

Appreciate your candor. No one but the owner can make things right and I find it extremely hard to believe if Aaron knew about all this crap (and the bad publicity he's getting about it) he would fall all over himself to make it right with you.

So did you speak with Aaron?? opcorn:

ALSO IN MY BUSINESS NOW, WHICH IS STILL CAR BUSINESS, IF I HAD A CUSTOMER THAT JUST BOUGHT A CAR AND THEY HAD A ISSUE LIKE THIS YOU CAN BET THEY WOULD HAVE ALREADY MADE A BBB OR ATTORNEY GENERAL COMLAINT. I HAVENT BEEN CRAPPY WITH THEM AT ALL, I HAVE BEEN AGREEABLE AND TRIED NOT TO LOSE MY TEMPER OR BE A JACKASS. RUSS IS A NICE BUY AND SEEMS TO MEAN WELL BUT RESULTS ARE RESULTS AND WHEN YOU ARE STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE THAT YOU TOOK THE BIKE IN FOR THERE IS A PROBLEM.

 

[NITSPYDER]

No I try not to whine about things if I can help from it, thats why I didnt even tell bonehead the whole story I just asked if the service he got was up to his standard. I am really not trying to give them bad press but if they cant balance tires how can I expect them to fix something major that happens. I guess its more of a trust issue than anything.

 

[pierrelogic]

No I try not to whine about things if I can help from it, thats why I didnt even tell bonehead the whole story I just asked if the service he got was up to his standard. I am really not trying to give them bad press but if they cant balance tires how can I expect them to fix something major that happens. I guess its more of a trust issue than anything.

Well...you are giving them bad press regardless if that is your intention or not. If it's deserved...I'm backing YOU up 100%!!!.

However...not speaking with Aaron about this to give him a chance to "make it right" with you the customer before posting the bad press on a forum really isn't the right way to handle the situation either. :lecturef_smilie:

I just call it like I see it. I'm sending all this info to Aaron. Keith the guy I spoke with said they are VERY much interested in pleasing their customers and suggested I let Aaron know about your experiences. For what's with worth...the salesman you mentioned doesn't work at Middletown anymore.

 

[NITSPYDER]

Yeah I knew that, he called me and asked me to get him a job?? What kinda f&*()&^ nerve does this guy have?? He knew that I deal with almost all the large dealers and auctions in the cincy area and thought I might be able to help him out. I appreciate your concern about the situation but I didnt really want to bash anybody, our converstion during q&a has kinda turned that way tho. All I want from that dealer is to take care of my bike as if it were their own. I guarantee nobody wants to ride a motorcycle that has any kind of vibration at highway speeds. If Aaron would like to contact me or anyone else they are more than welcome, I feel that I gave the service department ample time to repair the bike, 3 1/2 days to install a sprocket cover and balance tires is plenty, especially on a bike that they just put the wheels and tires on a couple days earlier. In my business thats called a "comeback", and usually those customers get in and out the fastest. Maybe I am off base by comparing them to a automotive service department.

 

[bonehead]

MIDDLETOWN SERVICE

I have a had nothin but good service from these people so far! That doesn't mean it can't be bad. Russ and Aaron have been good to me and my wife, we both bought Spyders there and love them so far. The only thing was that with the TBR slip on they said that the need for any fuel management system would not be need, well that was far from the truth on my bike, but i added the K/N and bought a JBP and they did the install for free, so i feel very good about the out come. I aslo asked about updates and they dropped what they were doin and checked and did two updates while i waited. I don't know how long this friendly service will go but i can't say a ba d thing about them. I hope SERVICE AT MIDDLETOWN is not like some of the issues i have read about here on this forum.:spyder2:

 

[NITSPYDER]

I hope I can get some of the good service you got, they charged me 75 dollars to install the juice box, while they were doing the service and had the plastic off!! I am glad everyone thinks good of them, maybe I have had just a couple random bad dealings. I can say that I like Carl in there parts dept, I havent ever talked to Aaron, but Russ is a good guy, I think my situation just got a little mismanaged.

 

[bonehead]

well know as well as i do that service ( especially the service manager) people and the most hated and loved people in any place that works on a vehicle, i try and be cool but some what forceful, in my needs and usually get what i need? Hope they are better for u in the future.

 

[NITSPYDER]

For all of you that have been following this thread, I took the rear tire and got it balanced today, problem solved. The wheel did not have any weights on it, whether they fell off or what who knows but I am just glad that the bike is fixed. I had one of my friends set up the belt tension and everything seems fine. No idea how this was overlooked during service but everyone makes mistakes!

 

[pierrelogic]

For all of you that have been following this thread, I took the rear tire and got it balanced today, problem solved. The wheel did not have any weights on it, whether they fell off or what who knows but I am just glad that the bike is fixed. I had one of my friends set up the belt tension and everything seems fine. No idea how this was overlooked during service but everyone makes mistakes!

Really? Nice friend to have that expensive belt tension gauge in his toolbox. nojoke

Still, overlooking balancing weights...that's not a minor thing. Looks like I'm going for a road trip this weekend to chat with Aaron. He needs to know about this in order to make sure it doesn't happen again. I'm just going to assume NITSPYDER isn't going to tell him. opcorn:

 

[NITSPYDER]

Why would you assume that I am not going to talk to him?? He called me today and I missed the call, I will call him back tomorrow morning after I go to the auction. The tool my friend has prolly isnt the same as the "special tool" that I hear is required but he has had several motorcycles and has built several also. Rest assured I am a grown man and dont need you to speak up for me, you took it upon yourself to involve yourself so deeply in my situation, it makes me wonder exactly what your motive is, while you are down this way feel free to let me know and we can speak in person. It almost seems that you are saying that I am lying about the situation, I hope thats not the case, but it does seem so. nojoke

 

[pierrelogic]

Why would you assume that I am not going to talk to him?? He called me today and I missed the call, I will call him back tomorrow morning after I go to the auction. The tool my friend has prolly isnt the same as the "special tool" that I hear is required but he has had several motorcycles and has built several also. Rest assured I am a grown man and dont need you to speak up for me, you took it upon yourself to involve yourself so deeply in my situation, it makes me wonder exactly what your motive is, while you are down this way feel free to let me know and we can speak in person. It almost seems that you are saying that I am lying about the situation, I hope thats not the case, but it does seem so. nojoke

Not saying you didn't experience some terrible service at all...but things just do not seem to add up is all I'm saying. :dontknow: And my assumption you were not going to take this up with Aaron is based squarely on the fact you've yet to do it. You basically took it in for service, got mad and walked out without saying much to anyone.

Why I involved myself and what my motive is actually very simple. I put my reputation on the line as well by recommending Middletown Cycle to others. I don't do that lightly! Especially since they are my go-to dealer. And if there's a change in status that should be identified and I think others should know that as well since there are so few BRP dealers that deserve recommendations. I do think the fact Aaron called you speaks volumns in your situation. Hopefully you'll give him a chance to listen to your concerns...but of course that is your choice.

I would look forward to meeting you while in the area. Will probably be heading your direction either this Sat or Sun. I'll PM you. I'm always in for a road trip to Middletown. I have stopped in there before only to say hi to the crew. Keeping a good relationship with a service department is a two way street!

 

[NITSPYDER]

I am not sure about your calculator but everything should add up just fine. Russ knew my bike wasnt fixed, he told me to ride it and tell him what I thought, it still had the vibration, I didnt leave it there because I wanted my brand new bike bike to ride so I got the rear tire balanced, it was the only one with no weights. I knew it had to be a out of balance tire, I didnt talk to Aaron because I wanted to have all the facts. The fact is the balance fixed it. Maybe they need different weights who knows but my bike is fixed and I am happy. I just want to trust those guys with my bike for warranty repairs, I am sure I can take care of the rest. I will speak with Aaron today and I do appreciate his phone call. From this point I dont really want to talk about it anymore, if you want t o talk about the 3000 dollars worth of cool **** I just added to it and how I deleted my rear fender yesterday we can talk about that but there is no use beating this dead horse anymore. Thanks for all your support!

 

[NITSPYDER]

By the way that tool my friend has is your common tool to check tension, pro motion maybe, he looked up the specs per the bulletin and did his own math to calculate the tension, I would be willing to bet its pretty damn close. The tool is 30 bucks, I just ordered one for myself. No need for the sonic meter thats 500. Once I figure out how to do it myself I will post the directions for all the do it yourselfers!

 

[dancogan]

...I just ordered one for myself. No need for the sonic meter thats 500. Once I figure out how to do it myself I will post the directions for all the do it yourselfers!

I'd love to see that. Good luck in figuring it out. :thumbup:

 

[pierrelogic]

By the way that tool my friend has is your common tool to check tension, pro motion maybe, he looked up the specs per the bulletin and did his own math to calculate the tension, I would be willing to bet its pretty damn close. The tool is 30 bucks, I just ordered one for myself. No need for the sonic meter thats 500. Once I figure out how to do it myself I will post the directions for all the do it yourselfers!

THIS may help
More info
Some pix of tool

good luck!

 

[NITSPYDER]

Its not too hard depending on your mechanical capabilities, I did talk to Aaron today and he assured me that if my bike is in for service that it will be handled with care. I do appreciate that he understood my point and I def understand how things happen in a service dept. Hopefully he can help me out on some add on parts and give me a good deal, thats all you can ever ask for.

 

[bonehead]

ITS all in how u approach them, sounds like you'll getting some goodies like I did. i would like to see some pix of you bike and your new fender.:congrats::2thumbs::2thumbs::spyder2::spyder2: