Hit or miss service from HD service technicians
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 486
Likes: 11
From: PA
Hit or miss service from HD service technicians
I've never had problems like this from 30+ years from Ford and Chevy mechanics. In five years I've used 4 HD motorcycle dealers for service. Each one of them has blundered one thing or another and/or given conflicting opinions of what's going on. To their credit, two them have always tried to make things right, but that means multiple visits and drop-offs which equates to lots of time and lots of aggravation. (You know who your friends are when you need a pick-up or drop-off). For a premium priced motorcycle company like HD, I would have expected better. I do get a chuckle when I read about trusting HD technicians in HOG magazine. I guess they're like everyone else: experienced and good, experienced - don't give a dam, and not experienced - hit or miss.
I know there's lots of guys who do all their own work and don't trust anyone else to touch their bike. For me, working full-time, taking care of the homestead, chores, etc, means I barely have time to take a ride.
Am I the only guy who has had less than consistently-good experience from HD service?
I know there's lots of guys who do all their own work and don't trust anyone else to touch their bike. For me, working full-time, taking care of the homestead, chores, etc, means I barely have time to take a ride.
Am I the only guy who has had less than consistently-good experience from HD service?
My local dealer for the most part has always treated me fairly. After my wreck they did a good job at getting things in order and making sure things went smoothly. Although there were a few hiccups which resulted in some serious frustration, mainly due to their communication with the insurance company, but all in all they've taken care of business. Regarding the technician aspect, my bike was fixed properly despite a couple of minor things that did frustrate me but considering some of the stories I've come across on here I feel it could of been a hell of a lot worse.
I, like you, know that a lot of guys on here enjoy wrenching on their own bikes 100% of the time. For me, I have plenty of tools I just don't have a lift, and sometimes just flat don't have the time. I'd love to be able to do everything myself but sometimes that just isn't the case. Sure would save a large amount of $$$$ doing a majority of work ourselves though. On that note, I came across an Indy shop that opened up not far from my house recently, so I thought about seeing what their rates are on various things and possibly trying them out in the near future for a few things I'm planning on doing.
I, like you, know that a lot of guys on here enjoy wrenching on their own bikes 100% of the time. For me, I have plenty of tools I just don't have a lift, and sometimes just flat don't have the time. I'd love to be able to do everything myself but sometimes that just isn't the case. Sure would save a large amount of $$$$ doing a majority of work ourselves though. On that note, I came across an Indy shop that opened up not far from my house recently, so I thought about seeing what their rates are on various things and possibly trying them out in the near future for a few things I'm planning on doing.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 57
From: PA
A lot of my buddies take their bikes to a local indy so, I'm going to give him a try next week and see what happens. It would be nice to find a shop with consistency.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 6
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
I took my FLD in for it's first service. When I got it back home I noticed the oil pressure sensor wire was broke. I figured that either they broke it or it was broke and they didn't do an adaquate enough job on the first service to notice it was broken. Especially since that's what the first service is all about. Checking everything and making sure nothing is broken.
I didn't go back. I'll just never go to a Harley mechanic again. I've been riding 30 years and I've met a thousand motorcycle mechanics. The Harley mechanics I met are low man on the totem poll as far as IQ.
I didn't go back. I'll just never go to a Harley mechanic again. I've been riding 30 years and I've met a thousand motorcycle mechanics. The Harley mechanics I met are low man on the totem poll as far as IQ.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 1,976
From: Eastern,North Carolina
I really dont think its just an HD problem. Over the years I have, on occasion, taken my car or bike to various dealer and indy shops only to be disappointed to down right pi$$ed. 95% of the time I do my own work. About the only thing I wont do is mount/balance tires and auto trans work. I just think most people are only working for a paycheck and just dont care about the quality of work any more. And not just cars and bikes either. I see the same attitude and shoddy workmanship in everything from home repair to medical care.
I just do it all myself when I can and when I cant, I have to stay on top of them to get what I want done correctly. Drs really hate me
I just do it all myself when I can and when I cant, I have to stay on top of them to get what I want done correctly. Drs really hate me
Intermediate
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Florence Or.
I guess I'm one of the fortunate ones. My dealer is an hour away and well worth the drive. They're small, two mechanics. Very maticulous. They almost never charge me what they quote. Always under. They're personnal, and treat me like they've known me for years. I do a lot of touring and have complete confidence in their work. When your a few thousand miles from home, thats hard to put a price on. Oh theres a few small, insignificant things from time to time. They recently lost a screw on my air cleaner cover that I didn't discover for a week. When I called them about it, they blew it off and I ended up having to buy one from them. I can't say I was all that thrilled about it. But they do excellent work and they're labor is only 75.00 an hour. They take good care of me down there and I'm not about to make an issue out of a 3 dollar screw with my mechanic. Never had an issue with my bike going thru my dealer. I know they're not all like mine. Like I said, I guess I'm one of the fortunate ones.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,542
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From: In your head rent free
Cars, boats, motorcycles or anything mechanical; when you find a mechanic you like, ask for them, treat them well, tip them, thank them.
Or do it yourself.
Or do it yourself.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 6
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Or find a little shop that's full of highly experienced people. They aren't Harley certified but do an awesome job every time. I use Moto Mondo in Boca Raton Floriday. The little italian guy, Pete Maggio, is the smartest guy I ever met when it comes to any job on any vehicle and he'll do any custom job I can think of. If anyone is ever in this area, He is the guy to know.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 737
Likes: 8
From: Near Atlanta, GA
What a coincidence.... I just changed dealer service departments / stores after the 3rd less than satisfactory customer experience. Sometimes I think H-D stores forget what business they're in; it's the customer experience business...
Last edited by FXD_TG; Oct 13, 2015 at 10:42 PM.