General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Do you tip your Mechanic?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 28, 2012 | 02:39 PM
  #111  
Geoff's Avatar
Geoff
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,946
Likes: 822
From: Nevada
Default

Last tip I gave was to box the 4-5 combination in the fifth at Arlington.
 
Old Feb 28, 2012 | 02:49 PM
  #112  
dickey's Avatar
dickey
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,982
Likes: 6,110
From: Florida
Riders Club Member
Default

I never have to make an appointment to get sumpin' done to my sled, so yea, I'll throw 'em a few for lunch just 'cause they usually give me personalized service.
 
Old Feb 28, 2012 | 02:54 PM
  #113  
PFWiz's Avatar
PFWiz
Stellar HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 421
From: Northern, Ohio (Yuck!)
Default

I Help build GM auto plants for a living.
To be exact, I install, setup and the teach the plants how to operate and trouble shoot some of their most sophistcated / hard to maintain equipment.

No one, has ever given me a tip for doing my job. No matter how well i do it, even when I go above and beyond...

Do you honestly mean to tell me that not one of you had a GM product that you thought was especially well made? Come on, be honest.

I think you guys owe me some money...

If you don't want me to send a guy with no neck named Vinnie to your place to collect, you had pay up!
 
Old Feb 28, 2012 | 03:56 PM
  #114  
cobby's Avatar
cobby
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: topaz,idaho
Default

TIP: If the fat girl looks skinny, and the skinny girl looks fat, time to stop drinkin"!
 
Old Feb 28, 2012 | 05:09 PM
  #115  
Harley Tim's Avatar
Harley Tim
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 750
Likes: 3
From: 3rd Rock
Default

YES! I do tip my mechanic. Not all the time, but when I can and the amount varies.

Not going to bore you with conditions, or limits.

I firmly believe "A little good will goes a long way." Call it Carma?

Best wishes....Tim(HT)
 
Old Feb 28, 2012 | 05:38 PM
  #116  
qtrracer's Avatar
qtrracer
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
Default

I will tip if they are an employee and I think they went above and beyond, if they own the shop, no.
 
Old Feb 28, 2012 | 06:28 PM
  #117  
dynawideglider's Avatar
dynawideglider
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Default

Originally Posted by JHL-ShinySideUp
When I bought my new-to-me 99 FXD (200 miles from home), my indy did the first service and full checkup on it. He explained everything he was doing, and pointed out the shortcuts and tips and tricks that I could do myself. I paid for that service.

I had a problem with the rear brake I couldn't isolate, so I took it in and he showed me what I was missing. I paid for that service.

One day my bike started making godawful engine noises. I called him, and he said bring it in. Yeah, it was my fault (who knew that I'd have to add oil between changes? I didn't) but he didn't rape me, and because he knew it was my daily driver, he checked it out for me and got me back on the road the same day. I paid for that service.

Two days later, my favorite butcher had a sale, so I bought inch-thick t-bones for the shop (total outlay: about $45) and dropped them off.

Last week, when my pulley damn near fell off, I called and he came and got it, fixed it, and had it ready before I went to work the next day. Yeah, I paid for that, too, but he got me in and out as fast as possible, and I didn't have to hire a cab or rent a replacement.

I don't tip, but I do appreciate.
Originally Posted by Geezr Glidr
Had a problem with my 103 Limited Ultra. The dealer where I bought it wouldn't talk to me. Found a guy at another dealership who helped me out & fixed my problem. I sent him a Thank You card & a $50 gift card. I'm pretty well taken care of now when I need something. After regular service, looking for the guy & saying Thank You goes a long way. I'm not a wrench myself, so I need somebody who is.
Originally Posted by Pointman10
Of course I do- he's a friend of mine so I call it a "Retainer Fee"
Taking care of people that take care of you makes the world go 'round.......

If nothing else, tell their Boss what a great job they did. Better yet, show some appreciation.
 
Old Feb 28, 2012 | 08:51 PM
  #118  
Ragtop's Avatar
Ragtop
Ultimate HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,101
Likes: 1,013
Default

I tip my mechanic by paying the bill. :-)
 
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 28, 2012 | 09:06 PM
  #119  
Fireax's Avatar
Fireax
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 223
Likes: 8
From: SE Louisiana
Default

I have tipped him when I had asked for something special, something he would not normally have done. For instance, bought a used bike once that had set up for a while, had some rust on the rims I could not get to easily. Asked him to polish them up a little for me when I had the bike in for service and he was changing the tires. He did, did not charge me extra, I tipped him. Called him from the road one time for some trouble shooting tips. He helped me, didn't ask for anything. I tipped him next time I had the bike in for service. Not a regular practice, but occasionally appropriate I think.
 
Old Feb 29, 2012 | 05:38 AM
  #120  
bogieb's Avatar
bogieb
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: New Hampshire
Default

I'm a good tipper for other services, where the base pay isn't squat (wait staff, hair cut, paper carrier etc). However, rhe mechanic makes more than I do; I reward such people, if they deserve it, by bringing them all my business, and/or recommending to friends.
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:17 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE