Dealer dilema

[Deleted User 287]

At what point does KTM recommend checking the valve clearance?

[grant81rs]

So now I have to take my new bike to the dealer for the first service. The service dept at the dealer ... is quoting 4 hours for the first service.... They want too much money, but it's not about the money, I just don't like being charged for nothing. What would you do?

What will it cost?
I have a mate with a Ducati Panigale. He says the service is $2100! I think he was a little pissed at me when I laughed OUT LOUD!

Gidday Fellas,

FARK!! - He is worth laughing at Steve, thats bloody crazy...

[Mal S7]

$2100!!! OUch!

I suddenly feel a whole lot better about the running costs of my bike.

[Zombie Master]

At what point does KTM recommend checking the valve clearance?

15000klms

[Zombie Master]

But Garnet's question was the first one I thought of as well, ask them flat out: "Everyone else charges 2 hours. So, what do you guys do that they don't?"

If they have a good answer, great. If they don't, then they just charge double for the same work, and basically lie about the hours. The answer to that question should let you know if they are someone you want to deal with in the future.

Yes that is what I going to determine. A few years back a bimbo knocked over my Shitzuki with her boyfriends car and his insurance had to pay big bucks to have my bike fixed. I think it was around $4000! This was at the same dealer where I bought the KTM. It took 6 months for them to get the parts, and when I got the bike back it vibrated more. After a visual inspection I found they forget to install the underside bolts that held on the fairing. So I'm not entirely confident in this service dept. I know they have some good wrenches, but the customer is dealing with the service manager and communications can get difficult. I have a feeling they are quoting me a price based on the Adventure model which has way more bodywork to take off for a service. Oh me of little faith!

[ME 109]

The service price difference between dealers may come down to a matter of better coffee, leather seats instead of vinyl, glossier magazines, playing Charles Aznavour instead of Barry Manilow, black and white checked floor tiles against carpet squares, and least of all, service technicians as opposed to mechanics.
And your bike might come back smelling like oudour' de poo.

[Sibbo]

I seem to remember this thing called a bike shop ?????

[dougie]

I seem to remember this thing called a bike shop ?????

Luckily I still have one here.
Dad's the boss.
Mom does all the book/paper work.
One son runs the parts department.
Other son runs the service department. If he can't answer your question, and you are a regular customer, you can talk to the mechanic.

[Sibbo]

Yep, we have one in town .

All this electronic fuel management , ABS settings and little chips cunningly handling things screws and springs once did is one of the reasons I hesitate to buy a modern bike ... like that BMW G650 Xcountry, but I think I might weaken anyway, it's so damn good !

[dougie]

Yep, we have one in town .

All this electronic fuel management , ABS settings and little chips cunningly handling things screws and springs once did is one of the reasons I hesitate to buy a modern bike ... like that BMW G650 Xcountry, but I think I might weaken anyway, it's so damn good !

I know. My Honda NT650 just works so well.