Bike Service

[gibbo]

Now that George White's have gone (for now), this gives extra income for the smaller companies to cash in on bike servicing and accessories in this area.

So, where's the best place to get a decent service from people who know what they are doing!!

There are bodgers in every trade but there are some real professionals out there who know their business.

Answers below please. :)

[Squashed_Fly]

Bike Treads, or Steve Lynhams.

Or a haynes manual and do it yourself. Steve Lynhams are good for parts of you do it yourself. £34 for oil & filter...

[Splash]

As SF said, Bike Treads or Steve Lyneham... My main services I'll take to Fowlers now... Slight price hike now, my next service should have been £119.99 at GW, Fowlers want £163.00 - oh well!

[pluggedinpete]

I got my Varadero serviced at Bishops in bath (2500 mile service, oil and filterchange) for just over £100. Chap is friendly and seems to know his stuff.

[wiltshire builders]

Keith Goldsmith. The best bike mechanic in this area bar none. Used to be a trouble shooter for Honda.
If their guys had a problem they would go to Keith for the solution.
Very easy going, will collect and deliver the bike and is meticulous bordering on obsesive.

[@bj]

How would one go about finding Mr Goldsmith..?

[Jon_W]

I got my Varadero serviced at Bishops in bath (2500 mile service, oil and filterchange) for just over £100. Chap is friendly and seems to know his stuff.

I've heard nothing but praise for Bishops. In my limited dealings with them they've always been very helpful.

[pluggedinpete]

Been very kind to this newbie! lol

[wiltshire builders]

How would one go about finding Mr Goldsmith..?
http://www.master-tec.biz/

[@bj]

Cheers... looks interesting - he wasn't showing up on yellow pages...

[Swanny]

How would one go about finding Mr Goldsmith..?
http://www.master-tec.biz/
Cheers for that I'll take mine along for it's next service

[igbell]

I have always had no trouble with Bike Treads

[Ducatista]

Have heard good things about this guy.

http://www.rjracing.co.uk/

Also used this guy for a while before I had my Ducati, can definitely recommend him.

http://www.dandhmotorcycles.com/

[Nelly]

Have heard good things about this guy.

http://www.rjracing.co.uk/




I've used Rob in the past as well. Comes round your house with a van load of kit and does an excellent job.
[smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[Mark_Able]

If you're Swindon based, I like Bike Treads too. They talk a lot of sense, and don't rip people off. If you're West Wilts, Phoenix M/C's every time. Good bunch of guys, with very good mechanics. ;)

Bishops are good for Honda too... ;)

[DaytonaDog]

What about down Salisbury way? Hayballs, whilst very friendly and good customer service are a bunch of rip off merchants. I had a quote from them last year for a 24000 mile service including shims and it was double that of what I eventually paid to have it done. Had to go to Gillingham though and would rather take it to somewhere closer.

[Kevinb]

If you're Swindon based, I like Bike Treads too. They talk a lot of sense, and don't rip people off. If you're West Wilts, Phoenix M/C's every time. Good bunch of guys, with very good mechanics. ;)

Bishops are good for Honda too... ;)

Totally agree. I use them for the Honda, Triumph & Yamaha (I bought the Yamaha from them in 2007 and always have it serviced there)
When my battery died on the Yamaha they quickly came out to the house and sorted it

[Mikkie1986]

Bike threads Service, Mot and generally look after my bikes i have in stock... Never had a issue..

Cheaper , Local business and straight talking..

[Ade]

How would one go about finding Mr Goldsmith..?
http://www.master-tec.biz/
I'll be looking for a Honda specialist for my next service now GW no longer around ... pity as Pete the chief Honda technician at GWs was a real good tech guy and extremely polite and courteous to customers. Always felt my bike was in good hands with him servicing it.
So Keith Goldsmith looks a worthwhile alternative to try and he's just up the road from me in Calne !! :)

[Mark_Able]

What about down Salisbury way? Hayballs, whilst very friendly and good customer service are a bunch of rip off merchants. I had a quote from them last year for a 24000 mile service including shims and it was double that of what I eventually paid to have it done. Had to go to Gillingham though and would rather take it to somewhere closer.

Worth a trip to Trowbridge if you ask me... ;)

[8_ball]

I'd rather do it my self and shove the money I saved in the petrol tank :D :D

[gibbo]

I'd rather do it my self and shove the money I saved in the petrol tank :D :D

Some of us don't have the facilities or let's face it, the technical abilities to service our own bikes. So it's important to obtain someone who can.

[RedSoul]

I'd rather do it my self and shove the money I saved in the petrol tank :D :D

Some of us don't have the facilities or let's face it, the technical abilities to service our own bikes. So it's important to obtain someone who can.

Some of us also have nearly new bikes that need the service stamp from a qualified mechanic otherwise the warranty is void. ;)

[@bj]

I'd rather do it my self and shove the money I saved in the petrol tank :D :D

Some of us don't have the facilities or let's face it, the technical abilities to service our own bikes. So it's important to obtain someone who can.

Some of us also have nearly new bikes that need the service stamp from a qualified mechanic otherwise the warranty is void. ;)
Some of us have little spare time and prefer to spend it riding the bike rather than servicing it...

[Snowy]

I'd rather do it my self and shove the money I saved in the petrol tank :D :D

Some of us don't have the facilities or let's face it, the technical abilities to service our own bikes. So it's important to obtain someone who can.

Some of us also have nearly new bikes that need the service stamp from a qualified mechanic otherwise the warranty is void. ;)
Some of us have little spare time and prefer to spend it riding the bike rather than servicing it...

Some of us service our own bikes because we can and then we know its actually been done ;)

[Snowy]

Just to add, its been illegal since 2004 for manufacturers to tie servicing into their warranties. As long as the service shedule is followed and OEM parts used you can get it done anywhere - its not going to invalidate your warranty.

Different for insuranced based warranty's mind.... ;)

[Beamer]

I'd rather do it my self and shove the money I saved in the petrol tank :D :D

Some of us don't have the facilities or let's face it, the technical abilities to service our own bikes. So it's important to obtain someone who can.

Some of us also have nearly new bikes that need the service stamp from a qualified mechanic otherwise the warranty is void. ;)
Some of us have little spare time and prefer to spend it riding the bike rather than servicing it...

Some of us service our own bikes because we can and then we know its actually been done ;)





Some of us would love to have the knowledge and know-how on how to service their bike without having to rely on someone else having to do it.....My next aim in life is to learn how to do it !! 8-) 8-) :P

[trustno1]

If you are the Forest side of Southampton, I can recommend Chas who is based in Holbury. Excellent bloke with bags of practical knowledge. Also collects / delivers and MOTs. PM me if you want his number.

[nick14]

i always use Gary Vardy he's in Pembroke Centre Cheney Manor ind est Swindon tel 01793 481008 top mechanic reasonable rates factory trained mechanic he's the only person i trust to look after my zzr
nick

[8_ball]

Some of .................well me will go on google find out how to do it and just .........well have a go or just do the old thing........................ask somone that does know......

but thats me all over, If you think u can.............u can,,,can ,,,,can 8-)

[Gerry]

Some of .................well me will go on google find out how to do it and just .........well have a go or just do the old thing........................ask somone that does know......

but thats me all over, If you think u can.............u can,,,can ,,,,can 8-)


Agreed... I thought that last time I needed to go to the dentist. Sadly it didn't end well - very messy :-/

G ;)

[Ducatista]

Just to add, its been illegal since 2004 for manufacturers to tie servicing into their warranties. As long as the service shedule is followed and OEM parts used you can get it done anywhere - its not going to invalidate your warranty.

This is true, the problem is that not everything in reality is black and white. Even where the terms are documented there are going to be times where you may be at the mercy of the dealers discretion. For example it could be a subjective matter as to whether something is faulty or it's a wear & tear issue.
I'd speculate that you stand a greater chance of getting the benefit of doubt if you've had the bike fully serviced with the dealer.

[Snowy]

Just to add, its been illegal since 2004 for manufacturers to tie servicing into their warranties. As long as the service shedule is followed and OEM parts used you can get it done anywhere - its not going to invalidate your warranty.

This is true, the problem is that not everything in reality is black and white. Even where the terms are documented there are going to be times where you may be at the mercy of the dealers discretion. For example it could be a subjective matter as to whether something is faulty or it's a wear & tear issue.
I'd speculate that you stand a greater chance of getting the benefit of doubt if you've had the bike fully serviced with the dealer.

Completely agree, I was just pointing out that dealers cannot force you to have the bike serviced at their dealership in respect of the manufacturers warranty. With my newer Beemer I did keep it dealer serviced until the warranty ran out for that very reason and the same dealer did put through a "goodwill" claim for me 6 months after the warranty expired. BMW paid the full bill and I'm sure I would have had a lot of trouble getting that result without dealer servicing.

Just remember there are independants out there who will be much cheaper than the dealer with service costs and it will not void your warranty if you use them provided they use the published service schedule. Same if you do it yourself as I do now but make sure you can back everything up with paperwork.

[Ade]

How would one go about finding Mr Goldsmith..?
http://www.master-tec.biz/
Has anyone used Master-Tec recently ??.. Looking for somewhere a bit cheaper to get bike serviced, used to go to GW Honda, once Honda warranty period ends.