shipping & setup on new bike
- Thread starter CO Dan
- Start date
- Jun 5, 2001
- 7,529
- 18
Here's the scoop as far as I know. The setup and delivery charges are pretty much a scam. I just bought a new bike and did some research prior to the purchase. One dealer charged 3995 for the bike and the out the door price was 5300! The dealer I bought it from had the bike at 4300 and out the door at 5000. The manufacturer is supposed to pay the dealer back for the setup and delivery. It's definately a money making opportunity for a dealer. They can charge alot for the setup and delivery and make the bike look like it was a steal at a low price. It's a numbers game so get an out the door price you want and find a dealer that will go for it. Good luck
Elk
Elk
rickyd
Hot Sauce
- Oct 28, 2001
- 3,447
- 0
Becareful on trusting the dealer for set-up.. I got my bike home and found out the axle nuts were loose, handle bars were loose and had a flat front tire.. Set up is a BIG scam.. Plus i found the set up check off sheet from the factory in my paper work..None of it was signed off..
Boodac,
Getting a bike in the crate is becoming a thing of the past. Many dealers would love to do that. Only down side is, if you put the bike together and something breaks, the dealer can be held resposible.
I used to get my KTM's in the crate, but now KTM really frowns upon it.
Like anything, if you get to know your local dealer, he treats you right and you are loyal to him, there is a good chance that you can get the bike in the crate.
Rickyd, your story scares me!!! Did you say something to the dealer or the facotory rep? Being the check list was not filled out, it could cause some problems for the dealer in regards to warranty.
Some dealers do a better job than others as far as bike prep. Roger at Elite motors in Wyoming, takes the rear linkage apart to check the amount of grease. Some will jet the bike for you too. So it all depends upon the dealer and service. Jetting is not part of the dealer prep and the dealer does not get any money from the manufacture for jetting adjustments.
Getting a bike in the crate is becoming a thing of the past. Many dealers would love to do that. Only down side is, if you put the bike together and something breaks, the dealer can be held resposible.
I used to get my KTM's in the crate, but now KTM really frowns upon it.
Like anything, if you get to know your local dealer, he treats you right and you are loyal to him, there is a good chance that you can get the bike in the crate.
Rickyd, your story scares me!!! Did you say something to the dealer or the facotory rep? Being the check list was not filled out, it could cause some problems for the dealer in regards to warranty.
Some dealers do a better job than others as far as bike prep. Roger at Elite motors in Wyoming, takes the rear linkage apart to check the amount of grease. Some will jet the bike for you too. So it all depends upon the dealer and service. Jetting is not part of the dealer prep and the dealer does not get any money from the manufacture for jetting adjustments.
Rickyd,
Yes, I would very much say something to your dealer. Or at least the service department. Your friend that works there? That is up to you. It does not need to go to the Kawasaki rep. though.
At least show them the check off sheet. If you do it diplomatically, you should be ok. Go in to the shop when they are not too busy and gently bring it to their attention. The dealer will be most apologetic, I would hope. Do you purchase most of your riding equipment at the same dealer? Are they into the dirtbike world or are they into street and other products? Most likely they will know who put the bike together and have a word with that person.
One thing, I would bet the dealer will never forget who you are, next time you come in!!! I hope that they would want your long term loyalty, being were nice about the situation.
Don't expect anything from the dealer, just let them know and go on your way. They might give you a bottle of oil or something to smooth things out with you. Not much, but a gesture to you that they care.
Just my $02 opinion.
Yes, I would very much say something to your dealer. Or at least the service department. Your friend that works there? That is up to you. It does not need to go to the Kawasaki rep. though.
At least show them the check off sheet. If you do it diplomatically, you should be ok. Go in to the shop when they are not too busy and gently bring it to their attention. The dealer will be most apologetic, I would hope. Do you purchase most of your riding equipment at the same dealer? Are they into the dirtbike world or are they into street and other products? Most likely they will know who put the bike together and have a word with that person.
One thing, I would bet the dealer will never forget who you are, next time you come in!!! I hope that they would want your long term loyalty, being were nice about the situation.
Don't expect anything from the dealer, just let them know and go on your way. They might give you a bottle of oil or something to smooth things out with you. Not much, but a gesture to you that they care.
Just my $02 opinion.
The setup prices are kind of a scam. I've boughten two new bikes. Both times, the price that was on the price tag was the MSRP, and they didn't slap on a whole bunch of freight and setup fees after you decided to buy. The only thing they charged me for was $35 for the license/title fees.
My Honda dealer still gets their bikes in the crates. Actually, there really isn't much to assembling a new bike. I watched them un-crate a new XR650, and the only thing that was off the bike were the handlebars and the front wheel. Also, the dealer is supposed to have a looooong check list of things to inspect on the new machines, and the customer is to receive a copy of this check list after the inspection is performed.
If I got a check list and none of it was done, I'd go back and raise hell. It'd take a lot more than a bottle of oil to satisfy me.
My Honda dealer still gets their bikes in the crates. Actually, there really isn't much to assembling a new bike. I watched them un-crate a new XR650, and the only thing that was off the bike were the handlebars and the front wheel. Also, the dealer is supposed to have a looooong check list of things to inspect on the new machines, and the customer is to receive a copy of this check list after the inspection is performed.
If I got a check list and none of it was done, I'd go back and raise hell. It'd take a lot more than a bottle of oil to satisfy me.
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Hey Big Bore,
You are correct about how some bikes come in the crate. Yes, I have seen how the Hondas come in the crate. Have you ever seen how KTM's come in there crate?
1. rear shock, has to be installed.
2. Front forks installed,
3. install front wheel, but certain proceedures must be done.
4. Handle bar clamps, choice of four positions,
5. Install handle bars
6. Throttle install
7. clutch parts and pieces.
8. check all fluid levels
9. Install battery on RFS models.(if MXC or EXC)
etc. etc, fender, plastic and other small odd and ends. Cables and lines routed correctly!!
Torque all fasteners to speck and comlete check list.
(NO grease on shock attach points though!!! or you will kill the teflon bushing.)
Then run the engine and recheck for any other problems that can occur from shipping.
Retorque fasteners.
This is just a rough list of what takes place, and not complete.
Hope this helps everyone. Not all bikes are shipped the same way.
You are correct about how some bikes come in the crate. Yes, I have seen how the Hondas come in the crate. Have you ever seen how KTM's come in there crate?
1. rear shock, has to be installed.
2. Front forks installed,
3. install front wheel, but certain proceedures must be done.
4. Handle bar clamps, choice of four positions,
5. Install handle bars
6. Throttle install
7. clutch parts and pieces.
8. check all fluid levels
9. Install battery on RFS models.(if MXC or EXC)
etc. etc, fender, plastic and other small odd and ends. Cables and lines routed correctly!!
Torque all fasteners to speck and comlete check list.
(NO grease on shock attach points though!!! or you will kill the teflon bushing.)
Then run the engine and recheck for any other problems that can occur from shipping.
Retorque fasteners.
This is just a rough list of what takes place, and not complete.
Hope this helps everyone. Not all bikes are shipped the same way.
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Coach in ND
Member
- Mar 19, 2001
- 212
- 0
Not all dealers set up the bike same way either. I have no problems paying a set-up charge if the dealer goes though a list and torques the fasteners so I don't loose them on the first ride. When I worked for a dealer every bike I set up went through a typical race prep similar to what I would do to my own race bike. Everything was locktited, torqued and greased. Sure it took a little longer than some of the other mechanics but the guys that bought the bikes I set up weren't back the next week buying nuts and bolts that vibrated off.
For alot a dealers, the mechanics get paid a flat rate to assemble bikes. They might get paid 2 hours to assemble a bike. Well if they can assemble two bikes in that time there making double time. You see were I'm going with this.....The faster they work the more money they make....not caring if the job is done right or not.
Iceman's shop is a good example of a place I would have no problem paying a set-up charge. Everybody who works on the bikes is a racer as well. The stuff gets done right!!!
Coach
For alot a dealers, the mechanics get paid a flat rate to assemble bikes. They might get paid 2 hours to assemble a bike. Well if they can assemble two bikes in that time there making double time. You see were I'm going with this.....The faster they work the more money they make....not caring if the job is done right or not.
Iceman's shop is a good example of a place I would have no problem paying a set-up charge. Everybody who works on the bikes is a racer as well. The stuff gets done right!!!
Coach
WaltCMoto
Sponsoring Member
- Jan 1, 2001
- 1,933
- 0
A friend that used to own a suzuki shop told me that there is no charge from the factory for this. The Individual shop is responsible for picking the bike up from a distribution warehouse in a crate. From here the shop can hire a trucking firm to deliver the crate to them, or pick it up themselves if they have a truck. Then the shop does whatever assy there is, plus lubing the bike, checking the bike over and getting it ready for purchase. OR the shop can hire a company to set up and deliver the bike ready to sell. The shop can charge what ever they feel they can get for this.
None of this really matters. What does matter is 1 thing only.......Out the door price. It saves a lot of small talk
None of this really matters. What does matter is 1 thing only.......Out the door price. It saves a lot of small talk
