A Heads Up Story To New Harley Owners

The following story could happen to any Harley Davidson owner looking for a quick, easy, and convenient service job. Be careful... do your homework. Shop around before you hit up your local shop where you would probably like to take your bike due to 'convenience'. Have an idea what work you are having done, and most importantly, an idea of how many hours of labor it should take to complete. You'll do yourself a big favor if you do!

I received my chrome switch housing kit (sorgys.com) and Kuryakyn Iso Grips (directparts.com) last week, and because the two dealerships in my community (South Orange County, California) are well-known for 'jackin' up the prices' simply because they know the locals can and will pay it.... I checked around at various Harley and private, motorcycle shops to get some quotes on labor charges and labor time.

Here are a few quotes, just to let you know there the 'ballpark figure' was:

LA Harley - 2.5 hours @ $65 per hr.
Westminster Harley - 2.5 hours @ 75.00 per hour
Fullerton Harley - 2 hours @ $70.00 per hour
CA Hot Rod Harley - 2.5 hours @ $75.00
Capistrano Harley (located in South Orange County) - 2.5 hours @ $75.00 per hr.

Orange County Harley (located in Irvine, CA) - 4.5 HOURS @ $85.00 per hr.!!!!!!

When the tech told me this, I immediately asked to speak to his Service Dept. Manager. When told that I had several quotes @ 2 to 2.5 hours, and now his guy tells me 4.5 hours.... I basically ask what in the hell are you guys running there? He kind of laughs it off a bit and says the guy "must have misunderstood or something... what's the matter with him?". He then says it will take 2.5 hours of labor time.

Since OC Harley is much closer to my home than Capistrano Harley (saves about 20 minutes), I take my bike over there with the switch housing kit to get the work done. When I arrive at the service desk, another tech who didn't know me wrote it up... then quotes me 3.5 hours of labor time! I tell the cheatin' SOB that I just talked to your boss and had a 2.5 quote in the books! She looks bewildered for a moment, walks in the back room... then comes out and says "2.5 hours".

Did they do the work and do it well? Yes. I don't have any problem with their competence in performing work (although I am a bit miffed that they failed to give me back my brake grip and the tool for my throttle boss). However, when a service dept. blatantly quotes an excessive amount of labor time such as they did, the trust level is about as high as a grasshopper's belly!

Good job, OC Harley! You've just lost a customer that was planning to use you for regular services for probably the next 10 years or more... let alone the fact that 3 of my friends informed me last week that they wanted my assistance in purchasing a new Harley!

Moral of this story for any service provider: be straight with people, maintain integrity at its highest level, earn one's trust with truth and competent performance... and you have a customer for life that will send everyone and his Uncle to you on a referral!

Lie, cheat, and basically steal to earn a few extra bucks and you get what you deserve! A big, fat "FU" the next time you want my business!

 

Just be glad you have options. With indepenent shops aside we only have one local dealer, the next dealer is 75 miles away. Fortunately I think our dealer has a good reputation.

 

Back in the 80's I owned a sportster that flat died while riding, took it to my local dealer who told me it needed a battery. I asked why, because when it died it would crank over. Being young and stupid I said ok, bike broke down the night I picked it up. Took It back the next day, got a call that afternoon, "you need a battery". "You just replaced it" I said. He asked what I did to it and refused to replace it free. I took the bike to a non harley repair shop, where the mechanic replaced the carb, said battery was good and I was on my way. The dealership has changed hands years ago, but still will not go back, rather go a few extra miles to a dealer I consider honest.

 

i mostly use an independant, 50 per hour and they hustle to get the job done. it could be an option you can check out!

 

With the exception of routine mantainence I don't let anyone wrench on my bike exept me .

 

going to sound like the newbie that I am - but, if an independent does the work, are the warranties still valid? Although I enjoy working on my cars, I have never worked on a motorcycle before, espcecially one that has a 'computer' brain. That sort of scares me. I prefer independents but how does one go about finding one? The local HD riders around here don't seem to have the interest or time to do work themselves - they just bring them in to the HD dealer who even has a shuttle to get them to work...just way too yuppified for me.

 

I bought a pair of the low profile shocks for my glide last year and the dealer installed them. 2.5 hrs @ $65.00. This year I decided I didn't like the short shocks because they rode like a log wagon. Put my stock shocks back on with 1 1/4" lowering brackets. Total time=20 minutes. Lesson learned-priceless!


Terry

 

I just had an independent install Progressive shocks, Kuryakin trigger leveres and a kick stand extension. He charged me $50 labor and the price on the parts was competitive with the prices on the net. I'll take mine back to Harley for the 1000 mile service and they are putting on new bars this week, but it is nice to have another person who seems qualified and not too expensive.

 

Spend the money on a good manual, and do the work yourself. The money that you save on labor can be used for more goodies or a decent set of craftsman tools.

Mac