I just got my bike (2006 S4R) back from Coleman in Woodbridge. I had them change the cam belts and flush the brake and clutch fluids. Usually, I'd do the normal maintenance items, but I just don't have time right now. I knew it would be expensive, but 530 bucks? Yikes! It's not a huge deal, but man, I think they may have charged me a bit too much.
Was this also a scheduled service or did they just do the items you mentioned? - Gene
DucPond Motorsports.
written estimates can head this tpe of thing off at the pass. Write in an amount above which a signature by you is required, and an amount above which just a phone call approval is required. Have them itemize the estimate.
Then there are no surprises and no bad feelings. Any shop should do this, especially when it's requested with a smile and a kind explanation that when everyone is on the same page there won't be any bad feelings later and the service relationship will continue happily.
Quote from: Statler on September 05, 2008, 05:54:54 AM
written estimates can head this tpe of thing off at the pass. Write in an amount above which a signature by you is required, and an amount above which just a phone call approval is required. Have them itemize the estimate.
Then there are no surprises and no bad feelings. Any shop should do this, especially when it's requested with a smile and a kind explanation that when everyone is on the same page there won't be any bad feelings later and the service relationship will continue happily.
and this advice applies to not just your motorcycle(s), but any vehicle you take into any shop!
sage and wise and true advice Tim (as usual)...thanks!
Quote from: zooom on September 05, 2008, 06:22:18 AM
and this advice applies to not just your motorcycle(s), but any vehicle you take into any shop!
sage and wise and true advice Tim (as usual)...thanks!
Tim is the fast guy.
I'm the slow one who lives farther North.
<scratches Zoom off list for next party>
;D
Quote from: Statler on September 05, 2008, 06:25:16 AM
<scratches Zoom off list for next party>
:-[ :'( :o ??? [bang]
Lisa can come and tell you about it when she gets back.
[cheeky]
This was not a scheduled maintenance interval. I purchased the bike a little while ago and wanted to start out with some new belts (since it is 2 years old and the belts are recommended for renewal every 24 months) and clean brake/clutch fluids as the previous ones looked like coffee.
They only did the cam belts and the flushing of the brake/clutch fluids. They charge 99 bucks per hour for Ducs and the belts were 89 bucks each. The cost of belts seems to be on the rise everywhere.
I got a quote of 350.00 over the phone for everything. I figured I would trust the tech's word (what I'm used to in the MC community) so I didn't get it in writing. Oh well, I learned a lesson about Duc maintenance. Next time I'll get a quote in writing.
In their defense, they are very professional, take good care of the bike while it's in their possesion, and I had the bike back in 2 days.
Quote from: Statler on September 05, 2008, 08:43:05 AM
Lisa can come and tell you about it when she gets back.
[cheeky]
[moto] [laugh]
maybe the tech on the phone was reading the quote from where he had written it on a scrap of paper but he's dyslexic. ;D
350 to 530 is a rather big jump. funny how it never is the other direction too.
Just so you don't feel like you're getting ripped off for being a Ducati owner, their labor rate for all motorcycles is $99/hour.
I second Charlie's (Dragsterhund) recommendation. www.ducpond.com [moto]
Quote from: Ducatista on September 08, 2008, 03:20:10 PM
Just so you don't feel like you're getting ripped off for being a Ducati owner, their labor rate for all motorcycles is $99/hour.
I second Charlie's (Dragsterhund) recommendation. www.ducpond.com [moto]
No, don't feel ripped off. The belts seem to be the main culprit of the higher than expected cost. No biggie, I'm over the sticker shock of Duc maint. I was looking at something else they had posted on the board in regards to the other pricing I mentioned.
Thanks for the replies.