Hey all, long story short I need to take my M900 to the shop to have the carbs set properly (Ive been fighting with them all year). I checked the local listing thread and there isnt much feedback on the shops. I personally have had a negative experience with Speeds management, though I hear Walt is well respected mechanic. I have no experience at Battleys so my questions are:
Does anyone recommend one over the other?
I know Speeds hourly rate is 85/hr , but what is Battleys?
I considered Coleman but theyre pretty pricey (99/hr) and Ducpond is 1.5 hours away from me.
Thanks all
preferably...I'd say Ducpond...but since you are looking nearer...I'd look into RAM Cycles as Alex is one of Battley's former Duc Tech's and he went out on his own and is a slightly cheaper labor rate ( ramcycles.net ) ....but if you have to go to Battley's...schedule for Chris Sanders to wrench on your bike as he is the only really qualified Duc tech there...
And as I understand it, Mike has left Speeds.
http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/tools/view/syncpro_sup__trade___sup_/ (http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/tools/view/syncpro_sup__trade___sup_/)
I've had good luck at both Battley's and RAM Cycles and wouldn't hesitate to recommend either.
I had bad luck at Coleman's Falls Church and you'll find plenty of people who have bad things to say about them. I have no experience with the Coleman's Woodbridge.
If you've had one bad experience at Speed's, why go back? I have no experience there myself and I don't like to pass hearsay, but in the case of Speed's I've heard enough negative stories that I think it is worth mentioning. Bottom line is it seems you are definitely not the only one who has had issues.
Give RAM a call, as mentioned above, the owner is a Duc guy. I haven't been to the new shop, but I always felt comfortable at the old place. The staff was attentive, knowledgable and ready to chat about bikes. They generally have a couple of cools bikes for sale. They had an Aprilia RXV and a couple of custom Ducs last time I was there. If you check out the website, don't be turned off by the stunter video. They are down to earth guys and easy to deal with.
+1 for ram cycle and negative 2 at Coleman's Falls Church. $1300 in labor and bike is still no workie...I just go there for parts in a pinch.
Well, I bit the bullet an took it to Speeds. Reason being, my bad experience mainly stemmed from their management and not from the service departments skill. I have no experience with Battley and wasnt sure if I wanted to try them out blindly. RAM, I have actually heard enough bad things about them to avoid them at all costs. I have a friend whose rear brake caliper ruined his red marchesini rim bc they didnt screw down the bolt holding the caliper on. He went for the rear brake after picking it up from a service and the caliper fell off and scraped up his rim, took 6 months or so for them to get a replacement rim.
Ill keep everyone posted on my experience. I guess Im willing to give speeds a second shot.
Quote from: Preppyr6 on October 25, 2008, 01:33:23 PM
RAM, I have actually heard enough bad things about them to avoid them at all costs. I have a friend whose rear brake caliper ruined his red marchesini rim bc they didnt screw down the bolt holding the caliper on. He went for the rear brake after picking it up from a service and the caliper fell off and scraped up his rim, took 6 months or so for them to get a replacement rim.
I know of exactly the situation that you are refferring to...Alex let that tech go about 2 months after that incident (because of another bike that the tech damaged)...he DID make good on getting the wheel for the guy, but getting parts from Italy when you are not a dealer does in fact take some time...and then those wheels come with no bearings or cush drives and he put those in in addition free of charge to make the transistion to the new wheel as minimal and quick as possible....and they are in a whole new facility with pretty much anew attitude and way of doing things to accompany the new digs with almost none of the same staff from when he 1st opened to make a good go of business and doing things right...
just sayin' for what it's worth!...
I have no experience with the Maryland dealers. I have had first-hand experience with both Coleman's shops, and I do not recommend them. I do recommend Duc Pond. Donnie and his team are known very well in the region and are respected by many. Donnie built his reputation as a Ducati wrench (and successful racer) long before he bought the franchise. It's no wonder his dealership has done so well, in spite of its being the newest in the region. Donnie's labor rate is $75/hr, IIRC. His shop is well worth the drive.
Yeah I keep hearing great things about duc pond but its 1.5 hrs from me and its hard to find someone willing to make the drive twice (and thats a lot of gas money).
I'm not totally averse to giving RAM a shot if theyve revised their service quality. We'll see what happens at Speeds.
Thanks everyone for your input so far.
Quote from: Preppyr6 on October 28, 2008, 08:03:56 AM
Yeah I keep hearing great things about duc pond but its 1.5 hrs from me and its hard to find someone willing to make the drive twice (and thats a lot of gas money).
I'm not totally averse to giving RAM a shot if theyve revised their service quality. We'll see what happens at Speeds.
Thanks everyone for your input so far.
1.5 hours? I WISH Duc Pond was ONLY 1.5 hours away from me!
Well they called yesterday, and said they sourced my problem. After a year of the bike running poorly and spending 10 weeks at a non-duc mechanic, they said my two fuel filters in the carbs were gummed up and needed replacing. Parts total is around 90 bucks but if they have my problem nailed then I have to give Speeds props. I should hopefully have it back in a week or so.
Preppyr6
you picked up ur bike yet? I might bring my bike in for tuning...
So...... What happened?