Service wait times and loaner bikes

alligator · April 25, 2009, 07:59:29 AM

I have to take my bike in for a 600 mile service shortly, and I'm going to have slip on Termis installed (in addition to a new 14 tooth gear). My only problem is that the dealer is a LONG way away from my house. I'm guessing they will want me to leave the bike there for the work, but I can't keep asking my wife to drive me to the dealer since that means packing up all the kids and taking a half day trip. Do dealers ever offer a loaner bike like car dealerships? How long can I expect this to take?

What do those of you do who live a long way from a dealership do? I would rather not do any of this work myself.

redxblack · April 25, 2009, 08:19:51 AM

you could get AAA, get the bike hauled to the dealer and then get a ride to pick it up.

Popeye the Sailor · April 25, 2009, 09:29:41 AM

Get a trailer for the car and tow it there.

Find a shop that isn't the dealer-you're not having anything special done.

Or, learn to work on it.

red baron · April 25, 2009, 11:27:15 AM

Quote from: alligator on April 25, 2009, 07:59:29 AM
What do those of you do who live a long way from a dealership do? I would rather not do any of this work myself.

Move to socal.

Some dealerships have loaners. I waited till 1k for the 600 service (dealer said they prefer to do it then).

+1 on the trailer idea.

Or rent a pickup for the day.

superjohn · April 25, 2009, 12:06:27 PM

Rent a pickup to take it in, or let them know your situation and see if they can accommodate you. My dealer knows I will be sitting there waiting when I bring it in, so they usually have me schedule a week or so out and come in early so I'm the first bike they work on and get me out quicker. I still take a book and get a lot reading done though.

DucatiTorrey · April 25, 2009, 01:12:06 PM

should only take an afternoon. they did have mine overnight, but i dropped it off at 4 pm. they gave me a hyper too

ArguZ · April 25, 2009, 02:10:02 PM

Any decent dealer will give you a loaner bike I think..
Your chance to ride another Ducati too..
I actually waited for my 1000km service...took just one hour and they showed me everything...
I don't want to get my hands dirty on my bike...I wanna riiiiide [moto]

Dave R · April 25, 2009, 03:55:03 PM

Quote from: alligator on April 25, 2009, 07:59:29 AM
I have to take my bike in for a 600 mile service shortly, and I'm going to have slip on Termis installed (in addition to a new 14 tooth gear). My only problem is that the dealer is a LONG way away from my house. I'm guessing they will want me to leave the bike there for the work, but I can't keep asking my wife to drive me to the dealer since that means packing up all the kids and taking a half day trip. Do dealers ever offer a loaner bike like car dealerships? How long can I expect this to take?

What do those of you do who live a long way from a dealership do? I would rather not do any of this work myself.

What you are describing you should just wait for it.. not sure what bike you have but if it is a new Monster you are talking about 3 hours tops for the whole job.

J.P. · April 25, 2009, 04:30:35 PM

My dealer doesn't do Appointments. Took over 2 weeks to change oil at 600 mi svc. Loaner? They wouldn't even help me load it in my trailer till after their lunch hour.
If it weren't for the warrenty thing, I would have never gone back in the first place.
Get a trailer.

Popeye the Sailor · April 25, 2009, 05:03:50 PM

Quote from: J.P. on April 25, 2009, 04:30:35 PM
My dealer doesn't do Appointments. Took over 2 weeks to change oil at 600 mi svc. Loaner? They wouldn't even help me load it in my trailer till after their lunch hour.
If it weren't for the warrenty thing, I would have never gone back in the first place.
Get a trailer.

FYI, you do not have to go to your dealer to maintain your warranty.

J.P. · April 26, 2009, 04:59:41 AM

You sure?
That's not what I was told(by the dealer-hmmm...) or read.

needtorque · April 26, 2009, 06:57:09 AM

Dealership does NOT have to do services to maintain warranty. All that needs to be done is you have to prove that you bought the maintenance Parts at the required mileage. For each required service get all the parts that are necessary, keep receipts, and I also would keep valve clearance measurements just so they know I did it. The dealer cannot force you to have maintenance done there.

Duki09 · April 26, 2009, 06:22:36 PM

The only time I had to keep a bike overnight for service was for a HD 883C I had and there the HD dealer had a shuttle van for their customers which was nice.

Other times I either waited around for the service to be finished or walked home and back if the place was maybe a few miles walk.

I don't know what the service people from where I bought my 696 from does for their customers, but they did deliver my bike to my home on a trailer after I bought it and couldn't drive both my car and bike home.

I never heard of a dealer having loaner bikes and figured they wouldn't even think of having them especially a loaner Ducati.

Grampa · April 26, 2009, 06:23:02 PM

give bp's discount motoscooter transportation services a call

you stall um....he'll haul um

desmoworks · April 26, 2009, 06:40:22 PM

We have several service loans that are available to customers who have their bikes in service so yes, some dealers do.

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Service wait times and loaner bikes