| Author | Message | ||
     Swordsman |
Okay, so mostly everyone agrees that having your XB serviced at a H-D dealership is a scary prospect (unless you're one of the lucky guys who lives near a decent shop). So, just for fun: How BAD is it going to be when you take in an 1125R, which uses an alien engine? What happens then? If techs aren't even being properly trained on a Sportster variant, how in the world are they going to handle the Rotax? I shudder to think. Anyone else thought about this? ~SM | ||
| Imonabuss |
It's a lot easier to work on than a V-Rod, and they do not have a reputation of servicing nightmares compared to Sportster/Big Twin. It will be like every vehicle, every once in a while there will be a story of a poor mechanic. Best news is that very little service should be needed. | ||
| Bluesboy |
My buddy took his S3 to the dealer,where he bought it,and the service guy said "WHAT DID YOU DO TO THAT SPORTSTER"no kidding.That dealer is supposed to get at least one 1125r.Happy Halloween! | ||
| Bobup |
maybe you will need to take it to your local Bombardier Snowmobile shop ????  ROFLMAO | ||
| Anonymous |
Bluesboy, Well at least he won't confuse it with a Sportster. Or at least he won't when he takes it out for a test ride and "gits on 'er", and has to buy you a replacement! | ||
| Bob_thompson |
One thing to think about guys is: a good mechanic is a good mechanic no matter what he works on. And a bad mechanic is just that. If a person has the skills, abilities, and desire to do good work he will providing the dealer will let him and he is not constricted by time limits. I know that is not always the case, but it should be for a new model coming out if the dealer is to keep up good relations with his customers. A good mechanic can do a good job even if he has never seen a certain model before AND has the service manual in front of him. I will be scrutinizing my local dealers service people and then decide if I will bring them any work for my new 1125R even problems with warranty work. At this time I do not have much trust in them but will stay open minded until proven wrong and then I will just do the work myself, with a manual in hand, of course. I DO trust me. | ||
| Ratbuell |
The other piece of the puzzle, according to Anon and to our own Service Manager, is that for the time being the 1125 will be under Infant Care Process (or some such name), meaning any engine/powertrain problems will be drop-n-swap replacements as opposed to on-site disassemble, diagnose, and repair. Very much like the original VRSC program, which went very well. And a big +1 to Bob above - anybody can "take something apart". A Good Mechanic makes sure to read the book while doing it so there are no surprises. I know our guys will have the books in hand as soon as they're published...myself included, and I'm not even a tech! | ||
| Imonabuss |
It will definitely depend on the mechanic. There are good and bad and sure doesn't depend on what brand they service. I have seen absolute horror jobs done by poor mechanics at Japanese and European motorcycle shops that's for sure! And don't ever talk to me about Japanese car dealer service after my experiences with my wife's mini-van. These people should have been drowned at birth! | ||
| Doerman |
Theres no nightmare here. Changing fluids and filters and following a checklist on items to tighten and adjust is easy. Any good mechanic can do it. And if a Harley shop does not have a good mechanic they screw up HDs too. Just make sure you are doing business with a dealership that has conscientious mechanics or learn how to do it yourself. Buell made sure that this is familiar territory by paralleling service procedures to the one already existing for the VRod I plan to get the shop manual and figure out the finger following deal on the valves and the ins and outs of the bike myself and maybe have the mechanic do it if I feel he's up to it. But If I understand it, then I can judge if the mechanic does as well. Anywho.... ... no big deal here... it ain't rocket science. I actually look forward to diggin' in and understand my new bike when I get it. That's part of the ownership experience. Asbjorn (Message edited by doerman on November 01, 2007) | ||
| Zac4mac |
Right there with you, Asbjorn Mine is getting picked up in the crate. I plan on getting intimate with her and the shop manual as soon as I get her home. Slide the crate into the garage, open it up and get my first "in the flesh" look at an 1125. Start reading and assembling, then weather permitting, roll her outside for a gentle "first time". It's finally November and I can say I'm getting my baby THIS MONTH! Z | ||
| Darkice19 |
If its a good dealer they will have at least one well trained tech for the 1125r. If not then they better not void my warranty when i do my own maintenance | ||
| Court |
They will. There is an intensive training regimen. In fact, I'd ASK TO SEE the training credentials of anyone who was going to work on my motorcycle. I can't imagine anyone being anything less than proud to share that information. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Zac - How did you get your dealer to go along with the "in crate" delivery? The nearest dealer to me would be talking liability issues, not to mention the set up charge which is long bucks for short work, most of which they don't do anyway. | ||
| Zac4mac |
Just asked. It's not real common, but I've known a few who have done it. Always wanted to, myself, so I asked if I could and he said no prob... This is a special purchase to me, so I wanted to go all out. Hope to pay with Greenbacks too, not just write a check... Very important that I get the shop manual BEFORE the bike arrives. I've been wrenching on my own stuff since 1974 so I'm not worried about maintaining my 1125 too. Besides, it'll probably be snowing when it arrives and out of crate assembly will keep me occupied better than just looking at an assembled bike sitting in the garage. Z (Message edited by zac4mac on November 01, 2007) | ||
| Zac4mac |
Oh yeah, I'll still wind up paying the setup charge, or part of it, cause I'll have to take it in for them to check it out and start the warranty. Z | ||
| Court |
The dealer tells you that they will deliver the bike to you WITHOUT the PDI and it's still covered by warranty? I'd damn sure get that in writing. I don't THINK the dealer can violate Buells terms of warranty and then obligate Buell/HDI to the obligations under the warranty. Dealers have not, traditionally, been too hesitant to make representations that later proved to be on thin ice. | ||
| Court |
By the way . . . I'm not sure the "Nightmare" description really belongs in this topic heading. The 2008 1125r Parts Manual is rolling off the presses today. The Service Manual, with all the photos of the procedures, will be hitting the streets in early December. It simply takes a bit of time to capture all the information, procedures and photograph the entire processes. In the interim all items regarding routine service, minor maintenance and dealer procedures will be via HDNET. Any items that rise above "routine" will be handled by a special technical staff in place and prepared for just such things. It's really quite cool to see that all the ancillary support systems are just as unique as the bike it. Service manuals are one of the most challenging things to do on a new product. On another note . . . .the first 1125r rolled off the line to about as much fanfare as any Buell ever built. The process took place under the watchful eyes of R&D techs, purchasing and a group I fondly refer to as the "Pratap Police" . . . this is certainly once that I'd be perfectly willing to shell out good cash for the first one! It's amazing . . . in a day when I watch robots building robots on "How it's made" to see skilled guys and gals with hand tools carefully building the 1125r. Even I am impressed! Court | ||
| Firemanjim |
Have they scheduled the dealer tech for any training as yet--last time I asked at Vallejo none was even available? | ||
| Court |
>>>Have they scheduled the dealer tech for any training as yet--last time I asked at Vallejo none was even available? Yes. There is a complete schedule of technical training for dealer personnel. There are 6 sessions, one week each, in the current itinerary with the ability to add more. | ||
| Garrett2 |
im so sick of reading about people questioning service, you need to relax. seriously. you have no/very little faith int heir training | ||
| Smadd |
I remember bringing my new Kawasaki in for a first service. I was there as the "first appointment" in the morning. The lead "tech" showed up very late, with his tools in a plastic bag!! When I picked it up, I discovered he had overfilled the sump by at least a quart! Also, one of the gas tank rubber isolating pads was gone. "Just make sure you are doing business with a dealership that has conscientious mechanics or learn how to do it yourself." X2 Bottom line, I don't believe any one manufacturer holds the claim of "worst techs". And from all indications, Buell does an excellent job of trying to stay on top of it. IMHO (Message edited by Smadd on November 01, 2007) | ||
| Chadhargis |
I think, anyone, given the right tools and a good service manual could fix just about anything. It's the diagnosing that takes some knowledge. While all engines are somewhat different, they all are basically the same. You need fuel, air, and spark for them to run. Unless it's a rotary engine, it needs pistons, con rods, a crankshaft, etc. It was said earlier, but it is worth repeating. A good mechanic can work on anything. A bad mechanic will screw up everything. I think it all boils down to taking pride in your work. Some people (regardless of their career), simply go to work and "do their time". They just want to get it over with and go home. Others tend to put their heart and soul into what they do and desire to be the best at it. That's the type of mechanic you want whether he's certified or not. Being in the IT field, I can tell you that certifications are pretty much worthless if you don't have the right attitude and desire to do a quality job. | ||
| Court |
Registration, by the way, opened today for the slots in the 1125r Technical Training Classes. Be sure to remind your dealer to sign up and remind him he can save money by sending a couple folks and having them share a room!  | ||
| Dre99gsx |
I must say we in NJ are probably blessed. Being that Liberty Buell owns and races their Buells, there should be enough technical know-how to work on the 1125r without a sweat. | ||
| Sheridan_bueller |
""Also, one of the gas tank rubber isolating pads was gone."" Now there's a thing from the past! Isn't that nice? I was told at the dealer (for my XB9) that as long as records were kept, warranty issues were no big deal for the do it myselfer. I found it to save me quite a bit of cash too. I don't own all of these tools for lookin' at! I once spent 400 bucks for a head temp sensor problem, that's after I told them what the problem was. They didn't find nor fix it so I bought the sensor (38 bills) and installed it-problem solved. Still had to pay the 400 though. Haven't been back since. | ||
| Firemanjim |
"Registration, by the way, opened today for the slots in the 1125r Technical Training Classes." That was just what I was asking,thanks. | ||
| Jake99buell |
My dad is signed up for the third 1125 class its in february i think. You should a seen the look of excitment out of this die hard, big, tough, tatoo covered HD mechanic knowing his was going to be one of the first to work on this bike. | ||
| Court |
The 3rd class is Feb 18-21 and is sold out like the first two . . . I'll be eager to hear his impression . . . I know a couple of the instructors and this should be a really good class. | ||
| Court |
Hey . . .while we are on service manuals and techy stuff . . . those of you with 2008 Buells need to be aware (and make certain your dealer is aware) there is a comprehensive electrical diagnostic manual for 2008. It's part number 99493-08Y, is about 3/4" and in thick and has stuff in it that makes me long for the simplicity of a Rupp mini bike! Just a heads up. . . .  | ||
| Jake99buell |
Yea he signed up for the first class then had to cancel and by the time he walked across the shop to sign up for the third class there was only 4 seats open. |
