Balderstones V Rainbow

Ex-Call Centre Chimp

Ex-Call Centre Chimp

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I've always used Pidcocks for any work that's needed to be done on my RTs but as I won't be going back there I need to find an alternative.

I'm in Lincoln & have never been impressed with Astles.

So I'm looking for a BMW motorrad dealer nearby to start 'looking after' my bike.

I keep reading on here great things about Balderstones but had a particularly bad experience with their sales team there when I was looking to change my RT recently. I vowed at the time never to cross their threshold again. And told them the same.

So, do I bite the bullet & treat their Sales & Service departments as 2 seperate entities or do I just go to Rainbow?
 
Go to Rainbow, one of the very best dealers in the BMW Motorrad network

Good old fashioned service:beerjug:
 
Another vote for Rainbow and Southport Superbikes

Rainbow are brilliant, I used them for a while, just wish they where a little closer. Southport Super Bikes are also very, very good, but probably too far away for you.
 
Balderston's techies failed to tighten the rear wheelnuts on my Adv some years back. Link

Whereas the techie has gone - the attitude of Robin Homewood, the owner at the time (not sure if that has also changed), was completely dismissive - suggested I was being melodramatic about the omission's danger.

I'm afraid that with a professional ethos like that, I couldn't recommend them while he was at the helm...

Mike :cool:
 
Mike O said:
Balderston's techies failed to tighten the rear wheelnuts on my Adv some years back. Link

Whereas the techie has gone - the attitude of Robin Homewood, the owner at the time (not sure if that has also changed), was completely dismissive - suggested I was being melodramatic about the omission's danger.

I'm afraid that with a professional ethos like that, I couldn't recommend them while he was at the helm...

Mike :cool:
Click to expand...

One thing the BMW Technicians do at Rainbow, is that they colour-mark every torqued bolt they re-fit, as they do it

As a final check they go around all the bike and count up the coloured dots to make sure they all match up

This is done before the bike is lowered off the ramp

Fastidious is what they do:clap
 
Have bought 2 bikes from Balderston and had 95% of my servicing done there, Gary and his service crew have always done an excellent job, I have no reason to change and will be buying my next bike from them in the Spring as long as they give me a decent trade in price on my current bike - TJ are you reading this? :D
 
JohnnyBoxer said:
One thing the BMW Technicians do at Rainbow, is that they colour-mark every torqued bolt they re-fit, as they do it

As a final check they go around all the bike and count up the coloured dots to make sure they all match up

This is done before the bike is lowered off the ramp

Fastidious is what they do:clap
Click to expand...

They could definitely teach a thing or two to our guys then :blast
 
+1 for Rainbow.:thumb I've never been, but they sound wonderful.:D:beerjug:
 
Never used Rainbow so can't comment on them but have to say I've had nothing but exceptional service from sales, clothing and servicing teams at Balderstons over many years.

Wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

Which reminds me I need to book the bike in for some work...
 
The Nutty GSER said:
+1 for Rainbow.:thumb I've never been, but they sound wonderful.:D:beerjug:
Click to expand...

My bikes look like a kid from Sesame Street has been busy with the crayons, after a trip to their workshop.....quality work and all the technicians ride bikes too, which makes a big difference

So do the sales guys and parts staff, they all ride bikes day in/day out - mainly their own bikes and not some flashy demo bike

I remember when the new (then) K12S was dealer launched @ Nurburgring, Shaun (the owner) dusted off his 1970's R90S and rode it to the 'Ring, just to show the lineage that the BMW Motorrad brand has, they all love bikes there

So they know what makes us tick:thumb
 
JohnnyBoxer said:
My bikes look like a kid from Sesame Street has been busy with the crayons, after a trip to their workshop.....quality work and all the technicians ride bikes too, which makes a big difference

So do the sales guys and parts staff, they all ride bikes day in/day out - mainly their own bikes and not some flashy demo bike

I remember when the new (then) K12S was dealer launched @ Nurburgring, Shaun the owner dusted off his 1970's R90S and rode it to the 'Ring, just to show the lineage that the BMW Motorrad brand has, they all love bikes there

So they know what makes us tick:thumb
Click to expand...

Fantastic, that's the way it should be.:beerjug: Next time I'm in the area, I'll make sure I pop in there.:thumb
 
JohnnyBoxer said:
One thing the BMW Technicians do at Rainbow, is that they colour-mark every torqued bolt they re-fit, as they do it

As a final check they go around all the bike and count up the coloured dots to make sure they all match up

This is done before the bike is lowered off the ramp

Fastidious is what they do:clap
Click to expand...


I like that.....Simple, effective, I like it.......:thumb2
 
I've used Balderston's many times for buying bikes, servicing, and advice. Always found them to be an excellent dealership and I wouldn't hesitate to use them again :thumb2
 
Me too :thumb2
Never had an issue with Balderstons & they've been servicing my bikes for years - even sorted out my K12S that I got from Clarks when Clarks couldn't fix it after 3 attempts.
Have bought 3 bikes from them to date & they have always been sound & resolved any issues without quibbling. Must admit though, I've never tried to PX a bike with them - but then I tend to keep most of mine anyway, as I don't like to take the loss from PX
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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