Independent BMW service advice

[SERVDAVE]

Hi guys,

Can anyone recommend an independent garage person who works on BMW motorbikes?

Just had my 650GS twin serviced @ 48k. I also need tom replace front and rear wheel bearings, radiator fan, clutch cable and cage. I have been quoted around £900.00 or there abouts as it depends what else they find when they open the clutch.

It has got to the point that I may not be able to afford to run the bike/thinking of changing to something that is cheaper to run.

I love the 650GS twin but find it annoying how many wheel bearings and head bearings I go through. I also can't consider doing the work myself as I really don't have the skills needed to work on my own bike.

Any help/suggestions/cash welcome!

 

[david a hall]

Stuff like tis Dave isn't hard to do. Try STeptoe and have a day out. If the clutch is heavy try the cable first and the basket might need a file down rather than replacing.

 

[Norfolk Tiger]

I would also say steptoe but he may be a bit distracted at the moment

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?360174-Just-a-little-bit-excited

 

[SERVDAVE]

Thanks for the help guys, really nice of everyone!

I shall give steptoe a go! I really need to get this sorted as I really have lost interest in biking at the moment! Its cost me a fair amount lately to keep on the road!

 

[MikeMike]

Just a guess, but...if you are going through so many steering head bearings the normal dealer you go to might have been fitting them incorrectly. I have heard of one other case of a bike going through many sets of bearings really quick, but dealer was fitting them almost dry and with incorrect torque every time.
The bearings the dealer will sell you and install were complete shite, at least here in Mexico, and were direct from their parts counter.
I refused those and bought my own bearings and seals for the bike (both wheels, sprocket drive, and steering head) for around the cost of one of the bearings BMW wanted me to pay. The sizes are simple to source in a quality brand of bearing. I think a good independent outfit will likely do a better job than you have been seeing from your dealer. The good independent shops are usually adept at fixing all the cock ups from dealers. The independents want you back as a satisfied customer, whereas the majority of BMW dealers could give a rats arse end if they ever see you again or they simply BS you to keep you around.
Don't sell the bike before you give it a go with a proper independent shop. The F650GS is a great bike in my opinion. But the customer service and work done by so many Motorrad dealers is near stone age, at least here where I live.
I know that in England there are good BMW dealers that will give a loaner, have properly trained techs, etc... and I envy riders who have access to them, but if you are stuck with a rotten dealer or one that has a monopoly of BMW franchises in an area, you are on your own.

 

[SERVDAVE]

Thanks for the comments guys, I am very lucky that my local BMW dealer (Vines Motorrad) offer top notch service and that It chew bearings like no tomorrow due to the design of the bike rather than improper fitting. I have fitted better bearings before and suffered the same fate. I have had my 650GS twin for 5 years now and very much enjoyed owing it but think it is time to move on before the up keep outways the enjoyment I get from the bike.

 

[widget]

http://bgmbmw.com/index.html

Did a good job on my wifes f650.