Motorrad Services Manchester

[Les Wassall]

After booking the gs into Manchester’s newest bmw service centre, I am more than pleased to learn that they will be providing, a collection and return service, (for a nominal charge).
This is a total bonus as it’s always a waste of a day, while you wait for the work to be done or try to sort transport out.
I appreciate that a dealership usually provides a loan bike, but MSM are looking to provide quality work at very competitive prices and fit you in for work in days rather than weeks.

So far a big thumbs up and look forward to the gs being delivered back tomorrow, will keep you posted on the results.

MSM will also be offering a 10% discount to members.

 

[Tarka]

So who are they,and where are they ??

 

[Les Wassall]

Be patient, will let you know later when I get the GS back

 

[Les Wassall]

Well the gs has just been delivered back, and the engine sounds as sweet as a nut.

Mitch at Motorrad Services Manchester are in Stretford, business line is 0161 865 6000, this number starts on the 18th of the month, or you can contact him now on mobile 07876 777007.

Mitch is an ex BMW technician, so knows his way around the bikes, and his prices are at least 50% less than the dealership.

He is going to do a free collection service in the M32 postcode area and a nominal price depending on distance, for all others.

Give him a try, you won’t be disappointed.

 

[Sadjim]

Just spoken to Mitch. Best of luck mate!
He has asked me to point out that he will use genuine parts at the best price that he can get them at, and it is his labour that is half the dealers rate.
Once again good luck.

 

[NeverRodeBefore]

Service History

Would using this new fellow, still result in a complete BMW service history... none of my motors have a regular service history.

 

[Rollo]

Great news, I'm a big fan of Mitch and I wish him well.


Motorrad Services, my..... that sounds familiar. Hope it's not a play on another well known name.

.

 

[Les Wassall]

Motorrad Services, my..... that sounds familiar. Hope it's not a play on another well known name.
.

He's done the legal search and it's ok to use.

 

[Roy RGM]

Nice one Mitch, All the best

 

[Rollo]

He's done the legal search and it's ok to use.

Thanks Les, that's a good start, but it isn't simple.

A name being available in the UK is one step; 'passing off' is quite another. Opening a newsagent call Motorrad would not raise an eyebrow in the Fatherland, opening a bike shop in the UK specialising in BMW will bring the gods of war.

The guy who services my car, a little 3 man garage in Sale, checked with Companies House and then called himself 'Independant Volvo Specialists'. Volvo let it run for a while and in the end allowed him to settle the dispute by paying them £60,000.

In 1998 I wanted to name a range of heavy trucks 'Voyager' and it was available in the UK although Crysler was marketing it for people carriers in much of the rest of the world. My Head Office insisted that I ask Chrysler and when they said "no feckin' way", I recommended we continue. My $8 billion dollar T/O company said "we can't afford the court case".

Now I've got limited knowledge on this and I wish Mitch every success and my bike will go to him regardless of what he calls his company. However, it's often better to ask for permission than forgiveness.

 

[BBB61]

Given that motorrad is german for motorcycle, how would that cause a problem? Its a very different situation to the man who tried the name "Independent Volvo Specialists". Dutchman has called his company Motorrad Concepts with no apparant problems. So who could object and on what grounds?

 

[Rollo]

Given that motorrad is german for motorcycle, how would that cause a problem? Its a very different situation to the man who tried the name "Independent Volvo Specialists". Dutchman has called his company Motorrad Concepts with no apparant problems. So who could object and on what grounds?

Bob,

"Given that motorrad is german for motorcycle, how would that cause a problem?"

That might make it all OK, but it may not. Firstly, motorrad is not the same as Motorrad. If it does cause a problem it would be an issue of trade mark infringement and 'passing off' - when one company is seen to take advantage of the investment and reputation of another. If BMW regard Motorrad Services as using their reputation to attract business they will start a legal process. A letter advising the ownership of the name and requesting the end of its use.

"Its a very different situation to the man who tried the name "Independent Volvo Specialists".

Not if BMW has trade marked the word 'Motorrad' for use in relation to motorcycles. As you say it's a generic name and may not be allowed as a trademark within the EU. I don't know, but a search is needed to determine that.

"Dutchman has called his company Motorrad Concepts with no apparant problems."

BMW might not have a case; he may have been given permission; he may be in process.

"So who could object and on what grounds?"

Possibly BMW for Trade Mark infringement and 'passing off' as above. If there is a case BMW, prompted by Williams maybe, will protect any position they feel they have. The cost is small change for them. The problem for a small business is that legal fees to respond and the cost of giving way in the end, with or without compensation, plus the cost of changing the name, letterheads, signs, invoices, bank accounts, phone numbers make this a lot of hassle and a distraction when all that's wanted is to build a business.

If another member has experience in all this then shoot me down, but no flames as I'm only sharing what I believe to be the case.

 

[jpfern_uk]

Better just change the name to German Motorcycle services, that ought to narrow it down a bit...!!

Best of luck Mitch, let us know if you need anything!!

 

[Flashman]

Who cares what he calls his company, it won't make any difference to the service received!

 

[Mad Tenor]

"Firstly, motorrad is not the same as Motorrad"

You're sort of right there: ALL nouns in german are spelt with a capital letter, so actually there is no german word spelt motorrad (ie with a small m) So the distintion that exists in english between the same word spelt with a capital (making it a proper noun I think ) just does not exist in german. Therefore the use of the word Motorrad cannot IMHO be judged as some sort of trade mark, as it is the only way the german word for motorcycle can be written. Being a bi-lingual smart-arse, I thought I would just add that to the pot.......

 

[rdover]

My Company is called Baymed and about 6 years ago Bayer (a HUGE pharma company) launched a subsidiary called Bayer Medical to sell diagnostic equipment. They started trading under the contraction Baymed.

I found out about it after a year or 2 and sne t a lawyers letter saying that Baymed Ltd was established in 1977 and they use of the name Baymed was illegal. If they carried on I would sue them for infringment. I got a letter back 3 months later, which is very fast for this kind of thing, apologising profusely explaining that someone had not checked before using the name.

Bit of a shame really I could ahve got a nice bit of cash out of them!

Very often a bunch like BMW will send a stroppy letter saying we're big, you're small and you can't afford to fight so change your name. It is often cheaper and easier to comply, however it seems to me that this case id a bit different. he is not using BMW as a name nor attempting to 'pass off'. It is likely that he will be left aone as long as he is just a 1 man band.

 

[degsy]

yes good luck Mitch hope things work out, regarding a previous post how would it affect any warrenty?????

 

[Sea Lion]

Recommended!

Came back from Ireland on Sat. night with my bike sounding like a bag of spanners. Rang Mitch on Monday am, he picked the bike up Tues. and dropped it back Friday (I live 26 miles away). Excellent service. It was a smashed cam follower that took with it the cam shaft and cam carrier. Came back sounding the quietest I've ever heard it. He's very approachable. and obviously experienced.

If you live around these parts then I would seriously recommend you check him out before going anyway near a dealer. He says he will have a loan bike soon also.

 

[degsy]

Servicing

Used Motorrad Services last week fantastic workmanship / really helpful and a great guy. Full BMW parts /upgrades completed /full BMW warrenty.



cheers Mitch

good luck