SPC Alton

[diplomaticdanny]

Just heard back from Dean @ SPC this afternoon, the story so far is; bought dream bike (1150GS) from close friend who bought it from SPC 4.5 years ago when 6 months old. Took said bike to Norway via Denmark and Sweden, fantastic trip, covered 1600 miles before final drive bearing disintegrated, luckily we were on the way home. Noticed there was something wrong (ticking noise), thought I'd picked up a nail in the tyre so managed to stop very quickly which in turn limited the damage. Arranged recovery through £25's worth of breakdown cover (cost them £3K), drove home in a car, not quite what was planned but still had fun and it's all part of the adventure. Rang SPC and asked if OK to have the bike delivered there, they agreed but told me I must have diagnosed problem incorrectly as the shaft drive is bullet proof and never goes wrong (everyone I spoke to said the same). Bike arrived three weeks later and was duly fixed at a cost of £350. Before they carried out the work SPC said that they would approach BMW UK for a goodwill payment as the problem shouldn't have occured, on collecting the bike and paying I asked what BMW had said and SPC said that BMW wouldn't entertain any contribution as the bike is too old. I didn't accept this and rang BMW UK myself who told me that no one (including SPC) had ever brought my bike to their attention so I rang SPC and asked for an explanation, I was told that I must have misunderstood and it was actually SPC who thought the bike was too old (even though it had just turned 20,000 miles). I then asked them to ask BMW UK for their thoughts on the matter which took another two weeks and today Dean rang to say I can expect a cheque for £29.55 from BMW UK. Dean also made me extremely aware that it had taken a lot of time and effort to get this from BMW. My thoughts on the matter are
1) Shouldn't have happened in the first place (BMW said that you could buy the bike new, never touch it and it will still do 100,00 miles with no problems).
2) I shouldn't have had to push SPC into talking to BMW (seems they want to just take as much money as possible for as little effort as possible)
3) Should I start to worry about the rest of the bike.
4) Am I expecting too much, always had old Africa Twins in the past with no problems.
5) anyone else had similar problems.

Danny

 

[Steptoe]

It's not the shaft drive - it's the final drive bearing .

Your complaining about a dealer, and your bearing problem on a bike thats 5 years old, and your the 3rd owner .

Am i missing something here

 

[diplomaticdanny]

Only that the bike has only just turned 20k miles and everyone keeps telling me it shouldn't happen, otherwise I would have accepted it as one of those things. I sell tents that last 10-15 years with no problems, get a much harder life and cost an awful lot less. Had Africa Twins, XL's and XR's older, more miles, never serviced, Salisbury Plained no problems. Don't get me wrong I love the GS and have it insured for work so I don't have to do 1000 per week in my car any more but as it costs so much to repair it does make me nervous.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

5yrs old - i think you're asking too much for warranty recompense.

SPC ? - some like them some don't - make your own mind up based on your experience.

The final drive brng is reasonably common - but its usually the worst 'common' thing to go wrong.
Alternator belt will be next - depending on who 'services ' it.

 

[BAKERMAN]

Just heard back from Dean @ SPC this afternoon, the story so far is; bought dream bike (1150GS) from close friend who bought it from SPC 4.5 years ago when 6 months old. Took said bike to Norway via Denmark and Sweden, fantastic trip, covered 1600 miles before final drive bearing disintegrated, luckily we were on the way home. Noticed there was something wrong (ticking noise), thought I'd picked up a nail in the tyre so managed to stop very quickly which in turn limited the damage. Arranged recovery through £25's worth of breakdown cover (cost them £3K), drove home in a car, not quite what was planned but still had fun and it's all part of the adventure. Rang SPC and asked if OK to have the bike delivered there, they agreed but told me I must have diagnosed problem incorrectly as the shaft drive is bullet proof and never goes wrong (everyone I spoke to said the same). Bike arrived three weeks later and was duly fixed at a cost of £350. Before they carried out the work SPC said that they would approach BMW UK for a goodwill payment as the problem shouldn't have occured, on collecting the bike and paying I asked what BMW had said and SPC said that BMW wouldn't entertain any contribution as the bike is too old. I didn't accept this and rang BMW UK myself who told me that no one (including SPC) had ever brought my bike to their attention so I rang SPC and asked for an explanation, I was told that I must have misunderstood and it was actually SPC who thought the bike was too old (even though it had just turned 20,000 miles). I then asked them to ask BMW UK for their thoughts on the matter which took another two weeks and today Dean rang to say I can expect a cheque for £29.55 from BMW UK. Dean also made me extremely aware that it had taken a lot of time and effort to get this from BMW. My thoughts on the matter are
1) Shouldn't have happened in the first place (BMW said that you could buy the bike new, never touch it and it will still do 100,00 miles with no problems).
2) I shouldn't have had to push SPC into talking to BMW (seems they want to just take as much money as possible for as little effort as possible)
3) Should I start to worry about the rest of the bike.
4) Am I expecting too much, always had old Africa Twins in the past with no problems.
5) anyone else had similar problems.

Danny

You don`t want much, do you

 

[shugie]

Goodwill on a five year old bike, low miles or not, is asking a lot.

 

[y2blade]

Goodwill on a five year old bike, low miles or not, is asking a lot.

my thoughts too

 

[Jon]

Only that the bike has only just turned 20k miles and everyone keeps telling me it shouldn't happen

All depends on the owner and riding style - not having a pop at you here. You're the 3rd owner too.

My 2nd trip to Morocco we had one go on an Adv still within warranty.

The guy was 6'4" tall, and heavy with it. Road the bike loaded to the gunnels with the suspension fully wound up and set to "hard" and didn't bother standing up ever, even when riding over potholes/rough surfaces.

Result, knackered final drive bearing.............

 

[diplomaticdanny]

Looks like I opened a can of worms, would like to add the following.

Wouldn't have expected a goodwill gesture at all but SPC and BMW UK said that I should get one.

It was more the fact that SPC said they would apply for a goodwill gesture and BMW said they hadn't heard from them, which then encouraged me to push SPC.

Have known the bike since 6 months old and has been cosseted all its life, ridden most days but cleaned before parked in garage.

People return our tents way out of warranty with clear customer abuse related problems but we still do our best to repair foc, but I have to remember to not expect our standards from others.

 

[Shep]

AFAIK warrantee/good will issues are often dealt with by a regular visit from the BMW rep that deals with dealer claims, it may be that they got together had a chat and decided, rightly IMO, that a good will claim would not be honoured. The job would be listed under your reg. no. as service work carried out , but not the claim refusal as it was a matter of a good will gesture

Also I dont think its fair to compare two totally different business's reaction to customer complaints.

Shep

ps Got any good strong tent poles spare/cheap, short sections that would support a tarp I carry on the bike

 

[diplomaticdanny]

Talk to Camping World on 01252 795293, they have bins full of spare poles, ask for old Khyam Galaxy or Conquest legs as they are solid fibreglass and very strong, let them know that you got their details from Danny @ Khyam and suggest they do you a good price and get some good feedback and mentions on this site in return.

Danny

 

[Shep]

Thanks

 

[Steptoe]

. Had Africa Twins, XL's and XR's older, more miles, never serviced, Salisbury Plained no problems. .

But they have chain drive - did you oil/lube or adjust the chains of your bikes, does that count as servicing ?

The final drive oil is meant to be changed on a GS - same as a chain is meant to be lubed.
You've perhaps tried to save yourself some money, and now found out it's cost you more in the long run.

perhaps you can afford to uphold out of date warranties on tents because the profit margin is so huge .

 

[diplomaticdanny]

Steptoe, forgive me but you do come across as fairly agressive. I'm just a normal punter who tries not to expect too much.

Final drive oil changed at 12000 miles as per BMW schedule.


As far as margin on our tents (grass is always greener), nowhere near as good as the retailer gets but it does imo come down to expectation, we bill ourselves as the Rolls Royce of family camping and because of the materials we use we are also one of the more expensive on the market, this means that consumers who invest in one of our products should expect it to last longer than an Argos/Halfords etc equivalent. Same as BMW is an upper level brand and should last longer than a bike you can get in Makro.

As mentioned before I was led to believe there was a case for getting BMW involved (I wouldn't have thought of that on my own).

In my defence, I purchased a brand new Tourag Rallye jacket from Heine Gerricke, a popper had been pulled out of the inner jacket before I opened the bag, I returned to the store and instead of making a fuss and demanding petrol money, compensation etc, I let them repair the jacket and collected from the shop three weeks later.

I always get my car serviced by the main dealer and have an oil change half way between each service, they tell me every time that I don't need to spend the money but I prefer to be safe in the knowledge that I have done evrything to prolong the life of my car, I also do the same with my bikes.

I am sorry if I have upset you, I only ever expect fairness in life, doesn't happen much though.

 

[Droopy Dick]

In my defence, I purchased a brand new Tourag Rallye jacket from Heine Gerricke, a popper had been pulled out of the inner jacket before I opened the bag, I returned to the store and instead of making a fuss and demanding petrol money, compensation etc, I let them repair the jacket and collected from the shop three weeks later.

You was done!!!!!!!!!!

HG normally do a stright swap not a repair.

Had two pairs of fabric trousers changed 'cos they leaked.

 

[Steptoe]

1) Shouldn't have happened in the first place (BMW said that you could buy the bike new, never touch it and it will still do 100,00 miles with no problems).
2) I shouldn't have had to push SPC into talking to BMW (seems they want to just take as much money as possible for as little effort as possible)
3) Should I start to worry about the rest of the bike.
4) Am I expecting too much, always had old Africa Twins in the past with no problems.
5) anyone else had similar problems.

Danny

Steptoe, forgive me but you do come across as fairly agressive. I'm just a normal punter who tries not to expect too much.

Final drive oil changed at 12000 miles as per BMW schedule.


I am sorry if I have upset you, I only ever expect fairness in life, doesn't happen much though.

There's some contradictions in a few of your statements - .

You infer that you've never touched the GS in the way of servicing, like your pevious bikes.

You infer that you didn't ask SPC to seek a claim from BMW, then you say, -- " 2) I shouldn't have had to push SPC into talking to BMW (seems they want to just take as much money as possible for as little effort as possible)" .

You still haven't answered about the chain maintenance on your other reliable bikes - what were they worth at the end of their llfe after you'd run them without any maintenance.

I only wanted a couple of answers to questions, sorry i appeared aggresive GGGGGGRRRRRHHHHHH

I also did use a smiley at the end of the previous post - are you a touch delicate over something ??

 

[diplomaticdanny]

Steptoe, I think you misread my statement, I said that BMW said you could buy the bike do 100,000 miles without touching it and not have problems, I didn't say that was what I have done or would do. Bike has always been serviced to BMW spec and has just turned 20,000 miles.

SPC suggested that BMW should contribute to the bike repair and then didn't bother to ask them which is why I pushed them, they put the idea into my head all I did was see it through.

I also explained in my previous reply about my anally retentive car servicing which was the same for my bikes. Always lubed chains regularly and even changed for new c+s before selling. Two guys bought two Africa Twins from me and then rode from London to Cape Town for charity on them and emailed to say how good the bikes were. The last Africa Twin I sold has also run for 6 months with no problems and that guy emailed to say thanks too.

Hope this answers your questions, it just seemed to me that you were implying that all I do is abuse bikes and then moan about the people who fix them, this is not the case, I would be happy to reccomend Hamble Motors Peugeot in Southampton for excellent service in the life of my 807, Breakdown Direct have been amazing at getting me and my 1150GS back from Norway at a total cost to me of £25, I could go on and on. Suffice to say that if your going to dangle carrots and offer things the least you can do is ask the question, best not to offer in the first place.

 

[Steptoe]

Steptoe, I think you misread my statement, I said that BMW said you could buy the bike do 100,000 miles without touching it and not have problems, .

Don't take this the wrong way - but are you naive ?

I don't know of any manufacturer of motocycles that says such a thing. Not even many car makes say the same.

The final drive bearing is turning out to be "almost" a consumable, like a chain. Have a pint, and put it down to experiance.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

....I said that BMW said you could buy the bike do 100,000 miles without touching it and not have problems....

Can you point me to the exact place where BMW actually say this ?
I'd like to pick them up on a few things.......