Why and What do you do?

[Dave78]

I've been reading in here alot that people seem to be prepared to travel great distances to take their bike to a certain dealership or other.. One I read said they were happy to travel 280 mile round trip..

Is there really that much difference in the service you get, or do you do it because you have moved away from the area and know them, is it because they are the cheapest? - That's the Why..

Then once there what do you do? Work, play on their bikes, visit the pub etc etc, and what happens if there is something wrong with the bike so it can't get you home

For example I am going to need a service on my R1100RS, loads of people on here have said Rainbow up in Rotherham are great, so I could get them to service it whilst I'm up visiting the in-laws (kill two birds with one stone).

Dave (having a confused day today)

 

[wheeledwidewebb]

I could have had my 600 mile service done by the supplying dealer (Cannons) or I could of gone to the dealer closest to me.

Thought I would check out the pricing just in case there was a big difference. My local (if you can all them that) dealer said around £180, Cannons came out about £70 less.

I might not do it every time but in this instance the 180 mile round trip seemed worthwhile.

 

[vtr1000sp1]

I live two miles away from Allan Jefferies but due to certain complaints (wont go into detail as they are still in progress) I’ll be trying Rainbow next.

My plan is to get the bike booked in for a Sat. Whilst its been worked on I’ll borrow a bike (Free of charge as opposed to £15 at Allan Jefferies) go for a blast down snake pass, stop off at lady bower inn for a bite to eat and then back to rotherham to experience BMW service as it should be

Cheers
Phil

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I live two miles away from Allan Jefferies but due to certain complaints (wont go into detail as they are still in progress) I’ll be trying Rainbow next.

My plan is to get the bike booked in for a Sat. Whilst its been worked on I’ll borrow a bike (Free of charge as opposed to £15 at Allan Jefferies) go for a blast down snake pass, stop off at lady bower inn for a bite to eat and then back to Rotherham to experience BMW service as it should be

Cheers
Phil

Yep..................you'll get that there

If you need a service though, Rainbow need a 3-4 week lead time..............that's how popular they are....................even with 5 mechanics

 

[Racey]

I'd travel hundreds of miles at great speed to stop the Cannon's Service team ever getting their hands on my bike again...

 

[vtr1000sp1]

thanks for the Rainbow heads-up. Will be calling them now for June service

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

thanks for the Rainbow heads-up. Will be calling them now for June service

Speak to Steve (Service Manager)....................he'll see you right in a Yorkshire sort of way

 

[Aidan1150]

I service my 1150 myself, but if I were living in the UK, anywhere south of Birmingham there's only one place I would take my bike for any work that needed doing.

 

[Dave78]

Yep..................you'll get that there

If you need a service though, Rainbow need a 3-4 week lead time..............that's how popular they are....................even with 5 mechanics

Cheers for that.. Need to get the mrs to work out when we're going to visit the out-laws

Speak to Steve (Service Manager)....................he'll see you right in a Yorkshire sort of way

I expect my mrs will want to come with me (she'd like a F650GS), seeing as she's a Rotherham Girl... Wonder if any of them there know my father in law, as he was big into bikes in his youth.. fell off lots too..

 

[Dave78]

Cheers JohnnyBoxer..

You're right they do have a long lead time, spoke to Steve - all booked in, in about 4 weeks time....

Am worried this service is going to be expensive, SWMBO is coming along for the ride, and wants to have a 'good look around all the bikes for sales and the clothing too' ouch this is going to hurt the credit card

 

[elevensies]

you will feel that rainbow experience

its superb

 

[Sleepy]

What I can't understand, is why people think they have to take their bike to a main BMW dealer to have them serviced, the labour costs must be horrendous.
Just 'cos they've got a big roundel above the shop window doesn't mean the work/mechanics etc. are any better than (say) you're local Japanese/any franchise bike workshop.

..but then what do I know, I'm one of those weirdo's that does all their own maintenance.

 

[wheeledwidewebb]

What I can't understand, is why people think they have to take their bike to a main BMW dealer to have them serviced, the labour costs must be horrendous.
Just 'cos they've got a big roundel above the shop window doesn't mean the work/mechanics etc. are any better than (say) you're local Japanese/any franchise bike workshop.

..but then what do I know, I'm one of those weirdo's that does all their own maintenance.

Because there is usually a warranty job to be done as well or a recall of some description.

Some folks also consider that the warranty is only valid if serviced at a franchised dealer.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

What I can't understand, is why people think they have to take their bike to a main BMW dealer to have them serviced, the labour costs must be horrendous.
Just 'cos they've got a big roundel above the shop window doesn't mean the work/mechanics etc. are any better than (say) you're local Japanese/any franchise bike workshop.

..but then what do I know, I'm one of those weirdo's that does all their own maintenance.

To be fair....................Rainbow labour rates are realistic and their mechanics are some of the very best

I priced up a 24k service with 2 independents (further away travel time) and there was only about £35 difference.....................so I went to Rainbow BMW

Even my 15 year old R11RT gets serviced there.......................because I want to and I can