Following bigpoppas Triumph issues got me to thinkin`. I have Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Can-Am(FWIW) within 10 minutes from me, Yamaha about 20 minutes more. H-D, BMW, Triumph, Ducati, MV, Husky...about an hour and 100 klicks away. Even more time and distance for Guzzi and Aprilia. What`s your time/distance cutoff for a desirable bike?
It's a long drive to GP Bikes, so I've done what maintenance I can here. Some things I can't ... right now I have a SERVICE code on my KTM and no idea what it is, because it should be longer for an oil change to be due... BUT these things are computer-controlled now and I was working that motor fairly hard at Deal's Gap this spring, so it's possible that it tracked that usage and decided it needs to be done earlier.
It takes a full day to do these things. Sometimes two if I need to leave the bike or the 911 overnight. That's when you realise that you've put it off for a month and not used it, and that sucks the life out of owning them. So ... diligence and commitment is required.
If it has a reputation as a crappy dealer, then it doesn’t matter if you live next door.
I have a shop a few miles down the street that I trust with my bike. I’ll see if there are issues when they need to order parts.
One of the great things about a BMW (Boxer twin), is the maintenance is quite straight forward.
With the Motoscan App or GS 911 tool, you can do the service reset and also do other service procedures like bleeding the abs module, re-setting the gearshift assist pro, or calibrating the electronic dampening etc. changing the display to PSI from BAR etc.
With a good manual, Youtube, an engaged Bike model forum and some tools it has been fun keeping the bike in top shape.
(2017 bike 77,000 kms)
One of the great things about a BMW (Boxer twin), is the maintenance is quite straight forward.
With the Motoscan App or GS 911 tool, you can do the service reset and also do other service procedures like bleeding the abs module, re-setting the gearshift assist pro, or calibrating the electronic dampening etc. changing the display to PSI from BAR etc.
With a good manual, Youtube, an engaged Bike model forum and some tools it has been fun keeping the bike in top shape.
(2017 bike 77,000 kms)
One of the great things about a BMW (Boxer twin), is the maintenance is quite straight forward.
With the Motoscan App or GS 911 tool, you can do the service reset and also do other service procedures like bleeding the abs module, re-setting the gearshift assist pro, or calibrating the electronic dampening etc. changing the display to PSI from BAR etc.
With a good manual, Youtube, an engaged Bike model forum and some tools it has been fun keeping the bike in top shape.
(2017 bike 77,000 kms)
In around 2008 there was the Honda profit game. I could buy a new GL1800 in the USA getting more model and colour choices and after paying taxes there and upon entry still be thousands of dollars cheaper than buying from the more limited Canadian market.
However any US dealer that sold cross border would lose their franchise. There were stories of dealer employees buying new bikes and selling them used to Canadians.
Warranties on US bikes wouldn't be honoured here and when I mentioned the screwing we were getting on price to a Honda employee at a show the reply was "If it has a US Serial number we'll screw you for service here as well." Such nice people.
Dealer service for me would require a passport.
When I asked a dealer about backlog and was told 2-3 weeks I asked if there was a fast track if it was a minor item and the delay would negate a planned trip. Still 2-3 weeks. Such nice people.
Good tools and better friends meant my used 1500 Goldwing never saw the inside of a dealer door.
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