I call a well respected, high volume motorcycle tire dealer a few days ago, wanting to buy a set of Dunlop Q2’s for my 07. They have several fronts, but only 1 rear in 190-50-17. I put up $100 on a Visa, for them to hold them ‘til today. Last night I pull both wheels, and go there this morning to have them mounted. They’re held back as promised, and told they’ll be ready in 30 minutes. We go grab a bite to eat & return 45 minutes later.
They’re all mounted up, leaning against the wall, and the man gives me the bill for the remainder due. I walk over to the tires, pick up the front, and set it up on the counter to inspect it, for proper mounting, how many weights, and to make sure the direction is correct. The front tire is so greasy, it’s like someone coated the entire tire with a coat of liquefied Vaseline. It was a clear color grease, from looking at my hands. I set the rear tire up on the counter, and found it to be only half as greasy as the front, and that they installed a 190-55 instead of the 190-50 I asked for. I showed him the other Q2’s on the tire rack, that were normal, clean, and non greasy. I told him to remove those tires from my wheels. No argument from them, they’ll do it, but no other Q2’s in the size I want. So they offer me 10% off a set of Michelin PP 2CT’s.
I agree to this, and wait for these to be mounted up. I go to the restroom to wash my greasy hands. Then 20 minutes later, they carry them out. I again set each one up on the counter, and inspect them closely. Great! No greasy feeling, but the front tire is mounted backwards! The embarrassment on his face was big, and I watched him carry the front wheel back and turn it right himself, and rebalance it, instead of giving it to the young “tire technicianâ€.
This was no small shop, they are a dealer for high end motorcycles, a beautiful, large facility, with all new Coats tire changers and balancers. I have no doubt, that if I installed those greasy Q2’s, I would have had a crash within the first mile. I did talk to upper management, and they were glad I brought it to their attention.
The only time this bike was in a shop, was to the Suzuki dealership I bought it from, for its 600 mile oil change, to stay under warranty, and they misaligned the rear axle, and had the chain too tight. I’m more disappointed than angry, over the incompetent work I’ve seen.
I post this for the less mechanically inclined, who would drop their bike off at a shop, trusting that it will be serviced by competent people.
Anyone who has work performed, at any shop, regardless of their stellar reputation, inspect that work closely, it might just save your bike, and your life!
If you don’t know what to look for, bring a friend who does. Rant over.
They’re all mounted up, leaning against the wall, and the man gives me the bill for the remainder due. I walk over to the tires, pick up the front, and set it up on the counter to inspect it, for proper mounting, how many weights, and to make sure the direction is correct. The front tire is so greasy, it’s like someone coated the entire tire with a coat of liquefied Vaseline. It was a clear color grease, from looking at my hands. I set the rear tire up on the counter, and found it to be only half as greasy as the front, and that they installed a 190-55 instead of the 190-50 I asked for. I showed him the other Q2’s on the tire rack, that were normal, clean, and non greasy. I told him to remove those tires from my wheels. No argument from them, they’ll do it, but no other Q2’s in the size I want. So they offer me 10% off a set of Michelin PP 2CT’s.
I agree to this, and wait for these to be mounted up. I go to the restroom to wash my greasy hands. Then 20 minutes later, they carry them out. I again set each one up on the counter, and inspect them closely. Great! No greasy feeling, but the front tire is mounted backwards! The embarrassment on his face was big, and I watched him carry the front wheel back and turn it right himself, and rebalance it, instead of giving it to the young “tire technicianâ€.
This was no small shop, they are a dealer for high end motorcycles, a beautiful, large facility, with all new Coats tire changers and balancers. I have no doubt, that if I installed those greasy Q2’s, I would have had a crash within the first mile. I did talk to upper management, and they were glad I brought it to their attention.
The only time this bike was in a shop, was to the Suzuki dealership I bought it from, for its 600 mile oil change, to stay under warranty, and they misaligned the rear axle, and had the chain too tight. I’m more disappointed than angry, over the incompetent work I’ve seen.
I post this for the less mechanically inclined, who would drop their bike off at a shop, trusting that it will be serviced by competent people.
Anyone who has work performed, at any shop, regardless of their stellar reputation, inspect that work closely, it might just save your bike, and your life!
If you don’t know what to look for, bring a friend who does. Rant over.