Riders of Bristol - Page 2

**Rogero** · 19 Jun 07, 07:17 PM

I did try and warn you !

I live in Cardiff and take my duke to JHS in Keynsham - they are brilliant and half if not a third the price of Ducati Bristol.

**Dolestar** · 29 Jun 07, 02:44 PM

well it continues....

After collecting my bike i took it for an MOT 3 days later and it failed for warped discs (Riders were aware fo it but said it wouldnt be a failure) and becuase the riding brake light wasnt working. It turns out that Riders managed to pinch the tail light cables when they put the bike back together

Since then i was away in london for a while so the bike was tucked up. Now, I've noticed this week that oil is pooling on the engine, under where the exhaust joins the block - so she's going back to bristol tomorrow - if she'll make it

Im reserving swearing etc for the moment - i want to see exactly how they try and play this - there was no oil leak when they took the bike in, so anything that needs doing should be paid for by THEM. Come on Riders, do right by me.

Watch this space.

**Dolestar** · 30 Jun 07, 04:39 PM

and another....

Right, i went to Riders of Bristol today and they looked over the oil leak and the squeeking noise under acceleration.

The oil leak is due to a seal that they fitted around the rockers area failing. No apology from them. The squeeking problem they think is the bearing in the clutch. They gave me 2 options, regrease it or replace it - if greasing it would solve it then why was the problem there immediately after a £1400 service that includes stripping and cleaning the clutch!?

As for the seal, they cant get another one until atleast Thursday, and cant fit me in for fitting on a saturday for over a month (priorities anyone?) - so leaving me no option other than leaving the bike there this week so i can collect next Saturday - despite me telling them it is sole mode of transport.

Again, no apology or offer of a comp bike while they fix the problem they created. If i hadnt noticed the oil, it could have built up and discharged all over the back wheel - and god only knows what could have happened after that.

Im not impressed at all.

Someone from Riders must monitor sites like this, so id like to invite you to explain how you can justify charging so much money and providing such a terrible, negligent service - over to you.

Riders? 'take you for a Riders' more like.

**Rogero** · 06 Sep 07, 02:36 PM

"..take you for a riders..."

I thought it was just me after I broke down after they had serviced it - obviously not.

**sadbiker** · 06 Sep 07, 10:47 PM

At the Italian motor show this year one a S4 broke down as he was pulling in to the side streets, suspect battery had gone, riders promised to bring one down when they picked up the demos they had left, they forgot, so they chucked his bike in the van with the demos took him up to the store and sorted him out.

I am sure that for all the horror storys some people out there have something good to say.

Strange how I see threads about people taking bikes to specialist worshops for a service and then say how it then cost them lots more because other things were found but strangley have nothing bad to say.

But when a main dealer does the same lets shoot them....... Its just a shame that some dealers do seem to think sometimes they can get away with poor customer service, but then they have a captive market for 2 years so maybe loose interest after this???

As for JHS I would recommend them for servicing work in Bristol. Plus when they qoted my missus for her 620 major service, clutch check and front forks overhaul with lighter springs the final bill was cheaper than the original quote. Work was spot on and they do know their ducatis. Nice to go into a workshop and see a few parked around the sides waiting to be picked up. Have used Luigi before but to be honest JHS is easier to get to.

**NedLudd** · 07 Sep 07, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sadbiker

Its just a shame that some dealers do seem to think sometimes they can get away with poor customer service, but then they have a captive market for 2 years so maybe loose interest after this???

I think you're on the nail here. I can think of some other main dealers to which that observation applies.

But I'd like to know the legal position with bike warranties. That is, the EU has removed car manufacturers' right to insist on main-dealer servicing to preserve warranties: the legal position is that if the maintenance schedule is followed and OE parts used then the manufacturer has to honour the warranty. See:

Honestjohn: Frequently Asked Questions

But I've never understood whether this applies to bikes. I assume not - perhaps because of the smaller volumes. But I'd like to know. It would certainly be a big blow to some of the bigger and, shall we say, more complacent dealers, if punters could take their new bikes elsewhere without invalidating warranties.

**sadbiker** · 07 Sep 07, 08:57 AM

There is nothing to stop you taking it to a good mechanic, but if something goes wrong the manufacturer has every right to question any work done and if it can find anything amiss it will end up costing you.

Having had a couple of problems with kawasakis over the years and using warranty when a valve dropped and caused nearly £1500 pounds wortth of damage I was glad I paid for dealer serviceing during the warranty period.

I think you have to look at the hassle factor you may get by going down the road to save a couple of quid in the first 2 years or what could happen if something went bang.

Once those max of 3 services are out of the way its up to you.

**NedLudd** · 07 Sep 07, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sadbiker

I think you have to look at the hassle factor you may get by going down the road to save a couple of quid in the first 2 years or what could happen if something went bang.

Agreed: whatever the legal position is, the hassle factor keeps most people within the dealer network for the warranty duration.

**fluffyduck** · 02 Nov 07, 07:36 PM

I bought my 996 this year privately and called a couple of dealers to gauge attitudes and costs as to which dealer i would use when the belts etc are due. I called Riders of Bristol (service dept) to ask a few questions as im new to the Ducati fold and ask about costs, the guy on the phone really couldnt be arsed and just wanted to get rid of me. He said that the 12k service would cost around £800 and that i may need rockers which are £120 each fitted, when i asked as to why i may need rockers his response was "you bought a Ducati mate you knew the risks".....!! with this i called Moto Rapido.... what a ray of light Steve was. He gave me all the info i needed and invited me to pop down so he could show me everything on the bike so i was sure about what i was doing. They gave me an option of having a (service 2) plus belts which will save me money and they also do cheap labour rates through the winter so even more savings!!

In my experience Riders were shocking i can only hope that Ducati take the franchise from them sooner rather than later. I believe they have various franchise's on the same site and arent a solus Ducati agent, boy o boy does it show.

**RodH** · 02 Nov 07, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fluffyduck

In my experience Riders were shocking i can only hope that Ducati take the franchise from them sooner rather than later. I believe they have various franchise's on the same site and arent a solus Ducati agent, boy o boy does it show.

Well I really hope that they don't. You have to speak as you find, and I've been using them for years for all of my Ducati and have had nothing but good, efficient & helpful service. Really strong comments based on one phone call, don't you think.

BTW, yes they have various franchises, Ducati & HD....such a crime.

**Gilps** · 02 Nov 07, 07:58 PM

As dealers go Riders aren't that bad. If you have to use a dealer, mostly for the warranty reassurance, then Riders are as good as any. I have found their clothing/spares department to be better than average. I would go as far as to say they are excellent and really understand the concept of customer service. They have got boots in for me in the past, and currently have ordered a jacket for me to try. If I don't like it or it doesn't fit then I don't have to buy and they will have to deal with the jacket - either return it or try to sell it. That's pretty good service in my opinion.
On the sales side I would say they are OK. They loaned me a bike when mine went in for a service. I paid through the nose for the service, but that's Ducati dealers for you. I use Lougi Moto for my bikes that are out of warranty as I don't think you will find anyone in the area who knows more about Ducatis than Rich. He is a diamond.
I reckon if you want to use a main deale rthen Riders are pretty good really.

**RodH** · 02 Nov 07, 08:04 PM

Well done Gilps another balanced view based on experience, rather than a single phone call

**fluffyduck** · 03 Nov 07, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodH

Well I really hope that they don't. You have to speak as you find, and I've been using them for years for all of my Ducati and have had nothing but good, efficient & helpful service. Really strong comments based on one phone call, don't you think.

BTW, yes they have various franchises, Ducati & HD....such a crime.

You will find that the multi franchise are less focused than solus dealers....indeed such a crime

**fluffyduck** · 03 Nov 07, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodH

Well done Gilps another balanced view based on experience, rather than a single phone call

The phone call was one experience with this dealer i havent mentioned the others.......

Are you sure you dont work for Riders Bristol RodH?!!?!?!

**RodH** · 03 Nov 07, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fluffyduck

The phone call was one experience with this dealer i havent mentioned the others.......

Are you sure you dont work for Riders Bristol RodH?!!?!?!

Yep, I'm absolutely sure that I don't. I'm just a very happy and satisfied customer of their's who's had nothing but good service for over 4 years

.