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[ultrafxr]

One of the consistent themes on this and other forums is the abysmal state of technical competence, quality and overall workmanship of dealership techs.  I joined the ranks of Harley owners/enthusiasts in 1998 and have endured my share of problems with shoddy work.  Thinking back to my previous rides - Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki I cannot recall problems that necessitated a dealer repair so I simply do not know the quality of their work.  But even in the bad old days of poor quality with American autos I made numerous visits to their dealerships for problems (and they were legion).  But I do not recall ever having to make return trips due to poor repair work.  Perhaps I was just fortunate.

So I just wonder:  are Harley techs for some reason worse than automotive techs and/or metric techs?    If so I wonder why.

[Wrongway]

 As a professional mechanic I hear you. Very early in my employment I found FLEET, I don't have to try and sell a customer something they don't need to make a paycheck (commission). All I have to do is fix the vehicle, correctly and in a timely manor. If your on commission you have to do it fast and sell extras to pay the bills. I can spend the time to do it clean, correct, and professional. And the paycheck is consistent. I have never worked at a dealership for this reason.

[smiley1049]

I'am a mechanic also and to say that because you don't work for a dealership you can do the job right as you are not on commission I have worked in dealerships for 25 years and to say your better than us is totally false we have to do the job right the first time as hourly person can do the same job if there is a problem and still get paid we do not so to lump us all together I take offense to your statment.  

[chaos901]

My impression, is that most of the techs at the local dealership are working on several bikes at a time, all at different stages of repair.  Either waiting on a H-D rep to approve a warranty issue, waiting on parts for one, etc.  

That as a result of not starting and then completing a repair without interuption, they are simply missing steps along the way.  Like, not putting any fluid in the primary (had that happen), leaving the spark plugs only finger tight (had that happen), leaving the engine oil two quarts low (had that happen too).  Obviously they did not intend to send it out with these problems, least I hope so.    

It could easily happen doing multiple bikes as I have missed steps doing my own work but figured it out prior to finishing and had to go back.  

[porthole]

A good tech can work on more then one vehicle at a time. I did it for years. This is especially true in the new vehicle field.
Vehicle comes in for problems, diagnosed, parts ordered, move on to the next job.
Doesn't matter if it is a car, motorcycle freightliner or Bell Jet Ranger.

When I was training new guys I always tried to instill this tidbit into their mindset; "there is never enough time to do a job right the first time, but there is always enough time to do it right the second time”.

Those that got it; excelled in their work. Those that didn’t – didn’t last.

[hdtrader]

I was a fleet (heavy equipment) mechanic for twelve years...worked by myself which was great but on the other hand I sure missed being able to ask another mech for advice.  The benefits of a large shop or dealership employing a lot of mechanics is the overall knowledge of its employees and the support from the manufacture when difficult problems arise.  They also have the opportunity to take special training and obtain the most up-to-date diagnostic equipment and tools needed to work on todays high-tech equipment and electronics.  I do not envy todays mechanics/technicans with all the new electronics out...they have to be smart and fast in every aspect.  

In regards to the question motorcycle v/s auto mechanics...IMO it depends solely on the dealership and the standard of excellence and reputation they want to be recognized for.  I'm very well satisfied with my local Harley dealership...I talk with the mechanics and whenever I need one...I ask by name the one I want to do the work (my mechanic gives out his business card and wants to earn your business).  You just have to do your homework when needing repair or maintenance performed whether it be a motorcycle dealership or an automotive dealership...like any other trade...there are good ones and there are bad ones.  

BTW...I left mechanic work in 1985 and pursued other interest...I still maintain my own vehicles...but there are times I have to utilize the specialized skills of todays technicans.

[AXIL]

   WOW! Can a plumer do drywall? some. can a police man do computer work/repair? some. can auto and cycle mechanic's intertwine? some. Q-is this going to turn into a harley mechanic bash? just what to know before i chime
 in. I have been a dealer mechanic for 33 years, mostly on commission. those that chime in state your occupation
so we can make some remarks also. let the good times roll.      axil

[fresh oil and pipes]

I'am a mechanic also and to say that because you don't work for a dealership you can do the job right as you are not on commission I have worked in dealerships for 25 years and to say your better than us is totally false we have to do the job right the first time as hourly person can do the same job if there is a problem and still get paid we do not so to lump us all together I take offense to your statment.  

As a professional mechanic I hear you. Very early in my employment I found FLEET, I don't have to try and sell a customer something they don't need to make a paycheck (commission). All I have to do is fix the vehicle, correctly and in a timely manor. If your on commission you have to do it fast and sell extras to pay the bills. I can spend the time to do it clean, correct, and professional. And the paycheck is consistent. I have never worked at a dealership for this reason.

   WOW! Can a plumer do drywall? some. can a police man do computer work/repair? some. can auto and cycle mechanic's intertwine? some. Q-is this going to turn into a harley mechanic bash? just what to know before i chime
 in. I have been a dealer mechanic for 33 years, mostly on commission. those that chime in state your occupation
so we can make some remarks also. let the good times roll.      axil

I am a OSHA/DOT compliance specialist but have always worked on my own stuff whenever I can get the manuals pay attention and git-er-done and if you get in over your head this applies to all walks of live some of my clients can do for themselves the work I perform on their behalf their theory is they can go out and make more money per hour doing what they know how to do rather than trying to do what I know how (it might take me an hour but would take them more time) so it is more cost effective to pay a professional (using that word lightly in reference to myself).

A lady that I ride with had her oil changed at a local professional oil change place when she got almost home her oil pressure kept dropping so she got out and checked her oil there was very little they had left the plug loose does not make all oil change places bad just some it is that way with all service industries.

Having said that I do not see anyone saying anything offensive to anyone in this thread just stating their experiences and thoughts on a sometimes controversial subject.

Life is good lets ride.

[Banana man]

I was a Service Manager at a metric shop for 2 years. My tech's were paid hourly. No commission.
Since the owner wanted the tech's paid hourly I stressed that they have no comebacks for the same
problem. They were slow but they got it right the first time.
Because of this the owner said I would only be able to bill out about 50% of the time spent on the
machines and he was right. The shop had a hard time showing a profit, was often in the red but the
customers were happy with the work and we always had plenty of work.
I liked running the shop this way but I am not sure it was the right way from a profit standpoint.


I have a friend that is an auto tech and he is on commission. He says he can bill out 100 to 110
percent of the flat rate time in the manual because of short cuts he has learned from experience.
I think that comebacks he has to fix for free so he try's not to have any of them.

I took my bike in to the dealer for the 25,000 mile service and a cam shoe check plus 2 new tires.
I got the bike back and it looked good. I rode it 30 miles into my 80 mile ride home and the engine
started to thump. Stopped and checked everything, all normal. I was mad. I started it and rode it
the rest of the way home. Took it back to the dealer on a trailer. The dealer said I had a bad lifter
bad cam and pieces of those went through the oil pump and damaged it. I was pissed because they
had just been into the cam chest to check the shoes but they did not see all that damage. BULLCHIT.
I feel like the tech did something to (generate business) at my expense. Of course the shop denied any
liability and I had to pay for the additional repair. About 1500.00 dollars. My bike will NEVER go back to
that shop ever again.

I have also had tech's leave nuts and bolts loose because they were in to big of a hurry to get it done
so they could get on to the next one. They were commission tech's.

I think a good tech should fix it right the first time regardless of how he is paid. If you find one that does this
stay with him.


                              Mark

[dlaws01]

As an aviation maintenance technician, I can attest to the fact that there are bad eggs in almost every basket.  I do not believe that any industry or service is immune from those that give their trade a "bad" name. It is however the management of these facilities whom should be held responsible for the "weeding out" of substandard employees that cannot produce or provide professional service for which they are in business.  We all have stories of shoddy workmanship, be it from our mechanic, doctor, plummer,etc. but it should not reflect on that specific trade in whole.  I don't know what a regular salary is for a H-D mechanic but in the aviation industry, pay scales might range from $8.00 per hour for a newly licensed mechanic without experience to $38.00 per hour for a well seasoned highly experienced tech.  The shop supervisor or manager is responsible to assign the level of work difficulty to the appropriately experienced technician.  To consider that metric mechanics are better on their bikes than H-D mechanics are on theirs is really unfounded and would be like saying diesel mechanics are better at their trade than gas engine mechanics.  Keep searching, there are really great motorcycle mechanics out there in your area.  Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

[Banana man]

As an aviation maintenance technician, I can attest to the fact that there are bad eggs in almost every basket.  I do not believe that any industry or service is immune from those that give their trade a "bad" name. It is however the management of these facilities whom should be held responsible for the "weeding out" of substandard employees that cannot produce or provide professional service for which they are in business.  We all have stories of shoddy workmanship, be it from our mechanic, doctor, plummer,etc. but it should not reflect on that specific trade in whole.  I don't know what a regular salary is for a H-D mechanic but in the aviation industry, pay scales might range from $8.00 per hour for a newly licensed mechanic without experience to $38.00 per hour for a well seasoned highly experienced tech.  The shop supervisor or manager is responsible to assign the level of work difficulty to the appropriately experienced technician.  To consider that metric mechanics are better on their bikes than H-D mechanics are on theirs is really unfounded and would be like saying diesel mechanics are better at their trade than gas engine mechanics.  Keep searching, there are really great motorcycle mechanics out there in your area.  Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

Aviation Tech, Now that's putting some pressure on to do the job right. Your customers are
not just on the side of the road having a bad day but most of the time will die if you make a serious
mistake. No room for error in your business.

I agree with your post and a good tech is a good tech no matter what he works on. Whether it be
toilets or airplanes.

I have found 2 techs that I trust with my bike. They both worked for me so I know what kind of
work they do.

                            Mark