NYC Area Maintenance

hep303 · Post by **hep303** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 12:03 pm

I will have a pro service my bike for now as I am not set up to do any work myself. Does anyone have any recommendations where I can get reliable service within vicinity of Manhattan? BMW of Manhattan is the only place I'm familiar with, but I'm not inclined to use a dealer for service.

ScooterCop · Post by **ScooterCop** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 4:49 pm

I don't really have an answer for your specific question, but I really do highly recommed the motorcycle maintenance class given at Queens College. The teacher, Armen Armerian, is very knowledgable, and highly respected in the motorcycle maintenance community. Google his name for examples of his writing and tips. The class was very good. About 4 or 5 classroom sessions, and 3 Saturday hands-on you bike sessions. Well worth the $275 for the class.

http://www.yourleague.com/coursecode?LA201

Boris Badenov · Post by **Boris Badenov** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 5:39 pm

Ã¢â‚¬Â¦ or you can call these guys: http://www.danburybmw.com/service.asp

No affiliation, but used them in a past. Recommended.

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 5:47 pm

Cross Country BMW in Metuchen, NJ.

Spookymonster · Post by **Spookymonster** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 9:03 am

I believe Hep was looking for a shop that isn't a BMW dealership.

gel9001 · Post by **gel9001** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 6:24 pm

Unfortunately, there is NOONE, I wish someone would start servicing them, they could probably make alot of money. I think the main obstacle is BMW won't sell anyone the computer needed to read fault codes from these bikes' motronic units.

G

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 6:30 pm

It's difficult for independent shops to make the business model work for more expensive brands. In general, people who buy BMWs, Ducatis, Aprilias, Harley-Davidsons, and Victorys are making less rational purchasing decisions and thus are going to be able to afford the maintenance costs. Otherwise, we would have gone for a less expensive Japanese alternative (Gold Wings, ST1300s, and a handful of expensive Japanese bikes notwithstanding). Plus, unless an independent shop comes highly recommended - a reputation that requires years to build, I would not feel comfortable taking my BMW there. If a BMW dealer screws something up, I can at least complain to BMW NA regardless of whether or not my complaint would actually get addressed. With an independent shop, your only recourse is to complain to the Better Business Bureau.

Post by **rdsmith3** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:45 am

I have looked, unsuccesfully, for an independent shop that will service BMWs. No luck so far. I think Yong has correctly indentified the reasons.

A friend of mine has a bike that used to be a Harley Sportster. It has been significantly modified -- S&S engine, new carbs, raked out forks, custom paint job, and so on -- and I think the only Harley part is the frame. Anyway, he has had some bad experiences with two highly-regarded independent shops. They have screwed up some really basic things. Electrical connections were shoddy -- it took several trips to fix that. The starter was inadequate for a high compression engine -- they eventually fixed that. The battery was inadequate for cranking the new starter. The list goes on.