22 replies to this topic

[Petetigger]

My 900 has 40k miles. It was running as if it had a tank full of kangaroos. I took it to West London Yamaha and asked for the valve clearances to be done and for them to check the jumpy running. As it was for the clearances I asked if I should bring it in the night before so it was stone cold to work on. No just bring it in on the day. So I( left my beloved Big Maybelle at 9am. I rang at 3pm and they'd only just started the work "As it needs to be cold to do the clearances" AAArgh! So I went along at 5.30 and my bike is still on the bench in bits. The "mechanic" said it had needed 8 shims done. I went back the following lunchtime to pick the bike up and was told it had needed 3 shims. The mechanic also said they'd had to top up the oil. I thought this odd as I regularly check the oil level. I rode off and the problem was still there so back I went again. I pointed out that I asked for the jumpy running to be looked. Silence. This was followed by "Oh that'll be the throttle position sensor. We'll have to order one" Several days later the job was done and the bike was still running poorly. When I got home I did the clocks diagnostic check and highlighted the air intake temp sensor. Why was this not picked up by West London Yamaha? I also checked the oil level and had to remove 500 mls of oil to take it to the top notch on the dipstick!
Sadly, my experience of the Putney Service Centre is also grim, and I don't trust the Shepherd's Bush shop either. So anyone know of a decent, reliable and honest Yamaha dealer in Central or West London, or Middlesex?

[catsbum]

Trust you didnt pay for the shite service

[PSGregory]

I used Rex Judd in West Hampstead when I had my Fazer 600. They were pretty good, seemed to know what they were doing, (the bike always felt great afterwards!) and they charged fair prices. Just make sure you definitely get your bike booked in as they forgot to do mine once and I had to return the following day for the service!!!

[Petetigger]

I used Rex Judd in West Hampstead when I had my Fazer 600. They were pretty good, seemed to know what they were doing, (the bike always felt great afterwards!) and they charged fair prices. Just make sure you definitely get your bike booked in as they forgot to do mine once and I had to return the following day for the service!!!

Great. Thanks for that. Will go there next time as they're only 15 minutes away.

[Gcclinux]

Trust you didnt pay for the shite service

Yeah I follow that, I hope you did not pay for such a nonesense and useless service.

[v8guy]

I took it to West London Yamaha ....

Say no more.

I've had the bike there once, never again. To be honest, they did an apparently acceptable job of the minor service and the TPS relacement but they decided to add some extras without asking me. They changed the brake pads and cleaned the calipers, to a decent standard but expected me to pay for something i would've done myself. They claimed this took 1.5 hours, which I complained about.. jesus, even I can do it in under an hour! Next, they charged me an hour for unseizing a bolt, and finally decided to refill my Scottoiler. They didn't think to ask me *why* the reservoir was empty.. no, they filled it anyway. Several hours later, just before I pulled away from where I'd parked up I luckily noticed the oil-spill on the rear tyre..

I argued the toss with them about the bill, claimed a small reduction much to their disgust and left, hopefully never to return. My friend grew so tired of their ineptitude in rectify an electrical fault on his R1 (they had it 4 times, as i recall.. still no solution) that he went out and bought a Fireblade..

[Petetigger]

Hi v8guy,
Where do you take your bike now? Problem still unresolved asn am thinking of trying Reg Orpin in Shepherds Bush.

[v8guy]

Hi v8guy,
Where do you take your bike now? Problem still unresolved asn am thinking of trying Reg Orpin in Shepherds Bush.

I've not had it looked at since, so it remains to be seen where it'll go next.. Next service is 24k where I'll be needing valve clearances checked, so it's not a service I'm willing to perform myself. Let us know how you get on in Shepherds Bush!

[Petetigger]

Took bike to Rex Judd in the end. I'll give them 1 out of 10, and that's only for politeness. I'd booked the bike in, explaining what the trouble was. They agreed to look at it, then ring back with a diagnosis. Dropped the bike off at 9.30am yesterday, with a written history of the problem and attempts to sort it. At 3pm I get a phone call to say they'd not even looked at it (and this with it being booked in). After negotiating more time off from work I let Rex Judd keep the bike as long as it was first on the bench today. It was eventually "ready" at 5.30 pm tonight. All they had done was reset the TPS that West London Yamaha had failed to put on properly, tighten the cam chain tensioner and replace a faulty Scottoiler pipe. Very little, in fact, to do with even looking at the problem.
So 4 and a 1/2 days off work for 2 Official Yamaha Dealers to do valve clearances and replace a TPS, in reality. Not impressed!
Will either go to Reg Orpin, or to Chas Bikes, as I've got to go that way next week.

[jht]

Took bike to Rex Judd in the end. I'll give them 1 out of 10, and that's only for politeness. I'd booked the bike in, explaining what the trouble was. They agreed to look at it, then ring back with a diagnosis. Dropped the bike off at 9.30am yesterday, with a written history of the problem and attempts to sort it. At 3pm I get a phone call to say they'd not even looked at it (and this with it being booked in). After negotiating more time off from work I let Rex Judd keep the bike as long as it was first on the bench today. It was eventually "ready" at 5.30 pm tonight. All they had done was reset the TPS that West London Yamaha had failed to put on properly, tighten the cam chain tensioner and replace a faulty Scottoiler pipe. Very little, in fact, to do with even looking at the problem.
So 4 and a 1/2 days off work for 2 Official Yamaha Dealers to do valve clearances and replace a TPS, in reality. Not impressed!
Will either go to Reg Orpin, or to Chas Bikes, as I've got to go that way next week.

Hmm, FWIW had few people I know take bikes to Chas Bikes over the last 3 years.....
lets just say that from their reports I dont think you'll get much joy with Chas Bikes either

[v8guy]

Hmm, FWIW had few people I know take bikes to Chas Bikes over the last 3 years.....
lets just say that from their reports I dont think you'll get much joy with Chas Bikes either

Not sounding good... So, I've 3500 miles to learn to how check valve clearances then.

To be honest, I've found decent workshops to be as rare as the proverbial hens teeth. On Yer Triumph in near Aylesbury were brilliant when I had my Triumph (yes, I used to ride up there for service rather than use Jack Lilley, who are all of 3 miles away). Motorcycle Action, now Chiswick Honda, were superb before all the guys from the old shop left after Honda took over the business. Other than that.. clowns!

Is there any reason why a service needs to be done by a Yamaha dealer, other than to maintain a shiny service book?

[poldark]

Not sounding good... So, I've 3500 miles to learn to how check valve clearances then.
To be honest, I've found decent workshops to be as rare as the proverbial hens teeth.

Not exactly in London, but they do collect/delivery at nominal cost, I recently used AMS Motorcycles who are near Reading for my 24k service. Was very happy with service and price, could try calling Steve on 01189 695600.

[jht]

Not exactly in London, but they do collect/delivery at nominal cost, I recently used AMS Motorcycles who are near Reading for my 24k service. Was very happy with service and price, could try calling Steve on 01189 695600.

IIRC young FelineButtCheeks used them fer work on 'is XTZ and were reasonably impressed with their service

[Chris B]

I take mine to Alpha motorcycles in Southend, maybe abit out of the way but they where brilliant for me no complaints. Grays motorcycle are ment to be good, consistantly scoring high in ride magaznes dealer survey but I was not impressed. They where very condesending to me, I think it was because I am fairly young. Thyey also would not let me order a part over the phone. I needed a rad hose and the bloke said I had to come down and pick it out and pay for it then and there. I asked him to order it in and I will pay when I collect, I dont see why I should have to make a 30 mile round trip to pick out a rad hose that I can easily describe over the phone, it is the only one coming from the left hand side of the bike. He insisted I come down and I said I'll take my business elsewhere. I rung EC bates in Dartford and they where more than helpful ordered it then and there and paid for it when I picked it up job done.

[TonyDevil]

I take mine to Alpha motorcycles in Southend....

are you local?
how exhaust friendly are they?
was planning to use the workshop behind Julian Sopers

my TRX is currently holed up over in Ashingdon/Rochford and i need to get new tyres & an MOT'd
PR2s this time as 1000miles out of a set of super corsas is a little on the expensive side.....especially when they dont work in the wet

[mecrox]

My most recent experience is with On Yer Bike near Aylesbury (part of the same group as On Yer Triumph). They are a Yam dealer. They seemed fine - polite, efficient, no complaints, service while you wait (which many folks will have to as they are miles out in the country). But the acid test is when something does wrong or doesn't quite work. Before that I tried George Scott in Oxford. They were OK and certainly competent but nothing special, but that branch is now closed. I think they have a branch in London, though. It seems almost everyone has a different experience of getting your bike fixed, serviced, etc.

[Fiasco]

Is this West London Yamaha in Hampton ?

Bought my Fazer there a couple of years ago, but luckily didn't go back for servicing. I think there was a change of staff and management soon after, which was about the time they started doing servicing.

I have used Powerbiking in High Wycombe, who are ok but a bit expensive (aren't all main dealers?) I now use a couple of guys in a barn in Great Kimble (between High Wycombe and Aylesbury), who are very reasonable.

Dave

[Fiasco]

Just to play Devil's Advocate............

Went into WLY today to order some fairing screws and suchlike

Bloke couldn't have been more helpful (if a bit expensive), but I will fit them myself thank you !!

Dave

[v8guy]

Is this West London Yamaha in Hampton ?

They're much nearer Feltham, just off the A316... but yeh, I think we're talking about the same place.

I recently dropping on the imaginatively named "Motorcycle Store" on Shepherds Bush Road for some attention to the head bearings. They very reasonably charged me for only 15 mins of labour to tighten them up.

They're a Yamaha dealer just near the green.. initial impression was good, so I think I'll go there for the 24k service.