2016 Norge: First Service

[JeffOlson]

$612.

I am not averse to spending money, and I want to do my bit to help the local economy. (I never work on my own vehicles; I like to leave that to dealers.) However, this seems a bit steep for an oil and filter change. (No valves were adjusted.) I am not sure what they did for “3.9” hours of labor when the whole thing took less that two hours.

Makes my BMW RT service seem like a bargain...

[pete roper]

FWIW at a yearly/10,000km service we would set the valves, change the oils and oil filter, clutch and brake fluid, balance the TB's and check all the bits we think need checking. Depending on the sort of riding done we might or might not fling an air filter at it.

All up, on a Norge? Probably 4.5 hrs plus parts.

At the first service we strongly encourage people to let us grease the swingarm bearings and shock linkage which adds another hour and a half but that can then basically be left alone for five years unless you spend your whole time riding in canals with your shock linkage underwater.

Pete

[kingoffleece]

Did you ask what was included in the service?
I know it takes me an hour to undress/dress the Norge but I'm going methodical.  Hamlin does it quite a bit quicker than I.

[pete roper]

Yours is a 2 valve isn't it? The 4V models are a lot quicker and easier to undress.

[kballowe]

$612.

I am not averse to spending money, and I want to do my bit to help the local economy. (I never work on my own vehicles; I like to leave that to dealers.) However, this seems a bit steep for an oil and filter change. (No valves were adjusted.) I am not sure what they did for “3.9” hours of labor when the whole thing took less that two hours.

Makes my BMW RT service seem like a bargain...

Did they service the bike while you waited ?   Just wondering about the "took less that two hours" part.

[kingoffleece]

Nope.  Mine is a 8 valve.  I go slow so I don't break the little tabs (again) and mix up the screws.

[JeffOlson]

Yes, I waited, and yes, it is an 8V (the latest model).

They took it in at 1:30 pm and said they would call me on my cell phone when it was ready. I wandered about for and hour and a half, came back, and saw that it appeared they had not yet started on it. They never called me, so a half hour later, I asked the mechanic how it was coming along, and he said it was done. I rode home at 3:30 pm.

The bill reads "3.9" hours of labor. At $125 per hour, it worked out to $487.50 for labor, with $112.68 for parts and $12.00 for miscellaneous.

Although the service description says they adjusted the valves, the mechanic told me specifically that he did not do so, that they never check the valves at the first service.

Again, I don't mind spending money, but this does seem a bit steep and/or deceptive. I would rather they charge $250 per hour and be honest about the hours and not include in the service description things that were not done.

Although I would like to support our Moto Guzzi dealers, I may take the Norge to my BMW dealer for its next service. (At least they have donuts there!)

[LowRyter]

Yes, I waited, and yes, it is an 8V (the latest model).

They took it in at 1:30 pm and said they would call me on my cell phone when it was ready. I wandered about for and hour and a half, came back, and saw that it appeared they had not yet started on it. They never called me, so a half hour later, I asked the mechanic how it was coming along, and he said it was done. I rode home at 3:30 pm.

The bill reads "3.9" hours of labor. At $125 per hour, it worked out to $487.50 for labor, with $112.68 for parts and $12.00 for miscellaneous.

Although the service description says they adjusted the valves, the mechanic told me specifically that he did not do so, that they never check the valves at the first service.

Again, I don't mind spending money, but this does seem a bit steep and/or deceptive. I would rather they charge $250 per hour and be honest about the hours and not include in the service description things that were not done.

Although I would like to support our Moto Guzzi dealers, I may take the Norge to my BMW dealer for its next service. (At least they have donuts there!)

Talk to the manager. You were charged for labor that wasn't performed.  Straight forward issue for resolution.

Not sure I'd go back to that dealer. 

[Cage Free]

One of the reasons I continue to ride and buy Guzzi's is their ease of maintenance. If you chose to have dealers service your bike you'll have to pay and possibly feel ripped off from time to time. My friend got a quote of $700-1200. for a 20k valve check on his Triumph Sprint GT, nothing other than a valve check, crazy money imho.

[JeffOlson]

Not sure I'd go back to that dealer.

Unfortunately, I am thinking the same thing.

[kingoffleece]

I'd return and have a civil conversation with the owner.

[Bert Remington]

For comparison with my 2012 used Norge, after the selling dealer performed rollerization at 14K, I had them perform 6K service including sump cleaning.  And that's all I'll say about that experience.

At 14.6K, after removing all bodywork except front fairing (holds turn signals) I had the local dealer perform "Norge 600 mile Break-In Service" which included engine oil (their brand was Maxima so I provided ENI 10W-60) and filter change; valve adjustment; and cylinder head bolt torquing. 3 hours labor $300. Total $406.

At 18K miles, after removing all bodywork except front fairing I had the local dealer perform "Griso 6200 mile Minor Service" which included all fluids (which I provided) except fork oil; valve adjustment; throttle body synchronization; and air filter check.  Since the fuel tank would be off, I asked for an extra service: fuel pressure check. 5 hours labor $600. Total $725.

For both local dealer visits, I am confident the requested services were performed completely and competently.

Having read how MGs are easy to work on, I too was surprised by the cost of dealer service but am sticking with the local dealer for future services.  Except fork oil which I service because things are fussy up there.

About the same time I replaced both PR3s with ContiMotions: total bill was about $240 including tires, mounting and balancing, disposal fees, and a dozen of the best from our local donut shop but not including one of Luap's cups (tire guy was a multi-HD owner but had a sense of humor - he loved it).  Yeah I took the wheels into the tire shop.  If you choose to do so, be careful with fasteners especially the front wheel.

--------------------

While preparing my reply I did a careful read of my second local visit report and was stunned to find "Bike has an aftermarket map in it/do not update."  Guess I gotta do some research.

[pete roper]

Bert, torquing the heads at the first service is unnecessary as the 8V's, and most of the other late model Guzzis use steel composite head gaskets that do not require it. I didn't see any mention of throttle body balancing though which is sorta vital if you're doing a service/tune on a twin throttlebody, twin cylinder engine.

Pete

[Griso8V]

I have done some detective work on how dealers, at least car dealers work in the area of service.  I am talking car dealerships here so MC dealerships may be different but I see similarities.
1.  The margins on selling cars is small.  The big profit center for the dealership is Service.
2.  The Service department will quote the cost of repair/service based on the book rate + parts etc.  They don't go by hours.  This was an exact quote from a Service Manager at a European brand dealership that had service my wife's car. 
3.  They go by "book rate" and charge accordingly.  The time it takes the mechanic to do the job is much less than the time the book rate assumes.  Therefore it is all profit for the dealer. 
4.  Example:  I was quoted $850 to change from brake pads on my wife's car a high end European Sedan.  I asked: "including rotors?"  Answer:  "No just pads".
So I said no thanks, took the car home, got ambitious, changed pads on all 4 wheels in ~1 hour.  So that is how they make the big $$.
I also know a mechanic at a large American car dealership, and he said they are timed down to the minute on the jobs they do.  If they go over the time that it should take they get a talking to. 
This may not apply to motorcycles but I suspect that some of it does...
Just my 0.02
 

[Bert Remington]

Thanks Pete -- I'll make sure of that in the future.

Griso8V -- I think your service hours explanation applies to name brand motorcycle dealerships too.  And my removal of Norge bodywork might explain the shift to the Griso service book.  The technicians thank me for saving them from removing, storing, and installing all those fussy body pieces and fasteners.  It's worth my time and effort -- the Norge is gorgeous when clothed.  Otherwise it's a Griso -- right?

BTW a nicely done Norge/Sport is for sale at https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=100648.0