Getting My Hornet Back On The Road

Hi there,

I've just sent my Hornet off to Two Wheels Honda dealership in
Edinburgh for a service. They've quoted me £130.

They're also fitting two new tires (both of which I've supplied), for
£30 each. Then they'll do an MOT.

I've asked them to fit a new chain, and give the bike a general
inspection for other bits and pieces that might've corroded/worn over
the past year that it's sat in my garage.

What sort of prices should I expect to be paying for the various bits
and pieces, and most importantly... Labour.

Thanks in advance,
CP

 

for what?

that seems excessive.

lots.

 

darsy says...

Seems reasonable to me. Labour is typically charged at 45 quid an hour,
so taking the time to remove and refit the wheels as well as change the
tyres - which they aren't supplying and not profiting from - it seems
about right. I pay my local dealer about 15 quid to fit tyres I supply
to loose wheels.

 

Utterly. They should be charging you £20 fitted and balanced for both.
They always were cunts.

 

Who? Two Wheels?

Who should I be using in Edinburgh?

 

National Tyres say they're happy to fit motorcycle tyres for £10 a
wheel, so long as they're loose. But I wasn't happy about giving my
wheels to monkeys.

 

I haven't lived there for over 16 years so I wouldn't know!

 

Hog says...

A lot of things change in 16 years.

 

Oh yes <grin>

 

You're giving your entire bike to monkeys; what's to be worried about?

 

It depends. My initial reaction was total shock at the price. But on
reflection when I remove my wheels to take in for a tyre to be fitted I
will often have an impromtu copperslip session with brake fastenings
and a quick clean round of the pistons. Doing that it might take me 3/4
of an hour per wheel.

On second thoughts bollocks. You can bet they do the bare minimum.
Nearly an hour per wheel for their YTS lad to knock seven shades of
shit out of rims is way OTT.

 

It's a Honda so use Two Wheels who are *the* Honda dealer.

If it's a shite old Honda then you shouldn't be using a main dealer at all.

For the tyres I would have purchased them from Two Wheels too, the
savings are marginal. Since you've already purchased the tyres and
you're trying to save money then have them fitted by whoever is the
cheapest, even if it is national.

Can't recommend anyone else because my last local guy popped his clogs
with a brain hemorrhage. That's one of the reasons I ended up buying a
brand new bike, didn't fancy building up a relationship with someone I
trusted only to have them keel over just when some work was needed on
the bike.

Two wheels balance the wheels horizontally and vertically whatever that
means.

Anyway the total price seems reasonable to me and I live in Edinburgh.

You have to remember there's 50 million less people in Scotland so
there's bound to be less competition which means the price is not going
to be as competitive as the South.

 

Just trade it in for a new bike, you know it makes sense, mention my
name and they'll understand. Shame you've already bought the tyres though.

If you're concerned ask them for a written quotation, they can be vague
when it comes to how much it's *actually* going to cost.

Don't listen to the Southerners prices, Scotland is a different country
and Edinburgh is one of the most expensive places to live in the UK.

As mentioned down there, the price is okay in my opinion and I live in
Edinburgh and use Two Wheels.

I can also recommend Carrick Motorcyles who fitted a rear tyre when Two
Wheels didn't have it in stock. Very friendly service and if they didn't
sell the wrong coloured bikes I probably would have purchased one from them.