I just took my Shadow to get service, at a Honda dealer. Turns out I need a carb overhaul, which will cost around $200. I don't know much about bikes except how to ride them, so I don't know what to think about this. I've never noticed anything strange about how the bike rides. They say it's affecting the idle speed and how the bike starts, but I've never had these problems. I'll admit it could be something I'm not aware of, but I don't want to pay for this if I'm being misled.
2007-09-12 14:21:17 · 12 answers · asked by fly or die 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
To clarify, I took it in for a regular tune-up (8000mile), and they didn't do anything without asking, they just called and said it needed this. I said I've never experienced these problems, they said maybe if it's always been like that I wouldn't be able to tell... whatever. I told them not to do it, I'll just see how it rides. Thanks for all the answers.
2007-09-13 13:20:58 · update #1
Is it running poorly? What service did you take it in for? If it's not misfiring or suddenly getting bad mileage or any other telltale signs of a malfunction, I would not have them do anything else to it. I would also go to another dealer and see what they say.
2007-09-12 14:30:58 · answer #1 · answered by Otto 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Most of these answers are wrong, I was a service manager at a very large Honda dealer in MN. You may not notice your bike runs like crap, but to a true tech will wince when he hears it. A tune up includes a "Carb Sync" which cannot be done well on a bike that needs a carb cleaning. If your bike sits for more than 30 days, you can run into a situation of needing a carb cleaning. This is due to the crappy gas we use today.
Do this test, on a open road or parking lot, run the bike almost to redline in 2nd gear then snap the throttle shut and coast, if the bike "pops" or "after fires" you would benefit from a carb job. $200 ain't a bad price either if you have a competent tech do the work.
2007-09-13 15:19:44 · answer #2 · answered by knujefp 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Every Honda dealer I have ever dealt with was a rip off artist. Honda must send them to screw the public school. Your carbs are fine. It doesn't sound like you had any problems with how your bike idled or how it started. I don't understand why Honda dealers are so chicken sh** when it comes to repair.You can't trust any dealer on repair. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Buy a repair book for your bike and read it. Most things aren't really that hard to fix. I do all the work on my bike. I learned by reading a repair book. honda4fun.com
2007-09-13 06:17:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you are happy with the way the bike is currently operating, then don't get the repair. More then likely one of your gear head riding friends(we all have them) could tell you if you actually have a problem or not.
Re reading the question, it's not about the repair. It's a matter of whether you trust them or not. So get a second opinion, like the one below, then decide.
Ride Safe
2007-09-13 12:32:03 · answer #4 · answered by csburridge 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
how is the bike running now? is it running any different now than before? if the bike isnt actin strange, just for fun, check the plugs; if they're black, its rich, white its lean. then the carb could use a bit of tweakin. but if the plugs are tan or ash grey, leave the carb alone, or go to another dealer for a 2nd opinion.
there's a saying.....there's suckers on them thar bikes. if they can stick it to ya, they will. fortunately, those 'stealers' are a minority. i highly suggest u: get a service manual, and read it thoroughly; u'll see that most of the maint aint that hard or involved....even carb work. then report that service manager to the shop gm...and advise them ur thinking about putting in a call to the motor company about possible shady shop practices in the service bay. any legit gm will quickly investigate this, and can his thievin azz on the spot.
2007-09-12 14:39:33 · answer #5 · answered by forktail_devil 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I try not to take my bike to the dealers when it comes to servicing and repairs if I can help it and for this very reason. personally speaking, I feel the only person that really knows what they are doing when it comes to working on my ride that I trust is myself. For those of us that either dont, or wont work on our own bikes, or when you run into a problem that requires a proffessional bike mechanic, try and find a reputable bike repair tech that works on his own out of his own house or shop. This may take a little foot work, research and a fair amount of trust but they do exist. I found a bike tech that not only works on my ride on those repairs I cant or dont want to tackle for a fair rate, but will also allow me to watch as he does the repair. Good luck with this and ride safe.
2007-09-13 09:03:27 · answer #6 · answered by DZ123 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should only pay for repairs you authorized.
What did you bring it in for? Did that get fixed?
Even if this was related to the problem you brought it in for, they should have called you for authorization of the added charges. $200 sounds a little high, but what do they do in this 'overhaul'? Shop rate in my area is $75.00/Hr at the Honda dealer.
2007-09-13 10:46:30 · answer #7 · answered by Firecracker . 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You didn't get ripped off. That's what a road bike with 105 costs.
2016-05-18 01:46:54 · answer #8 · answered by madonna 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be quite honest, I think you got screwed. If you never complained about idling or starting problems, they seem to have taken the liberty of doing something without discussing it with you. How do you know they did anything, especially if there is no improvement in quality of starting, idling, or running at speed. I had a shop try this crap with me years ago, guess what, I challenged the whole bill and they ate it.
2007-09-12 14:36:05 · answer #9 · answered by Robert D 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You probably are being misled.... I'm not saying they are crooked but even the most honest shop is going to try and sell you stuff if they sense that you might believe them
2007-09-12 18:32:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋