"Yeah, we don't want to work on those..." - Honda Dealer

[bradatlarge]

I called two (shall remain nameless to protect the guilty) Honda Powersports dealers locally yesterday to ask if they would do _______ (doesn't matter) to my trail 125

Both said some variation of:

1. we can't get parts
2. we're not trained

Both resulted in them saying, "sorry" and hanging up on me.

Is this the experience of the collective here or did I just get lucky?

 

[Plotus]

Gotta kind of expect this with esentially a boutique bike... Gone for so long and like magic, an exotic appears sort of climate. I believe they will become more mainstream as numbers increase..

 

[BaldRider]

If they can't get parts, not much they can do. I guess it depends on the work that needs doing as there isn't much to the bike to begin with. Have you tried a powerhouse dealer?

 

[bradatlarge]

powerhouse dealer

I haven't yet.

However, a friend of mine knows the owner of the closest Powerhouse dealer to me (which is 20 miles away but will take ~2 hours to get to) and gave me his number. I'm a bit embarrassed to make that call, TBH.

I just want someone who knows what they are doing to tighten or replace the chain and help with an issue I'm having getting all the plastics back on properly.

 

[Plotus]

Plastics..... oh yea.....
Made me think of this video I watched some time back. My thought was a battery tender pigtail plug. There is a spot or two that takes care to not break tabs. watch 4:15 on the vid.

 

[bradatlarge]

I've watched several videos (not that one though) over the past couple days and have a BUNCH of notes w/ diagrams to give it another go based on my inability to get an hour or two of bench time from a tech.

 

[ShieldArc]

An independent bike shop can easily replace the chain and adjust.

 

[Low-gear]

What do you want done that you can’t DIY? There are already tons of videos on YT to show you how to do many things.

 

[dmonkey]

1. Parts might be on backorder, but if they can order parts from Honda they can get them...
2. That's a scary response. This is a simple motorcycle, if they can't work on it they shouldn't be working on other Hondas.

Any local riding groups, friends with motorcycles, or bike nights? If you're just looking for someone to help you DIY and have the confidence of someone else checking it, I'd look to the moto community for that.

If you don't want to DIY though you should probably pass up that shop that gave you excuses though, unless the actual mechanics have a different level of enthusiasm for working on the bike.

 

[Kev250R]

I had bad luck getting my local Honda dealer to perform recall work on my Trail. Initially they said they wouldn't do it because I hadn't bought my Trail from them. When I reminded them that I'd bought other bikes and a Quad from them in the past they said that wasn't enough. I ended-up having to get Honda Corporate involved which got the matter settled rather quickly. The dealers in my area seem to be more interested in selling and servicing high-dollar side-by-sides.

In your case, as others have said I would reach-out to other local riders in your community for help or find a local Cycle Shop. You don't mention where you're located but if you're in So,.Cal, hit me up and I'll be happy to help, or give you recommendations on cycle shops I've had good luck with or heard good things about.

As a last-resort you may want to look for a 'Maker Space' in your area. They were popular in my area for a time. You pay a fee and basically have access to a fully-equipped shop, often with other people or staff around to help. I used to see a lot of ad's for them in my area, but haven't seen many since the Pandemic so they may not be a an option anymore.

 

[oldskool]

Gotta kind of expect this with esentially a boutique bike...

They probably haven't gotten many/any to sell and are butthurt. Any shop who cannot adjust the chain is a joke. I doubt this would set well with Toshihiro Mibe.

 

[RedRyder]

This was actually my greatest fear in buying one, especially a used one not from a dealer. Both my Honda dealers are 40 miles away in opposite directions, and there are no independent bike shops anywhere closer. And at $120USD per hour in labor, having something repaired is not inexpensive. So despite my utter lack of wrenching experience and skill, I had to make the commitment to DIY repairs and maintenance. My first experience - replacing a damaged shift lever - went horribly, but I got through it (thanks to several members on this forum). I got parts locally, but I'd also recommend Rocky Mountain ATV for Honda Trail parts. I might also suggest to anyone that, if you do buy a new one from a dealer, prior to the sale, get them to commit to servicing it, preferably in writing. If they say they won't service it, don't buy it there. Find a dealer that offers service.

 

[bradatlarge]

I do have local resources of shade tree mechanics that can help me* and there are indy shops in Chicago that will work on this thing, do doubt but - damn - Honda get your shit together.

*I've owned motorcycles for three decades now, putting 100's of-thousands of miles on bikes and can turn a wrench ham-fistedly but, I'm not confident in what I'm doing and haven't owned a motorcycle with a chain since the early 2000's and even then, didn't maintain it myself...I would swing by a close-to-home shop for a quick chain clean / lube / adjust on my VFR in Dallas and the same deal when I had my 97 Africa Twin living in Paris.
I've already lost a thumb nail to maintaining this little bike, reminding me why I've owned BMW shaft drives since 2005.

 

[bradatlarge]

You pay a fee and basically have access to a fully-equipped shop, often with other people or staff around to help. I used to see a lot of ad's for them in my area, but haven't seen many since the Pandemic so they may not be a an option anymore.

I have a membership at this DIY mechanics garage in Chicago.

 

[vintagegarage]

My local Honda dealers, Love Motorsports, in Homosassa, and Action n Honda in Hudson, Florida, are both good ones.. They will work on any Honda, and Love will work on a lot of different brands as well. I never have trouble getting parts there., one week for most parts, and typically no more than three weeks on backorders. Prices are fair on both new and old and parts as well. I was a bit surprised to see this thread here.

 

[Shoot870p]

I have a membership at this DIY mechanics garage in Chicago.

Looks like a nice setup.

 

[TRF90]

So sorry for your experience. If you lived here in West Texas, I'd have you over tonight. We would fix it up in about 30 minutes.

 

[oldskool]

So sorry for your experience. If you lived here in West Texas, I'd have you over tonight. We would fix it up in about 30 minutes.

Ya I believe he would be much happier in the long run with a good mentor rather than being at the mercy of a shop for basic stuff.

 

[dmonkey]

I do have local resources of shade tree mechanics that can help me* and there are indy shops in Chicago that will work on this thing, do doubt but - damn - Honda get your shit together.

*I've owned motorcycles for three decades now, putting 100's of-thousands of miles on bikes and can turn a wrench ham-fistedly but, I'm not confident in what I'm doing and haven't owned a motorcycle with a chain since the early 2000's and even then, didn't maintain it myself...I would swing by a close-to-home shop for a quick chain clean / lube / adjust on my VFR in Dallas and the same deal when I had my 97 Africa Twin living in Paris.
I've already lost a thumb nail to maintaining this little bike, reminding me why I've owned BMW shaft drives since 2005.

Are you in the city of Chicago? I'll be in the southwest suburbs (Will County) with my Trail end of this month.

 

[Tex68w]

A lot of Honda dealers aren't mini bike/scooter dealers, it all depends on their market/region/demographic of buyer. My dealer isn't offered the Ruckus and Metropolitan bikes, it's very odd. But it is sad that they are willing to simple things like change the oil, adjust the chain/brakes, change out tires, as those are fairly universal items.