The Personal Blog Of
Boston Motorcycle Lawyer

The Motorcycle Dealer is Not Your Enemy
February 9, 2010

There are 2 mechanics I utilized to maintain my previous motorcycle; a 2004 Suzuki Marauder 1600. These guys were great and among the most knowledgeable, fast, and cost effective mechanics I have ever used.

I also went to the motorcycle dealer from time to time too. Not that I didn’t trust my guys, I just needed to make sure my bike was getting the best care possible. No mechanic is beyond a second opinion.

Now that I own a Harley, I plan on utilizing my local Harley Davidson dealer much more in the overall maintenance of my bike. This will add to my motorcycle maintenance costs but in the long run, it will be worth it. I plan on owning my Harley for a long time and it is worth the added expense.

I’m not saying that anyone should give up their local mechanic. Many of these guys are experts at maintaining motorcycles. It’s just that motorcycle dealers offer some benefits that smaller mechanics cannot.

Here’s why the motorcycle dealer can be your friend.

Experience: Certified motorcycle dealers only utilize mechanics that have passed rigorous tests proving their proficiency. You can rest assured that only an expert will touch your bike.

Knowledge: By working on a limited range of bikes, dealer mechanics accumulate specific knowledge that smaller mechanics may not have about upgrades, maintenance, and specific problems.

Access to Parts: With a dealer, you’ll never have to worry about them using sub-standard parts to make an extra buck or two.

Access to other motorcycle owners: Even going to the dealership to hang out is a good idea. You’ll be able to talk to other bike owners who can share their knowledge and experiences with you.

Guarantees: Smaller dealers may not honor their work and may not offer the level of guarantees that larger dealers can. As repairs can be very expensive, it’s important to protect your investment.