A very apt sign I saw at Cleobury Cafe last week ..
Can't say I've had a great start to the 2018 year of Motorcycling. Here we are in April, and a wet soggy Easter weekend along with risk of more snow. The 4th month and and only two morning rides so far, neither on my GS 'Lou', but instead riding a loan F800GS instead.
A few weeks ago I made arrangments with Blade Motorrad in Coften Hackett near Longbridge, Birmingham for a service at 28k (early 30k) on the 23rd March to include two new tyres (Metzeler Tourance Next) where I was first informed the GS had a slight oil leak evident out of the gator that covers the drive shaft coupling between the gearbox and driveshaft. I agreed to have this investigated at extra cost only for the mechanics to discover the seal had failed. I agreed to have this replaced, but while the drive shaft and swing arm was off I was informed the Driveshaft was 'notchy' at both U couplings and would need a new complete Driveshaft unit, since the bearings are sealed. Now being the cynic that I am asked to inspect the Driveshaft. Personally, other than a very slight feeling of pressure on the one bearing toward the centre I'm not convinced there is an issue. Now who am I to argue with a BMW authorised technician? Should I pay the £610.00 for a new Driveshaft saving me the labour later or have the old one refitted? With a few trips lined up this year (Ireland and the Alps) should I risk not having the work carried out? While considering my options, the Aftersales Manager ( a bit of a presumptuous title I thought since I hadn't made my mind up at this point) informed me they couldn't fit the seal anyway, they didn't have the correct tool so had to return home on their loan bike!
Faulty Driveshaft (allegedly)
I'm none too happy about having to shell out for a new Driveshaft at a mere 28k and leaving my bike at Blade Motorrad while they obtain the tool (at time of writing 14 days and still waiting). What kind of authorised BMW dealer doesn't possess the correct tool for a 5 year old motorcycle? I contacted BMW and followed their complaints process. Unfortunately they tend to refer back to the dealership, where Blade offered a paltry 10% discount on the new Driveshaft as a good will gesture. Since myself and most normal people would expect a drive shaft failure at 28k miles to be unacceptable and since I have owned the bike from new, looked after it well and had it regularly serviced I declined their offer - what an insult. 👿.
Eventually, after much resistance, Blade Motorrad have come back and offered a 50% discount on the Driveshaft, and a reduction in the labour cost to fit the seal. I have reluctantly accepted this offer, as long as I can retain the old Driveshaft. I turned up at Blades last Saturday, asked to compare the New for old Driveshaft (still can't really feel a real 'notchy' issue ), and left as agreed with the old Driveshaft much to their complaint that they will need to send the old one back as warranty cover. Now, as far as I'm concerned, there is no warranty claim, as I'm having to contribute 50% toward it. At the time of writing I have taken the Driveshaft home, where Lindsay also agrees there is little he can tell wrong with it either. My bike is still at Blade Motorrad, and I have their loan bike. So, the saga continues, where I opted to get a second and third opinion by getting the Driveshaft checked by an independent dealer, or even another BMW authorised dealer. In the meantime I have their F800GS loan bike, and so it will remain with me until I get my bike back, fixed to my satisfaction (both in condition and in price). CHRIS HIGGS claims they hope to get my bike fixed for the weekend.
Update 3rd April . On Tuesday, I took the Driveshaft to another local to me BMW Authorised Motorrad dealership and asked them if their mechanics would kindly inspect the Driveshaft. A really great mechanic came out and confirmed as we thought there is no fault with the Driveshaft. I then followed this up with a visit to an independent mechanic who without me prompting him, in an unbiased way also confirmed there is no fault. So here I am, having to spend £310 pounds on a part that is clearly not faulty. I am not a happy BMW customer. A true cynic would conclude [insert your interpretation here]. I then followed this up with a call to Mark Page at BMW Customer Services who basically gave me the brush off, told me the 50% stands but he would yet again hide behind the Blade Motorrad dealership. It would seem that a Customer Service Representatives job is a doddle, getting paid for passing the buck. I could do that 👍 cheers Mark for your help. In the meantime here's my pride and joy, still at Blade Motorrad in bits ....
My Swing Arm and rear drive assembly in Blade Motorrad workshop
Update 5th April: Phoned Blade Motorrad, yet again spoke to CHRIS HIGGS who now claims the tool to fit the seal should be here within the next 2 weeks (not this weekend as he suggested last week). Since I have a motorcycle trip coming up I will need my bike back as I have my pannier system to fit. Either way I am going to be out of pocket if I get the work done by someone else or cancel my trip. It leaves me no time to rearrange and little time to get the work completed by another BMW Dealer I have sounded one out who is ready to start work on it now or a very good alternative independent mechanic who claims the oil Seal can be fitted by him but he is further away. Since my bike is in pieces in Blade Motorrad, Birmingham for the UNFORSEABLE FUTURE. This leaves me no alternative than to collect my bike somehow, faulty since they have removed the seal without realising they couldn't refit the new seal becaus they didn't possess the correct tool for my year model bike (2012). I then spoke to MAX ROBERTS the dealer principle where I discussed collecting the bike in pieces, or they deliver the bike to my home in a state they can deliver home to me but not working leaving me to get the bike to an alternative dealer and start to put right what BLADE MOTORRAD have failed to do. As anyone reading this can imagine I am absolutely furious about this. I have spoken to BMW Customer Services and they are going to speak to Blade Motorrad about this tomorrow. I still have their loan bike.
Anyway, enough of these woes for now, I did manage to get out for a ride to try out the loan bike a couple of times, the first taking up a ride up the back of Clee Hill and then on Easter Sunday with Lindsay to Shobden. I have to say I'm impressed. I know BMW have an all new F850GS out, and this is the older
2017 model with the old 800 engine, but what impressed me was throttle response and the lighter weight. Plenty of grunt, and great stood up on the pegs steering with knees etc.
Back of Clee Hill, Shropshire F800 GS
Weird being back on a chain driven bike (ahem) though, really missed the Telelever suspension. Having the forks dive going in to a bend was quite scary at first since my GS doesn't do that. Also under braking the effect was quite noticeable as the forks recoiled and I think reduced overall braking efficiency. The skinny 21 inch front wheel was great on the looser stuff but a bit twitchy on the tarmac in comparison, not as planted as they say but all in all if I was on the lookout for a smaller, lighter bike I'd consider one of these. They are tall enough for my leg length and comfortable, nippy and fun.
Shobden Air Field (GS Savvy)
The ride out to Shobden with Lindsay was fun, out over Clee Hill again, then down to Tenbury. I got the back wheel slipping a bit in that dip up the ride to Clee Hill, must be those twitchy Anakee tyres on the wet.
Note. They've put the price up of a small breakfast 6 quid now at the Hotspur, probably down to Brexit too I guess like everything else 😉.
Had to laugh at Lindsay though, he seemed to be having issues with his screen and buffeting again, and has bought some clip on ailerons from the Shobden Aerodrome club shop .. 😄😄👍
Ailerons .. good match for the V-Strom. Watch the front end lift up on take off.... amazing!
Plenty of activity at Shobden on Easter Sunday, a few scoots out with some nice detailed paintwork. I like the RAF theme commemorates its 100 years since the formation, not to mention the First World War remembrance theme as well.
So, all things considered, a good morning ride out at last with Lindsay, a bit cool, and even cooler with that F800GS's stubby screen but hopefully I'll get this Driveshaft issue sorted soon and have 'Lou' back in my garage ready for the good weather we are owed. As it happens, we are still waiting for Lindsay to land again as he took off over Clows Top and has been circling overhead ever since! So, in the meantime, I just have to persevere and keep up with the daily meditation activities...
