RideNow Powersports on Boulder

Reviews 3

GE

George VanLanen

This is a Service Department review for "Patrick S." (Service Writer) and "Jason T." (Mechanic) for my 2015 Yamaha FZ-07. Problem: Engine stalls, error codes (SD-14 & SD-19) plus Check Engine light on. I spoke with Patrick on the phone to make an appointment - have them clear the codes and see what was causing them. Patrick was nice on the phone and had good customer service skills. Background: Bike has 1,575 miles on it. The blogs are full of comments by other FZ-07 owners about the same issue - by a factor of 12 to 1 over any other mechanical issue. This was surprising to me as every single article I read about the bike (prior to buying it) was overwhelmingly positive, with no stall issues reported. I first noticed the problem when I added the Akrapovic carbon fiber exhaust and DynoJet Commander V controller. I thought it might have something to do with the equipment changes. I explained all of this to Patrick who said hed note it. He also said hed call me as soon as the bike was fixed and/or there was anything to report. He entered it as a warranty repair job. Patrick called early the next morning and said I could pick it up. (My only suggestion is that he should have called with an update the night before - to say it wouldnt be ready until the next morning.) Solution: Patrick and Jason both said there was nothing wrong with the bike. They both test rode it and stated it was in excellent operating condition. They patiently explained that the engine is designed to "load up" the combustion chamber with fuel for maximum speed and performance. If you dont run it the way it was designed - hard and fast - the extra fuel causes engine issues like stalling, So, it looks like it was "operator error" more than anything else (I am ashamed to admit!) The FZ-07 is a very high tech "Sport Bike" which was designed and built for hard riding at high speeds. That means high RPMs all the time (like down-shifting through all the gears every single time you come to a stop, for example). If you dont, youre asking for this and other related problems. Its not easy to deliver that kind of message to an owner (me), especially one who was ready to blame the whole problem on the bike and/or manufacturer. Patrick is a long-term customer relationship guy, so he took the extra time and patience to go over the problem with me. He even took the extra step of riding the bike himself to confirm Jasons assessment of the situation. And even though he could have charged me, he didnt. Patrick explained his primary goal is to keep customers. If he treats me right now, Ill be back for future service and parts. And of course he is absolutely correct. This dealership seems to be rated only one of two ways - really high or really low! I guess that depends on who you work with. My suggestion is to contact Patrick right off the bat for your service needs (and request Jason do the work). If your experience is like mine, I think youll be very happy.

RE

RenegadeHybrids

If all businesses were more honest, like RideNow, they would be far more successful. Even with a mistake, I still gave my experience a 5 star rating. Why? Because they were honest and transparent with no attitude. Service Writer Dennis is a nice, no BS kinda guy. He quoted me a price for a valve job that ended up being far to low. He called, admitted his mistake, offered discounts and perks, but ultimately the bike didnt need it anyway! I had read about a particular adjustment procedure that was specific to my bike and asked that they would read some literature I provided. Not only did they read and consider its merits, they did the procedure step by step and it was a success. Again, no attitude, no drama...they worked with me and my requests, and did a terrific job. Then, when the bill came, the mechanic let Dennis know that another task on the work-order took him less time than previously anticipated. Instead of the bill going UP, it went down by over $50. I got a chance to meet this mechanic when he came out to answer some questions. What a great guy. He was very skilled, spoke highly of my machine, gave me some good advise, and Dennis (service writer) didnt seem to have a problem with my communication with his mechanic directly. How many times I never got to shake the hand of the very person who worked on a vehicle of mine. This time I did and it meant all the world to me. Last thing that really struck me as important. When you get there, they drive/ride your vehicle through a set of double doors and into a air-conditioned shop. Thats where it stays until the day you pick it up. So many shops think its perfectly fine to let your bike sit out in the sun (or rain this past week). My bike gets baked, abused, blown, soaked, and hammered enough. However, I am the one that does it and not some random repair shop. Its also cleaned and serviced very carefully by me or the shops that I entrust. The last thing I want is my bike setting outside for days on end, then having some moron lean on it has his tire pressures are being checked on his own bike. Call me anal, but RideNow knows that many of us have this temperament. Thanks guys for all that you did and will do in the future! I hope to be writing more of this kind of review for you guys when I buy my next toy!

NE

Neil D

I had my front & rear tires replaced on my 081300VTXR in the span of a week. That part was done (apparently) well. But I was sent by Service (the 1st time) to Parts to check if the rear tire was in stock. The salesman tried to sell me a tire that was $80.00 more than the OEM tire while trying to give me the impression that was the replacement tire now. I went home, looked the tire # up in the service manual, & went back the next & talked with someone else. She called on the phone, & was told they had the tire but it had to be ordered. Well, for $80.00 difference, I can wait a few days. The OEM tires have worked fine for me in the past & they have lasted around 21,000 or more miles. Another (major) beef I have is I went to check on having the front disc pads replaced when the front tire was. That is, until I was quoted $82.50 for labor! My manual doesnt really show the labor as $83.00 worth. One pin removed to do it. So ill put the pads on myself. Then (finally) this morning (7-7), I was riding my bike to work when I starting getting what sounded like metal to metal from my front brakes. I went home & checked the brake pads, which were fine. I then noticed the hash mark on the front axle was 1/2 inch from the fork tube edge (which it should have been lined up with). I loosened the pinch bolts on the fork, aligned the fork with the hash mark, & re-torqued the bolts. it doesnt make the noise now. Now if a "garage mechanic" with just a manual can find the problem, a trained professional should have been able to. And would I have got an honest answer if I brought the bike back in & not known the problem? Or would I have been given a story where I would have had to pay for service I didnt need? I also noticed fresh grease on the axle where the person must have tried forcing the axle back in. I hope that grease doesnt compromise the pinch bolts. As you can tell, my confidence in the service dept has been shaken, and I have had my bike in many times for repairs & tire changes. I hope this can be corrected in the future. A mistake in the front end could cause bad problems.