Quality Issues

[JAK]

Hi all

Thought I would test the water with this and see if anyone else had similar experiences.

I have just e-mailed Mr Honda. Having bought an 06 TA and had it delivered I went to inspect the bike. Noticed a slight flaw in the seat, a wrinkle which will not come out and a cut just on a leading edge.

However then noticed that the right hand plate that holds the rider and pillion foot pegs had two different silver paints on it. A larger area is in the semi gloss finish that is standard on 05 and 06 bikes and a smaller bit is a different shade and gloss/ shinny like an 04 and before. Mentioned both to the dealer and he said this can be resolved in due course. The bit that get's me is that there is overspray on the black part of the exhaust and the heat shield below the foot peg and foot brake. This made me wonder what other damage did the bike receive although I see nothing. I also am wondering as the bike came in a crate was this bike seen as needing "fixed" and taken to one side where a botched paint job was undertaken. Maybe this is part of the manufacturing process where imperfect product is "fixed" to one side. Remember stories of Porsche and Rolls all have things wrong with them and being "fixed". Any thoughts, views or experiences. Rest of bike appears very good but it has marred my enthusiasm somewhat. I have asked Mr Honda to speak to the dealer and both fix and investigate how this could happen.

Regards to all and Happy New Year

Jak

[Pete Rock]

I can see how something like that could take away some of the joy of a new bike. However you must focus on the good stuff, nothing of what you said means a faulty performance, go on a day long ride, enjoy some roads, have a fine meal, and return home tired and cold. You´ll enjoy it much more afterwords.
I always get attached to vehicles after having lived something cool with them, being a long trip to Scandinavia or a few weekend adventures.

[wheeliebin]

It's not nice buying a brand new bike only to find out it's already got a 'history'.

Honda are usually good with warranty claims and I'm sure the parts you're not happy with will be replaced with no quibbles.

Weather you get a satisfactory explanation to the cause is another thing, Honda would never admit to not packaging or transporting their bikes with care.

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Sorry to hear this incidence has marred your initial enjoyment of the bike.

I personally think damage occured either during shipping, or during prepping at the dealer (more likely).

Get 'em to sort it ASAP and take no crap, after all it's a BRAND NEW bike.

Good luck.

Phil

[DaveS]

My advice would not be to email.
Write a formal letter to Honda UK stating what is wrong and asking for your local dealer to put it right, or asking for your money back.
Having said that the contract is with the dealer so perhaps you should be writing to them.

[Austin]

Dave S is right on both points - your contract is with the delaer and it is them you should direct complaints to, and to put everything in writing, ie Pen and paper and posted/given to them. You can use Honda as a backup to your actions if you don't get satisfaction from the dealer.

With hindsight the correct thing to have done was to only accept the bike with the faults noted, ie sign for it but add to the documentation you sign the list of faults you have seen. You could further protect yourself with words like "based on a visual inspection only".

I am sure it will be OK and you will get it sorted. If any problems you should labour points about customer satisfaction, how disappointed you are, thought you were buying the best of the best (a Honda Transalp ), that you carefully chose the dealer as being one you could trust, wouldn't recommend them to anyone, etc etc. Stay from away from threats and bargaining and let them offer compromises - not you.

Keep it polite, pleasant but very personal - emotional arguments are far far stronger than anything else (ask any woman how they win every argument ). Accept anything they offer as "that's a step in the right direction, but I am still not satisfied that it puts me in the right position" (or something like that). Aim high - ask for a new bike, and compensation, but be prepared to compromise to get what you need.

Sorry if this old hat to you, but hopefully it will help

Good luck

[Dilbert]

Excellent advice from Austin and Dave, just remember to keep a sense of humour and perspective, don't let it spoil your enjoyment of a really good bike

[JAK]

Hi all

Thanks for the good advice and support. Dealer has ordered necessary bits and Mr Honda has replied. Wheeliebin is correct doubt if I will get to the bottom of the history component but the e mail seems to have moved things along.

I am friendly with the dealer and they assure me did not happen with them but said Mr honda does not like this sort of criticism, that is pardon the pun " I have a dream" (if you have seen their recent ad on telly or their web site) and dodgy components are not part of the dream.

So will get parts replaced but will have to be content with "history" unless their investigation with their technical side provides some answers. Spoke to a guy who writes motorcycling articles in the local paper here. He said don't worry his friend did quality work for a certain Bavarian motor manufacturer who also makes bikes. This guy worked at a plant in South Africa and said there were numerous vehicles set to one side for repair that cost an absolute fortune that had been damaged by employees.
Will keep you advised and thanks for the advice. No one has replied with anything similar to do with quality issues though? Intend to have that nice long run soon but weather here at present is crap.

regards to all
jak

[JAK]

Hi all

Just a wee update. I had the right hand plate for the foot pegs replaced today. Dealer said that although Mr Honda had not contacted him Mr Honda would be interested because there was obviously an issue regarding the quality of the original paintwork and the repair that had been attempted.

mr honda has not contacted me so I will probably be none the wiser as to the botched repair but will wait and see. Today was brilliant on the bike, the strong gusts of wind and heavy rain actually made it really enjoyable. the bike was covered in salt when I returned so it got treated to some pampering and three hours later is looking as it should. Out tomorrow again up the North Coast to Portrush and I suppose another bath tomorrow evening. oh the joys of parenthood.

regards to all

Jak

[DaveS]

Glad you're gradually getting it sorted mate.
The fact that they're actually still talking to you about it is a bonus I think.