Warning: Hondas fall apart (poor customer service)

[Dee Duble Yuh]

One of my Varadero's exhaust clamps has failed three times in two and a half years! Apparently it's a fairly common problem but requires the removal of the whole back end of the bike; about three hours work costing several hundred pounds.

Even though the bike is just out of warranty, I took it back to the main dealer who asked Honda for a goodwill contribution towards the repair. Honda refused saying, "The failure is due to corrosion not covered under the manufacturer's warranty. This can be affected by the maintenance routine."

The bike has a full service history, the exhaust system is stainless steel, and there is no maintenance routine for the exhaust. If the clamp is not covered by the warranty, then how come they fixed it under warranty twice before?

Clearly Honda believe it's okay for important components to fail three times in two and a half years. You have been warned.

Suggestions on what I should do next? I'm thinking of writing to Ken Keir, Managing Director of Honda (UK).

[Lutin]

Suggestions on what I should do next? I'm thinking of writing to Ken Keir, Managing Director of Honda (UK).

Would agree with you there. In my past experience, it always helps going to the top. Remember to repeat the full service history, stainless steel exhaust etc etc

[Monsieur]

No shock there - I've replaced the three exhaust bands on my 05 varadero in the year I've had it.
Not a difficult job - just entails taking the rear plastics off and manhandling the exhaust. Remember to replace the gaskets if needed.

[j]

Dave I agree with you. if you have problems bring the beasty round the house and we can change it in my Garage.

[Dee Duble Yuh]

Great offer mate. We'll see how it goes with Mr H (UK).

[Dee Duble Yuh]

Well Honda wouldn't support me. They claimed the exhaust failure was due to corroded clamps, not covered by warranty and probably my fault for not maintaining the clamps.

Anyway, I took up J's offer above (see other thread: cheers mate!) and dismantled the exhaust. The clamps HADN'T failed; it was the exhaust gasket. The remains fell out and looked like this (alongside a new one for comparison):



It was just a shadow of its former self!! A stroppy letter will be going to Mr H real soon.

[Whealie]

Well Honda wouldn't support me. They claimed the exhaust failure was due to corroded clamps, not covered by warranty and probably my fault for not maintaining the clamps.

Anyway, I took up J's offer above (see other thread: cheers mate!) and dismantled the exhaust. The clamps HADN'T failed; it was the exhaust gasket. The remains fell out and looked like this (alongside a new one for comparison):



It was just a shadow of its former self!! A stroppy letter will be going to Mr H real soon.

Put a link to this thread in the letter.

[LazyRider]

You have posted this same subject on another forum. As I said there, this is a case of the clamps not being maintained - tightened.

As I also said there, tightening the exhaust clamps and replacing them when they can't be tightened, is a bit like removing the brake callipers to clean them. A rotten job, often overlooked or put off, but a bugger when they go wrong.

When did anyone last check and grease their wheel bearing - another part that doesn't feature in the maintenance schedule.

[Dee Duble Yuh]

Serviced by the main dealer. So who's at fault?

[LazyRider]

Serviced by the main dealer. So who's at fault?

If it does not appear on the servicing schedule the it is the owners problem.

I am amazed that people do not understand that most of the things that go wrong or break on a bike are none serviceable items.

Callipers, exhaust joints, electrical connections, cables, wheel bearings, steering head bearings, various seals, sprockets, water pipes and fixings, etc. are all none serviceable parts.

The only part that is really serviced on a bike is the engine.

If you wish to ensure that other parts do not fail you must have a 'preventive maintenance' programme for your bike. Many riders who do their own maintenance do this automatically. i.e, If the head bearing starts to feel a bit 'notchy' it is easier to replace it than just inspect and grease it. Much the same with wheel bearings and water clips and hoses. Often the bits are not that expensive, but it can be a long job actually inspecting them, so you may as well replace them.