What should we expect dealer to do about brakes

[yechave]

One of the first issues of concern I had prior to buying our LT last week was the feeling of the front rotor being warped. Had no idea how much noise this was going to make in the next few hundred miles of use.

We took the bike back on monday, they had it in the shop for over 4.5 hours. When they were done, they told us that the brakes were ok. I have no idea what exactly they did, just glad to get out of there, as it used up the entire day's good riding time, my SO had taken off work to enjoy.

We had to drive right home afterwards. #1, low beam is terrible and will be upgraded, #2. we missed hitting a large deer, literally by a hair, just a few days prior mid day, #3. trying to be safe and living in deer country, we do not want to take an unnecessary risk driving at night. One of those experiences was enough for both of us.

I printed out all the material from the forum on the brake issue which I will hand the service manager next week. Now, my question is, with all this knowledge about what causes the brake noise and rotor problems, what might I expect the dealer to offer to repair the problem?

Am I to assume it is only an annoyance, and not a safety concern?

The only two real concerns we have with this, that we know of in the 500 miles we put on it so far, were the noisy and not so smooth brakes, and we also found the rear shock was bad as well as the steering damper (cylindrical tube with screwdriver adjustment between the forks). Both of those problems are being repaired this week.

Motolights go on next week, and I hope that is it until next year once I figure out what tires to put on.

Thanks for the many insights!

99 K1200LT 41k

[ironbuttwannabe]

As far as tires there is a few options it all depends on your ridding style and how sticky you want your tires. Avon's are great but the most you will get out of your rear is 6,000. If you go with Metzlers get the rear at cyclegear.com it is only $140. The front at motorhelmets.com $90. If you get the rear anywhere else it will cost at least $180.

[yechave]

My concern buying the tire, or any other parts, anywhere but the local BMW dealer is, how I would be treated when having them install a tire or the parts, they would otherwise make some money on.

I felt the same about helmets, battery charger and clothing. I bought through web dealers thinking it would save some money, and as it turns out, we ended up buying almost all it from the dealer anyway, and it was less expensive than what we paid on the web. I actually lost money, having to pay the shipping to return the items that either did not fit, or got a better deal on from the BMW dealer. We really have done well by them so far.

It is very difficult scheduling shop time with them, and it is one of only two shops I am aware of nearby, the other is supposedly going out of business next year. I see no reason for them to give me any priority in scheduling, if I am buying tires somewhere else to save a few bucks, not that I don't need the money.

Same goes with the local garage that does my Ford repairs. They charge so much less labor than a Ford Dealer, I don't care what they make on profit for the parts.

Having seen some of the problems others have experienced at repair shops, I am not sure I trust anyone but BMW shop to do work on this bike.

I've been spending $8k-14k/yr for the past nine years on medical issues. The cost to service the bike is almost insignificant in comparison.

Once I get settled in with the bike and feel comfortable about service etc., I can adjust my thoughts on how to address the service issue down the road. For now, we want to get this set up to ride as safely as possible.

We came into this venture knowing absolutely nothing about BMW, so I am pretty pleased with everything I've picked up in only five weeks.

Greatly appreciate the feedback!

[astuber]

The local dealers in my area (not just BMW) will only install tires purchased from them. The last quote I received from the local BMW dealer for Metzlers installed was ~$420. I could buy the tires from Southwest Moto delivered for $225. For me that is not much of a choice. I have read that the local CycleGear stores will install tires that you bring in but don't have any direct experience in this regard.

Most of the brake and rotor issues that I have heard about are related to the rear brake. My front brake is very quiet and is definitely not warped.

[Big_E]

I wouldn't expect the dealer do anything about the brake noise & if they do, it won't work. After the dealer did what they could to try to stop it, I tried all the other magic ideas. Just ride it & it will go away eventually.

[patroa1]

My local dealer will only install tires he sells also, But..... sometimes if you have a good relationship with them they will do it, for a nominal charge. Mine did it for me because I was having a 12k service, an annual fluid change... brakes, clutch fluid etc. and a new windshield installed that I bought from them. So ask, as long as you are having most of your major service done by them they may agree to mount and balance your tires you bought somewhere else.

Glad to hear you're going to upgrade your low beam and add Motolights. Hope the low beam upgrade is to HID. I too live in deer country and yesterday after doing an oil change and FD fluid change the SO and I went for a ride and to dinner, on the way home .... after dark.... we saw 7 deer all crossing the road,:eek: thanks to my HID low beam I lit them babies up well down the road and had time to slow up.:) HID best $75 I ever spent.... Of coarse nothing helps when they come out of nowhere, Oh well deer season opens Thurs. maybe I'll thin the herd some, with a gun .... not the bike.;)

[rglassma]

Hello,

With regard to tires, one of our dealers here in Denver charges 180.00 for the tires and 30 to mount, balance, install on the bike.

My feeling about it is simple. I want them to be around and not go out of business. Sure, I can buy the tire, for 140.00 and then pay 30 bucks for install which saves me 40.00 .. But, the 40.00 isn't 400.00 ... I feel they give me great advise, have taken care of me with my extended warranty and have saved me more then 40.00 worth of trouble to warrent the it..

I'll buy it from our dealer. There is a saying about being penny wise and pound foolish....

I do my own 12K and what I can't do, I bring it to somone else because the price from the dealer is way too high. But, for a tire....

[ironbuttwannabe]

I don't think a dealer is going to go out of business by not letting them install your tires. But if I can save $70 on the rear and $50 on the front I'm going to do it myself. I'd much rather put that money into something permanent on the bike. Call me crazy, you wouldn't be the first.

[Big_E]

I don't think a dealer is going to go out of business by not letting them install your tires. But if I can save $70 on the rear and $50 on the front I'm going to do it myself. I'd much rather put that money into something permanent on the bike. Call me crazy, you wouldn't be the first.

Call me crazy too!