Help dealing with a "dealer"!!!!!

Sorry to hear about your problem.

The first thing I would do is check to see that the transmission fluid was, in fact, changed at the 600-mi. service. Check the invoice, and if it doesn't show on there, I'd speak to the service manager and ask him if it was done.

If it was done, I'd point out to the fact that more than likely the tech either completely forgot to fill it or didn't put enough in. Since you can still hear "noise" and your gas mileage is way down it's arguable that there is a tranny problem as a result. I would request that the dealer inspect the transmission and ALLOW YOU TO VIEW IT AFTER IT'S APART, and have them DEMONSTRATE whether there is damage or not.

If the dealer refuses to do this, I would ask for the name and contact information of the Suzuki representative for your region, and I would prepare a business letter outlining your concerns and send it, WITH A COPY TO THE DEALER. When doing this, I recommend using US Priority Mail. It's not nearly as expensive as the overnight options, but still comes in these eye-popping big envelopes, which are good attention-getters.

It is important to be unfailingly polite during all this, as you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

If, after contact with the Suzuki rep, you still don't get what you want, I would send them another letter, REGISTERED this time, stating that your concerns are not met and that you are notifying them that should any problems occur with the transmission in the future, this is documentation of your concerns, and your feeling that the transmission may have suffered damage from this incident that shortened the usable life of the transmission. After that, if something does come up, then you have full documentation in case legal proceedings become necessary.

Now then: if you start at step 1 and the dealer works with you, then you have no problem. If the dealer won't work with you, I'd certainly give that dealer no more of my business, and if it were me I'd post the NAME of the dealer HERE so the rest of us can be warned.

Hope this helps...

WLB :>)

mojony said:

...The 600 mile service requires ALL fluids on the burgman be replaced. I for one just believe this service requirement is just a clever way dealers use to make $$$.

Click to expand...

'taint so.

I agree that it sounds like your tranny fluid was under-filled or not filled at all after draining.

I don't agree that replacing fluids at 600 miles is a scam.

During the first few hundred miles any manufacturing debris, metal shavings from wearing in, etc. flood the fluids, and changing them is the only way to prevent premature failure of the moving parts.

Anyway, here's my suggestion. Take your bike to a different shop, tell them what happened, and let them do an inspection. Have them give you a written estimate for repairs and take it to your dealer. Be polite, but be firm.

If they won't play ball you can take them to court with the other shop's technician called as an expert witness.

Good luck.

Whining noise

I also had a similar problem. After my 600 miles service maintnance, a loud whining noise developped on by Burgman 650. Like you I immediately suspected a lack of oil somewhere!

My dealer picked up the bike with his truck and took it back to his shop. I was afraid to drive it in case it did more damage.

It turn out to be a plastic part rubbing against the rear wheel. It could not be detected with the bike on the center stand but only with the bike running normally.

The dealer explained that his mechanic reinstalled some plastic part the same way he did on a Burgman 400 which led to this particular part rubbing on the wheel once the bike was moving.

I am sorry I cannot give you more accurate details but it definitely is worth for your dealer to investigate.