Scary experience with Cycle Sports today

[maleko]

So I took my bike to the shop this morning, it needed a new chain and an oil change. I have gone to cycle sports before because I have a Honda and they are the Honda dealer. After the service the dude from the shop took it on a test ride then turned it back over to me. Ten miles later I started leaking oil (the drain plug fell out) while cruising down greenhill rd. I rode for about half a mile before I realized I had a problem. The road curved to the left and when leaned the rear wheel started sliding (the left side of the tire was covered in oil). The tire caught as I leaned back up and the bike bucked pretty hard I thought I was going to high side it (I'm sure it wasn't as bad as it felt like but I was pretty scared at the time). As I was pulling over the oil light started flashing and I shut it off. I called cycle sports and they sent a truck out to get my bike and I.

The mechanic who had done the oil change came and picked me up saying he was very sorry and in his 12 years of working on bikes he'd never made a mistake like that. We drove back to to the shop and he put in oil and a new drain plug. I told the service manager I wanted my money back and they said that a refund check would take them a few months to get and suggested I take a service credit instead. Since I'm a nice guy and I need a few things done on my bike, I took him up on it.

They also gave my bike a really good wash (which it badly needed), and while they were running it over to their washing area the gas light came on so they filled the tank. At the end of the day the bike's un-damaged and I'm un-injured so all's good. I had heard plenty of bad things about cycle sports and now I know why. I think I'll be going elsewhere for service from now on, after I use my free service credit that is.

[YOMAMAR6]

WOW happy we didnt have to hear about one us ESBers going down. i would of make them replace my tire for free for posable flat spot in tire. i only heard things so i not going to say anything bad about them.

[rickster]

Yikes! Thank God that didn't turn out worse! I hope you at least communicated your disappointment clearly! This should serve as an encouragement to some to learn to do some of their own maintenance. :2cents:

Cycle Sports-:bash: -Maleko

[KnightReiteR]

glad u didnt crash. heard rumors of cycle sports too. just happy it wasnt too serious.

[WindBurnt]

I had heard plenty of bad things about cycle sports and now I know why. I think I'll be going elsewhere for service from now on, after I use my free service credit that is.


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ good idea:thumbup: ive had nothing but bad deals with them. dont know how they stay in buisness with stuff like that and all the turnovers of employees.

[FJMam]

so..how many times have we heard these stories about the same place??????

Happy you got off the nice way and they made some effort to make it right.

[2k2 banshee]

You should call ROB in salem store and tell him about this oil thing they could have killed you. Dont just push it under the rug. Bitch to ROB. As for a refund the guy lied to you he could have done it that guy is a sack of fkn sht (sh@t) he likes to lie alot. They jusy screwed another friend of mine bad last week with his 450 quad.

[Flyte Risk]

You will NEVER get that oil out of your rear tire. I would demand a new rear tire for your own saftey.

[poisonivyR1]

You will NEVER get that oil out of your rear tire. I would demand a new rear tire for your own saftey.

:nutkick yep that tires toast go get them to put a new one on it
I would never trust something thats been drenched in oil
between me and the road :bash:

[onewildone]

Hey Mark glad to hear you didn't go down..Whew!!! I bet that was scary...For me I have only had good service with those guys..They have always been good to me and done good work for me..Maybe its all about when a person goes in, and what tech handles your bike..It only takes one tech to do this a few times before a bad rep or stories lead to a bad place to take your bike.. At least they tried to comp you in some way to show they want to stand behind their service...

[TOM-CAT]

..It only takes one tech to do this a few times before a bad rep or stories lead to a bad place to take your bike.. There are A LOT of bad stories, hasn't seemed to change anything. :idunno:

:2cents:

[2k2 banshee]

Comp him buy lying and saying that it will take that long to refund his money. Sh!t they would have said no to a new tire also. they have sucked for a long time. just wait your turn is coming (onewildone) and that sucks for me to say cause everyone lets them get away with crap. They just got someones zx10 impounded cause of one of the techs had (no licences) and took it for a ride after a service. the owner had to go get it and the nice peeps at the impound took it for a 70 mile joy ride. yah that place is awsome. they fked me and some of my friends so fk them. go there at youre own risk. but if you go there the only guy that is worth a crap in the service dep is a tech Ken Green.:2cents:

[Xusia]

I used to be a big Cycle Sports fan and knew just about everybody there. Not anymore. I now know no one and I am certainly not a fan. As fast as they go through people they can't POSSIBLY get anyone properly trained, let alone qualified to begin with.

Like Lee said, I honestly can't believe they are still in business...

[R-666]

Coming from a former cycle sports employee ( me)=

When cycle sports does get good people ( Ken Greene, Serina ) There hands are tied by managment- Dave Colfax ( owner) Rob ( salem manager) Randy ( salem service manager). Dave runs it like a furniture store- doesnt even like bikes...at all! Rob, was hired to over see things...- as soon as a customer gets cranky, for whatever reason- he turns into a dick. I have stood witness to many convo's about customers between rob and whoever- no matter what the customer is to never get it their way. That company stays afloat due to other businesses owned by colfax and the fact that people who dont know how they work still purchase there. As a whole, there are good people that know the industry that work for them... not meaning that to defend anyone but I dont consider myself to be a idiot when it comes to bikes, nor did I try and screw people. But then again, I got out as soon as I could hahaha
The tech that got that bike inpounded is a good guy, he wasnt a prick and is a competent mechanic. Not justifing him riding a bike not endorsed but when I worked there ( I was in parts) I would have to test alot of the bikes for I was the only one who had an endorsment. The tech got pulled for no lcense plate, least that is what I was told, but he isnt a bad guy.
I will never go out of my way to direct business to that shop.... My bike will never be in that service department and no one but those who I trust with my life will work on my ride.

I would suggest a new tire aswell, the residues will emerge when the tire gets hot and makes it unstable and unpredictable. For you safety, thats what I would do.

Just my two cents-

[ulysses_IV]

who told you that story???? that was my bike that got impounded

Comp him buy lying and saying that it will take that long to refund his money. Sh!t they would have said no to a new tire also. they have sucked for a long time. just wait your turn is coming (onewildone) and that sucks for me to say cause every one lets them get away with crap. They just got someones zx10 impounded cause of one of the techs had no licences and took it for a ride after a service. the owner had to go get it and the nice peeps at the impound took it for a 70 mile joy ride. yah that place is awsome. they fked me and some of my friends so fk them go there at youre own risk. but if you go there the only guy that is worth a crap is Ken Green.

[2k2 banshee]

A good friend told me about youre ZX10 ..

[YOMAMAR6]

if i was the guy with the zx-10 i would go see as lawer. cause you dont know what could of got screewed up in that extra miles. i would be making the shop to give me a new bike not like they would but there better be some major they better do. and is this the ryan that rode th ex 500??? sorry feel for you man

[ryan6055]

no im the ryan that rode the ex 500. I have upgraded since last summer im on a zx9 now:rad:

[Monkey Nutts]

Ok I have been pondering this for a day now. Honestly, what would a lawyer accomplish? Cost you $150/hr minimum for what: Draft a nasty letter saying buy my clients bike because testing repairs is illegal? What would you benefit from? $150 or more later, a kick in the berries and you might get a $50 gift card from the shop as a sorry? End of the day would you go back. Probably not so why would they even bother to give you a free lunch.

Endorsement or not don't you think you would want the mechanic that worked on your bike to put his ass on the line to test out his work before he hands it over to you? I would. Who knows, could have been a simple repair and the mechanic was out of line. It happens, but you don't see the guy with the ZX10 chiming in to complain.

Sorry to rant and rave but the "I would call a lawyer" line sounds like someone that chases ambulances for a living.:2cents:

[maleko]

Well, no dice on a new tire, but I put 400 miles on the one that had oil on it and no problems, the guy did a pretty good job cleaning it and I watched him do everything when the bike was back in the shop. I will call Rob and see if there is anything he can do for me as far as a refund. Thats a crazy story about the zx10, what a dumbass

[maleko]

Who do you go to for service? Ramsey waite? Cycle Parts?

[Xusia]

Cycle parts or I do it myself (which isn't much cause I don't like it!)

[TOM-CAT]

...
Sorry to rant and rave but the "I would call a lawyer" line sounds like someone that chases ambulances for a living.:2cents:Edwin doesn't chase ambulances, he rides in them. :laughing:

[R-666]

cycle parts or do it myself...Clint does great work... and If I do it... theres no one to blame but myself...that and its cheaper hahaha

[ulysses_IV]

cycle parts or do it myself...Clint does great work... and If I do it... theres no one to blame but myself...that and its cheaper hahahai will agree clint does do great work but make sure you ask for clint or hunter to work on the bike. 1 of the other guys worked on my gxsr 1100 and did a terible job.:2cents:

[2k2 banshee]

there is other ways to go then just talking to a lawer..

[YOMAMAR6]

Edwin doesn't chase ambulances, he rides in them. :laughing:
i havent rode in one yet knock on wood

[TigerRider]

i will agree clint does do great work but make sure you ask for clint or hunter to work on the bike. 1 of the other guys worked on my gxsr 1100 and did a terible job.:2cents:Ryan,
Contact me offlist. I want to hear your story.

Thanks.

Michael Pierce
Customer Relations
Cycle Parts - Triumph
541-953-9999 (my personal cell #)

[FJMam]

Once again.......Cycle Parts. For over 10 years now and always pleased.

Hey! maybe Rod wants to sponsor the ESB.com sight since the shop keeps getting Kudos from us, let alone our $$$?

just a thought

[willcbr600rr]

Got my oil changed so far so good :eek:

[snkkpr01]

I know I'm the noob. BUT

Rod is good people and so far his shop has never done me wrong. I didn't get my bike there, after many trips and many sits I chose another brand. They still except me with open arms and everyone went out front to see my new Buell. Rod even said I did good. I will be going there for service in the future. Just have to get him to stock my filters...LOL

Darin

[ZRX_PAUL]

I USED to have Cycle Sports work on my bike for the first 3 years. Back then Doug Leroux worked there and was an excellent mechanic. Never had a problem with his work or the work of Harwood. After these techs were no longer there, things changed for the worse. After some noob worked on my bike, using a claw hammer on it in front of me, and assembled the rear axle stack incorrectly resulting in a BROKEN rear wheel bearing, I quit doing business with them. The day they did the work I took a 400 mile ride to Crater Lake during which the rear bearing failed. I easily could have been seriously injured or killed if the bearing had seized and locked the rear wheel.

I have always been, and I still am a big fan of Clint at Cycle Parts. Ace Mechanic!!! His reputation is very good, and he has a lot of clientele that insist on having only HIM work on their bikes.
I just choose to work on my own bike in most cases now. I really don't want to, but it is the best way for me to be certain of my own safety. If they could just clone Clint and stock all the local bike shops with Clint clones, we could all have a good mechanic..................

[SpeedIIIJosh]

Yep, they stand behind thier service, by lieing to you about a refund check (Cycle Sports). He could have done it right then and there, he just "sales managed" to keep your money in the store with a "service credit". If they have your money, you should get a tire.

If you can't do your own stuff, Clint is great. He'll fix as if it was his.

Remember, no one is as concerned about your bike or personal safety as much as you are. Do it yourself if you have the tools, buy them if you don't.

[SpeedIIIJosh]

dont know how they stay in buisness with stuff like that and all the turnovers of employees. Squids in flip flops, shorts, and tees that don't know any better.

And on Tuesday, someone once again will be screwed and/or have thier life put at risk by these duffesses.

[Kelbor]

Funny tales of horror. I went there when looking for a bike - was not impressed so went elsewhere. Funny thing is that while there we got into a discussion about crazy torque and speed these new bikes are packing. Sales dude started bragging about how "I got one of the new Zx's up to 135 after turning north onto River Rd. in only a few seconds.....before reaching beltline" I walked away thinking how pissed I would be if that was my bike being rapped by their shop gorrilla.

I go to Clint too when I cant handle it myself (or call with a quick question and he is as super helpful as he can be)

[ShiftyTT]

Wow, interesting to hear all these stories. I haven't personally done business with cycle sports but been witness to some "stories" of theirs...and the circus that was ordering apparel... On the other hand Ive had my bike in the shop at cycle parts a couple times for inspection and set-up and chain & sprocket and I am very impressed. Rod, Arron and Clint are all top notch in my book.

[Z1-2dream]

I too have heard and experienced my share of horror stories involving cycle sports. The one thing I have to say is the old sales manager Guy @%%& is a snake and I would never recmd. buying or dealing with him. I believe he is currently employed at Ramsey Waite. Who also Ive heard horror stories about. Personally I like to do all the servicing I can. It helps me get to know my Bike Better +++ and its nice NOT having fairings. ha ha ha lol!!!!!

[KnightReiteR]

I bought my bike from Ramsey, but Ill never have them work on it. Cycle Parts is OK. Ill go to them if my own personal mechanic cant work on my bike. :D

[Alex9101]

I never went anywhere else except CycleParts! I trust Clint and if something I go straight to him! :clapping::ride::victory-s

[TOM-CAT]

...Ill go to them if my own personal mechanic cant work on my bike. :D

:lol:

[Savorrow]

Well this is all good to know.

I will be getting my bike from Cycle Sports. I ALMOST went through Ryan at the cycle sports off River Rd. But I will be getting my bike from 'Digger' up in Salem.

Looks like Clint will be my go-to-guy for all my cycle needs.

[zippy]

I know it was a long time ago, but I happy no one was hurt man... people get canned immediately for stuff like that.

[Matt]

I know it was a long time ago, but I happy no one was hurt man... people get canned immediately for stuff like that.



You sure won't get canned there for riding a new bike without an endorsement though :yes:. Or a license in general for that matter.