Bad Warranty and service

[glang]

I would have thought that a reasonable course of action would have been for the dealer to open up the head bearing and then closely inspect it. From its state it might be possible to show wheelies, poor installation or defective component and so decide who pays - Suzuki might even learn something about greasing!

[embee]

I don't agree that head bearings are any different (in terms of being fit for purpose) from other chassis parts.

The simple fact is that modern bike assembly practice seems to be to have a picture of a grease tin hung above the production line and when the head bearings are fitted the operators look at the picture. My SV head bearings were near enough dry.

My Honda was the same, and they were loose too.

If they are decent quality, properly installed, adjusted, and greased, they should last pretty much the life of the bike, it's what would reasonably be expected. Bike manufacturers seem to get away with stuff that the car industry simply couldn't (and that's my background, have the T-shirt and all). It's the same with issues of corrosion resistance, it can be done but it hits profit margins, and we (the mugs) seem to put up with it.

I think you're right to make a fuss, but don't hold your breath ...........

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by embee

If they are decent quality, properly installed, adjusted, and greased, they should last pretty much the life of the bike, it's what would reasonably be expected.

Not what I've found from direct experience.
Using my Kawasaki as an example, I'm on my third set of steering bearings, and they most certainly have been fitted, greased and adjusted correctly. Steering bearings are under direct load from suspension deflection and braking puts a gretat strain through them using the length of the front suspension as a considerable lever.
It's certainly true that a lack of grease will significantly shorten their life, but poor adjustment will do it even sooner, but it's simply the nature of the beast, and an example of even modern designed motorbikes being just bicycles with engines.

[embee]

I guess I was assuming (dangerous) that they were of a competent design in the first place, if the designers get it wrong then the other factors are over-ridden. the point is that there's no reason why head bearings shouldn't last the life of the bike, car suspension lasts pretty well these days (it's designed to withstand potholes etc).

I still say bikes are generally poor "quality" compared to cars, and it's because the car industry has been forced into improving quality by customer expectations, they vote with their wallets. It's no coincidence that the greatest rise in world market share of vehicles has been in the company with one of the best reliability/quality records. I can feel a Ralph Nader moment coming on................

[yorkie_chris]

But bikes are toys so all people want is cheap speed.

People whinge about build quality but would not pay for quality if given choice.

over 2 years in uk conditions isnt bad for head bearings that have never seen any grease'....some of you lads need to ride diff bikes...ive been riding over 25 yrs now and had well over 50 bikes..some make's shed head bearings in months!!! fact!....most failures are due to obvious problems ie: no grease at factory( a good dealer will pdi and sort)..wheelies, pressure washing blah blah blah...as chris pointed out, when u buy a bike...strip and grease(wise words)..

[Sir Trev]

Originally Posted by lee67

when u buy a bike...strip and grease(wise words)..

Shame though, isn't it? And not always necessary. I striped my swing arm out a couple of years ago on this premise and found the bearings were properly greased and fine.

I'd be interested to know if many people have successfully rejected a bike as being unfit for purpose on that basis under the Sale and Supply of Goods Act.

probs cos it had a decent pdi done when new m8...good dealers will strip bikes at pdi and grease head bearings etc...saves hassle down the line

Originally Posted by lee67

probs cos it had a decent pdi done when new m8...good dealers will strip bikes at pdi and grease head bearings etc...saves hassle down the line

I dont know of any dealer that will do that. Especially now in the days of people wanting to buy them cheap. How can a dealer make a profit to stay afloat when they make £50 a bike sale and spend 2 hours greasing the bearings!.

Grease has little to do with it. Adjustment is the key and sadly bearings are a consumable like brake pads etc. They wear out and need replacing.

As said above people are too tight to pay for a bike thats built to last!

Take it from someone who sells and deals with warranty for a living, when you are talking about things like bearings they are wear and tear items and as such are not covered under a mechanical/electrical warranty (this should be in your small print somewhere) If trying to claim on a fit for purpose basis, this is a notoriously grey area and is at dealer discretion – however with most things like this the dealers will wash their hands of obligation after a 3 month period. In short you will have to cough up the £100 and would surprised if Suzuki Japan will give you any joy either, since company policy filters down from them anyway.