05-29-2019, 08:32 AM
Revzilla has always treated me very well IMHO. Prices might not be the cheapest around, but not the most expensive either. The customer service is top drawer, and this has been particularly valuable when I couldnt find something locally, that required trying it on, like a helmet, jacket, gloves, or boots. With Revzilla, if is does not fit, they will email a prepaid return label, and promptly give a full refund once the item gets to them and it is confirmed in the same condition as when it was shipped to the customer.
A really GOOD dealer seems like a very rare thing these days. The dealer I bought my bike from told me the first service had to be done at the dealership to get my engine registered with Honda for warranty!! As most of us know, that first service at 600 miles is nothing more than an oil and filter change. One of the pieces of paperwork I received with everything else when I took delivery, was a statement indicating my first service was $148.50 PLUS PARTS! On contacting Honda U.S. I confirmed that was nonsense, I could do the work myself, my engine was already on file with Honda for warranty, and to just document date, mileage and parts used. I confess I was discouraged when Honda U.S. was not concerned about what the dealer had told me, or what the dealer wanted to charge for the first service. I was told "dealerships are independently owned ( I already knew that ) , and they can basically do or charge whatever they want. Doesn't sound like what Honda Japan Corporate would be pleased to hear does it?
The bottom line for me is this, unless I do not have the knowledge and/or tools to do whatever needs to be done to my bike myself, I will not go to the dealer for service. I dont even get parts from the dealer unless it is urgent, or I cant find it anywhere else. If I cant do it myself, then and only then will I try to find a dealer with a good service department. When looking for a service department go online to Honda Powersports and search dealers close to your zip code. Each dealer will show whether or not they have Honda factory trained mechanics. As to parts, Babbits online is a good source, and I use motosport.com for oil and filters. It will be interesting to see how Revzilla prices on parts compare to Babbits, and some of the other online sources I have used.
A really GOOD dealer seems like a very rare thing these days. The dealer I bought my bike from told me the first service had to be done at the dealership to get my engine registered with Honda for warranty!! As most of us know, that first service at 600 miles is nothing more than an oil and filter change. One of the pieces of paperwork I received with everything else when I took delivery, was a statement indicating my first service was $148.50 PLUS PARTS! On contacting Honda U.S. I confirmed that was nonsense, I could do the work myself, my engine was already on file with Honda for warranty, and to just document date, mileage and parts used. I confess I was discouraged when Honda U.S. was not concerned about what the dealer had told me, or what the dealer wanted to charge for the first service. I was told "dealerships are independently owned ( I already knew that ) , and they can basically do or charge whatever they want. Doesn't sound like what Honda Japan Corporate would be pleased to hear does it?
The bottom line for me is this, unless I do not have the knowledge and/or tools to do whatever needs to be done to my bike myself, I will not go to the dealer for service. I dont even get parts from the dealer unless it is urgent, or I cant find it anywhere else. If I cant do it myself, then and only then will I try to find a dealer with a good service department. When looking for a service department go online to Honda Powersports and search dealers close to your zip code. Each dealer will show whether or not they have Honda factory trained mechanics. As to parts, Babbits online is a good source, and I use motosport.com for oil and filters. It will be interesting to see how Revzilla prices on parts compare to Babbits, and some of the other online sources I have used.