pcx problems and bad service from Honda

[hansiver]

My friend have a one year old PCX with about 5000 km on the clock. One mounth ago the problem started . The bike began to stop at idle and he had to hold the trotle to prevent the motor to stop. He went to the shop where he bought the bike last year. After 2 days he had it back and it was ok. They told him that there was some problem with the switch one the sidestend. 3 days later the engine warning light starts to glow. Back to the dealer and this time 4 days before he had it back. The bike was ok for one day, them the old problem with stopping on idleing was back. Back to the dealer again. After 4 days he and his wife called the dealer. They didn't know what was wrong with the bike and since they already had done a lot with the bike on the warranty they have to wait for Honda to say they could start to fix the bike. How long will this take? My friend ask. 4 - 6 weeks they answer him. Been 4 weeks no and nothing new from the dealer or Honda. My friend visit the shop  almost ewery day to ceck but his bike is standing at the same place and noone work on it. So there you have the Honda warranty. Anyone here who has the same experience with Honda? By the way this is outside Buriram

[kaorop]

Doesnt that bike have an engine stops at lights function? 

[OneMoreFarang]

I think you have to ask yourself how long you want to wait for this or how much money you are willing to pay to fix it another way.

Sure, it would be good if Honda repairs it on warranty, but what if they don't do this anytime soon?

Maybe you can go to another shop (ask around for someone who specializes in these bikes) and try there.

Personally I would prefer to pay i.e. 1,000B somewhere and get it done.

[guzzi850m2]

Service on small bikes/scooter is a hit and miss here.

 

A 4000km service is changing oil and nothing else despite they are supposed to check wear and tear on brakes and other parts.

 

Yes forget about the shop your friend have been using as they clearly don't know how to fix it.

 

He will have to find a place that know how to work on the electrical parts on the pcx, so ask around.

[papa al]

papa thanks Buddha daily for the good mechanics around.

Find one that has a volt meter.

Decent shop could diagnose in 10 minutes and fix in an hour easy.

PCX electrical system is not that complicated.

& yes,  rule out operator error // idle-stop mode..

[OneMoreFarang]

4 hours ago, papa al said:

papa thanks Buddha daily for the good mechanics around.

Find one that has a volt meter.

Decent shop could diagnose in 10 minutes and fix in an hour easy.

PCX electrical system is not that complicated.

& yes,  rule out operator error // idle-stop mode..

Wouldn't it be wonderful if it would be so easy to repair it?

I don't know this problem but I had enough problems which sometimes happen and then again not and it's difficult to diagnose them.

And often (I don't know the PCX) the wiring is not easily accessible checking the voltage here and there and monitor it is easier said then done.

[hansiver]

My friend  stopped by the Honda shop yesterday and asked  if there was any news about his bike. The mecanic told him that they like to change 3 parts, but Honda told them to wait. I think Honda is working slow on this, as they hope my freind will get tired of this and pay for the repairs out of his own pocket. 

I have 3 Honda bikes, PCX, CBR250 and a Spacey. All of my bikes are serviced on a local repair shop with skilled mechanics. I think I will tell my friend to take the bike out of the shop and go to my repair shop instead, he will lose his warranty but he might have his bike back on the road. 

[OneMoreFarang]

42 minutes ago, hansiver said:

My friend  stopped by the Honda shop yesterday and asked  if there was any news about his bike. The mecanic told him that they like to change 3 parts, but Honda told them to wait. I think Honda is working slow on this, as they hope my freind will get tired of this and pay for the repairs out of his own pocket. 

I have 3 Honda bikes, PCX, CBR250 and a Spacey. All of my bikes are serviced on a local repair shop with skilled mechanics. I think I will tell my friend to take the bike out of the shop and go to my repair shop instead, he will lose his warranty but he might have his bike back on the road. 

I agree with the new repair shop. But will he lose his warranty? I guess he might lose it for certain parts (if they notice), but not for the whole bike. But I am not sure, this is why I ask.

[AllanB]

Like me your friend is suffering from acute "Sub 300c Syndrome". Big bike shops where they have a few people who know shit won't touch bikes under 300cc. That leaves us with Honda Wave oil change wallers, who manage that simple task only after an hours retraining every morning.

 

Took my brand new CRF back after a few days to get a few issues sorted, they asked me to adjust the clutch and set the headlight height. Another put the wrong amount of oil in it.

 

Sorry you are no your own mate.

[VocalNeal]

2 hours ago, hansiver said:

The mecanic told him that they like to change 3 parts

So why didn't your friend simply say "I will pay for the parts"?  Who wants the bike fixed most? Your friend or Honda?

[dksharron]

He can call Honda in Bangkok directly.  I have called Bangkok office for many companies to get what I deserve when their local shops do not do their jobs.  I do not believe that the local shop of Honda is actually contacting Bkk and getting directions from them.  I would bet they are trying to find a way of " fixing " it without paying for parts.

 

He has a Thai wife, so she can be the one to complain.  And, Honda will have  employees to speak to him in English.   He can tell them, if they cannot repair it immediately, he will request a replacement. be bold and they will act.  They are used to Thais never questioning the high power position of a large company. 

 

 

[VocalNeal]

The bike has been at the dealer for 4 weeks. That is 4 weeks of no riding.  If he wants to he can indicate that this might be a compliant for the office of consumer protection. (The Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB)) That might get some response but it sounds like he is trying to cut off his nose to spite his face. Honda will claim they are acting on it but.. The dealer did not tell them or a dog ate the paperwork or the Area rep has the measles or...

 

I still think he should ask for a list of the parts they want to replace and how much if he pays for them. A complete wiring harness is a about 2500 baht. Just for reference. 

 

 

 

[jackdd]

A Honda PCX has "idle stop", so it's normal that it stops at idle, unless you switch the switch from "idle stop" to "idling".

 

Obviously it's typical Thai style, whatever the real problem is, they aren't telling you the truth, just say "we do it" and smile at you, but in reality they are doing nothing.

It's definitely possible for them to fix it, whatever problem is, in one day. If they have to order parts it takes an additional 1-3 days to order the parts.

 

When you go to a shop to get anything fixed, the first question is if they have time to do it right now. If they say no, you take it to another shop, there are so many Honda shops around.

While they do anything you should stand by the side and have a look at what they do exactly. Let them explain (the mechanics) what they think the problem is and what they are going to do. If they have to order parts and the motorbike is able to drive you take it back home, and go back when the parts arrived.

Whatever the problem with the warranty is (if there is any at all) i'm quite sure Honda has Telephones and Email, so ask them exactly what the problem is, and tell them that you want to talk with the people at the Honda "Head office" who are responsible for this. If you push them enough after 30 minutes it's probably solved and they can continue to fix the motorbike.

[transam]

Are you saying it conks out with the idle stop turned off...?

[OneMoreFarang]

3 hours ago, jackdd said:

A Honda PCX has "idle stop", so it's normal that it stops at idle, unless you switch the switch from "idle stop" to "idling".

 

Obviously it's typical Thai style, whatever the real problem is, they aren't telling you the truth, just say "we do it" and smile at you, but in reality they are doing nothing.

It's definitely possible for them to fix it, whatever problem is, in one day. If they have to order parts it takes an additional 1-3 days to order the parts.

 

When you go to a shop to get anything fixed, the first question is if they have time to do it right now. If they say no, you take it to another shop, there are so many Honda shops around.

While they do anything you should stand by the side and have a look at what they do exactly. Let them explain (the mechanics) what they think the problem is and what they are going to do. If they have to order parts and the motorbike is able to drive you take it back home, and go back when the parts arrived.

Whatever the problem with the warranty is (if there is any at all) i'm quite sure Honda has Telephones and Email, so ask them exactly what the problem is, and tell them that you want to talk with the people at the Honda "Head office" who are responsible for this. If you push them enough after 30 minutes it's probably solved and they can continue to fix the motorbike.

Do you have good experience behaving like that? Id does not exactly sound like the way to make friends?

 

Most people don't like it if they work and someone looks over their shoulder and wants to know all the details and maybe wants to tell them how to make things better.

 

I had three different bikes in Thailand and had them serviced in three different shops which were specialized in these bikes. I brought them the bikes, told them what the problem is or what I wanted to get done, let them alone do the job, and picked up the bike later - normally on the next day. I have good experience with this.

 

[jackdd]

6 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Do you have good experience behaving like that? Id does not exactly sound like the way to make friends?

 

Most people don't like it if they work and someone looks over their shoulder and wants to know all the details and maybe wants to tell them how to make things better.

Yes, from my experience that's the only way to do it if you want to have an acceptable result. I don't take my motorbike to the shop to make friends, but to get my bike fixed, as quickly and good as possible. I've seen too much crap by mechanics and craftsmen in my live already, not only in Thailand, but also in Germany, that i would say you can let them work alone, and i'm not even old.

That it's not nice to have somebody look over your shoulder all the time... i totally agree with you. But without doing this, who knows what they do or don't do.

 

4 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I had three different bikes in Thailand and had them serviced in three different shops which were specialized in these bikes. I brought them the bikes, told them what the problem is or what I wanted to get done, let them alone do the job, and picked up the bike later - normally on the next day. I have good experience with this.

Can of course work, but in case of OP it did obviously not work.

[macknife]

Take it to another Honda shop, there are many.    Seems obvious.

Worst case, take it to a private mechanic. Parts and labour are very cheap here.

[thaiguzzi]

18 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Most people don't like it if they work and someone looks over their shoulder and wants to know all the details and maybe wants to tell them how to make things better.

Labour rates;

$30 per hour

If you watch us $35 per hour

If you worked on it before $40 per hour

If you help us $45 per hour...

[moe666]

Jeez tell your friend to pay for the parts out of pocket there not that expensive. Had the engine on my PCX rebuilt for 8000b and that included a few other things.. If you buy a car or bike and cannot afford to pay out of pocket to keep it repaired then you cannot afford that car or bike

[OneMoreFarang]

17 minutes ago, moe666 said:

Jeez tell your friend to pay for the parts out of pocket there not that expensive. Had the engine on my PCX rebuilt for 8000b and that included a few other things.. If you buy a car or bike and cannot afford to pay out of pocket to keep it repaired then you cannot afford that car or bike

I agree with you. But I met enough people who do something out of principle. They insist to get things done on warranty and they involve anyone from the local manager to the country manager etc. And maybe 3 months later they are proud that they got it fixed "for free".

 

The alternative would be to pay maybe a thousand baht or two and have the bike ready in 3 days. But those people won't do that - out of principle...

[VocalNeal]

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

But I met enough people who do something out of principle.

There are times that is appropriate and times when it is not. Westerners think warranty and it should be repaired free of charge. Maybe the warranty in this case says parts not labour or vice versa ..

Asians may think, who needs this problem solved most? 

 

 

[papa al]

4 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I met enough people who do something out of principle

...& what great moral principle is involved here.?

Really tho, should wait for years if that is what it takes, i guess.

Gotsta do the 'right thing.'

& 

Has operator error been definitely ruled out?

[hansiver]

Thank you for all the advice her. My friend had his bike back two days ago. Here is what he did. I told him about the advice from this forum and he told his wife to call Honda main office. She was busy working so she told him to go to the shop and ask them about the bike. If they don't give you any posiv news call me and I will speak to them about the Honda main office, she told him. He did. He went down to the Honda shop and when he came inside they just smiled shake their heads and say maybee one week we dont have the right part for your bike. He called his wife explained to her what the boss in the shop just told him, and then handled the phone over to him. My friends wife are not afraid of conflicts and she was angry in the phone and told the Honda guy that she will call the main office and complain. After 2 - 3 minutts my friend had his phone back and they told him that his bike will be ready tomorrow morning. 0900 the next day his PCX was delivered outside his house and they had fixed it on the garanti.

I think they have had the parts for the bike all the time, they was just hoping that my friend would get tired of waithing and pay. 

Next time we bay a bike we don't use this shop

[OneMoreFarang]

3 hours ago, hansiver said:

Thank you for all the advice her. My friend had his bike back two days ago. Here is what he did. I told him about the advice from this forum and he told his wife to call Honda main office. She was busy working so she told him to go to the shop and ask them about the bike. If they don't give you any posiv news call me and I will speak to them about the Honda main office, she told him. He did. He went down to the Honda shop and when he came inside they just smiled shake their heads and say maybee one week we dont have the right part for your bike. He called his wife explained to her what the boss in the shop just told him, and then handled the phone over to him. My friends wife are not afraid of conflicts and she was angry in the phone and told the Honda guy that she will call the main office and complain. After 2 - 3 minutts my friend had his phone back and they told him that his bike will be ready tomorrow morning. 0900 the next day his PCX was delivered outside his house and they had fixed it on the garanti.

I think they have had the parts for the bike all the time, they was just hoping that my friend would get tired of waithing and pay. 

Next time we bay a bike we don't use this shop

Somehow that does not project a positive picture of your friend. Maybe he did something to piss them off and then he got the come-back-next-week answers...

[Briggsy]

Many people in this thread are confusing the dealer with Honda. The dealer did jack. I bet the dealer never contacted Honda.

 

The dealer has a contract with Honda but often does whatever they like.

 

Remember when you are speaking to a dealer, you are NOT speaking to a representative of Honda. They can be reached by phoning Honda.

 

Motorcycle dealers in Thailand are often interested in very little other than closing a sale and selling finance.

[speedtripler]

4 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Somehow that does not project a positive picture of your friend. Maybe he did something to piss them off and then he got the come-back-next-week answers...

I don't think so

I've had hundreds of services over dozens of bikes and sometimes if you dig your heels in and they dig their heels in your going to be in for a long wait

Whether you think /know something is covered by insurance or warranty you will be tempted to insist they will do it for FREE

 

But in my experience, that doesn't get the bike fixed the fastest.. 

 

If you want to ride out of their the same day, sometimes pretending it's your fault and paying for the Replacing the part is the best way to get you and your bike on the road again

 

Obviously, it depends on the price but if its something  cheap you better weigh Your time against a free replacement to make sure it's worth it

 

On a small bike , I'd bet it isn't most of the time.... 

 

Even if you only need a fuse, it will take longer and have more paperwork to be authorised  if you want it under warranty than pay cash and ride out in 20min

[OneMoreFarang]

13 hours ago, Briggsy said:

Many people in this thread are confusing the dealer with Honda. The dealer did jack. I bet the dealer never contacted Honda.

 

The dealer has a contract with Honda but often does whatever they like.

 

Remember when you are speaking to a dealer, you are NOT speaking to a representative of Honda. They can be reached by phoning Honda.

 

Motorcycle dealers in Thailand are often interested in very little other than closing a sale and selling finance.

That's a good point. A couple of years ago I decided I wanted to buy a Suzuki Raider in Bangkok. I live in Sukhumvit and I thought there should be several dealers more or less around the corner. I looked at the Suzuki website and the nearest dealer for authorized sale, authorized services and authorizes spare parts was at the other end of Bangkok in Bang Sue. Lots of other dealers sell just the bikes.

I wanted the full authorized package and I bought the bike there and I bring it there for service. Even if it takes me two hours to get there and back I never regretted my decision because they really have good management and good service.

If someone wants a Suzuki I can highly recommend then: http://www.motorcyclesbangkok.com/