No matter where I meet Wing owners, receive an e-mail or view a forum someone is having a bad experience with a dealer. Now here's the interesting part, I get ready to graduate from Wyotech with HD training added to my existing Goldwing and trike knowledge. I have applied to a couple of Honda dealers bringing this skill to their shop and you'd think they'd be thrilled to have someone bring this talent to them; no, one asked me if I had training on jet-skis, lawnmowers and generators. Okay this is what's funny, spend lets say $500.00 on a Honda lawnmower and get top notch service or spend $28,000.00 on a Goldwing and hear "Sorry we have no one here that knows how to work on it". I can be the solution to a problem, if someone is willing to get their head out of the sand (I really wanted to use another word here).

I wish you the best in finding a home for your skills. Their lose will be somebody else's gain. A good wrench is hard to find.
When I wrecked my 85 Aspencade the Dealer that was going to do the repairs want me to trade up to a 1500, when I ask what he'd give me for the 1200, he said he'd have to see what it looked like after repairs. Once I got the bike back I never ever went back that shop.
The Honda shop in Quince Washington on the other hand. I ride 250 miles to buy tires from them. Top notch service.
I think the phrase you were looking for might have been ( rectal cranial inversion):rolleyes:
From the Northwest Corner
Ron

Time for a Florida self owned Bikes and Trikes shop.
Dawg

Case in point, dear lady: My son recently purchased a 90's model Honda 1000 crotch rocket. Hidden issues quickly surfaced and I told him to take it up to Manassas Honda. I'm on a first name basis with most of the mechanics there, but I can't say I have used their repair services except for tires and parts purchases because I haven't really needed mechanical service. After having the bike there for a month and paying a $2,000 + service bill the bike still wasn't right. Andrew took it to another shop and they had to sync the carbs using a dyno ( Manassas does not have a dyno ) and FILL the coolant level ( explains why the temp gauge would max out when he stopped ). Needless to say, I don't know which way to turn when my number for repair service comes up.

Case in point, dear lady: My son recently purchased a 90's model Honda 1000 crotch rocket. Hidden issues quickly surfaced and I told him to take it up to Manassas Honda. I'm on a first name basis with most of the mechanics there, but I can't say I have used their repair services except for tires and parts purchases because I haven't really needed mechanical service. After having the bike there for a month and paying a $2,000 + service bill the bike still wasn't right. Andrew took it to another shop and they had to sync the carbs using a dyno ( Manassas does not have a dyno ) and FILL the coolant level ( explains why the temp gauge would max out when he stopped ). Needless to say, I don't know which way to turn when my number for repair service comes up.
Which way to turn:
1. Visit to Manassas w/receipt from the other shop.
2. Discussion on wasting $2K there with no joy and then finding out a simple carb sync and coolant fill was all that was needed.
3. A request for a refund of said $2,000.
4. If returned-leave, never to darken their door again
4a. If not returned-leave, go see lawyer.

I'd start your own shop. If your work is that good, word of mouth alone will keep your shop open and you could name your own salary. Honda certification wouldn't be a bad idea after a while. Ron is right, a good wrench is hard to find. Florida has plenty of work I'm sure.

Nice idea in theory namelama, but the sad reality is there's far more to it than just opening the doors. You can be an independant operator, but then access to service bulletins (any brand) is difficult, the diagnostics are all different equipment and very costly. Finding a suitable premesis is daunting and also $$ big time. Then to go get franchise acceptance is a whole other ball game, and I won't even start on the fun that's entailed with big corporations in powersports.
trikelady, I'm surprised that none of the shops you have approached is even remotely interested. Most of us up here are crying for certified techs. Keep searching, hopefully something comes up for you.

budoka,
I'm sure there is a Honda dealer who will hire me, I sent out two more resumes last night on my own. I really don't want to open up another trike shop again, the economy isn't that great in Florida. Between dealers and independent shops closing there's a lot of techs looking for work. What I don't understand is that they know they should have someone with Goldwing experience, I'm making myself available to them for that very purpose and I also willing to handle electrical problems with Wings, now this alone is a self contain way for the dealership to make money and to keep the Wing owner happy.

Trikelady, maybe they feel you are "over qualified", which is their way of saying we don't want you.... Sad commentary on business in America. Keep looking and praying and the right job will open up. Good luck.

Trike lady,

Maybe you could do subcontracting/piece work for several shops. That way they wouldn't need to keep you on payroll, but would have your expertise available.

It seems to me that the shops don't want a technician just for the Goldwing, as they so seldom need repairs.

As a business owner for 20 years, I am often baffled by the poor service many dealers give out. Harley is not worth talking about as you, the customer, are being given the privelage of being allowed through the door you must be gracious and never complain. Unfortuneately my first experience with the local Honda dealer was not without complaints. I took my 2012 in for its first service and a couple of warranty issues. This was an appointment schedule two weeks in advance. They were not ready for me; I dropped it off and left it all day, they did not finish the warranty claims and we agreed that I should drop it off the next day. When I picked it up after work they still had not finished looking at the warranty claim. The maintenance manager stated that he had too many other things to do so he did not get to it. WHAT?? Then why would you schedule it in and waste my time? Now we need a third trip to try and get it done. Too bad this dealer is within one mile of my work, I would like to continue using him but probably will not.

WeldNut

As a business owner for 20 years, I am often baffled by the poor service many dealers give out. Harley is not worth talking about as you, the customer, are being given the privilege of being allowed through the door you must be gracious and never complain. Unfortunately my first experience with the local Honda dealer was not without complaints. I took my 2012 in for its first service and a couple of warranty issues. This was an appointment schedule two weeks in advance. They were not ready for me; I dropped it off and left it all day, they did not finish the warranty claims and we agreed that I should drop it off the next day. When I picked it up after work they still had not finished looking at the warranty claim. The maintenance manager stated that he had too many other things to do so he did not get to it. WHAT?? Then why would you schedule it in and waste my time? Now we need a third trip to try and get it done. Too bad this dealer is within one mile of my work, I would like to continue using him but probably will not.

WeldNut

I have owned 4 Harleys. I was always treated like a King when I entered either of the 2 dealers I bought from.
I was immediately greeted, write up was done and I was escorted to their customer lounges where Coffee, rolls, soft drinks and snacks were always available. Going into these dealers was always an experience. When going in, just to go, I was always greeted at the front door, asked if anything could be done to help, etc.
These 2 dealers were gathering places for their customers or anyone else that came in. Others stopped at along in our travels were the same. You must have visited the only bad one there is.
How many miles does you 2012 have on it? You must be almost living on it as the 1st service is not due until 4000 miles.
Your experience at your Honda dealer seems to be unique also. I can't find a Honda dealer in my area that will tell me they have anyone that knows how to really work on my Wing. The dealer I bought from closed up.
If I ever buy again-it will not be a Wing , especially since they are now imported and not longer built in the USA!

Hi Deputy Dog, I see we have a lot in common; I too am an EMT/Vol. FF.

I guess as a business owner I expect to be treated as I treat my customers. I have dealt with two different Honda dealers and the one that is too far away for convenient service is the more knowledgable and friendly one and the convenient one is the one that has had me in twice and not completed the job.

I do ride a lot; I drive 112 miles each day to work (I do like to ride!).

Harley Dealers are great as long as you are spending money. Try having a couple of complaints, like your paint pealing at 1000 miles and having the factory rep tell you that "well it is only aesthetic"; really? That is one of the reasons you buy a Harley is the classic looks isn't it? Or the new habit of the service dept. telling us that well we can't help you how diagnos anything anymore, you need to bring it in. Too bad.

Anyway, we all have our compaints don't we?

All this talk of which bike is better made me get both bikes out this morning and take each for a ride over a very bumpy Ohio road. I can state unequically that the GW rides better. I felt like the UC was beating me to death on the bumps and the GW while I felt them, was no big deal.

Dealers are what they are and we need them almost as much as they need us. But I still feel as though they all need to work on their customer service skills.

Ride Safe!!

WeldNut

I liked the seating position of my Ultra better than the Wing because my legs weren't behind my knees.
However, I have now triked and installed weight bearing foot fairings. Took the OEM rider pegs off and now can move my feet around again. Joy again!
I found the ride of the Wing better also. Here's one for you. There was a discussion of the Wings rear suspension on another forum. A very wise man (Tom Finch) whom is the owner of TailWind trailers ended his very informative article by telling us why everyone should set the rear pre-load on the max 25 and leave it there!
I did this (while still 2 wheeled). Never said anything to the wife. We were on a ride soon after and wife asked me what I had done to the suspension as it was not as harsh as it had been! I also had a defective ADV and shimmed it, which also helped.