[saikishor]

I own a 2021 KTM 390 Duke, and to say that KTM's service centers and service experiences are horrible would be an understatement. Parts are always out of stock and service advisors treat you like you are doing a favor by coming to them for getting your vehicle serviced. I am so frustrated that at this point of time if I had the option to let go of my motorcycle I would happily do so. But then, sitting back and thinking about what an amazing bike the 390 Duke is and the kind of deal that I got on an almost new motorcycle is stopping me from seriously considering a classified advert.

This makes me wonder, is there any brand in India which offers atleast satisfactory service experience? I have a 2011 Honda Activa and even it has a very vegetable market ish service experience. I used to have a scooty pep plus which I sold a few months ago. TVS offers a slightly better experience but even that has changed now due to the volumes those guys make. It was pleasant back in 2014-2017, but now it feels like you are buying vegetables in a crowded vegetable market.

I would like to hear from others about their experiences with other brands and if possible, a poll on who offers the best service experience .

[drt_rdr]

SVCs get constant inflow of work because of the manufacturer's warranty clause. So, don't be surprised if they don't give a damn about upholding their reputation through quality work, especially brands that do large volume sales.

So, rather than anything like one brand offering consistently superior service over another, in my experience, they're generally the same and there's a bit of a lottery involved. I've had good and terrible experiences at different SVCs with both the brands I own. My vstrom has been a very frustrating ownership so far because of a SVC that can't be bothered to thoroughly check and solve my troubles.

If you're within the warranty zone and want to keep it, then put up with the SVC. If not, find a good local garage, especially if you value your time. Atleast, the local garage guy wants to do proper work and get return customers. SVCs won't miss you at all, especially at the rate people are buying new vehicles these days.

[aargee]

Originally Posted by drt_rdr

If you're within the warranty zone and want to keep it, then put up with the SVC. If not, find a good local garage, especially if you value your time. Atleast, the local garage guy wants to do proper work and get return customers. SVCs won't miss you at all, especially at the rate people are buying new vehicles these days.

Well said sir

My experience has been the same from 2011 to 2018 with JSP Honda & Didar Motors in Chennai with servicing my CBR 250R; I've heard many people complain about both these ASCs as well & a few guys appreciating them as well.

What astonishes me is that, a guy from JSP Honda, very competent, very senior technician, resigns, starts his own garage (FNG if that is the term to be used); as we had an excellent rapport with him, we give our 15 year old Activa for refurbishing. Not that the vehicle needed anything significant, but to only please the RTO authorities that the vehicle is also pristine in outward appearance. He did a great job in embellishment, but something went terribly wrong with the vehicle like losing its 7 Bhp with pathetic acceleration; FE was ok, broke the fuel gauge needle (and later when he fixed it reminded me of the lock from Mr. Beans Mini & finally it ceased working) & after every ~1K Km vehicle would stop for nothing & then start when started as if nothing happened; the starter motor sounded terribly noisy & cranked more than necessary when started; we regretted our decision & were completely frustrated.

The rescue came in form of Didar Motors. They charged additional 2.3K (Rs 2368 to precise), fixed all the issues including the broken fuel gauge, sound & we had a pristine Activa from showroom just that the ODO showed 45571. Its awesome since then.

This so happened with my SCross right on the day we took the delivery; brand new car, ceases to start when the ignition is turned OFF after the engine temperature reaches operational temperature. But if not stopped, the engine keeps running without any issue; very peculiar case! Khivraj Nexa & ABT Maruti kept working on the issue for 2 days until I got in touch with an esteemed member of this forum who offered a direct contact with Maruti. Needless to say, when the Nexa engineer appeared on the scene the issue vaporized & I got the car back pristine & is touchwood until date.

What I learnt was that, all ASCs are good & bad & all FNG are good & bad; but as a Customer, if we've a wide spread ASC, then we could try our luck with multiple ASC. Ofcourse the same can be done with FNGs as well, but there's some amount of accountability with the ASC as the manufacturer is involved so if the issue prevails for a longer period, the manufacturer sends one of their engineers who would certainly fix it as I've experienced with both my CBR & SCross; again it depends upon how much noise/cajole/threat/beg the Customer makes. Although FNGs do have their own contacts for help & support, sometimes I get a feeling that they don't feel obligated to fix issues unless a fire is set on their tail & use their skills in convincing over learning!

[saikishor]

Originally Posted by drt_rdr

If not, find a good local garage, especially if you value your time. Atleast, the local garage guy wants to do proper work and get return customers. SVCs won't miss you at all, especially at the rate people are buying new vehicles these days.

Story would've been different with cars. Finding a good garage in cars is very easy AFAIK, but finding a good garage in bikes is next to impossible. I have never heard of a good motorcycle garage, atleast in Hyderabad. Whenever I ask people, all I hear is "showroom lo chepichesuko anna"( get it done in the showroom, translated from telugu).

[drt_rdr]

Originally Posted by saikishor

Story would've been different with cars. Finding a good garage in cars is very easy AFAIK, but finding a good garage in bikes is next to impossible. I have never heard of a good motorcycle garage, atleast in Hyderabad. Whenever I ask people, all I hear is "showroom lo chepichesuko anna"( get it done in the showroom, translated from telugu).

I can see the trouble in getting a tech-riddled bike like the KTMs serviced locally. But in a metro like Hyderabad, I'm sure you can find atleast a few good places. If google doesn't help with info, maybe the ownership threads might, though you don't necessarily have to go to a big name garage.

Alternatively, you can try to find an authorized SvC that's not crowded. Your chances of getting satisfactory work done tend to be higher at places with lesser footfall, though it also depends on the workmen there.

[ashwin1397]

Had a horrible experience with KTM Hosur.
I was getting the engine case changed on my bike. They did not have the part. I told them to order it and give it to me after it’s all done. They refused to answer my call for a week, and I went to the service center only to find out that nothing was done on the bike. They asked for another week. I waited. I called them up and they said that the bike would be ready the next day. When I went to the service center, nothing was done on the bike again. They had ordered the wrong part. They made me wait for 8 hours for it. KTM didn’t even take my feedback, no calls, nothing. Guess they don’t care.

[apramey]

I have something to share.

Me and my dad had been using a Honda unicorn which my dad bought in 2005. It's still in very good condition.

Around 7-8 years ago, my dad met with a small accident, and thank God he didn't sustain much injuries. But the bike however- the front fork was bent, the front hydraulic shock absorber fluid was leaking, the visor had broken, the headlight and the front cowl assembly had broken, all in all, a big bunch of parts were supposed to be replaced.

There is this ASC, attached to Palace Honda, where we left our bike. When we got back the bike. There were a huge no. of issues. Most important of them were, the fork bend was not corrected, the suspension fluid kept leaking(all they had done was wipe off the leaked oil), the broken front cowl, headlight and visor were replaced, but the whole headlight was looking to the right. When i turned the headlight on, it used to throw the light beam onto the oncoming lane. The plastic around the speedometer and the instrument cluster was broken because they tried to force the cowl and visor in wrong position.

When confronted, they argued that it was broken from the accident itself, not because of them. I decided to never step foot in there again. I got the repairs done from a local garage.

Fast forward 2 years later. The bike was due for a regular service. My dad says the same thing that some of the members were saying here- ASC will have some accountability. So my dad leaves the bike there, asks for a front suspension fluid change, replacement of the steering cups cones and bearings as there was a loud clicking noise that had started recently from the front handle, whenever we go over even the smallest potholes.

We get the bike back after 2 days. I was suprised to find that the front suspension oil was leaking again. When we gave the bike for service it was not at all leaking. We went and confronted the person who did the repairs. He said i don't touch the fork at all, all i do is remove the bolts above and fill the suspension oil.

I was surprised at these workers' stupidity and obliviouslness. These morons had blown the oil seals by doubling up the oil quantity. Each suspension should have 170ml of oil. When we gave the bike for repairs, they probably had around 150ml. This person has just added 170ml on top of it. That day I realised that the people at ASCs don't really care about you or your vehicle. They just want to show on paper that they have serviced x no. Of vehicles that day. Just numbers matter for them. Quality of work has zero importance.

From that day forward, i haven't stepped inside ASCs again.

The local garages have been helpful mostly except for some in sullia, near madikeri, who were stealing petrol.