Author Topic: FWR - Skewer the Bastards! (Read 2285 times)

« **on:** 24, October, 2002, 03:33:18 PM »

Now, I know I'm from the US (West Coast), where customer service is Number 1, and we have an educated consumer base, but this is not just some Yank whining about bad UK service.

Went to FWR a while ago and had them mount/balance two tires for me on my Daytona 955i. Rode for a couple of months, thought the thing was handling a wee bit odd (been on two or three rides with the group, and had no problem keeping up), but figured it was just the crap UK roads, and the budget asphalt they use for the surfaces. I brought the bike down to Jack Lilly's to get the computer checked for faults (standard check), and noticed that on the ride down I got a nice big nail in the back. When I looked closer at the tire I noticed the tread pattern was a bit odd, then realized that the tire was on backwards!!! Those jokers at FWR had put it on with the rotation going the wrong way! Since I run BT56SS which don't have much tread it's hard to tell, but that's why there's a nice big arrow on the side to tell you which way it goes! I immediately checked the front, which was on the right way around, but something else looked off. I grabbed the wheel and yanked it around, and found that the spindle was loose! The fork bolts were tight, but the actual spindle was completely loose. No wonder my bike was handling odd, the front wheel was shifting about 1/4 an inch in either direction when in a turn. There was no wobble, but the dimensions were all wrong when leaning, so no wonder the front end felt like it was going to wash out all the time.

I called FWR and spoke to the manager. The correspondence below:
Me: "Can I speak to the manager please?"
Him: "Why?"
"What do you mean why, just put me though."
"Well I need to know what the problem is."
"How do you know I have a problem?"
"That's the only reason anyone ever asks to speak to the manager."
"Fine then, I had a major problem with service I received at your shop."
"What happened?"
"Actually, since you might have been the guy who screwed up, I'd actually like to speak to a manager."
"I'm the owner, what happened (sounding very unconcerned)?"
"One of you jokers put the rear tire on backwards, and you didn't tighten the front spindle, so I had to get new front pads at £45 because the others were worn unevenly."
"Accident's happen."
"That's it!? Accidents happen!? I could have gotten killed or seriously injured!!"
"So what do you want from me?"
"Maybe tell your hack of a mechanic to do a better job, and reimburse me for the pads."
"No, sorry, can't do that. Accidents happen."

He then hung up.

BOYCOTT FWR IN LONDON. BLOODY w*nkERS!!!!!! Oh yeah, I've heard 5 other stories since then of how they screwed up rider's bikes.

The Yank

'>

slim · « **Reply #1 on:** 24, October, 2002, 03:49:39 PM »

Sounds appalling mate. Have you written to Ride magazine, they are generally very interested in this sort of thing - might help to highlight the issues to other bikers.

A

STEM-VFR · « **Reply #2 on:** 24, October, 2002, 04:01:57 PM »

Ok I got a tyre, a gallon of petrol and a box of matches anyone fancy playing 'Torch da Fukwit'

Spill · « **Reply #3 on:** 24, October, 2002, 05:04:58 PM »

Quote (STEM-VFR @ Oct. 24 2002,16:01)

Ok I got a tyre, a gallon of petrol and a box of matches anyone fancy playing 'Torch da Fukwit'

And if they ask what happened, we just say - 'Accidents happen!'

'>

« **Reply #4 on:** 24, October, 2002, 05:09:44 PM »

It took you a couple of months to notice that your rear tyre was on wrong? Didn't you check them at all during this time? As for the front wheel - why didn't you check out the handling problem as soon as you noticed it?

FWIW I check my tyres before leaving the shop cos I know that mistakes do sometimes get made, especially in a busy shop. I also check the state/pressure of my tyres at least weekly.

It's all well and good to blame the shop but I'm not altogether surprised that you received the response you did by waiting a couple of months before complaining. Any mechanic can tell you horror stories of customers who have worked on their own bikes, bodged the job and then tried to blame the damage on the shop they last got the bike serviced at. How do they know you're not one of them?

TripleBJ · « **Reply #5 on:** 24, October, 2002, 07:53:16 PM »

I can personally vouch for The Yank being anal about checking tire pressure (and chain etc.), but who would expect you to check that the tire is mounted in the RIGHT DIRECTION

I went to FWR for a new chain and both sprockets. I specifically ordered aluminum ones and the front with 17 teeth as opposed to the stock 18.

When I came to pick up the bike I asked to make sure that they had mounted the 17 teeth one, but needless to say they had not...........

'>

I have heard more than a few horror-stories about FWR and I don't care how cheap they are - BOYCOT THE F*CKERS !!!

BJ

« **Reply #6 on:** 25, October, 2002, 02:21:49 PM »

Tufty,

I completely agree that my bike is my responsibility. However, when I pay for service, I expect to get it, I don't expect them to screw up (and if that's the attitude you have to have in this country when you buy services, this place should be fire-bombed). Unfortunately in the UK, it seems as though bikers have gotten complacent. You don't complain and DEMAND compensation for bad service. In the California, word would spread like a wild-fire, FWR'd be shut down by boycott, and no one would go to a shop that hired any of his mechanics. Essentially the whole place and staff would be black-listed and they'd have to move out of state. Also, if any of these guys showed up at a bike hang-out or meat, they'd get the shit kicked out of them. Simple, effective. Maybe worse stuff would happen.

It took me a couple of months to notice because it didn't really effect my riding. The BT56SS tires are Bridgestone's "track tire", much stickier than the BT010's, and with less tread. With little or no tread pattern, it's not as obvious if the tire is on the rim backwards. I wasn't sliding, could do wheelies (requiring traction), and like I mentioned it didn't effect my cornering speed. I also don't take that bike on the track, where set-up issues get real big, real fast. I check the pressure every time I ride it, but changing a tire is so friggen simple, who would ever think that a trained professional would put it on backwards!? In CA I've never even heard of this happening. These mistakes just don't happen, and if they did, you are compensated big time.

As for working on your own bike.....there are only two things I'll let anyone do to my bike: Change the tires, and check the computer for faults, and I stand there the whole time for both. In the US, we have space to work on our own bikes, everyone has a two car garage. We don't let mechanics touch them. I built and maintained every bike I ever raced/rode, and trust myself more than some joker making minimum wage who might cut corners.

Example: If you try to sell your bike used in California, the first thing a buyer will ask you is if you did all the work yourself. If you say yes, then you'll be able to sell your bike. If you say that you had the dealer do all the maintenance, the price will have to be cut in half for you to sell it, or you'll have to sell it to someone who doesn't know any better. I only wish it were that way over here!

Yank

PS - Ever heard of the phrase "the customer is always right"? If a bike shop tried to deny their crap work to my face, in essence calling me a liar, I'd drop him right there in the middle of the showroom.

'>

Spill · « **Reply #7 on:** 25, October, 2002, 03:49:44 PM »

Quote (DamnYank @ Oct. 25 2002,14:21)

As for working on your own bike.....there are only two things I'll let anyone do to my bike: Change the tires, and check the computer for faults, and I stand there the whole time for both.

Didn't seem to help this time!

I'd agree that 'just an accident' isn't sufficient. This is bad workmanship, pure and simple.

Darkmonster · « **Reply #8 on:** 26, October, 2002, 07:23:00 PM »

Call Ride and tell them the story, also MCN.....

« **Reply #9 on:** 19, February, 2003, 09:32:38 PM »

i have visited fwr on a couple of occasions but have always walked out of there without buying anything on the grounds of their attitude.

trouty · « **Reply #10 on:** 19, February, 2003, 09:59:22 PM »

i gotta say, i ordered my tyres from there... cheapest price, they didnt have them in stock so had to order thm in for me... that was on a thursday and they said theyd be delivered by tuesday... 8 am monday morning i had my tyres

'>

Stu · « **Reply #11 on:** 19, February, 2003, 10:17:56 PM »

attitude? under-statment.
Their attitude stinks and they are to busy for anyones good, they couldn't do a good job simply because they don't have time too.

Vladman · « **Reply #12 on:** 28, February, 2003, 01:16:07 AM »

so it's not only me after all, who thought their attitude sucks. i spent a lot of money in that store, at least 5 tyre changes (both front and rear), bought at least 3 sets of brake pads, and a set of braided hoses.

everytime i'm there, i feel a little uncomfortable as they make you feel as if they're doing you a real big favour, and they'd rather not. which is ridiculous.

i never had (luckily) such a major mistake done when they worked on my bike as the poor Yank (yo Yank!

'>), but they did damage the rim of my front wheel once.

and they always try to charge more than the prices their website states. i always have to point this out to them, and then they eventually (reluctantly) agree.

the reason i went there is that they usually have stock, and you can turn up announced and have the job done pretty quickly, and for a reasonable price. but unfortunately, the service that comes with this is pretty unsatisfactory, to say the least.

i have to find another place in london to go change my tyres at. anyone knows of a good one?

Grandma · « **Reply #13 on:** 28, February, 2003, 07:29:47 AM »

If you fancy just south of London Sidcup Motorcycle Tyres are excellent, friendly service, free coffee and a good read while you wait. Watling Tyres at Catford are mean't to be good, but don't have personal experience, only hearsay from friends.:rock:

slim · « **Reply #14 on:** 28, February, 2003, 09:09:59 AM »

Essential Rubber Limited. 27 Downham Road, London N1 5AA Tel : 020 7241 0055.

Top guys - have always done my tyres, and will have a laught and a joke with you while you're there!LOL

A

Spill · « **Reply #15 on:** 28, February, 2003, 09:10:25 AM »

West London - in fact West Drayton.
Motorcycle HQ (Opposite station entrance)

Deal mostly in Kawasakis, but will service anything.

(If you try to MOT an old bike there IT WILL FAIL

'> ).

Vladman · « **Reply #16 on:** 28, February, 2003, 11:09:59 AM »

Everyone, thanks for suggestions.

Spill, these guys in West Drayton, that's very close to where I live.... But are you actually recommending them, or...?

Can you just turn up, what's their stock like, and what are their prices like? Do they have a website?

Cheers,

V.

Spill · « **Reply #17 on:** 28, February, 2003, 01:02:10 PM »

Quote (Vladman @ Feb. 28 2003,11:09)

Everyone, thanks for suggestions.

Spill, these guys in West Drayton, that's very close to where I live.... But are you actually recommending them, or...?

Can you just turn up, what's their stock like, and what are their prices like? Do they have a website?

Cheers,

V.

I recommend their tyre-changing service. BUT they will NOT fit a tyre that is not on their list for a particular bike.

Stock is good-ish, but sometimes there is a couple of days wait. Prices average. You would have to ask about fitting availability.

Never actually looked for a website, but their phone is
01895 442595

Vladman · « **Reply #18 on:** 28, February, 2003, 01:06:05 PM »

Spill,

Do you mean they'd refuse to fit anything other to my Hayabusa than the Suzuki approved BT56J??

V.

Spill · « **Reply #19 on:** 28, February, 2003, 03:19:36 PM »

Quote (Vladman @ Feb. 28 2003,13:06)

Do you mean they'd refuse to fit anything other to my Hayabusa than the Suzuki approved BT56J??

You'll have to ask them!
I know they won't fit anything 'H' rated on the Notrun because it says 'V' on the list.
I have never been over 130 mph (well, when I first got it, maybe).

« **Reply #20 on:** 10, July, 2003, 08:04:46 PM »

Budget Tyres in Wandsworth are excellent - as is Sheen Tyres in East Sheen for car tyres.

'>

Wildcat · « **Reply #21 on:** 10, July, 2003, 09:32:35 PM »

I always go to Watlings, have done for damn near 20 years, never a problem.
Where are FWR so I can boycott them should I be passing that way?

« **Reply #22 on:** 12, July, 2003, 10:17:21 PM »

FWR in Kennington? I've used them twice and they were pretty good, no attitude at all, even told me the best place to get some grub while I waited. My mate had chain/sprocks done last week, I'll ask him what he thought.

Tino · « **Reply #23 on:** 22, May, 2005, 10:03:47 PM »

Has anyone been to FWR lately?

??
I've booked a 30k service with them, but after having read this thread am worried to go there.

MATTP · « **Reply #24 on:** 23, May, 2005, 01:17:32 PM »

Saint I have sent you a PM.

I have been to FWR loads of times. It is true that they have loads of work on all the time. But if you need tyres then they are the best I have found. But after going to SJM for work on my bike I will never go back to them. Steve tacks your bike for a ride after working on it and gives you a quick yes/no on things. This is something I never got from FWR as when my bike was finished they had another up wanting for work and the hourly rate is a little high (IMO)

IMO, FWR for good priced tyres but for servicg, work, etc then go to someone that has the time.

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Author Topic: FWR - Skewer the Bastards! (Read 2285 times)