Hi Everyone
I am a long time motorcycle rider (since age 15) who has treated my self to a new GS500F. I was able to talk a friend(dealer) into selling me a new GS in the crate so I would be the first to touch it. Amazing Pics to follow if I can figure out how to post them, I don't see an easy way to attach?
Congratulations, take pictures of the whole initial setup for us.
You can't host pictures from your computer onto the site, you have to load them somewhere like flickr or photobucket. Then when you're posting you click the button right under the I button above and paste the link in there.
Hello and welcome to the forum. To post pics, you will want to upload them to a photo hosting website, such as photobucket.com, and then copy and paste the IMG code here in your text box. If you are unsure of how to do this, PM me and I can lay it out more in-depth. And congrats on the new toy :cheers:
Actually that sound really exciting... right from the create.. awesome!
Posting pics... when the text window is there for you to type into, above the emoticons (smileys) is a series of icons. The one that looks like this ... (http://gstwins.com/gsboard/Themes/BlackTechSMF1/images/bbc/img.gif) ... is the picture icon. Click it and you get Image Tags. The URL of the image (hosted on photobucket or flickr) is what you Paste into that. Then your pic will show up.
Michael
(http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv234/treehouse99/th_GS500001.jpg)
Here it is in the crate.
(http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv234/treehouse99/GS500003.jpg?t=1257640036)
Note "country of origin"
(http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv234/treehouse99/th_GS500007.jpg)
Inside the carton.
(http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv234/treehouse99/GS500008.jpg?t=1257640355)
Brandy new in it's own welded steel crate, front wheel comes mounted!
You do know that if the dealer does not assemble that bike there is no Warranty from Suzuki :cookoo: There is a checklist that is sent along with the bike to be completed by the Dealers builder after assembly and test ride. If that form is not complete and sent in... No warranty...
I dont know why you would want to buy a bike like that unless you needed it shipped?? Now its 100% on you if there are any defects or issues down the road. ??? im sure your "dealer friend" can help fix that problem, however I dont think its too good of an idea. If Suzuki finds out they sold a bike in the crate they can loose their franchise.
Thanks for your concern. I am a former motorcycle dealer, and well aware of the warranty issues. I am quite confident that my setup far surpasses any that would have been done by a "tech" employed at any dealership.
(http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv234/treehouse99/GS500009.jpg?t=1257642787)
Note the healthy coat of Spanish chain wax.
Time to strip it down, mod it up, and put some miles on it!
how much did it cost you to have a bike shipped to you? why is this better than just buyin one from the dealer? other than the your the first to touch it besides the asembly line guys?
Good deal.. I agree its prob. better to do it on your own :thumb: Glad you knew whats up w/ buying in the crate :thumb:
Now.. get that thing out and ride it! :icon_mrgreen:
First order of business- remove all tupperware and get naked!
does it cost more to get it in the crate then it does to get it from the dealership? i understand you can bargin with the dealership so those prices are gonna differ depending on differant variables but in general is it cheaper or more expensive to get it straight in the crate?
For most people you cant get it in the crate... If Suzuki of America found out you did, the dealer can loose his Franchise...
That said.. If you can get one crated it could save u about $200-$400...this being the "setup" or "prep" charge from a dealer that you may be able to avoid if you can get it in the crate.
At my dealership we do sell some in the crate, but mostly its only to our sponsored riders or if its going into a collection (rare or limited edition bikes)
The owner of our shop has some SWEET bikes from the 70's - 80's IN THE CRATE!!! MINT!
When I purchased my '07 R6s, it was still in the crate when I put a deposit on it. I was seriously thinking of asking if I could just buy it in the crate. I knew I would be able to put everything together and all, but I didn't wanna take a chance and have something go wrong within a year and not having the warranty to valid.
I opted to just wait for them to put it together for me.
I have to say I am envious of you. I would love to do this some day too! That being said..
MORE PICTURES PLEASE!
same^ more pics.
mmm new bike smell, i can smell the tires from here
how much was it?
[img][/ihttp://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv234/treehouse99/GS500011.jpg?t=1257725623mg]
The little box inside the crate contains the owners manual(printed in Spain), the battery, and other goodies.
(//)http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv234/treehouse99/GS500011.jpg?t=1257725623
here it is...
(http://i687.photobucket.com/albums/vv234/treehouse99/GS500011.jpg?t=1257725623)
Why would they lose the franchise for selling in the crate? Doesn't make sense to me? Elaborate please?
If the dealer does something against the contract between them and the manufacturer, they can lose their license.
Quote from: annguyen1981 on November 08, 2009, 08:00:30 PM
If the dealer does something against the contract between them and the manufacturer, they can lose their license.
do all dealers use the same-ish contract? or are some allowed to sell in the crate and some arent?
Its not about the fact you think you can bolt it together and set it up better than any "shop-tech" can. Its about covering your ass if something goes wrong. You are on very dodgy ground, warranty, insurance, liability, safety could all be issues.....and for what? The "priviledge" of taking it out of the crate and assembling it yourself.
Hmmmm......... not the sort of thing I would want to do given the risks.
You.... "I have only had the bike 2 weeks and the ******** has failed. I want it repaired under warranty".
Suzuki....."Lets have a look then........hmmmm..... looks like the fault is down to the fact you have assembled/set it up it incorrectly".
You....."No I havent".
Suzuki...."Errrr...well we are saying you have, can you prove you havent and while we are at it who signed off the PDI"? :dunno_black:
Thanks for your concern. I have been involved in the motorcycle business for over 30 years, spending quite some time as a franchise dealer. I'm well aware of the risk I took for the "privlege" of taking it out of the crate. The odds of a catastrophic falure are quite slim and I'm willing to live with that. The motorcycle is 95% ready as it comes out of the packing. I trust myself way more than any pimple-faced tech. I've set up hundreds of bikes over the years, this one has been prepared properly, to spec, and without rushing. I've seen stupid(and dangerous) mistakes made by some techs who were under time pressure to "get it done". This will probably be my last motorcycle as I'm developing arthritis in both hands.
Quote from: gregvhen on November 08, 2009, 09:53:23 PM
Quote from: annguyen1981 on November 08, 2009, 08:00:30 PM
If the dealer does something against the contract between them and the manufacturer, they can lose their license.
do all dealers use the same-ish contract? or are some allowed to sell in the crate and some arent?
I'm guessing yes. Considering the bikes come with a factory warranty, there must be some sort of procedure to ensure that very little goes wrong in the first year due to something other than rider error.
Quote from: treehouse99 on November 09, 2009, 03:12:53 PM
Thanks for your concern. I have been involved in the motorcycle business for over 30 years, spending quite some time as a franchise dealer. I'm well aware of the risk I took for the "privlege" of taking it out of the crate. The odds of a catastrophic falure are quite slim and I'm willing to live with that. The motorcycle is 95% ready as it comes out of the packing. I trust myself way more than any pimple-faced tech. I've set up hundreds of bikes over the years, this one has been prepared properly, to spec, and without rushing. I've seen stupid(and dangerous) mistakes made by some techs who were under time pressure to "get it done". This will probably be my last motorcycle as I'm developing arthritis in both hands.
Don't get me wrong treehouse... I think we all realize that you're taking a calculated rise. I'm just saying that I wish I could have afforded the risk when I got my R6 two years ago.
Quote from: treehouse99 on November 07, 2009, 06:15:21 PM
Note the healthy coat of Spanish chain wax.
Dont disparage that "wax" ... a lot of mexican's had to work very very hard for that "wax" ... obviously you've seen the movies haven't you.
Cool.
Buddha.
Congrats on the new ride. It's pretty cool to unwrap your own bike. Back in the stone age, my brother and I bought a couple of Yamaha trials bikes. They happened to be shipped 2 to a carton. We talked the dealer into letting us pick them up from the warehouse. Well worth the extra effort.
Quote from: The Buddha on November 09, 2009, 04:53:11 PM
Quote from: treehouse99 on November 07, 2009, 06:15:21 PM
Note the healthy coat of Spanish chain wax.
Dont disparage that "wax" ... a lot of mexican's had to work very very hard for that "wax" ... obviously you've seen the movies haven't you.
Cool.
Buddha.
its from spain not mexico.
Quote from: gregvhen on November 09, 2009, 07:55:17 PM
its from spain not mexico.
Mexicans are from spain, that's why they speak spanish. :cookoo:
Quote from: tt_four on November 09, 2009, 09:21:53 PM
Quote from: gregvhen on November 09, 2009, 07:55:17 PM
its from spain not mexico.
Mexicans are from spain, that's why they speak spanish. :cookoo:
ok but something from spain is not made by mexicans, its made by spaniards. all mexicans are originally from spain, but not all spainairds are mexican. :cookoo:
all americans are from england. they speak english.
Quote from: tt_four on November 09, 2009, 09:21:53 PM
Mexicans are from spain, that's why they speak spanish. :cookoo:
Actually, Mexican and Spanish people can have difficulty understanding each other. They are VERY different dialects of what is essentially the same language. It's kind of like the difference between an american southerner (from down on the bayou) and a british gentleman. In a conversation, yeah they could get a point across. But understanding is limited to about that, even though it is essentially the same language.
Quote from: gregvhen on November 09, 2009, 09:44:08 PM
all mexicans are originally from spain,
Geez, what are they teaching these days?
Actually, most Latinos are a mix between indigenous people and spaniard, thus a language difference, and furthermore, I'm sure it was just a joke, but a large percentage of people in the states come from many nationalities. 8th grade civics class right there.
Oh, and aren't most warranties voided if someone other than a certified mechanic does any modifications or maintainence to the bike anyways?
Quote from: Paulcet on November 09, 2009, 11:21:28 PM
Quote from: gregvhen on November 09, 2009, 09:44:08 PM
all mexicans are originally from spain,
Geez, what are they teaching these days?
I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. LMAO
I don't need no stinking warranty... :2guns:
Quote from: glynnd89 on November 10, 2009, 12:00:11 AM
Oh, and aren't most warranties voided if someone other than a certified mechanic does any modifications or maintainence to the bike anyways?
Of course they are... another reason why I took my chances w/ this deal. I planned to modify the bike anyway. First order of business- convert it to the GS500 we can no longer get in the U.S.
Quote from: glynnd89 on November 09, 2009, 11:49:26 PM
....and furthermore, I'm sure it was just a joke.....
Yes! for once sarcasm wasn't COMPLETELY lost on this board!
Quote from: glynnd89 on November 10, 2009, 12:00:11 AM
Oh, and aren't most warranties voided if someone other than a certified mechanic does any modifications or maintainence to the bike anyways?
Yes and no.
Modifications... usually the warranty is void.
Maintenance... I believe it's illegal for companies to void the warranty on the grounds that someone else did the maintenance themselves. Now, I'm talking about oil changes, filter changes, etc.
A scheduled valve check done by the owner SHOULDN'T void the warranty, but if there's any problems that arise, the company might rule that the problem occurred because of improper maintenance by the owner.
Quote from: GSrookie500 on November 10, 2009, 02:43:01 AM
Quote from: Paulcet on November 09, 2009, 11:21:28 PM
Quote from: gregvhen on November 09, 2009, 09:44:08 PM
all mexicans are originally from spain,
Geez, what are they teaching these days?
I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. LMAO
hahaahahaa no no no, i wasnt serious :laugh: i was kidding but still trying to tell the guy that the bike was shipped from spain so it wasnt made by mexicans. and he said that was because mexicans speak spainish. and i was just. ughhhh.... then i said that hoping he would get the point. even though it was a joke. its what i like to call, an
INFORMATIVE JOKE JOke joke oke ke .......
Quote from: gregvhen on November 10, 2009, 10:30:22 AM
Quote from: GSrookie500 on November 10, 2009, 02:43:01 AM
Quote from: Paulcet on November 09, 2009, 11:21:28 PM
Quote from: gregvhen on November 09, 2009, 09:44:08 PM
all mexicans are originally from spain,
Geez, what are they teaching these days?
I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. LMAO
hahaahahaa no no no, i wasnt serious :laugh: i was kidding but still trying to tell the guy that the bike was shipped from spain so it wasnt made by mexicans. and he said that was because mexicans speak spainish. and i was just. ughhhh.... then i said that hoping he would get the point. even though it was a joke. its what i like to call, an INFORMATIVE JOKE JOke joke oke ke .......
Still unclear as to whether you knew I was kidding about the mexicans coming from spain. That was also a joke.
As far as warranties with modifications done to a bike. They can void a warranty, but only for certain parts. If you change your brake lines, and then a seal goes in your brake caliper, it probably won't be covered under warranty. If you put a slipon on your bike, and the front rim cracks, the manufacturer can not try to skip on fixing the front wheel. The modifications you do have to actually impact the warrantied part in question for them to try to get out of it.