5 Tips for Hiring a Trustworthy Motorcycle Mechanic
You ride your bike for weekend cruising, daily commuting, cross-country road tripping, off-roading, and maybe even competitive racing. While you should keep up with the basics of routine motorcycle maintenance to keep your bike in its best condition, at some point you may need a professional to perform repairs or replace parts. When the time comes, you want an expert that’s professional, reliable, knowledgeable, affordable, conveniently located, and works fast. To point you in the right direction, Cycle Trader is sharing five tips for hiring a trustworthy motorcycle mechanic.
1. Go To Your Motorcycle Manufacturer or Dealership Mechanic
Whether you just purchased a Honda Grom and want it to hit top speed, or you’ve got a bigger bike with a lot of complicated parts, see what can be fixed by the manufacturer first. That means before you do your own repairs or hire a mechanic, double check with your motorcycle manufacturer to learn what’s covered by your warranty. Be careful, because any heavy duty work you decide to do yourself on your bike might void your warranty. Your coverage might be based on how long you’ve owned your motorcycle, or how many miles you’ve put on it. Plus, your OEM or the dealer might have insight on specific parts that need replacement, and they likely have their own reliable mechanics.
2. Research Motorcycle Mechanics
You may be familiar with the benefits of online motorcycle reviews, and the same goes for hiring a trustworthy motorcycle mechanic. Look online to see what other motorcycle riders are saying about a local mechanic near you. Ask riders you know who they recommend and where they take their bike when they need a part fixed. Your dealership or manufacturer may have their own picks for trusted mechanics. Take a look at what services they offer for repair jobs, compare prices, and see how much experience they have. Professional mechanics should be able to service your bike’s engine, ignition, transmission, brakes, tires, lights, and cosmetic repairs.
3. Weigh the Pros and Cons of Motorcycle Mechanics
Once you’ve narrowed down your selection of mechanics near you, make a list and compare their pros and cons based on prices, services, and how long it takes them to do repairs. You’ll also have to consider how knowledgeable each mechanic is with your specific bike model. For example, if you’re someone that loves riding their Kawasaki Ninja 400 for its horsepower, you might need to ask the mechanic questions on how much they know about this bike model’s specific parts. See how responsive and friendly their customer service is, their hours of operation, how functional their website is when booking an appointment, and if they answer or return your phone calls. If your bike’s going to be in the shop for a longer period of time, see if their garage is organized and clean.
4. Know the Motorcycle Mechanic’s Qualifications
When it’s time for a mechanic to work on your motorcycle, check their qualifications to avoid any scams. See if your motorcycle insurance policy covers the mechanic’s work and repairs. Get a better understanding of the mechanic’s work experience on your specific bike model and their reputation with customers. Look over your paperwork carefully before you sign, and ask questions to get a better idea of the steps they’re taking to fix your bike. They should be able to provide a clear answer on their work, with knowledge of motorcycle parts that most commonly need to be replaced, and what might be wrong with your bike.
5. Hire a Mobile Motorcycle Mechanic
Maintenance problems can happen anywhere and at any time. In case you’re out riding, it’s helpful to know these tips for on the road motorcycle repairs, and keep a list of mobile motorcycle mechanics that can come to you to do a repair job. This is a more convenient option if you’d rather not take your bike into a shop for a simple fix. Check prices between different mobile mechanics, see what services they offer, and how long it will take them to do a job. It will likely cost more than taking your motorcycle into a garage, but it could save you the hassle of towing your motorcycle, or having to transport it yourself if you live far away from a repair shop.
Hiring a trustworthy bike mechanic is part of responsible motorcycle ownership. See what’s covered by your warranty, do your research and compare your options, know the mechanic’s qualifications, and stay on top of repairs. When you’re ready to purchase your next new or used motorcycle, see all the listings on the nationwide marketplace at CycleTrader.com.
Ryan Miller
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