..is as fraught as the search for a reliable family doctor, although the consequences of failing in the search are probably not as dire.
Fact is, all of us would give our eye teeth to find a mechanic who we could trust, who would do scrupulously good work, deliver on time and on budget and to whom we would be happy to recommend our best friend.
In this regard I guess I must have been one of the luckiest ones. In the last 22 years I have only ever used 3 motorcycle mechanics and I have been delighted with all of them and would recommend them wholeheartedly.
My longest-serving wrench was the excellent Rick Miller of RAM Motorcycle Engineering in Weston Creek, Canberra. Rick, as well as being a good friend, and a fellow road-racing enthusiast, has the highest reputation in Canberra and is, by now, an almost “closed book” operation, his workload being almost completely made up of wrenching for his regular customers. If you want to get booked in, do it with time to spare, otherwise you might be disappointed. Time and space does not allow me to detail all the things that are good about this little backyard operation.
In fact, I’d still be getting my servicing done by Rick if it weren’t for my move to the South Coast 6 years ago. For a little while I actually took the bike back to Canberra (around a 500km trip) such was my confidence in and esteem for Rick and his work, but it got to be a bit difficult and I started searching locally.
Then I discovered MaxPower Performance Cycles at Bellambi. Run the delightful husband and wife team of Steve and Natalie, they are everything that is good about quality service and customer care. Steve’s workshop is antiseptically clean and watching him work on a bike is a thrill. He moves with care and precision and every step is thought out and executed beautifully. Sadly, Steve’s insurance no longer allows you to watch the big man at work, but I used to and I noted that he is that rarest of rare creatures, an intuitive mechanic. In identical style to Rick Miller, I never once saw Steve pick up the wrong spanner (or even the wrong END of the spanner) and never once saw him have to UNDO something that he’d done after realising that he’d carried out an operation in the wrong order. Watching him work is a rare privilege.
However, getting the bike serviced there was a trial, simply because his shop is on the other side of town. Now before you accuse me of being picky, let me explain. A service requires that I ride the bike to Bellambi (around half an hour through the traffic). It then requires that I catch the train back home (between one and a half and 2 hours depending on whether I make the right connections). Picking the bike up in the afternoon is a reverse of the above procedure, and, much as it pained me to do so, I stopped going to MaxPower and looked locally.
And just as I started my search, a new shop opened up not more than 5 minutes down the road from me. Again, run by a lovely husband and wife team, K&D motorcycles is a small operation that trades on friendly service and the personal touch. Dallas’s workshop isn’t as clean as the above shops, nor have I had the opportunity to see him at work close-up, but what I have seen come out of his workshop has been top drawer. His prices are excellent and his after-sales similarly impressive.
And K&D’s have another 2 advantages that have won me. The first is that, since I started going there pretty much as soon as they opened, I am a “foundation” customer, so to speak and I believe that this counts for a lot.
Even more important than this, however, is the workshop pet. Yep, you read right. Dallas and Kristen own the most gorgeous kelpie pup called Lexie who greets you like a long-lost friend every time you roll in there and is always ready (demanding, even) for a game of “fetch” with any object that might be at hand; tennis ball, rag, piece of tyre, you name it. She is the most wonderful dog and I just love going there as she (along with the owners) always makes me feel very welcome.
It’s hard to find a good mechanic. I’ve been very lucky and have no hesitation recommending mine.
sanoptic says
Your absolutely right find a good mechanic; stay with him if possible.In the past I’ve had some shockers,mainly dealer workshops where all work is done to time limits so the work is rushed; mistakes can happen.
I remember getting a flat tyre on Parramatta Rd [in Sydney’s peakhour ] ; i limped the bike to the closest bike shop.The rear tyre was shot so they fitted a new one,so far so good but on inspecting it i noticed the directional arrow was the wrong way round. Pointed it out to them & they say’it doesn’t matter which way the arrow is pointing’; ofcoarse i put up a stink & they refitted it correctly.
The guy i use now “Mick Dyer Motorcycles” is great,very small tidy workshop,he always has time for a chat ; is a no b.s. type person.
I do all minor servicing like oil; filters etc but when something is beyond my capabilities a quick call to Mick sorts out the problem quickly.
Best thing about Mick is hes been at the same premises for over 15 years & he only repairs/services bikes,he has a lot of repeat customers; he likes working on older bikes too.
cheers
admin says
Mick Dyer has a very good name. I’ve heard lots of good things about him.