^^^ What he said.
It makes no F*^kn difference whether the part is $7 or $700, or whether I am a skilled mechanic or not. That is not the question - for me. I KNOW I could do the job myself. I've built and rebuilt entire engines, trannys, I can sync multiple carbs, I've spoked my own wheels, I always add my own mods, and I change my own tires. But I'm leaving the internals on this bike - which is known to mis-behave - alone until the extended warranty runs out.
Some of you seem to be looking only at the superficial cost of a piece of plastic, some nuts and a gasket, then comparing it to the
rate quoted by my dealer, and their
estimated time to do a job they have never done before, and then saying that that estimate is outrageous.
Well, let me defend them, and myself. After I told them about the part, they had to look up "the bulletin". Anybody here see it? I was told "the bulletin" said the part was not to be installed until the new tensioner, new chain, new chain guides, (and probably new sprockets) were installed. I had to remind them they had already done that on the last engine grenade confrontation, and then they agreed - they don't have to do that extra "stuff" and they will stand behind their work. They are not stupid, they are just ignorant, and inexperienced with this new procedure. I'm positive that if they finish the job in 30 minutes, they are going to only charge me for 30 minutes, or an hour if that's the minimum. I don't really care how long it actually takes them. It sure beats a $1,300 estimate that "the bulletin" rang up.
My particular issue is to try and regain some confidence that this fix keeps the chain on the bike and I can enjoy a long awaited vacation to the SouthWest without incident, and then take more trips until the FD lets loose.
And while Meese correctly said that this issue is
rare, with this specific motorcycle I've been "
lucky" to only have my chain skip
TWICE. And the last time it was with catastrophic consequences. The "
lucky" part is I have a local dealer who doesn't pick up stranded bikers in Lost Wages and then ream them like Robert had done to him. They have saved my butt so far because I let them work on the internals on this bike, I don't insulted them, and we have built a relationship I value and don't want to throw away, just because I could do the job for $200 less than they could.
For all those brave souls (on the internut) who say "let 'ol BMW try that with me, I'll sue them". I laugh in your face partner. Just try it - on your dime. I don't have time to waste. I want to ride. Life is short enough.
For me, $300 is cheap insurance. What's that, a set of tires on my race bike that last a few laps? Oh wait, I'm mounting $300 worth of Pilot Road 3's on the GT before I even leave town. You see, I'm counting on the fact one of their certified mechanics is going to do the work, and my dealer will protect me by standing behind that work.
Hopefully, I can then relax on my 4,000 mile trip next month, and not worry that I am risking having the sleezeballs from Lost Wages come pick me up from the north rim of the Grand Canyon. I'll trailer it home before they even touch it.
In summary, I'll watch and wait, and see if this solves this particular issue for good or not. I promise I'll be first to let you know if I have further problems, and I'll let you know if I am satisfied with the bill when my dealer actually does the work.
Sorry for the long rant. Some of you are just precious. :hypocrite