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[Richard230]

Of course, but, this is not something that any manufacturers want. They want to sell you a new bike.

Cas

That is certainly the case with BMW who would prefer that most of their franchised dealers don't work on bikes more than 10 years old.  I don't think they care much about their bikes after they are sold. What they really want is for their loyal customers trade-in their current bike for a new model.    While servicing and repairing bikes might help their dealers make it through the winter, BMW is focused on their bottom-line and year-to-year "unit" sales.

Is anyone demanding that the company bring out their long-in-development electric motorcycle? It doesn't look that way.

As we all know, BMW builds motorcycles that they want their customers to buy, not bikes that their customers want them to build.  At least Energica didn't seem to operate that way. Perhaps because they are an Italian firm and not a German one.   

[DonTom]

That is certainly the case with BMW who would prefer that most of their franchised dealers don't work on bikes more than 10 years old.

It's not only BMW. Eurocyles here in Reno has/had a sign at their service department that reads "We will no longer service bikes more than ten years old--no exceptions!!!" And then some nonsense about a worldwide parts shortage as an excuse. But I assume that could change in the snowy winter months here in Reno when business is slow. I have not been in there for a while so I do not know if they still have that sign.

The Eurocycles dealer in Reno is NOT the BMW dealer here, that is in Sparks, NV, Sierra BMW.

-Don-  Reno, NV

[Richard230]

That is certainly the case with BMW who would prefer that most of their franchised dealers don't work on bikes more than 10 years old.

It's not only BMW. Eurocyles here in Reno has/had a sign at their service department that reads "We will no longer service bikes more than ten years old--no exceptions!!!" And then some nonsense about a worldwide parts shortage as an excuse. But I assume that could change in the snowy winter months here in Reno when business is slow. I have not been in there for a while so I do not know if they still have that sign.

The Eurocycles dealer in Reno is NOT the BMW dealer here, that is in Sparks, NV, Sierra BMW.

-Don-  Reno, NV

It does make you wonder what is going on (at least) in the U.S. with this 10-year restriction on working on older motorcycles?  My only guess is that perhaps it has something to do with the shops' liability insurance as imposed by their insurance company. To me it just doesn't make sense that all shops that seem to have a restriction about working on older bikes would all have the same 10 year time limit. There is something fishy going on here. 

If this trend keeps going, good luck getting the batteries replaced in the future on your electric motorcycle after 10 years if you want it done at a franchised dealer. Of course, right now there doesn't appear to be anyone offering this service, anyway. Making repairs on electric motorcycles and scooters in the future looks like it is going to be mostly "self-help", which could be a safety issue for the owner if they don't have the proper knowledge and skills.

[princec]

It's because 10 year old bikes are always a complete clusterfuck to work on. They're usually on their 3rd or 4th owners, often been neglected and/or crashed, often unwashed and shitty. Nobody likes working on old nails.

Cas

[DonTom]

It's because 10 year old bikes are always a complete clusterfuck to work on. They're usually on their 3rd or 4th owners, often been neglected and/or crashed, often unwashed and shitty. Nobody likes working on old nails.

Cas

I don't think that is the main issue. Older bikes can be worth less than repairs, and mechanics usually have no training on the older bikes.


FWIW, all my bikes listed below are still on their first owner. Even the 1971 BMW, which I purchased new in May of 1971, with the money I couldn't spend in the Central Highland Jungles of Vietnam. So it now has this lic plate (those who have been in the army will know it means "Vietanm-Infantry").




-Don-  Reno, NV

[Fran K]

It's because 10 year old bikes are always a complete clusterfuck to work on. They're usually on their 3rd or 4th owners, often been neglected and/or crashed, often unwashed and shitty. Nobody likes working on old nails.

Cas

On the other hand who wants a mechanic that has so many tattoos that they likely can't get a job elsewhere.  Ever witnessed a boasting contest of service managers as to who can figure out how to make the bill end up higher?   The expression would not want them to put air in the tires.  Richard's point about getting a replcement battery is quite worthy of some thought.  Part of the new business model is to make things proprietary.

[princec]

Hopefully there will be some pushback on that, maybe a disruptive manufacturer will understand the motorcycle market's customer base and realise that tinkering is in the very core of motorcycling and design electric bikes around that concept. Perhaps.

Cas

[Stonewolf]

That company did exist ... until very recently

[DonTom]

It does make you wonder what is going on (at least) in the U.S. with this 10-year restriction on working on older motorcycles?  My only guess is that perhaps it has something to do with the shops' liability insurance as imposed by their insurance company. To me it just doesn't make sense that all shops that seem to have a restriction about working on older bikes would all have the same 10 year time limit. There is something fishy going on here. 

If this trend keeps going, good luck getting the batteries replaced in the future on your electric motorcycle after 10 years if you want it done at a franchised dealer. Of course, right now there doesn't appear to be anyone offering this service, anyway. Making repairs on electric motorcycles and scooters in the future looks like it is going to be mostly "self-help", which could be a safety issue for the owner if they don't have the proper knowledge and skills.

IMO, if too many dealers do this, it could start up a new business where places will do the ten-year-old bikes of any make--where possible--as long as their services are worth less than the bike!


But I can understand several reasons why many places will refuse to do ten-year-old bikes, such as when it costs more to work on them than the bike is worth. It could be a tough business.


-Don-  Auburn, CA

[smithy]

But I can understand several reasons why many places will refuse to do ten-year-old bikes, such as when it costs more to work on them than the bike is worth. It could be a tough business.
-Don-  Auburn, CA

Strange isn't it..?? One of my collection is a 40 year old bike, an old 1984 Honda VF1000RE which I have painstakingly restored and it's probably worth more than most normal bikes on the road....getting someone to work on it would probably be near impossible...not that I would trust any of the younger mechanics/dealers etc...they don't fix or repair things these days, they just plug them in and get told what to replace.

Most of the younger riders I see out and about whilst riding it don't even know what it is....and seem surprised when I tell them it's over 40 years old. I'd like to see their Yamaha MT07 et-al in 40 years time....will more than likely be a pile of junk somewhere.

Smithy.

[DonTom]

Strange isn't it..?? One of my collection is a 40 year old bike, an old 1984 Honda VF1000RE which I have painstakingly restored and it's probably worth more than most normal bikes on the road....getting someone to work on it would probably be near impossible...not that I would trust any of the younger mechanics/dealers etc...they don't fix or repair things these days, they just plug them in and get told what to replace.

Most of the younger riders I see out and about whilst riding it don't even know what it is....and seem surprised when I tell them it's over 40 years old. I'd like to see their Yamaha MT07 et-al in 40 years time....will more than likely be a pile of junk somewhere.

Smithy.

The main problem with a bike like that with the dealers is nobody trains them for the type of bike. The bikes that last the longest are those old bikers where the OF rider knows a lot more about the bike than any of those young kids at motorcycle dealers.


Then, forums are often very helpful. Such as that Airhead section of the BMW Forum for my 1971 BMW. I find even many old magazine advertisements to be useful. For example, my stock 1971 BMW electrical system which was only capable of 180 watts crapped out because of a bad stator. It is now 280 watts, with new aftermarket stator, rotor, and other such stuff. 1971 was before it was a requirement to have motorcycle lights on during the daytime, so they were not designed for full-time lights on.  Now my BMW has juice to spare--but still nothing near the capacity of newer touring bikes.


My 1971 BMW will outlive me for sure.


-Don-  Auburn, CA

[PWM]

Strange isn't it..?? One of my collection is a 40 year old bike, an old 1984 Honda VF1000RE which I have painstakingly restored and it's probably worth more than most normal bikes on the road....getting someone to work on it would probably be near impossible...not that I would trust any of the younger mechanics/dealers etc...they don't fix or repair things these days, they just plug them in and get told what to replace.

Most of the younger riders I see out and about whilst riding it don't even know what it is....and seem surprised when I tell them it's over 40 years old. I'd like to see their Yamaha MT07 et-al in 40 years time....will more than likely be a pile of junk somewhere.

Smithy.

Same here...recent 41-year old restoration, BMW R80ST...such a pleasure to work on and ride...

Big difference w/ today's bikes is the computer based proprietary controls will not last 41-years...they generally go obsolete in 5...

[Richard230]

Strange isn't it..?? One of my collection is a 40 year old bike, an old 1984 Honda VF1000RE which I have painstakingly restored and it's probably worth more than most normal bikes on the road....getting someone to work on it would probably be near impossible...not that I would trust any of the younger mechanics/dealers etc...they don't fix or repair things these days, they just plug them in and get told what to replace.

Most of the younger riders I see out and about whilst riding it don't even know what it is....and seem surprised when I tell them it's over 40 years old. I'd like to see their Yamaha MT07 et-al in 40 years time....will more than likely be a pile of junk somewhere.

Smithy.

Same here...recent 41-year old restoration, BMW R80ST...such a pleasure to work on and ride...

Big difference w/ today's bikes is the computer based proprietary controls will not last 41-years...they generally go obsolete in 5...

If that doesn't happen, then the company that made the ECU will have gone out of business, along with its proprietary components and design information.