StephenH

Sep 30, 2022

Service issue on a S1000XR

I bought my S1000XR second-hand from Coopers at T/Wells on 24/08/2018, and it was serviced by them prior to handover with a mileage of 3,502. The Servicing schedule thus far is detailed below: Coopers – T/Wells 02/08/19 - 5,390 miles Coopers – T/Wells 27/07/20 – 6,762 miles Arden – T/Wells 05/10/21 – 7,739 miles I have just had the bike serviced again on 28/09/2022at 8,593 miles at a local bike repair shop. The reason for taking my bike to a different service agent was purely one of convenience, on this occasion, as I have always been happy with the service that I have received at BMW T/Wells. However, I am very concerned at what was discovered during my recent service. The rear brake caliper was not releasing properly and this was evident as soon as the mechanic spun the back wheel. There was also a similar issue with the front brake. I was blissfully unaware of these issues, as I am not that mechanically minded, and that is why I leave all of my servicing needs to the "professionals". My service bill was inflated by an extra 2 man hours due to the time it took to disassemble the brakes so that the problem could be fixed without having to resort to buying new calipers etc. It was reported that there was absolutely no sign of any grease or copper slip and that is why the units had rusted up, thereby causing the problems. I am told that it is fortunate that I had not been on any long trips whereby the brakes could have over-heated and possibly failed or at least not have been so effective in an emergency situation, or heavy braking from speed. I have photographs that show that the extent of the corrosion was the result of neglect in the servicing for some time. Now I know that Coopers are also responsible for this state of affairs and that Arden has only performed the service in 2021 but I would have expected them to have noticed the poor servicing of my bike and corrected it on that service. However, and I quote from their Director "I do disagree with your accusation that Arden should have picked the issue up on a routine service". I thought that checking the brakes on a bike is part of a service as they are rather important on a 160 BHP bike. Anyway, my complaint has fallen on deaf ears and no responsibility has been accepted so I will vote with my feet and have my BMW car and bike serviced elsewhere and will not purchase Car or Bike from them in future. I have had a response from Arden which can be seen below. The service they performed included changing the brake fluid for front and rear brake so I would have thought that they should have seen the problem then. The rust on the front caliper was so encrusted that it would have been evident to the trained eye as it had built up over a number of years. The box has been clearly ticked with regard to a visual check of the calipers. Sorry but no defense for this omission.