How to choose a repairer
Safety
The most important thing in choosing a repairer is that they are focussed first and foremost on safety. Cost or profit can never override the need to ensure that a repaired motorcycle is safe. Sadly this is not always the case.
Quality & skill results in great repairs
- A major contributor to safety is the quality of repairs and its important that the repairer has all the necessary skills in house. They must have top quality paint capability and strong engineering as well as technical skills.
- Many dealers and sadly some network “repairers” don’t have the necessary skills which means they do not have enough control over what is going on with your bike. Worse things may not be done to the necessary standards. Finally. If they don’t have the necessary skills their repairs are going to be more expensive and that means your bike is more likely to be written off.
Level of service
- Timely pick-up and delivery
- Good Communication
- Original manufacturers parts unless specified by you
- Speed of the repair process
- Focused on repair solutions rather than writing your bike off
- Customer focus with your interests paramount
How you Improve the chances of your bike being repaired
- Choose a repairer who has the repair of your motorcycle at the centre of their business
- If repair costs exceed the cut off point be willing to look at having some of the damaged parts with after market alternatives such as exhausts. This can significantly reduce costs and make your bike repairable
- Be willing to accept high quality repairs to scratches on panel work and frames
- Above all talk to the repairer and the insurance company to try and find solutions
Would it be better to have all new parts?
Clearly one option is to fit all new parts but the price of fairing panels and major components that are only cosmetically damaged adds so much cost to the repair the majority of bikes would be written off.
Where fitting new parts is possible within the cost structure it substantially increases the cost of repairs and that of course affects what we all have to pay for our insurance.
Perhaps as important as cost of the repair is cost to the environment. The cost in raw materials and energy in production of new parts is significantly greater than if panels and major components are repaired. So by having quality repairs then we can all contribute to a reduction in our carbon footprint. After all panels are painted at the factory as are wheels, frames and swingarm. It really is difficult to justify on any basis not repairing parts providing they are as good as new once the repair has been completed.
If you have any questions or would like further information please get in touch
