ChiC_pArIsIEnnE
New member
Well said on both counts.
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Labor Rates
- Thread starter ChiC_pArIsIEnnE
- Start date
totting fox
New member
This discussion has got away from this guy's 848 getting a "dry slipper clutch".
Of course the 848 has a wet clutch standard, and would require the RH engine case removing, and some oil draining unless bike was tilted to the LHS to work on it.
And the RH fairing should be removed for access, even on a dry clutch.
On a basic level, mechanical work should be worth $X/hour, whether he/she is working on an airplane, Lexus, BMW or Ducati. We all know that we are charged a premium for work on a high-line vehicle, on the assumption that we can afford it. Extended warranties ensure that we keep coming back for more - your 'two-edged sword'.
Now I'm off warranty I'm happy to do all my own work. In the past Ducati guys generally worked on their own bikes - it's a different world now. A lot of people want it all ways. They can't/don't do for themselves, but want to complain about skilled people getting paid much less than them to do what they can't do..
Just the view of someone who has worked on other people's bikes most of my working life!
Of course the 848 has a wet clutch standard, and would require the RH engine case removing, and some oil draining unless bike was tilted to the LHS to work on it.
And the RH fairing should be removed for access, even on a dry clutch.
On a basic level, mechanical work should be worth $X/hour, whether he/she is working on an airplane, Lexus, BMW or Ducati. We all know that we are charged a premium for work on a high-line vehicle, on the assumption that we can afford it. Extended warranties ensure that we keep coming back for more - your 'two-edged sword'.
Now I'm off warranty I'm happy to do all my own work. In the past Ducati guys generally worked on their own bikes - it's a different world now. A lot of people want it all ways. They can't/don't do for themselves, but want to complain about skilled people getting paid much less than them to do what they can't do..
Just the view of someone who has worked on other people's bikes most of my working life!
[Pastlife]Having spent 25 years in the motor trade,and over 15 as DP.Your higher volume brands of anything struggle to charge realistic market for service/mechanical work,as they are typically also competing with the independents as the customers aren't as loyal.To offset this they will usually run variable hourly rates depending on the work type eg transmission vs basic oil change , and employ a higher number of apprentices.Insurance/liability costs are out of control for any workshop.As a trade,motor techs are the least highly paid of all.Your premium brands have a greater ability to charge a more market appropriate rate.Even if none of us like to pay it !!..hj
rocketgirl
New member
Here, here.
There is a lot of dealership bashing. (not just with ducs mind you)
Most dealerships are, in a large part counting on service work to pay the bills.
Everything regarding tech training costs and required tools is absolutely true. No matter how nice and well equipped a dealer is, do you really think it's all paid for and liquid?
I am a Ducati certified tech, and due to recent economic troubles the dealership I worked at went under.
The flat rate system is/has been the norm forever. When a tech is efficient enough to best the flat rate it is to their advantage, but most people have no idea what it takes for a lot of mechanics to make ends meet.
I've had people talk to me like I must make big bucks because I know how to work on high end bikes. WRONG! I do it because its what I love doing. I'm just scraping by. Add to that the cost of tools/equipment (especially now that i'm independent) and it's tough.
Not to bore everyone with some sob story, but those of you that have factory supported dealers and techs should feel lucky. Whether you choose to work on your machine yourself or not, someday that dealership will be needed.
What if it wasn't there at all??
There is a lot of dealership bashing. (not just with ducs mind you)
Most dealerships are, in a large part counting on service work to pay the bills.
Everything regarding tech training costs and required tools is absolutely true. No matter how nice and well equipped a dealer is, do you really think it's all paid for and liquid?
I am a Ducati certified tech, and due to recent economic troubles the dealership I worked at went under.
The flat rate system is/has been the norm forever. When a tech is efficient enough to best the flat rate it is to their advantage, but most people have no idea what it takes for a lot of mechanics to make ends meet.
I've had people talk to me like I must make big bucks because I know how to work on high end bikes. WRONG! I do it because its what I love doing. I'm just scraping by. Add to that the cost of tools/equipment (especially now that i'm independent) and it's tough.
Not to bore everyone with some sob story, but those of you that have factory supported dealers and techs should feel lucky. Whether you choose to work on your machine yourself or not, someday that dealership will be needed.
What if it wasn't there at all??
thunder1225
New member
No, that is perfectly relevant to this thread. I have had to explain to many people also that this is a 'labour of love', not a profitable exercise. "You are so lucky to be able to work on your own vehicles" they say, as they go off to their $50/hour job.
Yeah - lucky alright, that I have been broke most of my life, and get to spend my working days crawling around under their bikes, while they complain about the service costs on their latest flash bike, which their mechanic probably can't dream of owning (or can only obtain by repairing a crashed one).
This is why I only work on bikes part-time nowadays.. Now I can afford the bike I wanted, and afford to maintain and improve it.
PS. And yes - we still need the dealer to be there!
Yeah - lucky alright, that I have been broke most of my life, and get to spend my working days crawling around under their bikes, while they complain about the service costs on their latest flash bike, which their mechanic probably can't dream of owning (or can only obtain by repairing a crashed one).
This is why I only work on bikes part-time nowadays.. Now I can afford the bike I wanted, and afford to maintain and improve it.
PS. And yes - we still need the dealer to be there!
Don't mix 'dealers' up with 'Mechanics'
The dealer MAY charge 110 and hour but the tech will be very well paid if he earns 28 - 30 an hour plus he has over 5 - 15 000 invested in tools.
Yep it's nice to complain about the the costs but hard to cop from the other side when you're pretty sure the customer is earning 100+ grand a year
The dealer MAY charge 110 and hour but the tech will be very well paid if he earns 28 - 30 an hour plus he has over 5 - 15 000 invested in tools.
Yep it's nice to complain about the the costs but hard to cop from the other side when you're pretty sure the customer is earning 100+ grand a year
never yet employed a tech that had $15g in tools !!....your $5g is closer to the mark.The dealership has to supply the specialist gear..normally supplied by the distributor and billed directly to dealer parts account!![part of std dealer franchise agreement} Yes a very good tech will be up around the $30-35 mark.With your $110hr -holidays, proportional rent of workshop space,training,warranty or rework, insurance [for your bike on road tests etc},workers compensation,administration, proportional amortisation cost of Service Advisor and Service Manager-typically an unchargeable cost but again a requirement of Franchise agreement...thats a rough start...hj
i am so peng its unreal!
New member
15k is just scratching the surface for a serious career tech.