Modern Buddy

While I have been slogging away at trying to figure out the whole second oil change issue and reading threads like crazy I realized that when I took my Buddy in for her first service last fall that my dealer didn't sign my Owners' Manual. I did keep the yellow receipt from the appointment, but I went hunting for what I assumed was the other paper they must have given me detailing all the things they did for my first service. I hunted and hunted and hunted but didn't find another paper so tonight when we stopped by the scooter shop to pick up an oil filter I asked if they could sign my Owners' Manual based on my receipt. The guy there said they would, but to my surprise, when I asked about the details of a "first service" he informed me that they don't "do that." He explained they do not provide a detailed print-out or detailed receipt of the things they did, although he did hesitantly say that they could write it out on a piece of paper for me if I wanted it.

Hmmm. . .so while trying to deflect the young man who was intent on trying to sell us a red Stella because "We have three of those on the floor" (even though we were admiring the red Buddy 125), I was a little perplexed that it seemed I was 1) Asking for something that was not usually done and 2) Being a bit of an annoyance (As indicated by the man behind the desk's tone of voice with me).

From reading posts here I have seen other owners' dealers writing down mileage at service, types of oil used, etc. on their service paperwork. I guess I am use to that type of documentation when I have had work done on my car, and I don't know what is "typical" for scooter service. My husband said that sometimes MC dealers (does this apply to scooters too???) are notorious for not completing all the recommended service checks, and they just change the oil, charge you labor for everything, and that's that. I try to think more optimistically, but even if a service person does say they do everything I can't imagine we actually know it is being done unless we are watching the process. My husband said that the idea is that usually everything is going to be okay so they may just skip over things the first time out, and that is why he does all his own service. He says he doesn't want to put his life in someone else's hands. . .

Well, we are going to do our oil changes and what-have-you, but with this first service I am still pondering that all the documentation I have for my warranty requirement (first service by dealer) is a yellow carbon copy receipt that clearly says $50+ and "1st Service". Is this common practice? Should I go ahead and ask for the handwritten things that are suppose to be included in that first service just to have to put with my Owners' Manual and receipts? I think I am just getting a little over-anxious after reading a oil related thread from 2007 where there was some engine problem and a dealer/service place that hadn't documented things but the warranty claim was denied. . .

I know, I know. I should have asked for this stuff during my appointment last fall, but I didn't know what I didn't know yet. . .

Thanks in advance for your time and thoughts.

runtotorun121 wrote:Well, we are going to do our oil changes and what-have-you, but with this first service I am still pondering that all the documentation I have for my warranty requirement (first service by dealer) is a yellow carbon copy receipt that clearly says $50+ and "1st Service". Is this common practice?

Yup. And it's sufficient. If you bring the scoot to the authorized dealer for the required dealer service, all you need is that receipt. It's their responsibility to do the necessary oil changes, checks, etc. at that point.

runtotorun121 wrote:I think I am just getting a little over-anxious after reading a oil related thread from 2007 where there was some engine problem and a dealer/service place that hadn't documented things but the warranty claim was denied. . .

Um, what thread was that? So far, we have yet to see—in my memory, which is admittedly faulty—a case of a warranty claim being denied provided the issue was something the warranty would have covered.

For instance, I know of one scoot that had some problems but the owner had been monkeying around in there and was clearly at fault (that may be from the thread you're referring to). In the instances of the not-tight-enough oil filters, as far as I know, every time a dealer was responsible either they or Genuine took care of it and replaced the engine or scooter.