Sounds liket to me that you might be better off with a shade tree mechanic as Woodsruner caught this. If you are going to ride these you need to know how to work on them. Extended warranty does no good when you are out in the middle of nowhere trying to get it started. Had the same thing happen to a King Quad in our group, the vent hose got pinched and the machine died. Took 5 minutes to troubleshoot and we were back on our way. AlaskaBoy.

 

I meant I do not want Honda hiring shade tree mechanics and charging me high prices. I know enough to get into trouble. I am sure I will have to learn alot of things. Got the air bubble, tire kit, air gauge, 3 five gallon fuel containers. Have a tow strap. I have my tools with me. Next thing I am going to buy a trailer and put my pickup tool box on it. I want all tools and things locked away but ready to roll when I pull the ATV to the trails.

 

I have a saying that seems to fit a lot of repair shops... goes something like "The only person that gives a sh*t about your car/truck/quad is YOU!!"

 

Rancherat400, if you are going to carry a good amount of valuable tools to trailheads, make sure the tool box is bolted to the trailer and the lid is more secure than the boxes original frail locks. Theives cruise the trailheads, looking for anything they can steal. We have lost tires/rims, air compressors, tools, gas cans full of gas and empty, even our lunches in coolers. Anything they can carry off with they will take. I have quit taking anything I can't put inside the truck or bolt down with security screws.

 

I appreciate your information. I like this forum, people are always eager to help others out. Thank you WoodsRuner.

 

Well guys I'm a set up tech for my Honda Dealer in Minnesota. I have to agree with all about getten a machine that leaves the dealership in prime PRECEFT running condition. The thing that all you have to remeber is that it takes 100 miles for your machine to get broke in and that's why Honda says to get the first service done. Which most times after you have the valves adjusted they don't need adjustment after that most of the time.
The only thing that **** me off more than anything is a jerck off that comes in a demands a new quad right away and I nust my *** to hurry up so I don't have time to do everything. Then comes in a bitchs about how poor it runs or the wheels aren't aligned to there thinking.
Far as shop fees stop and think if you were the owners. You have no idea how many bills they have. Don't you all get pissed when some one comes in your place that you work and complain about how much your place charges.
Far as techs concened if you are going to complain about someone being a .001" off guess what the spec's in the book say .001" either way so find something worth pissin about
keep it to what these is for ok

 

Are you saying most of the time the second valve check at 100 hours or 600 miles is usually needless?

I did not go in and want one right away, I looked at the one I bought for two weeks while it set on the floor.

Does it take 2 hours to do the 20 hour or 100 mile valve adjustment and checking cables. We are all telling each other what we experienced, because we are not techs.

I sold guns for years, and there are a few hard to please people in any hobby.

 

Rancherat400. The valves are set at the factory along with the carburetor. After the first 100 miles they probably would have needed to be re-adjusted even if they were set correctly right before you took your new atv home. I think most of what you experienced is normal. Sounds like they did a nice job and $130 is not too bad.

Shop fees are for thing like the rags the use and have to pay to have cleaned, brake clean, carburetor cleaned, lube, WD40, and a host of other items. That is pretty normal. The hazerdous waist fee is charged even if you go to the store and buy oil. If it is not on your reciept it is figured into the price of the oil itself. I do believe it is a federal fee not just the shop making a little more money off you.

Sound like a good service by a good dealer.

 

Did you go to the dealer or to an ATV shop? Does anyone know of a good place to take it for servicinf here in Arkansas?

 

I went to the largest Honda dealer in Nebraksa Rods Power Sports. Very clean, well stocked and very professional. I see that some dealers sell for 400-500 less, just to make a buck and are not wanting to do the service.

I see now what you mean by shop supplies. I am learning. When I talked with the Service Manager yesterday, he said that his closest competition was always 400 - 500 dollars cheaper on quads, but would send the warranty work to "Rods".

I believe in this forum. Straight shooters help us newbies. Thanks for your help guys and gals.