Motorbike Servicing - Garage recommendation Edinburgh area

[G944S]

I've used Saltire motorcycles in Edinburgh since my bike was new but finding their prices really high now.

Any recommendations for a decent bike garage for general servicing work, I'm in East Lothian now so looking for somewhere a bit closer and cheaper.

[Mad Jock]

There's a bike shop in Pencaitland, not sure if they do servicing though. Otherwise, try Ian Murray, at Loanhead. He's an independent dealer, and certainly does servicing.

[Prof Prolapse]

Another recommendation for Ian Murray.

Saltire were OK but I had some minor grumbles with over the years (emphasis on minor). Ian has always been very professional and very fair with pricing.

That said, I don't have any specific axe to grind with Saltire. I go there regular for odds and sods.

[svracers]

I find saltire suzuki too dear now as well! Iv got a 2013 gsxr750 that needed a yearly service.. I was quoted £275 without the brake fluid being changed.. I did point out i had a suzuki not a ducati! I think the business has expanded too much now- they have massive overheads! I bought my gsxr750 new for £8k in 2013. Saltire and cupar were nowhere near- both were nearly £1500 away! I didnt mind the 100 mile trip down to carlisle to save that money.. I wont be back to saltire- the final straw is that they stated that they wouldnt have an mt10 yamaha or r1 for demo which i was genuinely interested in buying... Not good enough for allegedly scotlands premier yamaha dealer. If you live near glasgow id phone gordon munro whos garage is in kirkintilloch. - mobile motorcycle services 07843307870. I wouldnt take my bike anywhere else. He really knows his stuff, is honest and i got my whole service including plugs brake fluid and new ebc pads front and rear for £200!! Saltire are taking the piss now sadly

[Prof Prolapse]

We'd really need to know what service it was before we could agree £275 is a rip off at a main dealer.

[tvrolet]

If you're in East Lothian, there's Eclipse Motorcycles in Tranent - they traded out of Musselburgh until maybe 20 years ago and were the 'go to' place for the 'proper' bikers in the area. Although the 'showroom' in Tranent is mainly scooters these days, bikers have been loyal there for over 50 years...(40+ in my case). Old-school honest 'spannering'; and just as likely to see an old Bonnie in there, Harley, or modern Jap as a Vespa. And the owner builds and races the most beautiful vintage/classic Honda race bikes.

[Mad Jock]

tvrolet said:

If you're in East Lothian, there's Eclipse Motorcycles in Tranent - they traded out of Musselburgh until maybe 20 years ago and were the 'go to' place for the 'proper' bikers in the area. Although the 'showroom' in Tranent is mainly scooters these days, bikers have been loyal there for over 50 years...(40+ in my case). Old-school honest 'spannering'; and just as likely to see an old Bonnie in there, Harley, or modern Jap as a Vespa. And the owner builds and races the most beautiful vintage/classic Honda race bikes.

I must admit that I forgot about Eclipse, perhaps assuming that they only did scooters myself. When they were in Musselburgh back in the 70's and 80's, they serviced my Honda CX500 and then my CB900, and were always very fair. When I switched to Laverda in 1982, I was using Better Bikes as they were the main dealers, and I bought my Jota from them. They serviced that up until it got stolen in 1986.

Look at the dealers that have since moved on (closed): Graeme Chatham, Carrick, Better Bikes, Alvin's, West Pier (Meriden Triumph).

[tvrolet]

Mad Jock said:

tvrolet said:

If you're in East Lothian, there's Eclipse Motorcycles in Tranent - they traded out of Musselburgh until maybe 20 years ago and were the 'go to' place for the 'proper' bikers in the area. Although the 'showroom' in Tranent is mainly scooters these days, bikers have been loyal there for over 50 years...(40+ in my case). Old-school honest 'spannering'; and just as likely to see an old Bonnie in there, Harley, or modern Jap as a Vespa. And the owner builds and races the most beautiful vintage/classic Honda race bikes.

I must admit that I forgot about Eclipse, perhaps assuming that they only did scooters myself. When they were in Musselburgh back in the 70's and 80's, they serviced my Honda CX500 and then my CB900, and were always very fair. When I switched to Laverda in 1982, I was using Better Bikes as they were the main dealers, and I bought my Jota from them. They serviced that up until it got stolen in 1986.

Look at the dealers that have since moved on (closed): Graeme Chatham, Carrick, Better Bikes, Alvin's, West Pier (Meriden Triumph).

Ooh, some blasts from the past there.

I bought my SS50 from Eclipse, and then a nicely refurbed Honda 250. I started spannering my Norton myself, but Jack at Eclipse helped out on many an occasion when it had me stumped. I got a second hand Norton gearbox off Carrick, and bought the Norvil silencers off West Pier. Then I bought my Z900 off Better Bikes.

You missed off Ernie Page up at Fountainbridge where I bought my first leather jacket - still got it, but it appears to have shrunk considerably over the years. And the short-lived World of Wheels on Gilmore Place - notable only for having a DKW wankel bike in the showroom and full monty John Player Norton. Then there was LH King down Dundas Street, who never seemed to have anything worth buying. And a place on the corner down Broughton Street whose name escapes me, but did some spares.

But Eclipse are still going, and some of the folks/bikes from the 70s/80s are still customers.

[svracers]

Prof prolapse it was a yearly service not a big one. I used to work in bike garages and many people are finding saltires prices have gone up not just me.. As i said i wont be taken for a ride.. As you were

[Mad Jock]

tvrolet said:

Ooh, some blasts from the past there.

I bought my SS50 from Eclipse, and then a nicely refurbed Honda 250. I started spannering my Norton myself, but Jack at Eclipse helped out on many an occasion when it had me stumped. I got a second hand Norton gearbox off Carrick, and bought the Norvil silencers off West Pier. Then I bought my Z900 off Better Bikes.

You missed off Ernie Page up at Fountainbridge where I bought my first leather jacket - still got it, but it appears to have shrunk considerably over the years. And the short-lived World of Wheels on Gilmore Place - notable only for having a DKW wankel bike in the showroom and full monty John Player Norton. Then there was LH King down Dundas Street, who never seemed to have anything worth buying. And a place on the corner down Broughton Street whose name escapes me, but did some spares.

But Eclipse are still going, and some of the folks/bikes from the 70s/80s are still customers.

I forgot about Reid, Allan and Patterson, they were down the back of Broughton Street Lane. That's unforgivable of me, as I bought my Moto-Gori 500 Enduro bike from them!
As for Ernie Page, I don't remember using him, but I was certainly aware of his shop.

[Rockatansky]

tvrolet said:

And a place on the corner down Broughton Street whose name escapes me, but did some spares.

That would be The Suzuki Shop, as the name suggests it was suzuki parts they supplied.

[Jammez]

Another recomendation for Ian Murray! Nice people and they do a god job on all kinds of bikes. Check out their Facebook page for an idea of the work they can do

[Hammi159159]

+1 for Eclipse in Tranent.

Can't believe anyone can recommend Ian Murray. I used him once and that was enough to get a measure of the guy. Friends are the same and no-one I know has ever returned for a second visit. He talks a good game and smiles as he takes your money off you for a service that falls short of what he states.

Edited by Hammi159159 on Monday 22 May 08:44

[Prof Prolapse]

Hammi159159 said:

+1 for Eclipse in Tranent.

Can't believe anyone can recommend Ian Murray. I used him once and that was enough to get a measure of the guy. Friends are the same and no-one I know has ever returned for a second visit. He talks a good game and smiles as he robs you blind. Your standard Ian Murray Motorcycle services consist of the following:

1) Oil change with whatever's got the cheapest offer on at the motor-factor;
2) Oil Filter - only changed if the old one is obviously rusty or marked, otherwise if it's a canister then spray some brake-cleaner on a cloth and wipe it clean, or if it's a cartridge then don't bother with it as the customer won't know the difference anyway (just wipe the bolts on the cover clean);
3) Air Filter - if it's under the tank then either ignore it or blow it out with the air-line. If it's easily checkable by the customer then reluctantly change it;
4) Spark-plugs - if the bike runs ok and isn't misfiring then leave well alone as the customer won't check;
5) Chain-tension - adjust, over-tighten the lock-nuts, and if a chain oiler is fitted then re-direct it onto the rear tyre to give the customer a more exhilarating ride home!

If you're lucky, Ian's 'mechanic' (aka unskilled & unqualified spanner twiddler) might also valet your bike which consists of giving it a liberal spray of high strength degreaser (especially the chain & all bearings), leave for 10 mins, then blast it all off with the power-washer. It'll screw up the chain & bearings but Ian will enjoy ripping you off when you return to get them replaced. BTW, who the **** puts a new chains on a sports 600 and uses a spring-clip? Amateur!

Right hang on a minute... I've used them for years and whilst we all have bad experiences from time to time, but I really think you're telling porkies there...

1) Firstly, see my point earlier, what an "annual service" is, varies by garage, so you'd be wise to ask what a service consists of before you part with your money.

2) They used only genuine filters on my Suzuki. These were reasonably priced.

3) You don't routinely change air filters or plugs on an "annual service". Read your service schedule, or again discuss your needs with the chap at the desk.

4) They've done my chain three times now and every time it's been fine (I always double check).

5) He's got at least one fully badged Ducati trained mechanic working for him. He also appears to have employed a chap who ran a tuning shop locally, and has a lot of experience in setting up and (I think) racing Suzuki's. You should tell him you think he's a muppet and see what he says.

6) They don't routinely clean bikes as part of the basic service. If you had the bike valeted I find it very unlikely it was a mechanic that did it.

7) I couldn't comment on why they fitted spring clips. But I know it is a fact some people run spring clips on larger capacity sports bikes with no issues, I'm reliably informed most failures occur during inappropriate fitment, not due to failure of the clip. So at worst he fitted an atypical part without consulting you.

I couldn't vouch for his professional knowledge, but Ian has never bullstted anyone I know who uses that garage. He is a pleasant gentleman to deal with and always pragmatic and customer focused. When I was on the bones of my arse some years ago, I can even recall him changing my tyres on the wheels for free, and taking the time to talk me through how to get my old bike through an MOT.

I don't have shares. I don't consider myself to have anything but a normal relationship with the garage. But what you're saying is absolutely not representative of the servicing at that garage. Whatever your grievance, you should really think before you post bks like this, we all fall out with businesses from time to time, but this kind of non-sense can be very damaging to small businesses.

[Mrtee]

Mad Jock said:

I forgot about Reid, Allan and Patterson, they were down the back of Broughton Street Lane. That's unforgivable of me, as I bought my Moto-Gori 500 Enduro bike from them!
As for Ernie Page, I don't remember using him, but I was certainly aware of his shop.

you also had Edgar Bros on Leith walk - Honda dealer.

[tvrolet]

Mrtee said:

Mad Jock said:

I forgot about Reid, Allan and Patterson, they were down the back of Broughton Street Lane. That's unforgivable of me, as I bought my Moto-Gori 500 Enduro bike from them!
As for Ernie Page, I don't remember using him, but I was certainly aware of his shop.

you also had Edgar Bros on Leith walk - Honda dealer.

Ah yes, my dad bought me my very first crash helmet there just before my 16th birthday in anticipation of the SS50...which came from Eclipse. Forgot about them. But by now I think we must have had a mention of all the old Edinburgh dealers, and not too make have survived.

[Hammi159159]

Prof Prolapse said:

I don't have shares. I don't consider myself to have anything but a normal relationship with the garage. But what you're saying is absolutely not representative of the servicing at that garage. Whatever your grievance, you should really think before you post bks like this, we all fall out with businesses from time to time, but this kind of non-sense can be very damaging to small businesses.

I'm not disrespecting your opinion and it's great that you feel you get good service from him, but that doesn't give you the right to denigrate mine, which by the way, is equally valid despite it not being one that you agree with. I posted my honest opinion of the standard of service I received there, and being more than capable of wielding the spanners on my bike myself, I am well aware of what work was needing done and what consumables required replacement when I took my bike in. I pay a garage to provide me with an honest service and to do the job I pay them to do. Sadly I found them lacking in every aspect, only excelling at talking a good game. A number of guys I know in Edinburgh & Midlothian are none too enamoured with Ian Murray Motorcycles either for a variety of reasons, however if you think otherwise then I respect that and hope you continue to get good service there.
Sadly, a good, honest, competent standard of motorcycle servicing and repair is extremely lacking in central Scotland. Saltire are more interested in flogging you a pair of leather chaps and giving you a beard trim, Two Wheels are the Arnold Clark of motorcycle dealers and similarly can't even compete on price any more, Edinburgh Harley are more interested in selling you a bottle of polish so that you can stand around fantasising about being a 1%'er like the rest of their middle-aged, middle-class bank manager customers. Fortunately there is salvation in BMW Dalkeith who actually DO seem to have their s**t togeher. I ride 240 miles (or if mid-Winter it goes in the back of the van) to get my bike serviced south of the border. More bikers = more dealers = more competition = more incentive to 'get it right' for the customer.

Edited by Hammi159159 on Monday 22 May 14:40

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G944S said:

I've used Saltire motorcycles in Edinburgh since my bike was new but finding their prices really high now.

Any recommendations for a decent bike garage for general servicing work, I'm in East Lothian now so looking for somewhere a bit closer and cheaper.

don't go to ian murray charged me £459 for belts and a valves check then reduced price by £100 after a lot of word exchanging
last year charged me £497 for a minor service a back tyre and a failed repair on an indicator

[edp190]

Not East Lothian but I have had great service from Bellsburn in Bo'ness. Significantly cheaper than main stealer and also a very decent bloke.