15th Dec '08

Rode to work (Vashi To Vikhroli - 20KM) for the first time on the FZ 16. :) The ride was pretty confortable.

14th Dec '08

Today 14th Dec '08, the problem with the self start persisted despite riding the bike for around 8KM. So took the bike down palm beach road and onto panvel to Naman Auto Sales. On reaching the showroom - with the trip meter showing 24 KM - tried the self again. Again, no-go. So inquired about the workstation and was exposed to callous - indifferent behavior - was told that the service center was closed and to come back the next day. It is now crystal clear that you could put a million dollars in front of a dog - but a dog will remain a dog.

I persisted and made further enquiries in the showroom. Fortune/Luck favor the brave and those who persist. The time a mech by the name Liyakat took a look at the bike. And it was confirmed beyond reasonable doubt that even after riding 24KM the battery did not get charged and hence was faulty. Was again asked to leave the bike with them or come the next day. But I persisted for an immediate and appropriate resolution - considering that I took delivery of the bike only on 29th Nov '08. It was definitely not acceptable for the bike to be seeing the mechs so often. Well then Liyakat (God bless him) put in another battery and voila the self start worked.

Liyakat also advised me that loose connection could possibly drain the battery and if the problem occurred with this battery too then they would need to take a closer look at the bike. That sounded good with me. And I was off home :).

13th Dec '08

After a lot of cajoling - the mech from Naman Auto Sales came to my place to check why the bike wouldn't start using the self starter. After I pointed out to him all that symptoms that indicated a low battery and after he had taken a look it was decided that if the bike were put in second gear, the clutch held down and pushed a short distance, on releasing the clutch the bike would start. A neighbor - who is a bike enthusiast and lots of biking experience at such a young age volunteered the help. The bike started and then I took over and rode it for around 4 KM. Now when we checked if the bike would start using the self starter - it worked. The mech suggested idling the bike for a while to charge the battery - which we did - don't know if that was a good idea. Coz when I tried the self start after he left I was back to square one. But then I used the same little push start trick to get the bike started and rode it to a shop where I could get the registration number put onto the bike.
Then I came back and parked the bike in front of my house. The self start problem continued to exist the next day as well.

12th Dec' 08

Called up the Yamaha Dealer (Naman Auto Sales - Panvel) at around 10 AM and spoke with a mech who simply asked to call back later and was non-committal about coming to repair the bike.

Called up again at around 11 AM. First spoke with a certain Jay - who simply asked for the bike to be taken to the showroom. Jay spoke even more rudely and told me I was the "First Customer to report a problem with the bike" (Now he insisted on a technicality that HE had heard of such a problem for the first time. It is sad and a nuisance to see such IDIOTS employed). When pressed for more information he gave the workshop number 022-32168782.

Called the workshop number right away and spoke with Mansur who said that he "would try to send a mech by 2 PM the next day".

From my interaction with the Yamaha dealer (Naman Auto Sales) in Panvel I have observed that despite forking out 74.75 K for the bike - the service is wanting. YAMAHA - YOU NEED TO GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER. I had similar problems getting the bike delivery and registration done. The dealership was only interested in the mode of payment. When the payment was made upfront they delivered the bike - if a loan were to be availed they weren't too forthcoming about the delivery date. Had to continuously call their only person who spoke english - Mr. Rajinder - who simply made assurances about calling back - but never called EVER. You and your dealership need to get your act together Mr. Rajinder.

Personnel at this sad dealership resort to a one liner - "Why does this happen only to you." I am quite sure umpteen number of customers have heard the same one liner.

11th Dec '08

Tried starting the bike around 11PM on 11th Dec '08. The bike wouldn't start. Checked the engine switch (red switch) and tried the started (choke) as well. No go.

9th Dec '08

Finally got the bike registration number - MH 43 W5969 , and the receipts for the one time road tax as well as the insurance.

Catholic Riders

Visit this group

5th Dec 2008

Went to the RTO on 6th Dec 2008 at 12:00 PM. Called up the RTO agent - Raju of Naman Auto Sales and met up with him only to get to know that the file had apparently not reached him. The service provided by Naman Auto Sales will make one weep. Despite paying up 74.75 K for the bike they are unable to provide decent service to their customers. I spoke to a person by the name of Santosh who felt that I should ask the agent when the file was going to reach him. Weird!. Finaly at around 13:30 I took the bike and showed it to the RTO officer and got the photocopies attested by him. The RTO agent - Raju said he would give me a call on Monday 7th Dec 2008

2nd to 4th Dec '08

Took the bike for a spin on 2nd and 3rd and 4th. Been in touch with Naman Auto Sales regarding registering the bike. I am sorely disappointed with their service so early in the day. Been speaking with people at Naman Auto Sales who are pathetic at communication. Seems to be either a case of overworked and underpaid (though i doubt that) or a case of people who just report to work to fill in eight hours anyhow.

1st Dec 2008.

1st Dec 2008.

Again today I took the bike for a short (2KM) spin. And started to get the hang of it a little more.
Tried calling up the Yamaha Dealers Manager (Mr Rajinder Sing) regarding the registration. Was unable to get through. Will try calling him up again tomorrow.