Is there such a thing as a 24 hour motorcycle garage?

TyreLever

I work shifts so getting my motorbike serviced can be a PITA. I dont have a car either. It seems to me that motor repair places are still a bit victorian with regards to opening times. I don't think I've ever seen a garage that is open all hours. With more people doing shift work, why hasn't the motor industry caught up? I imagine there is enough demand for garages to remain open into the night. At one dealership I used to go to, they couldnt even get me in for a couple of tyre fittings for at least 3 weeks. Their workshop is shut on sundays too. Doesnt make snese to me, if you have such a backlog, open more hours and employ more specialists.

AndyMc.....

I know of one dealership that has a night shift in the workshop.

[Deleted User]

Nothing to do with being a bit Victorian with regards to opening times, it's just the greedy supermarkets that open 24/7.

Go on your days off from work or book a holiday. Shift work is nothing new and we don't all work 9-5 mon-early-fin-fri.

TyreLever

Never said you did.

System

TyreLever wrote: »

I work shifts so getting my motorbike serviced can be a PITA. I dont have a car either. It seems to me that motor repair places are still a bit victorian with regards to opening times. I don't think I've ever seen a garage that is open all hours. With more people doing shift work, why hasn't the motor industry caught up? I imagine there is enough demand for garages to remain open into the night. At one dealership I used to go to, they couldnt even get me in for a couple of tyre fittings for at least 3 weeks. Their workshop is shut on sundays too. Doesnt make snese to me, if you have such a backlog, open more hours and employ more specialists.

It doesn't make sense for them to open on a night time because it'll cost them more than they make. There aren't as many people as you think working nights and many of those who are tend to be on minimum wage jobs in warehouses and don't tend to own cars that need main dealer servicing and they most likely don't bother servicing them at all.

HGV garages are open on a night time and actually have more staff in than during the day because night times for most hauliers are the only time the truck is available for repair but they're an exception.

unforeseen

Can you imagine the scenario if they did open at night

"Yes sir, our first daytime slot for your service is in 4 weeks time. However, we have a slot tomorrow night but the cost is 50% more due to having to pay my staff higher rates for nights "

dacouch

I would pay a premium for a night time service.

My vehicle is a tool, if it is off the road I either hire another vehicle along with the additional hassle of collection and delivery or lose £250 for a days work.

Paying an extra £100 for the convenience of dropping off in the evening and collecting the next morning would be a premium I would be prepared to pay although I may be in the minority

Begsey

Spares avaliability and authorisation for other work discovered whilst servicing might be a bit of an issue.

Look for somewhere that offers a courtesy bike?

custardy

How does working night shift make it hard?
go to the garage the day before and leave a spare key.
Drop the bike off after shift and get a bus home. bike gets serviced while you sleep/do stuff.

This is exactly what I do with my car.

Cash-Strapped.T32

The company I work for has an HGV & plant workshop, which is open all night, it's a 24hr operation except for Sundays; But then again our customers are losing thousands having a vehicle off the road, so it pays...

SouthLondonUser

Where are you based? I know of motorcycle garages in London that are open Monday to Friday; I know of some (not all) that are open on a Saturday, but I don't know of any that's open after hours. Maybe ask on a more dedicated forum like bikechatforum?

I'd guess that Deliveroo and courier riders are on low wages and typically have the flexibility to take their bikes for servicing in a time slot that's not peak time for food delivery. Office workers who own bikes can typically take their bikes on a Saturday, or early mornings on their way to work (eg Metropolis in Vauxhall is quite central). I am not sure what kind of demand there is for out of hours servicing, and, even if there were, that kind of servicing would cost dearly. Ever heard of Pimlico Plumbers in London? They are available pretty much 24/7, but calling them after hours will cost you. Biiiiig time. If you are some kind of executive living in a detached house in Chelsea, your time is more valuable, but how many average blokes are willing to pay the premium? You can see their charges here: http://www.pimlicoplumbers.com/charges

Plus I must say I have always felt sorry for all those people in retail forced to work Sundays, bank holidays, etc.