Good Honda Dealer near Albany, NY

[stevec677]

One of the guys I ride with has a Honda ST1300 that has developed a "wander" at high speed. He is looking for a Honda dealer with a quality service department. We are not impressed with the local Albany Honda Dealers. Any suggestions? (I already suggested he trade the ST in on a new FJR.)

 

[ionbeam]

Faster and easier to check than a good dealer --

How many miles on the ST? Is the hardware on both axles present and tight? What brand tires, how many miles and what are the tire pressures? Is the spacing between the top of the fork tubes and the triple tree equal side to side? Has this rider made recent changes to front or rear suspension? Is there a top case? Has there been a change by adding or removing hard luggage? New wind screen? Any changes such as seat or bars that would change the rider's position?

It's the tires, start there.

 

[stevec677]

He has 40,000+ miles on the bike. No recent changes that should effect anything. All of his service has been at a local independent shop, so I'm sure how much "extra" stuff has been checked. After a long discussion we believe it would be a good idea to have the whole bike gone over by a factory trained tech just to make sure everything is within spec (as you stated). He is not mechanical and I am also not comfortable on working on a machine that will transport me at 100+ mph. We need professionals in this world and I am not one of them. I'm not sure that some of the local honda dealers have techs that are any better then me, that why I was looking for suggestions.

 

[ionbeam]

Since you you and your riding buds aren't comfortable checking out the bike it is prudent to seek out a good shop. I can't help you with a good Albany area mechanic. Do take a few seconds and eyeball the tires for wear (shallow grooves or wear bars). Check tire pressures against the recommendation in the owners manual or sticker on the swing arm.

Perhaps Geezer knows of a shop he could recommend.

 

[stevec677]

Thanks for the good advice. We are freaks when it comes to checking and maintaining tire pressure. It could be tire related. He used to run Bridgestone 020's and usually got 7,000 - 10,000 miles out of a front. He tried roadsmarts for his last set and the front is close to dead by 4,000 miles. This could be his problem, but he still should get the bike a complete check up.

 

[Geezer]

I have been following this thread. Unfortunately my local dealer has a terrible reputation for the quality of their service work. I do all my own work on the FJR. There is a local independent that used to be a Yamaha dealer and he has a good reputation, but it is a one man service shop. He usually has some interesting older bikes in there in various state of repair and he works on the trikes they sell now that they are no longer a Yamaha dealer. I don't know if he'd be able to solve the problem on your friend's ST. The shop is Holsapples, on Wittenberg Road in Woodstock, NY.

 

[road runner]

Herba Motor Company, Inc.

3953 ST. HWY. 30

Amsterdam, NY 12010

518-842-8812 or 518-883-3419

Ask for John in service. He's the service manager, and he's a good guy.

 

[fljab]

Thanks for the good advice. We are freaks when it comes to checking and maintaining tire pressure. It could be tire related. He used to run Bridgestone 020's and usually got 7,000 - 10,000 miles out of a front. He tried roadsmarts for his last set and the front is close to dead by 4,000 miles. This could be his problem, but he still should get the bike a complete check up.

Can he pinpoint a time this problem started? Was it AFTER putting on that last set of tires?

Dunno how to help you. I had a wandering problem on my HD. I cured it by buying my FJR; Of course, that just had me "wandering" more albeit to places, not all over the road...

 

[stevec677]

The problems didn't start showing up until there was decent wear on the front tire, but he has never had this wandering problem before (even with other almost worn out tires). The first step is definitely replacing the front tire. I'll let you know what happens after that.

 

[ZOOOMM]

Herba Motor Company, Inc.

3953 ST. HWY. 30

Amsterdam, NY 12010

518-842-8812 or 518-883-3419

Ask for John in service. He's the service manager, and he's a good guy.

We agree with Art. Herba's about an hour West of Albany, but we have found that they do a great job.

 

[snikr]

Trust Roadrunner. He knows of what he speaks. Plus I'm leaning toward TIRES as the problem. Good luck.

Tom

 

[stevec677]

Thanks. Herba sounds like the answer. I'll let you know who things turn out.