I like to share my nightmare experience with the suzuki dealer M/S Arun Motors, Madurai, Tamilnadu. These rouge rat minded fellows even refuse to do PDI(Primary Inspection before delivery) to my bike.
I also like to caution.! some of the my fellow south tamilnadu guys to not to buy suzuki products from Arun motors.
I am writing this mail from MADURAI Tamilnadu, I was purchased a new Sling shot+ from M/S. Arunachal Motors(p) Ltd. Madurai on 26/05/2011 Chassis No: MB8NF4HDEB8106744, Engine no: F4E1-137954, Registration no: TN 59 AS 1080.
On the date of delivery I have noticed the tappet valve noise from engine and also asked the same to the mechanic as he said it was normal to avoid the valve damage it was set to little loose position and it will be taken care in the first service.
On day two during I ride the bike I faced some excessive throttling noise whenever I attempt to change gears so I stop my bike and put into neutral I noticed that engine was tuned to high idle rpm so I took my bike to Arunachal motors to report the problem. There the mechanic loosen some screw in the carburetor and said it was wrongly set in the high idle position. Problem solved on that day.
On Day three when I riding my bike I felt heavy heat near the right foot rest with shoes on even I stick strictly to the recommendation of not to exceed 40 KMPH, so I called the dealer immediately to clarify as the person over the phone said the bike is new and so the engine was, it is very normal that new parts in the engine has to be set before it runs freely, so the heating is the natural thing and need not to be worried of.
On day five when I am wiping the bike I we noticed some oil leak near the air and fuel connection tube on the engine head. So I took the bike again to the dealer(M/S Arunachal Motors) and report the problem. They took the bike in to their service area and after an hour comes back with the bike stating that problem is due to an loosen bolt and copper washer located near the above said area and now it was tightened. Problem solved
On Day nine the engine heating problem gets worsened as I can’t bear the heat near the right foot rest adding to that I also felt the clutch is slipping while in 1st and 2nd gear. So I took the bike again and again to the dealer. There the mechanic tightened the clutch cable lever and free play adjustment near kicker rod on the left side of the engine.
One day 11 the dealer calls me to receive the Registration certificate I took the bike and told them the engine heat is un bearable and there is driven chain noise too. They said its already your odometer clocked to 600 plus kilometers so bring your vehicle in a day or two after its clocked above 750 Kms for first service and we will solve the problem.
On 9/6/2011 I gave the vehicle to the dealer for 1st free service Job card no: 20148 state all above problem(Engine Over Heats, Clutch Slips, Engine Valve noise, Gear Noise and Drive Chain noise). Vehicle delivered on the next day and told by the service coordinator that all problem has been sorted off and pi have to pay Rs. 300 for engine oil and filter replacement so I paid it. I inspect the vehicle and found little smooth and less noise than before so took delivery and went off.
On third day after first service the same engine heating problem reappears but little less than before, so I called dealers and Mr. karthick(mechanic) responded and told due the course of mileage it will resolved.
On fourth day after first service when I riding bike engine knocked off and refused to start on that time it was running in reserve petrol so I thought it was a empty fuel condition I push my vehicle to the nearest petrol pump(it takes 40mins) and put fuel, engine alive again but not less than after five kilometers its stalled again and refused to start(use both electric start and kicker mechanism). I found the engine head unit was heat unlike anything and also a burnt smell raising from it. So I pour some of my drinking water in its bed, let the engine cool off for fifteen minutes and called the dealer to explain the problem and went to my home.
Odometer reading now clocks 1015 Kms after all these kilometers the bike only returns a fuel efficiency figure of 47Km/Lt.
On 16/06/2011 dealer picked my bike from my home for observation. The vehicle is kept on the workshop for fourdays.
Also Note: I am not beginner to the two wheel riding. My past vehicles are Yamaha Enticer, Hero Honda CBZx, Honda Unicorn. I only trust in the name badge of Suzuki and mileage they promised I gone for slingshot+ blindly( am I wrong …?).
List of Problem:
Engine Over Heats, Clutch Slips(1st and 2nd Gears), Gear shifts are vague and shifts with double sound, Drive Chain noise(Thuck.! Thuck.! Noise while de acceleration), Howling noise with vibration while de acceleration, Weak Battery(Horn sound reduce when indicator or brakes turned on), Un even Screeching noise from disc brakes at front, Poor mileage
Part 2:
After three days of observation by the dealer they called me and told that the vehicle is ready, so I went to their showroom to test drive the vehicle, now this time I ride the bike with the mechanic sitting in the back on that moment the bike was running smooth but the battery related dull horn issue was present and screeching noise from the disc brakes was also present. I asked the mechanic Mr. karthik who was sitting back, he deliberately trying to convince me about the problem. I come to some conclusion of those arun motors peoples are try to cheat me and I am also need the vehicle on that day.
Just four days after the service delivery the engine heating problem reappears again, I felt the burning smell from the engine also. Again I took the vehicle to the dealers and show the problem. Mr. Kannan and Mr. Karthik took my bike to a test drive and return with the comment that I was in illusion that my bike is heating and also the effect of the sun also might be the cause. I am totally knocked off, felt thrown away with out any argument I took my vehicle and leave that place.
On the same day I also called Mr. Arun(MD Arun motors) and explained the treatment I received from his showroom. He simply says “ all engine produce heat and if your vehicle is abnormal means it will correct itself sometimes due on the course and Suzuki motor gives warranty if your engine fails means I will replace after it”, so I come to better understanding that the whole company its self rotted and trying to cheat me.
On fifth day the paints are peeling off from the engine bed due to excessive heat, clutch slipping occurs regularly on shift 1st to 2nd gear, Poor pickup after riding 20 and above kilometers, Engine piston knocking on the head noise(like) appears, Heavy tappet valve noise and heavy vibration and howling noise while acceleration and deceleration.
I mailed the above content to suzuki india with no reply, mailer failure notice comes to my inbox. What suzuki is doing in india?(i don't expect this from the japanese major., they ducking like chinese one?.)
I still ride this bike with all problem I mentioned above, I am totally disappointed, dejected and confused because I invest my hard earned money in it.
please comment that may gives some morel support to me.
i sincerely searching good suzuki mechanic in my city sadly suzuki india don't liberalize their spares.
S. Premnath
