First time I get to use this in response.

Nope, nope and nope. . . I started with a GSX-R600 thinking the same thing. I survived and still ride but I have a folder of motorcycle part websites now. Too much capability in the hands of the incapable. Those front brakes can flip that bike at ten miles per hour. You may as well be telling someone to buy the old,…

The best bike to start on is the crappy ones they have for your local MSF course. Take the course and learn how to ride a motorcycle before you make the decision to actually buy one.

It’s not really responsible to say “well, I’m still alive after buying something that’s way too fast, so...” Sure you added the caveat of “ride within your limits” but a lot of people have no idea what the hell those are.

Also, this was 2009, there were WAY less Ducs on the road, so it was more of a rare site then.

Ninja 250 or similar. Old little Honda if mechanically inclined. People who start out on a 600 sports bike are idiots.

First client sounds like he needs to buy a Roller if he wants his logos facing the same direction all the time.

This is a bit different because it’s not at all the worst customer I ever dealt with, but was definitely the worst customer experience I had. I was a service advisor at a dealership and a young college student came in to buy a car to replace her civic that just got totalled. She didn’t have much in the way of money,…

I’ve been an M-B technician for over ten years and the two stories that will stick in my head are...

Just two words: Stripped bolts. We had a customer with a Dodge Neon Srt4 come in and nearly every bolt was stripped. From the wheel lugs to the motor mounts. He came in to get his fuel pump replaced but nothing we did could get the bolts out. Ended up showing the guy the issue and asking if we could cut them. I guess…

I worked at a local hardware store as a kid. Some lady yelled at me for not carrying the correct brake fluid for her car. Her anger was based on the fact that we didn’t carry “ALB (anti-lock brake) fluid” we only had fluid labeled “ABS (all braking system)”. I tried to clarify her error but she was having none of…

In my early life I worked as a motorcycle customizer, and I sold various off the shelf stuff as well. One of these items was some random oil cooler for a GSXR 1000, very basic, and it had an IN and an OUT port. As are the hoses. These were clearly stamped in the metal. A customer from Vegas ordered this kit, and…

I’m not professional mechanic, but I do have a story that my old mechanic told me first hand. He has always been a hellaciously trustworthy mechanic who has done amazing work in a short amount of time, and for very reasonable prices. Hell, when I needed parts, he’s even let me dig through his garage for spares.

So I bought this E500 instead of a new camry based on a post by this one guy who said it was super easy to maintain a Mercedes and I was a sucker for buying Camry. Anyways....it had a creaking noise when the steering wheel was turned so I hit up the local MB forums where these rich doodz told me I needed to get a…

Back in January, a year old Equinox with about 55K on it was brought it with the customer complaining of a pop noise, and oil leaking on their driveway. As soon as I start it up, the chains made a hellish no-oil noise, but cleared up after 10 seconds. I bring it into the shop and come across a bulletin where frozen…

Not a mechanic so don’t have a story to contribute. Just this:

I’ll fire away.

I had a customer with a Mercedes E500, air suspension, the whole lot. They were complaining about a creaking noise when the steering was turned. They went to several shady shops in Dearborn, got recommendations on what they needed to replace and came to me with parts to install. First red flag, enormous box, from rock…

Not a mechanic, but a service advisor at a Ford dealer. I had a woman come in a few months ago complaining that when she opens her door when it’s raining or snowing, rain and snow get in her car. She argued with me and the service manager for 40 minutes insisting that her 1999 Escort did not do that. Finally my…

Did brakes on a Kia Sportage. The lady needed rear calipers badly (seized). I told her this, she said just put pads and rotors on, I’ll deal with the calipers later. So I did as she asked, 6 months later she’s threatening to sue me for not fixing her rear brakes. Thankfully it got dropped in court seeings I had all…