I worked as a motorcycle mechanic for Monarch Honda for a few years and took note of a number of things that can help protect people that bring their bikes in for a repair. Sometimes accidents in shops happen because such is life. What should always happen is the shop taking responsibility and making sure any problems are resolved. This doesn't always happen so the consumer needs to be proactive about their repair.

First, motorcycle owners should always photograph their bikes taking into account any custom parts or expensive pieces. It's better to go overboard in the pictures to ensure that all aspects of the motorcycle are documented.

Typically motorcycle repair shops will want to perform a repair or service on anything that possibly needs attention. However, in some cases these repairs aren't absolutely essential. Consumers should always ask a lot of questions when they are being explained what needs to be repaired to make sure that every item can be checked off as an essential repair.

After the repairs have been completed take a few minutes with the mechanic and look over the motorcycle with him or her. Go over each point as they come on your bill so that you can know exactly what service was provided. Be probing and ask specific questions of the mechanic. If there is a discrepancy in the report it should come out in that probing and the mechanic might be the one to catch it.

Take pictures much like the ones you took prior to the repair and make comparisons. Look the bike over thoroughly for scratches, dents, or other issues before taking possession. If you can show that any damage has occurred to the motorcycle while you are still in the shop you are a million times more likely to get the shop to take care of any damage without cost to you. If you don't see damage till after you take it home it will be much more difficult to get a mechanic shop to take responsibility.

If an incident does occur during a service be civil about it. Accidents happen all the time and it will help you much less if you come to the shop and create a scene about it. If you approach the management or head mechanic about it rationally and civilly treating them as your equal they will be much more likely to help you when you are nice about it. You will gain more sympathy with the management in this fashion.

Hopefully if the motorcycle owners follow these guidelines they will have no problems in getting their bikes repaired.