DK respond to bike claim

A statement has been issued by DK Motorcycles in response to internet posts regarding a Suzuki GS500 motorcycle purchased from them earlier this year.

Click here to read the allegations

The full statement is reproduced below:

DK Motorcycles first became involved with this machine on or around 10 May 2006, when it was offered as a part exchange. The GS500E was quite scruffy and there was a mismatch in colours etc on the bodywork. The owner offered the explanation that he had fallen off the bike only a month after he originally purchased it. Because of financial constraints the bike was repaired economically (utilising used panels etc) by his supplying dealer. We did an HPI check on the bike, dated 11 May 2006 and it returned as completely clear with no outstanding finance, theft warnings or total losses recorded against it. Although the colour of the bike was recorded as Blue, the repairs that had been carried out explained the various coloured bodywork. Because the bike’s condition was below par we offered £750, some £600 below normal trade in price. The owner accepted our offer and we took the bike into our stock on 30 June 2006.
This bike was too scruffy to display in our showroom so was photographed and listed on the eBay auction site with a ‘Buy It Now’ price of £999. Our asking price obviously reflected its condition as the normal recommended price of this bike sold from a dealer’s showroom was twice this figure. I believe it was on eBay that Mr Holt first saw the bike advertised.
Mr Holt and his father came to DK Motorcycles to inspect the bike on 1 July 2006. After they looked at the bike extensively and heard it running, they agreed to purchase it for the eBay asking price of £999. We also agreed to supply & fit a 33bhp Restrictor Kit, to service the bike, to add Road Tax, to MOT test the bike (at another independent dealer) and deliver the bike for a very reasonable additional £250.
The bike was serviced by our workshop: –
33bhp restrictor kit…………………..……. £111.62
New Front Tyre……………………………. £59.65
Oil…………………………………………… £13.25
Oil Filter…………………………………..…£5.71
Steering head Bearings……………………£19.65
Spark plugs…………………………….……£8.98
Air Filter……………………………………..£14.26
Battery……………………………………….£34.78
Parts Total…………………………………. £267.90 Including VAT
In addition to the cost of the parts, this service incurred several hours of workshop time. The bike was ridden to an independent motorcycle MOT station where it passed its MOT with no faults identified. The bike was then taxed for 12 months and delivered to Mr Holt on 13 July 2006.
As far as DK Motorcycles are aware, there were NO mechanical faults or problems with the bike, certainly none have been reported to DK Motorcycles.
On 19 Aug 2006 Mr Holt (senior) phoned our salesman, asking for an explanation of the mismatched body panels. Later that day Mr Holt (junior) sent an email to us requesting a full refund for the bike, enclosing a report from an unknown source, claiming the bike was probably a ‘ringer’. DK Motorcycles replied on 21 Aug 2006, outlining the above and advising Mr Holt to take this matter to the Police. We offered to help in any future investigations.
On the morning of 24 Aug 2006 we started to receive many emails, containing unfair unsubstantiated claims and accusations from people with no knowledge of this matter. Please be aware that this motorcycle has never been recorded as stolen by the Police. Under instruction from the proprietor, DK Motorcycles contacted the original owner and asked for a full description of the damage and subsequent repairs. He confirmed that following an accident on the bike, in which no other parties were involved, the bike was extensively cosmetically damaged on one side. The headlight needed replacing, and the frame was damaged. This damage was un-insured and so his supplying dealership undertook the task of repairing the bike economically utilising used parts, as and when they became available. The name and address of this dealership can be supplied to any entitled party, including Mr Holt & the police.
DK Motorcycles sell approximately 5000 motorcycles every year and would never risk our reputation and good standing by deliberately buying or selling any illegitimate motorcycles. We would be more than happy for Trading Standards and Police to become involved in order to resolve this potentially libellous matter. If it can be confirmed that the motorcycle has been stolen in the past we will refund to Mr Holt the cost of the motorcycle.
Anyone wishing to know more should contact the Sales Manager at DK Motorcycles on 01782 861100.

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