A sorry update on my bike breaking down in France:

I rang RAC France this evening and it's not happy news for me.

The bike has made its way to the second bike dealer (the first one apparently couldn't find the problem).

They are saying that the alternator needs replacing and that this will cost €700 (£562)!

I've thought of a few possibilites for this mortgage sized quote:

1. They will be fitting a gold and titanium construction alternator.

2. The difference in the cost of living and currency means this is a reasonable quote.

3. Alternators are very expensive.

4. They have me over a barrel and plan to take my pants down.

Before this all came about, I asked the RAC to get a quote from the garage for a full service including valve clearance checks and apparently the garage quoted €600 (£482) for that (my top quality local Suzuki dealer here quoted £300 for this yesterday).

In addition to this, the garage has also says the bike needs a new "chain kit" (the RAC guy couldn't explain that, but I'm assuming the drive chain) for €200 (£160). On the one hand, that last bit seems reasonable, if they're using original parts; on the other, the chain certainly didn't need urgent replacing when I last saw the bike, so unless it's been left outside and has rusted, they're trying that on.

Anyone have any thoughts? The bike was a month outside its manufacturers warranty when it broke down.

I plan to ask my local Suzuki garage for their advice on how much the alternator should cost tomorrow morning...

IMO i would concentrate on trying to get the bike back to the UK and to the work here in the uk

and £582 sounds a wee bit steep if you ask me to replace an altinator

looks like their sticking you on the chin Base!, no way is it that sort of money to buy and replace an alternator...Just a pitty we dont know anyone over there who could go argue the case for you.

No way you could just get the bike shipped over and have the work done here?

My local honda dealer wanted £200 just to change the oil and filter, given that I'd believe anything of the thieving bastards!

However I dont know the difference between france and here but I can easily believe a 20% difference between countries prices, just look at prices for spares in the US where they are half the price than they are here despite being the exact same parts. Looking at it from that angle a yank getting the phonecall and being told double what they expect would reckon the garage were trying it on.

Cant the AA just bring it back here...if you had cover?

The bike was covered for breakdown and repatriation back to the UK by the RAC (that's who it's with).

Although it's covered for repatriation, I don't know what terms & conditions apply to me asking for it to be repatriated because repair is not economical. I haven't got any paperwork to check for this because I got it as a bundle with my insurance. I'll see what I can find on the net.

My plan for tomorrow is to tootle up to my local Suzuki dealer and see what he quotes for a new alternator; then try ringing Suzuki UK's customer services and seeing if I can get a goodwill contribution from them, on the basis that the bike was three and a half weeks out of its manufacturer's warranty when it broke down.

Thanks for the advice guys.

Ah Suzuki parts...

When I binned the Bandit (the first time ), I checked with our local Suzuki dealer for the prices of the bits I wanted & just for a standard can (just the can) it came to about £800

Needless to say, eBay came to the rescue (this time).

This is the policy wording on the RAC website

Vehicle repatriation to the Territory - market value of vehicle

If We determine that Your Insured Vehicle is Beyond Economical Repair You will have 10 weeks in which to advise Us of how You wish to recover or dispose of the Insured Vehicle. If You do not contact Us within 10 weeks You consent to Us to dispose of the Insured Vehicle.

We will pay:

The cost of taking the Insured Vehicle by road transporter from the garage abroad to Your Home or chosen Territory repairer for repair in the Territory, if the appropriate RAC Control Centre can confirm with the garage that repairs cannot be completed by Your planned return date to the Territory and providing the cost is not more than the UK market value* of Your Insured Vehicle. You will be liable for any costs in excess of the market value of Your Insured Vehicle and Your credit card account will be charged.

Note: When repatriation is authorised it normally takes 10-14 working days for delivery to a Territory address from most west European countries. At busy times and from east European countries it may take longer.

* UK market value as per Glass's Guide.

We will not pay:

Claims for any repatriation not authorised by the appropriate RAC Control Centre.

The cost of repatriation if this is more than the UK market value of Your Insured Vehicle.

The cost of repatriation if Your Insured Vehicle is roadworthy.

Transportation costs for any personal effects, valuables or luggage. Any items left with the Insured Vehicle for recovery are left at Your own risk.

When repatriation is authorised it normally takes 10-14 working days for delivery to a Territory address from most west European countries. At busy times and from east European countries it may take longer.

If the Insured Vehicle has been fitted with a roof box or bicycle rack, You must remove and place it inside the Insured Vehicle if possible. The roof box keys need to be left with Your car keys, in the event that Customs and Excise require access. Failure to leave the required keys with the Insured Vehicle may result in the cancellation of the repatriation and You may be required to collect the Insured Vehicle.

Important: If You are making a claim against Your motor insurance in the event of an Accident We require their authorisation before repatriating Your Insured Vehicle. We also reserve the right to negotiate with them to reclaim costs incurred.

Thanks for that Ian!

I was just about to try & hunt that down.

I'll have to re-read it a few times, but it sounds like I stand a good chance of asking for the bike to be repatriated. My eyes glaze over after two lines of insurance speak and I get distracted by interesting aspects of my living room wall paper.

A friend has offered to take me down on the back of his Pan to collect the bike if I need it and another has offered to bring his van if my bike can't be fixed, so there are always options...

Surprising how much I miss my GSX-R, even though would still choose my CB to ride at home.

Mrs 849 rides a Bandit. I'm just curious as to who'd buy standard cans?

If it's on the bike & doing what it should, so be it.

But seriously sexy (and considerably lighter) aftermarket cans are easily available for less, if you need a replacement.

This was a couple of years (and bikes) back. I had all sorts of bits & bobs to get, like you do after a high-side But £25 for a B12 can was good enough for me, at the time.

eBay result & a half!

You can read it how you like I bet they can make it difficult if they feel like it.

Names and call references + times of call in fact just record it for your records as well, or do it by e-mail.

Good luck

Yep- been doing all that mate; much as I hate it.

It's amazing how poor the customer service has been really. The priority is absolutely getting the customer off the phone, one way or another- tell 'm what they want to hear, but try not to be too specific. Be as vague as possible and always remember, "MAÑANA, my friend!"

Oh dear - sounds like yes. Thinking bringing it back might be the cheaper option....... good luck mate

once you consider the labour charges its probably not that far off. ANY parts are bloody expensive compared to car stuff. having said that, i'm of the mind that its an opportunity for them to remember Agincourt-& stuff it up the Brit who is 300 miles away, with no proof that the alternator is stuffed-my money is on the rectifier, i've never heard of an alt going on a modern bike.

Just one thing crosses my mind - on our car, the regulator is integral to the alternator, so if one goes the whole lot gets replaced. I was quoted nearly 300 quid for an alternator for my Triumph, so add on labour and it soon mounts up.

I'm getting a strong whiff of excréments de vache

I will go with that too...

They think they can charge you lots of money cause you are a "tourist" and you don t have much chance of having any better offer, so to be honest, I ll try to bring to uk... rent a van or something for exemple... that s what I ll do if I was in yoru situation, situation that is far from being easy obviously now unfortunately

Thanks everyone for all the advice- it all helped me make an informed choice.

The RAC's web site provided me with the last little bit of info I needed to decide- there's a £250 excess on repatriation.

After a lot of thought and weighing it all up, costing it and a bit of being realistic, I've decided that my best option is to cough up. I can see myself living on boiled rice through the winter.

I'm now going for a nice lie down.

In fact, fukcit, I'm going to ride to Wales the long way.

No net where I'm going- Be Safe All!

I would try to breach the lowly level of operator you are dealing with at the RAC and get to a manager who is empowered to take executive decisions. Make it clear how unhappy you have been with the service so far and state that you do not think it is fit for purpose - this is a legal phrase and will get them twitchy. Explain that all you want is your bike repatriated to your home dealer. Might help if you can get a solicitor to write the letter for you. I would also send a copy to that BBC show that digs the dirt on companies - not sure what it is called and make sure the copy the RAC gets has a cc to the BBC on it.

And next time insure through Carol Nash. Actually, worth telling the insurance company how useless the RAC has been too.

But onething for sure, is that you should make a huge complaint to the RAC about all of this crap that you have to deal with, cause I don t think that s the service you were paying and hoping for????

Definitely complain to the RAC - they don't know how bad the service you've recieved if you don't tell them.

I'm about to do the same myself about the poor service I recieved from their control room when I broke down on the motorway - 3 calls and they still couldn't/didn't tell me what was happening!

Should that not be "merde du taureau"?

Yep, will be complaining to the RAC when it's all settled.

I'm dreading finding that the bike has been tied down on the swing arm/ yoke/ frame and has damage that I've got to argue about...

Mr Brunstrom's playground was very soothing to the frayed nerves- or it will be, right up until the point where I receive my piccies from "the famous MCN horse box" in the post!

Separate issue- why do blade riders find it so offensive to be overtaken by a CB 500? It's not a reflection on the size of their bits- much!

This truly sucks and I'm very sorry it has happened. Sadly though, nothing much like this surprises me.

I'm with the AA and had a similar thing in Guernsey (that's right, an island, 20 square miles tops) where the first time, they never placed the call to the recovery van (who had been sat 5 mins up the road waiting for something to do) and another time when they couldn't find me. When I complained I got a standard "we're sorry for your inconvenience" letter and maybe a free month's cover or something. (It grates especially when you don't use it for 2-3 years, then the time you do need it, it's shocking.)

I'm just pleased that when my bike decided to die on a dual carriageway in the middle of France, we were able to do a sufficient bodge job to limp home.

Anyway, I truly hope you get it sorted and that your P&J is still in the same condition as when you left it. I'd have been a nervous wreck thinking about my bike left alone in some dodgy garage miles away Although gotta say, faulty alternator doesn't sound quite right to me

Make sure you complain, and see if you can get some of your phone bill paid.

Good luck matey, keep us updated

Probably, but Google translate wouldn't do a straight translate so I had to be creative