Is RoseyToes the only decent mechanic?

Lynart

Banned
I have a free mechanic that is a friend of my parent's but he's a car mechanic and I personally don't, well, trust him entirely. But hey, it's free right?

Then I started talking to a few random friends at school about Rosey Toes and they seem to be well known on these forums too for low price.

I tried dealerships and stuff but they usually charge 90 per hour + part fees and they don't allow you to watch due to some insurance stuff that goes on. I live in Markham and don't mind riding to Rosey Toes to get my stuff done once in a while but is there anything else? I tried Markham Outdoor Power. One of the guys there is a total *******, brought my gf in once and she walked out never wanting to come back again and asked me what was up his ***.
 
Z1 is a good shop. I find them pricy. But then again so is motorcycling.
 
Z1 is a good shop. I find them pricy. But then again so is motorcycling.

Should be cheaper than cars by far...except maybe insurance first year lol

Only reason why I got into riding was because I wanted to race on a track without emptying my wallet every time and needing 3 friends to help lol

EDIT: What did you mean by Z1 being pricey though? I know Rosey is around 60 per hour, is Z1 in the 90-150 range as well? =(
 
To be honest I don't know Z1s hourly rates. But Rosey Toes rate is low at $60/h. Ultimate Cycle in Hamilton I think is about $65/h. Most other places are $85/h+. I was buying parts from Z1 and they seemed to be on the pricier side. I think Z1 is around $90/h. Just give them a call and ask.

Z1 CYCLETECH
87 Green Lane, Unit 9
Thornhill, ON
L3T 6K6
Phone: (905) 763-6459
Fax: (905) 763-6459
Email: service@z1cycletech.com
Hours: M - F 10AM to 7PM
Hours: Sat 11AM to 3PM
 
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It is best to learn how to do your own maintenance. Instead of paying a mechanic, buy tools, a manual and have at it. Ted Rose is a small single proprietor that encourages you to learn more about your bike. For this reason I would rather go to Ted than anyone else.

Also consider Snow City Cycle at Kennedy/Lawrence. I don't know their rates. They did my tires and it was Ok. I have also read good feedback about them on this board, and very little negative.

There is also 109 Cycle at Danforth/Warden. They are a small shop, like Ted Rose. I've not used them, but heard good feedback.

Cycleworld Superstore is on Sheppard just west of McCowan. They do service but I would be wary. I've not had a bad experience, but others have. Search this forum for examples of feedback.
 
I also try to do my own maintance. Its amazing how many well done how to videos are on there, from oil changes to clutch replacement. When I do have to go to the mechanic (and when I first started) I went to ted. He and his crew are great guys, will show you how to do things. And if you are there for a big job that you need to wait a while for, he will have you jump in and help out, very informative and great rates.Not to mention if you show up early he can do most things on the spot while you wait, no stupid 24-48 hour wait times like some shops
 
I also try to do my own maintance. Its amazing how many well done how to videos are on there, from oil changes to clutch replacement. When I do have to go to the mechanic (and when I first started) I went to ted. He and his crew are great guys, will show you how to do things. And if you are there for a big job that you need to wait a while for, he will have you jump in and help out, very informative and great rates.Not to mention if you show up early he can do most things on the spot while you wait, no stupid 24-48 hour wait times like some shops

Thank you very much for this info. I want to learn how to do things myself as well but I also don't want to learn by breaking things in the process of learning lol

Thanks for all the responses, I'll look into all of them.
 
Excellent advice from the members. As stated buy some tools and a manual and really its not that hard. Good luck and if your stuck just post up a ? ......Hey remember you can screw it up just as good as a paid mechanic lol
Thank you very much for this info. I want to learn how to do things myself as well but I also don't want to learn by breaking things in the process of learning lol

Thanks for all the responses, I'll look into all of them.
 
Shop price is what led me to rosey toes when my bike crapped out on me last saturday. Ted is a really cool guy and being a noob myself,I trust the mechanics word. Ted gave me he diagnosis and said he'd get to it on a slow day. I found a shop here in mississauga called bent bikes. These guys are really good dudes and the one that stopped by when I was there is the head mechanic at kahuna on steels just west of wilson and is super knowledgable. I have no problem spending the money if I can get back to riding that much sooner...good luck with your search and if you type your bike yr/model into google,you can find step to step how to's
 
109 Cycle is around $90~100/hour
 
I have a free mechanic that is a friend of my parent's but he's a car mechanic and I personally don't, well, trust him entirely. But hey, it's free right?

Then I started talking to a few random friends at school about Rosey Toes and they seem to be well known on these forums too for low price.

I tried dealerships and stuff but they usually charge 90 per hour + part fees and they don't allow you to watch due to some insurance stuff that goes on. I live in Markham and don't mind riding to Rosey Toes to get my stuff done once in a while but is there anything else? I tried Markham Outdoor Power. One of the guys there is a total *******, brought my gf in once and she walked out never wanting to come back again and asked me what was up his ***.

What do you need done to your bike? Depending on what it is, people here can probably walk you through it, if you have the tools. If you dont have the proper tools, a decent set of allen keys and sockets from Canadian Tire will run you the same price as 2 hours at a shop. It's a worthwhile investment.
 
Thank you very much for this info. I want to learn how to do things myself as well but I also don't want to learn by breaking things in the process of learning lol

Either you want to learn, or you don't want to break stuff.. lol

Na... It's not that you touch something and it breaks. Most things aren't that difficult if you're careful and don't rely too much on guesswork and assumptions.

Also, there are people on this forum who do work on bikes and may not mind being watched... :P
 
What do you need done to your bike? Depending on what it is, people here can probably walk you through it, if you have the tools. If you dont have the proper tools, a decent set of allen keys and sockets from Canadian Tire will run you the same price as 2 hours at a shop. It's a worthwhile investment.

Nothing right now actually, just looking ahead so I don't have a "O ****" day and have no mechanic. I do, however, need to change my air filter soon, I don't even know where it is lol And after that, all of this:

http://gstwin.com/every4000miles.htm

Don't know how hard it will be...just following info to make sure I can pass down the bike in 2 years without someone going "WTF DID YOU DO TO IT?!"
 
Air filter shouldn't be a big deal as it's usually fairly easy to get access to, which makes sense considering it needs to collect air ;)
 
You've stated that you got into riding for Track purposes.

There is a large difference between a mechanic and a race tuner.

IF you're looking for someone to help with a race/track bike you want a proper tuner not a corner garage mechanic that's doing parts replacement work.

In these areas, you get what you pay for, Rosey Toes is NOT a race/track focused shop.



For this type of help you can look at:

Ryan Gill/Condor Racing
Ben Gartner/Prostar Motorsports
Sandy Noce/Pro6 Cycle
Scott Miller/Fast Company
Zaid Saleemi/Z1 Cycletech
Jeff Bloor/Riders Choice
 
You've stated that you got into riding for Track purposes.

There is a large difference between a mechanic and a race tuner.

IF you're looking for someone to help with a race/track bike you want a proper tuner not a corner garage mechanic that's doing parts replacement work.

In these areas, you get what you pay for, Rosey Toes is NOT a race/track focused shop.



For this type of help you can look at:

Ryan Gill/Condor Racing
Ben Gartner/Prostar Motorsports
Sandy Noce/Pro6 Cycle
Scott Miller/Fast Company
Zaid Saleemi/Z1 Cycletech
Jeff Bloor/Riders Choice

Not yet, can't afford a sports bike yet. Just trying to get some experience on the road before I start training and looking for classes, plus learn some basic maintenance stuff.
 
Not yet, can't afford a sports bike yet. Just trying to get some experience on the road before I start training and looking for classes, plus learn some basic maintenance stuff.

The best way to learn is to buy tools, buy stands, buy the repair manual, and do it yourself. If you get stuck, watch some Youtube videos or just ask here.
 
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