We bought a used 2004 CRF250R recently. Bike ran good for a short time, then it wouldn't kick start (required bump starting). Did a little research and concluded that most likely it was caused by intake valves that needed service.
We don't have any experience with any shops in the area so we gave TPS a shot at earning our ongoing business. Had the experience gone well and their prices reasonable, I would rather use them rather than spend time learning to work on four strokes (grew up riding 2 strokes).
We took the bike to TPS and told them it wouldn't kick start and suspected it was intake valves. Asked them to diagnose it with the hope the valves could be shimmed. From what I read this was a quick job for a trained mechanic and less than 2 hours labor.
TPS informed us it will be a $100 flat charge to diagnose the issue. We agree and left the bike. Unfortunately, this is where it became disappointing. They called and said they checked the air filter, spark plug and compression. None of which we asked them to do. They inform us these checks used up the $100 diagnoses fee, and they needed another $100 to pull off the valve cover and check the valve clearance (which is what we wanted to begin with). I totally don't buy that checking a plug, filter and compression should cost $100. Now it will cost $200 just to simply diagnose what I already suspect is wrong, forget about actually having the issue addressed. This is unacceptable in my opinion (to pay $200 to diagnose intake valve clearance). But, they have the bike at this point I agree in the hopes that for the $200 they would shim the valves if that is a possibility. I was left with the impression that this price would include adjusting the valves.
Next TPS calls to say one of the intakes valves is down to no clearance as we suspected. The other is also out of spec. Shimming the valves will provide some clearance but not enough to get back to factory spec. Based on the bike being 10 years old (and not knowing its maintenance history), they recommend replacing the crank, piston, rings, and a full valve job: $2,000. I'm not ready to sign up for that kind of money (we only paid $1,600 for the bike). I decline any further work and say I want to come get the bike. At this point I figure it is time to learn how to service a four stroke myself, which is fine.
We shimmed the valves ourselves and the bike now starts on the first kick and runs great. We fully realize this isn't a long term solution (it will need a valve job soon), but it is what we asked for and TPS refused and also was unwilling to explain to us why they wouldn't adjust the valves.
TPS stood by the fact that they think it is reasonable to charge $200 for the little bit of work they did. I don't know their labor bill rate, but even at $50 an hour that would imply four hours. I just don't buy that they spent 4 hours on the bike. They offered $10 off. TPS were simply not willing to be flexible. We ride the bike occasionally to keep an eye on our younger kids learning to ride. We don't race. We don't need the bike to run at optimal performance at all times. TPS from our experience was not willing to be flexible on a solution to this issue short of a full top to bottom rebuild.
Unfortunately, our first experience with TPS will be our last.
Very short sighted point of view by TPS as I really did want to save time by having a shop to help with this type of ongoing maintenance.
I don't recommend TPS. read more