Carter Honda Motorsports & Power Equipment

The mechanics in their service department are first rate, top notch experts with Honda motorcycles. They know the machines, especially Ty Ka with Goldwings. Expensive, but worth it.
HOWEVER, Carter management has short changed the Service Department with staffing levels. The lone counter guys are great, but grossly overworked and it is near impossible to call them (Carter wants you to leave a message for them to call back), and often a 10 – 20 minute wait at the counter because the counter guy is busy with something else. I’ve had my bike in 6 times in the last year, as I get various issues dealt with.
Come on Carter Motorsports, get proper staffing levels in the Service Department. Get someone to answer the phone. Get someone to book bikes in and out. I hate dealing with Carter’s Service Department, and persevere ONLY because Carter has top notch mechanics … but the counter experience is painful. The counter guy is great … but he is grossly overworked. Carter needs more staff.

The Parts i need are always in stick, knowledgable service staff and awesome customer service.

I was happy with their service dept and the work they did both tuning up my Honda Shadow and then repairs a few months later. The estimate was accurate and the work was done most timely.

all i have to say is be sure to call and ask how much the hourly rate is before you take your motorcycle or scooter into this shop.

Helpful, straightforward, pleasant to deal with. Bought my first bike from them, plus some extra gear, and it was a good experience all round. They gave me a good deal on the bike (in fact, the best deal I could find in the lower mainland) and pretty good prices on the gear.

Update:
James O., their customer service manager read my review and emailed me. He wanted to make it right with me, he said, based on a bad experience I had having to wait a month for a warranty repair for a pair of riding pants I bought from them. And he delivered. He will be sending my faulty pants back to his supplier which carried the Speed and Strength product. I got a brand new pair of Icon Patrol pants, and only had to pay the difference in price after they gave me a nice discount from the retail price.
It’s been a couple of months after I wrote the original review, and they went to great lengths to square things up with me. I’m pretty impressed. With a follow up like that, I would buy gear from these guys with confidence.
Original post:
Bought a pair of Speed and Strength textile overpants from these guys two months ago, which ripped after three weeks of use at the pant leg. Didn’t trust this bit of safety gear, so I brought them back in hoping I could exchange for something else. I was then told they could not do so under any circumstances, and that they must send the pants back to the supplier. Three weeks later, I haven’t heard a thing and I have had to commute daily in my one-​piece suit because I take the highway. After telling them of my predicament, they suggested I buy another pair of pants while I wait and I could sell the pants I returned, whether it be repaired or replaced, on Craigslist.
I have waited for them to process my warranty claim longer than I have owned the actual pants. These guys obviously put their supplier above their customer, and I’d rather take my business elsewhere.

Great Service, honest about estimates, never had any issues with the service.

I was extremely impressed by the lengths the service staff went to in order to get me on the road. Even though I was totally in over my head and they could have taken me for pretty much everything I had, the guys were patient, helpful and honest. Practical, patient and professional. Could not recommend a service department more highly. My next motorcycle will be purchased at Carter. Thanks!

Having a motorcycle dealer here in Kitsilano is great. These folks have the necessary operating talent & business skills to be always there when needed for a new-​to-​you machine, more gear & servicing all makes. Good selection of two wheelers & gear. Bought two bikes here & am happy with the sales experience both times. Purchased several helmets (every 4 or 5 years), riding gear, bags, supplies & more from usually competent, helpful staff. Service is not cheap there but they deliver as promised. Sadly, the staff turnover in all departments means that every year one has to get to know new folks who can assist with our riding needs. Patience is needed to get info for a purchase decision.

Went in there for my first time. Sales team was a little slow jumping on top of a customer browsing, but great friendly service when they did. They had what I wanted in stock. Good experience, and will probably be my go-​to bike shop from now on.

Service team is great! Led me step by step on what they serviced, and only took a couple of hours. Thanks, Tyler!

They had friendly people in their showroom side, but having been there for service, I was extremely disappointed. They used the wrong oil, and they failed to properly duplicate my key 3 times, forcing me to go there on 3 separate days. How do you screw up a key replacement that badly?
I went directly to a different service centre and paid to have the oil drained and replaced with the right weight immediately after leaving the last time, I was so disappointed after the key thing that I never want to talk to them again.
I recommend that you go there to look at gear and motorcycles if you live nearby, but give someone else the business if you can, and certainly don’t go there for good service.

Ordered and paid for a motorcycle part. I showed up to pick it up but they cannot find it and was told they may have sent it back to their supplier or sold it. In short, their customer service sucks, if they have a semblance of one it definitely needs an overhaul.

I dropped by to check out some gear, and although I didn’t go in to buy, mainly to get sizing, they had probably one of the best selections. Helmets all the way to accessories like locks and all.
The staff is really knowledgeable, and just plain friendly. You could just chit chat with them if you wanted to.
If you don’t mind paying the price for tip top gear, this is the place. But for people on a budget, best to go second hand.

I bought a scooter from Carter Honda May, 2011. My salesperson was Bart. Bart was absolutely the best. I’d just come from the Urban Wasp outlet (see my review of that store) and was hoping that I’d find someone willing to talk to me about all the factors in buying a small scooter (49cc’s). Bart was patient, not patronizing and friendly. I bought my first scooter about 30 minutes after I arrived. I’m not familiar with scooters so my friend, a motorcycle driver, did the test drive for me and she felt it would be perfect for me to get around Vancouver. I spent quite a bit of time chatting with the manager as well and he was warm, kind and open — a completely opposite experience than the one at Urban Wasp. I’m confident that I bought the right scooter and that Carter Honda will be there for me in terms of service.