God, you must really dislike me...let me try and defend myself in the interest of, if not mutual disagreement, constructive critiscism and the moving forward of this forum.
Fiats generally are ok cars...I said and I still say its the management that ruin Fiat. There customer service above dealer level is appalling. At dealer level, like all other dealers, it depends on the indidvidual dealer, there are good and bad in all. However, they can only ever be as good as Fiat hq allow them to be. I speak from bitter dissapointment from a recent disagreement with Fiat and how they not only forwarded me to the helpline in Italy, where they could not understand me, and how they have yet to reply to any of my letters asking for help and clarification of there warranty.
As you have been in the industry for so long you must understand and accept that this goes on surely, or, am I the only one who has trouble with dealers?
Sadly, I think not as these forums unfortunatley are littered with problems from all makes and models.
I have never said the postings on this forum are not technical enough, the more technical the better, which is why we actively look for mechanics and service people similar to yourself to help out on forums such as this. What I did say and I still feel it holds true, is that certain postings are unfortunately merely everyday chit chat that are not relevant, furthermore, alot of people post replies trying to help, I admit, but as they do not have the same type of vehicle they cannot always give truly relevant views that reflect the queries of the post.
Now, postings...I agree that these forums are for friendly chit chat type of postings like you say, but, in the relevant place. However, and I expect you will possibly take umbridge at this but, no malice is intended, it was you that made the sarcy comment against me. Not I against you. I have no real problem with that, freedom of speach etc, but truly, there is no need for it.
Finally, if we were all to practice what you and I preach on these forums,ie, be friendly, helpful, topical, technical and above all polite and supportive this forum could become so much more useful to EVERYONE not just multipla owners.
I wish you well...
Moriarty...
p.s. I too was a biker, sadly a long time ago, Big Triumph, Hondas, a Suzuki and my last bike was a Z1 from '75. Now we could have done with a forum like this then i can tell you!