Berkeley Performance Mtrcycl

Go to this place if you have a really nice sports bike, they'll give you great care. Take in a dirty, old bike and they won't do jack. Took in my 1991 GS500, not the prettiest bike and it ran decently at the time. It wouldn't start one day so I called them and had my bike towed in (towing was pretty expensive, $35). They preemptively billed me an hour of labor ($85) to inspect the bike and diagnose the starting issue. A few days later, they gave the bike back to me and told me it wouldn't start because the top end needed replacing (~$1000) because the camshaft had too much endplay. They basically told me to scrap the bike. Disappointed and surprised, I did a lot of research and found that older Suzuki's were actually designed to have camshaft endplay. I eventually figured out on my own that my bike wasn't starting because the regulator/rectifier was shot and the battery wasn't being charged. I bought the part ($25) and replaced it myself. Now the bike starts and runs like a charm. An engineering student in college solved a starting issue for $25, while trained professionals at a shop didn't do anything and still charged $120. Rich, the owner seemed honest and helpful, but they obviously put absolutely no attention into my bike. Straight thievery. Never going here again. more

I moved to the East Bay from SF last year and thought I might find a decent repair spot. Berkeley Performance was disappointing. They left me waiting in a cafe without calling me to tell me my bike was done for hours and then when I came in they had ""identified"" further problems with my bike made no effort to call me, tell me, and offer to fix them. When I let them know about both the above problems--in good faith, I felt, not being accusatory, they were dismissive and frowny. I didn't go there again. I'm back at O'hanlons in SF, even though I have to cross the bay. more

The most honest place! They take the time to talk with their customers and explain everything to them, and answer all questions. That Damian sounds like a complainer looking for a free ride. Damian puts a bad name on Motorcycle riders, shame on you! Pros: Honest, Fast, Reliable, Inexpensive more

I had Berkeley Performance Motorcycle repair a flat for me. Thought they'd done a fine job until I got to work two days later and discovered that the tire was flat again. Turns out they'd replaced the inner tube but never bothered to remove the nail. I went back and spoke to Rich, the owner but he was more interested in keeping my $63 than he was in keeping a satisfied customer. Odd way to run a business but it's his call. Pros: Close to my home, open Saturday, quick repair Cons: Didn't do the job right, refused to refund my money. more

I took my R6 in because it wouldn't start (probably the starter clutch), except after a few weeks, including a few bump starts, it started starting while there. They made sure that it started consistently, then convinced me that it wasn't worth spending the money to dig around in there to see what the problem was. They had it for a couple days and spent some time starting it, but didn't want any money for it. Pros: Nice, Honest more

I had the good luck to call Cyle Tow, just by chance, when I moved to the area and my bike broke down about six years ago. Ritch was the one who showed up to help me out and has rescued my a** a few times since. His shop, Berkeley Performance Cycles is the ONLY place I take my bikes and the ONLY place I reccomend to people without hesitation. Ritch is professional has years of racing and DIY hands on expirience and will give you no BS. You can trust this man. I have never had to bring my bike back after work to fix some missed piece of work (as I hear happens at other shops and dealerships) and my bike is done when he says it will be. He will explane repairs and give you options. You will not be upsold, jerked around, or dissapointed. Pros: Honest, expert, reasonably priced, real. Cons: Smaller shop, they are expanding, but they busy due to a good rep and lots of buisness. more