Quality gone awry

[Nubian]

I don't know this may qualify as a rant
One of my Mikes XS pods fell off, so I used my 20 year old K & N pods from my 1987 FZR1000 and force fitted them onto my carbs, well that did not last long as one of them also fell off. So I ordered two from mikes XS so that I could keep one as a spare. They arrived yesterday and I can't tell you how dissapointed I was in the quality of the pieces I received. It really seems as though they made a knock off of their own product. It's almost night and day comparing the older mikes XS pods with the new, flimsy doesn't even begin to describe it. I could tell right off while opening the package that it was an inferior build ( for the same price). I am thinking of returning them and ordering the right size from K & N.
Oh well!
I will post pictures of the two side by side when I get home tonight.

[WSL91]

Sounds like they have gone with a different supplier for who knows what reason. The original was probably made by K&N and are now coming from China. The only way this practice of selling inferior goods will stop is when the suppliers get tired of issuing credits for junk

[xs11lover]

That sucks! I loved the ones I got for my old bike and I was ready to get another set for the one I'm working on. They lost my sale.

[650mark]

mikesxs quality

over the past 8 or so years i have restored 4 xs650's, an xs400, and most recently an sr500. the majority of the replacement parts came from mikesxs since they are one of the few places anymore to get aftermarket stuff for the old xs's. back 8 years ago you could call them and either mike or his wife debbie would answer the phone, answer any questions you had(because mike actually went to asia to deal with his suppliers), and then wish you good luck with your restoration. sadly, that all ended when mike sold the company. as did the quality of the parts now being offered. most, but not all, of the stuff they sell now is truly junk. some of their parts are ok quality but not anywhere near as nice as they were several years ago. and the parts are much more expensive now as well. yeah, i know, "that and a dollar or two will get you a cup of coffee at the diner" as everybody's prices have gone up over the years. too bad the quality hasn't risen along with the prices. but in a pinch, if you just can't find a part anywhere else then i guess mikesxs parts just might have to do in order to get your bike back on the road. i consider them a "last resort" source for parts. except for brake parts( i will not use theirs at all). of course, ymmv. rant off.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Nubian,

Hold them to their advertising!

http://www.mikesxs.net/xs-performance.html

XS Performance

Mikes XS is proud to offer XS Performance high-end XS650 motorcycle parts.

The XS performance brand is NOT Mikes Brand, they just OFFER IT! PNM also sells them, see large photo from their site...note the XS on the chrome end!



SO....it is probably the XS Performance company that has changed their production standards. Regrettably, I can't find any "NET" page for them, searching that name brings up other types of sites, but not their company...was trying to find a CONTACT US type link and such!

T.C.

[Nubian]

This post was meant for my "Quality gone awry thread"

Mike's XS wants a reason for the return. Should I be upfront or just be PC. I have read in the past where they were not very helpful to this club's member's and would not want to fan the flames so to speak. Either way I'm sure they will hit me with 20% restock fee.

[DGXSER]

Mikes XS changed ownership int he last year or two. The new owners are not as concerned about XS1100 versus an XS650. They seem to see the profit potential and not the bike model. So the issue with not mentioning it is an XS11 has gone away from all I have seen and my dealings with them.

I would be upfront with them as to why you want to return the product. IIRC, it is not important what model bike you have, it is the quality of the product delivered that matters. They need to know that the quality of the product they are distributing does not meet the needs of their customers. It sounds like somone in their purchasing group found these "similar" components for alot less money and determined they were a better product for their business (more profitable). Well, it is only more profitable if you can sell them. If they realize the are sitting on a few thousand of these because the quality is poor, they will soon go back to the better quality provider.

[Nubian]

Well just goes to show you bottom line for them is $.
The fact that they responded that way with a straight face so to speak about an obviously inferior product is laughable and is a testament to me that they just don't care and will put anything out there for a profit. Quality be damned!

My answer to their request and their reply.

"You are more than welcome to return it. *I have not had anyone complain about this and we actually tried to improve from previous ones."


-----Original Message-----
From: Nubian [mailto:nubian@hvc.rr.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2012 12:49 PM
To: Mikes XS
Subject: Re: order # 120622

Sorry to say, but it does not match up in quality or size to your previous ones that I have. I lost one, so I ordered two so that I could have a spare. I was very disappointed in what I received from you. *Honestly it looks and feels like a knock-off from the excellent product you sold before changing part numbers and combining sizes.
If you have any remaining old stock (not your new model) maybe from a previous return I would gladly take it.

E. Fontaine

On Jul 26, 2012, at 9:41 AM, Mikes XS <customerservice@mikesxs.net> wrote:

What is the reason? *Thanks

-----Original Message-----
From: Eddy Fontaine [mailto:nubian@hvc.rr.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2012 9:13 PM
To: Mikes XS
Subject: order # 120622

I would like to return these. Please provide instructions and or rma number for return Thank You Ed

[Nubian]

Sorry for delay computer problems.

Here are the comparison pictures. The new "improved" have the white XS logo. Notice the unfinished/unpolished crimped sides of the chrome top. Pictures also do not show the different lower quality rubber used on the "improved " model.
BTW there is no longer a 52mm and 54mm model. This new "improved" model is 53mm and replaces both.





They were returned and it was requested that I include a copy of my email communications with them in it. I'll report further if there is any more action on their part.

[HobbyMan]

On the same note, has anyone had problems with stock K&N replacement filters? I purchased one a while back and it has since shrunk 1/4 inch. Some of my car filters have done the same. They do replace them for free but its just a pain. Curious to see if anyone has gone through this.

[trbig]

They aren't red and don't say XS, but Ape Racing products still has a nice quality set of pod filters for the same price as Mikes. The proper part number is 005-121,

http://ape-store.com/shopsite/page25.html

I used these before I bought a set from MikesXS. They were very good quality, but I found out that if you use a pressure washer on them in a car wash, it opens up the "Pores" of the filter and lets dust and crud in. Since then, I just use carb cleaner.. or run them through a cycle or two in the dishwasher on the top rack.

[Nubian]

They aren't red and don't say XS, but Ape Racing products still has a nice quality set of pod filters for the same price as Mikes. The proper part number is 005-121,

http://ape-store.com/shopsite/page25.html

I used these before I bought a set from MikesXS. They were very good quality, but I found out that if you use a pressure washer on them in a car wash, it opens up the "Pores" of the filter and lets dust and crud in. Since then, I just use carb cleaner.. or run them through a cycle or two in the dishwasher on the top rack.

They are more expensive than K&N filters.

[trbig]

They are more expensive than K&N filters.

LOL... I'd like to see you get a set of 4 K&N filters for $60. And if that's the case, then Mikes was more expensive than K&N since they're the same price for 4.

The only difference is.. you have to buy the whole set from APE, where Mikes you could order individually.

[trbig]

This was the APE filters on.. hmmm... One of the past motors in my XJ. lol.

[Nubian]

LOL... I'd like to see you get a set of 4 K&N filters for $60. And if that's the case, then Mikes was more expensive than K&N since they're the same price for 4.

The only difference is.. you have to buy the whole set from APE, where Mikes you could order individually.

Misunderstood the checkout says "each", did not know it was for a set.