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O'Hanlon Motorcycles
Category: Motorcycle Repair [Edit]
Neighborhood: SOMA162 Clara St
(between 4th St & Hulbert Aly)
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 777-3845
- Hours:
Tue-Fri. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
KC Engineering
- Category:
- Motorcycle Repair
- Neighborhood:
- SOMA
the price of any & EACH tire marked at $80, or more, paid cash, and mounted in our shop. Also $5 off EACH mounting & computer balan. charge.
48 reviews for O'Hanlon Motorcycles
I wasn't sure which shop to bring my bike to for the damage estimate....sure there is GGC but I've just heard bad things about them so I decided on O'Hanlon which is close to my work.
I spoke to Dave regarding the damages on my bike and he explained everything to me....I was a bit surprised he took all that time to walk me through the steps...even referring me to a CHP officer if I needed to.
It's a fairly small shop tucked in an alley, so it's easy to miss this place... but with a friendly and honest owner Dave, I will definitely be back again.
Been here a couple of times.
Very very happy on both occassions.
Latest visit they were able to squeeze me in at lunchtime even though they were super super busy to get out a blow torch and an extraction kit to pull a bolt that someone of superhuman strengh (or questionable mechanical skills) managed to strip when putting his bike back together after a track day. Ahem. Yeah.
Thanks Dave!
I called to discuss replacing my Bridgestone tires on my 2006 GSX-R750 and got some great advice and fun easy discussion about which route to take based on my riding style and normal use of this bike.
Unfortunately these guys are so popular that the couldn't work me in this weekend. I would have had to wait until midweek next week.
But the awesome part of all this was that they recommended another shop in town who could probably get me in this weekend in time for an awesome weekend for taking my guy on a long fun ride through the hills. I called that shop and they said that there would be no problem getting me in Saturday. The only reason I'm dropping one star for these guys is that they couldn't take me this weekend and I was looking forward to working with them.
I guess my procrastination caused them to lose a star, huh? I'll see you guys next time and call sooner.
Extra solid guys who turned my cycle from no-dash-movement to ready-to-ride in 3 hours, and left me with some recommendations on upcoming preventative maintenance, too. Even though they'd never once before laid eyes on me. Every comment gave me an extra bit of confidence in their aptitude, including the one where Dave picked up conversation with the tow operator where shock at suddenly-dead-in-traffic caused my head to forget a couple important questions. They're a bit more expensive, maybe, than the other guys; then again, I got what I paid for.
The guy I bought my fixer motorcycle from suggested I go to the place he used. This is how I found O'Hanlon. I lucked out. I had a lot of work done during 7 years of owning my motorcycle, yet the average was pretty inexpensive. They always explained to me when I asked. They have quick turnaround. They do a safety test ride after every repair. I WISH THEY HAD SOUVENIR KEY CHAINS! :]
I really appreciated my visit here.
My experience with other bike shops across the country and San Francisco have led me to usually do my own motorcycle repairs. So when I brought in a cylinder to be bored, I was worried that I would be overcharged, have to wait weeks, or be faced with surly service. This is a very 'small-fish' work-order for a busy shop, and I expected to get hassled or upsold. None of this happened! The charges for the bore were super-reasonable, the work was done on-time, and everyone there seems to be in generally good moods. I was even given some helpful advice concerning my at-home engine rebuilding project.
I have another friend who brings his '79 KZ650 here and has nothing but good stories about them. This is significant, because he bought that bike used and in very bad condition. After O'Hanlon got it running tip-top, my friend grenaded the engine by red-lining it all day. The bike is running again, and my friend still swears by this shop.
I had just bought a used bike with low miles on it, and quickly realized that the bike was not running as it should. It was idling too low and stalling easily, while the acceleration wasn't smooth at all.
I brought it to Dave at O'Hanlon and he quickly scheduled an appointment for me. A few days later I dropped the bike and after a couple of hours I got it back. Carburetors all cleaned up and now my bike is running like new :-)
I'm very happy, I would totally recommend them for any work or service you need done on your motorcycle. Oh, and a quick look at the shop should convince you that they're complete bike nuts - very cool!
As a new rider I took my bike in for an oil change and some other little things before getting out on the streets. Dave seems like he is honest, just as he is nice. The person I bought the bike from used to take the bike to O'Hanlons and recommended I do the same. Overall I was satisfied enough to go back again.
I've had bikes all my life, and have had all sorts of repair people work on them. Some forget to tighten the front wheel lugs, some turn out to be white supremacists, some do a fair job but add one too many zeros to the bill.
Dave & the crew at O'Hanlon not only aren't skin heads or homicidal, but they're actually honest, hard working, funny people who are, more important than anything else, trustworthy. Like he estimates it'll be $xxx and it turns out to take twice as long to do but still charges you $xxx, the above-and-beyond kinda trustworthy.
I recommend them to everyone I know. If you have a bike, and need work done, come here.
So, yah. I'm a new rider and I kept having to have the bike guy tow my bike to another place and then it still wouldn't start after a few days, even with 45 minutes of trying to kickstart it.
But Dave fixes it. And now Balmudo starts and purrs and I can ride him to work and not take unnecessary cabs. He always calls to make sure you're cool with the work that needs to be done and explains everything with such a passion that one of the reasons I'm taking Subterranean's Basic Motorcycle Maintenance class is so I will be able to better understand what Dave gets so excited about.
All the other guys are really nice too.
Take your bike here. You won't be sorry.
They fixed my bike up.
They let me keep my gear there while working on it.
They did not propose un-needed maintenance as far as I could tell.
When I returned the next day to complain, they pointed out that things
were working per spec, and I was being a dork. Very politely.
They will be working on my bike when it needs work in the future.
Dropped off my CBR1000 to have all the fluids flushed, new battery, and new front tire. Also asked Dave to diagnose what I thought was a slow oil leak.
After reading all the Yelp reviews, I didn't even bother to ask for an estimate--I knew it would be honest.
Instead of gouging me for the fluid leak diagnosis, Dave explained it was just a loose coolant hose clamp which just took a second to fix. He gave me a long talk on how to ride on the new front tire for the first 100 miles. The bike ran smoother than ever when I started it up! The invoice was straightforward and completely fair.
I'll never take my motorcycle anywhere else! I wish all repair shops were like this.
Dave is honest, smart, fast and well... handsome to boot. If you care about that kind of thing.
I've been bringing my Ascot in for a bunch of years and the man has fixed it quickly and cheaply every time.
I never have to wait long. He gets to work on my bike immediately. He constantly updates me on the progress and the price.
If I could I'd marry Dave and have tiny mechanic babies.
oh i just remembered this one time i took my bike in to get something fixed and when i got it back he had also fixed my bent foot brake and fixed my crooked mirrors (and cleaned them). I didn't ask for this and he didn't charge for this. [sigh!]
If I could give this place six stars, I would.
I'm a n00b rider. I know jack about shit. I've taken my bike in here for really serious issues and for absolutely nothing at all. Each time they either fix it (and explain to me exactly why things cost as they do) or pat me on the head and send me on my way. (And somehow manage not to be condescending in the process.) They've also been willing to say 'hey, that is broke, but whatever. It isn't dangerous. Fix it when you have cash.' (I have no reserve tank.) My partner has ridden for ten years, so I feel really good when I tell him how much something was and he tells me I got a good deal. The place is awesome.
I really like how quick the turn around time is. They won't take your bike until the day they can work on it. They have to put all the bikes they have into their itty bitty shop at night so they want you in and out asap. Works for me! It does mean it can take awhile to get an appointment but I'd rather have my bike with me than just rotting in a shop waiting to be looked at.
I can't recommend this place enough. Seriously.
As a note, Clay is a dinky ass little street that is one way down the numbers. Coming up 4th from the ball park side it is the first "street" passed Harrison on your right. By the time you can read the sign you will have passed it. The shop is half way down on your left.
I just picked up my 76 CB550 from Dave - and I couldn't be happier. It has been in and out of multiple shops (including a notorious one known for their 'expertise' with old Hondas), and the finicky thing still wouldn't start reliably.
Two days with Dave, and it's a miracle. She's like a new machine. Turns over immediately, and purrrs like a kitten.
I won't ever go to another shop!
Called up to get an estimate on carburetor rebuild. He quoted me FOUR HOURS (the book rate) and way too much for the parts. I bought the parts somewhere else ($100 vs $250) and did it myself in four hours (and I am NOT a professional mechanic).
Book rate labor is the biggest scam in auto repair. Don't support it.
I will never go to another place. Dave is the best regarding quality of work, customer service, quick turnaround, and reliable quotes. I can really trust these guys.
How much do I love Dave? Okay let me rephrase that. But seriously, how many motorcycle shops do you know where you show up and they've got Terry Gross or Deerhoof on the stereo?
I suppose that's neither here nor there. But regarding actual work on actual motorcycles, Dave and the guys are honest, inexpensive and quick, although everybody else loves them too so sometimes they get a little swamped and you have to book ahead. But when I've had random bike emergencies (and San Francisco can be a tough town -- I'm talking to you, crack addicts who need the insulators from my spark plugs) they've always jumped to attention.
Basically, if I ever move to another city I'll have to sell my old Honda because there's no way I'll find mechanics who are anywhere near as good.
after several referrals by riding buddies to o'hanlon's, i made an appointment for new plugs, air filter and electrical system check. as i rode down the alley, i realized that i had gone into their shop about 13 years ago when the clutch cable on my nx250 snapped while i was visiting from los angeles (riding a 250 to/from los angeles to sf was 'interesting'). i absolutely needed to be back in elay for finals and no honda shop around had a factory cable, but o'hanlon custom cut and created one for me. fast forward to yesterday: dave, thanks for your attention to detail and your honesty. showing me my old parts, talking shop about the bike and getting it back so quickly was much appreciated. (and dave, my request to change the spark plug wires on my (2003 honda vfr800 interceptor) bike was not a 'test'...i genuinely didn't know it didn't have them! LOL) thanks again, o'hanlon!
To update, I got my bike back and it runs great. Every second of time billed was accounted for and they were nice enough to point out a few things I could easily do myself and save some money. And, very nicely, I was encouraged to call or stop by if I ever had a question about anything on my bike. Hands down best place I've found to have my bike worked on. I have to thank the guy at Munroe motors for suggesting I come here.
1 Previous Review:
-
3/18/2009
Extremely nice guy who agreed to see my bike at the last minute.
Bike Gods.
I was referred to Dave after a bitter experience at KC Engineering ( I don't think anyone at KC has degree in engineering). He was extremely knowledgeable and thorough, and my repairs came in UNDER his estimate. Unheard of in the motorcycle world. Also, on Dave was kind enough to allow my fresh rubbers to be shipped to his shop directly, call me when they arrive, and schedule me accordingly.
I have since been back several times for minor repairs and continue to refer my friends to this phenomenal shop. No one has been dis-satisfied.
The only downfall of the shop is their lack of service for fuel injected engines. Keep up the great work.
Dave and crew are integrity in action.
I've experienced excellent service and advice here.
The professionalism in how they treat me couldn't be better.
They've gone out of their way and have proactively saved me money.
I highly recommend them.
I started going to O'Hanlon about 5 years ago when I was selling my first bike, a CB750. I'd had some real bad luck with bike shops, so when I was recommended to O'Hanlon I thought checking them out with something easy was a good way to start.
Dave was super nice and gave me a lot of great information. I took my next bike, a Honda 919 to him for a few years. I always had great service and left happy (and never had to return because something was just wrong with the bike)
Excellent service!
My bike came out of there quickly and ran better than more smoothly than it ever had. Smoother, even, than when it was new.
Prices are honest and the staff is trustworthy.
The colorful stories you might hear during drop-off and pick-up are icing on the cake.
Your bike will like you better for it.
Simply Dave is the best. That's all.
He always identifies problems. He has techniques to fix things. He never overcharges. He remembers customers. What more?
This place makes bike problems not so bad! When I picked up my '78 RD400 it had a lot of unexpected issues and Dave was great at fixing them and explaining to me what was happening. There is nothing quite as wonderful as knowing your moto is in competent hands, and you are being honestly charged.
I'm extremely pleased. I've taken two of my three motorcycles there and have gotten the greatest service at what I felt were good prices. On top of that they take the time to educate you on why things happen and what steps you can take to minimize the chance of it happening it again. More than half my driving is freeway and they suggested tires that would have the least chance of flattening out, yet not let me slide off the road when doing the twisties. I could go on, I don't have a bad thing to say about these guys, they are even nice to hang out with while they work. Great place
They helped me out of a jam and saved me some money compared to other places.
Dave is da man! I've got a 73 honda cb350...brought it to Charlie's twice but they would always just rush it....it would run for a bit and then the same problem comes back...and when you bring it back, they make it seem like you're hastling them.
I actually found O'hanlon's from Yelp and decided to give it a try after reading some greeat reviews....no regrets!! So far, after getting it fixed at O'hanlon's, its been running like a champ, actually, i've never had it running better than it is right now. Dave even called me up the next day to make sure it was running good....now thats customer service!! THANKS DAVE!!!
Dave is the greatest!
No BS... tells you strait what you need and gets the job done before the actual due date! Honest and great service.
If youre starting on your first bike or have been riding for years, hes the best and he knows his sh!t!
I was very pleased with their work. Dave took time to explain what my bike needed, the costs involved, and gave me some tips on basic maintenance (how to lube the chain, and the need to check tire pressure and oil level every two tanks). They waived the 'storage fee" when I was called out of town for business and couldn't pick up my bike for a few extra days. All in all a good experience.
I will never take my motorcycle anywhere else.
As someone who has only been riding a motorcycle for a few months, I ask a lot of stupid, but necessary, questions. Dave always takes the time to explain whatever random thing it is that I've asked him, and he never makes me feel like an idiot while doing so.
Another thing that is really important to me is that Dave is extremely reliable. He is easy to get in touch with, and, if he ever has to make an additional call to check on the availability of a part or some other matter, he gets back to you when he says he will. In other words, he doesn't make you call a thousand times to get a straight answer. There was actually one time when I forgot to call him back, and, when he hadn't heard from me in a few days, he called me back to make sure I got the first message. That is amazing customer service.
All the work he has done on my bike has been great. I've made some incredibly stupid mistakes that have resulted in some serious damage to my bike, but, whenever I get it back from O'Hanlon, it is always running smoothly again.
In a word, awesome.
Dave Stefani is the nicest guy you'll ever meet running a repair shop, as well as being an extremely talented mechanic. The repairs are quickly and expertly done. Turn around time is fast and I sometimes wondered if he was actually charging me enough for the amount they did. I like and trust this guy so much I periodically call him from LA to get his input on pending repairs or problems. (I tried to get him to move the shop here when I moved from SF but to no avail.) San Francisco, you've got a great resource here. Believe all these five star reviews and make the most of it.
They know Japanese bikes cold. Super friendly and knowledgeable. They work to save you money- won't repair it if it doesn't need it, and will help you diagnose your problems over the phone so that you can fix the bike yourself if you want too. I was an O'Hanlon customer for two years until I bought an Italian bike. Worth the trip to Mission from Russian Hill.
Best motorcycle shop in the City by far! I've taken my bike (2001 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6) to several other places around town and never really felt as fully taken care of, as with Dave O'Hanlon. The only other place that compares at this level is Doug's Motorcycles in San Mateo, if you live on the Peninsula. Don't take your bike anywhere else.
Dave being both owner and mechanic not only gives sound advice and knows his craft inside out, he's also got impeccable customer service manners and is very helpful and totally trustworthy.
STAY AWAY!!! A big fat "0"! Very dishonest!!! Pay a little more and go to a place that cares!!! Your bike "WILL" sit out side for a loooooooooong while before it gets worked on! Unless you have money to burn, STAY AWAY!!! I know others who have had bad experiences here as well! Check it out by going on BARF(Bay Area Riders Forum).
a certain then soon to be ex and I have taken our old motorbikes here for a few years now, and we love them. My bike (an old honda kickstart) just came back from a tune up and drives like never before. It's great. My hubby loves going here because he can always trust the owner and has had nothing but great experiences. I'm shocked to see the few bad reviews (here, but see the mirror reviews, all good there...-http://www.yelp.com/bi...).
Well, everybody's said it already. These guys are the best. You'll have to make an appointment a little ways out since they're super busy, but it's worth it because they'll then get your bike done quickly and send you back out on the road in good shape for a good price (see my review for Suzuki of Oakland for comparison).
I'm in a bit of an odd position here, because Dave and his crew have never actually worked on my bike. I do, however, buy parts from him and get advice about how to work on my classic Honda. I'm always surprised at how willing he is to teach me how to do the things he charges money for. But he is, and his parts are very reasonably-priced--even compared to the Internet.
So I'm a fan of O'Hanlon's, and I'm sure that, eventually, I'll be bringing my bike there for service. We all get stumped.
What can I say about Dave and co that hasn't already been said here in this thread? +100 for O'Hanlon Mcy, hands down my favorite shop on the coast. I've been bringing my CB400 to them for a couple years now and it always comes out running a hell of a lot smoother than when I brought it in. Honest, thorough, and experienced with tons of shop talk and bike chat. Plus, they never make fun of me for having a real piece of shit.



