For me, i have used dealers now on 3 occations, once for my suzuki and for the nissan (brand new) and our range rover. The range rover came from a dealer as we thought that would protect us from some of the popular problems.
All vehicles had issues and every time the dealers were shit based on my own experiences. Once they have the cash they didn't want to know.
I personally don't rate the work of dealers either, admitted i have a good idea which end of a spanner to use but that has come from watching my dad fix stuff on the drive and a 'what if' attitude to mechanics rather than a 'I don't know so i'll leave well alone'. Don't get me wrong if it ain't broke i wont try to fix it. But if my TDR blew up i'd be breaking the spanners out without a thought even though i've never been into one of those lumps.
Dealers have to make a profit and their fitters (mechanic is an overused term these days, and my father will forcefully explain the difference) are at work. I fix my bike for pleasure, if i don't feel like it or have had a late night i'll do it the day after, they have no choice. I'm not having to fill time sheets and targets so i can do a better job IMO.
Gaffer tape and such. We have all done it to some degree, any bike reaching that stage in life will be refused by a garage anyway.