Should I look for a another service shop?

[sonic635]

Went to where I bought by bike to pick up my windshield I ordered and when I was there I asked how much do they charge for the 1000 km service on my 2010 750 Shadow RS (brand new. 0 km on it). They quoted me a price of $169.00. So I asked if that included the valve inspection. They said they didn't do a valve inspection but would listen to the valves. Looking through the forum most posts said that the valves rarely need adjustment at 600 miles but was mostly a precaution (at least that was my take on it.) My question is should I let it go at this or should I look for a shop who includes the valve inspection in the initial maintenance (probably at a much higher cost.)
By the way I ordered a slipstreamer Stealth windshield for the bike and will put it on if it ever stops raining.

[sonic635]

I guess my real question is should I pay to have the valves checked. If I have the initial service done at a Honda dealer the warranty would still be valid.

[Old Wild Bill]

You can listen to the valves yourself, but if your concerned about it, check the clearance adjustment. It's probably ok. Changing the oil and filter yourself is easy and about $20.

[Old Wild Bill]

Save your oil and filter receipts and your warranty will still be ok in the US.

[gdb069]

I would let the dealer do the first service. That way there is no dispute regarding warranty. A reputable dealer service will include a complete inspection and make sure all is OK. They don't need to inspect valves and in any case any problem with vales is easy to hear. The less your bike is taken apart; the better. Once you know your bike and have taken a basic mechanics course you will feel more competent in doing routine service.

Mr Old Wild Bill: Based on Sonic 635's post I don't think they are experienced enough to know what the valves should sound like.

G.

[John Hopkins]

Let's be sensible about this, to actually look at the valves means you have to remove the cylinder head, that means taking the engine out..If you can find a dealer who will actually do that and 1000 mile service for $169 that would be unbelievable...why not phone Honda and ask them what a valve inspection at the 1000 mile service consists of...I think you may have stumbled on one of the dealers who is actually honest enough to tell the truth..I would stick with him and ask if they would mind if you watch the first service so that you will learn how to check and change the oil, coolant and plugs..It's not likely they will let you because of health and safety rules these days, but you could get lucky.

John.

[MudholeMike]

My first purchase after actually buying my bike new in 08 was the Honda factory service manual. It provides excellent guidance in how to service the bike.
I don't think there is anyway that your shop is actually going to inspect the valve clearances for $169.00. Listening to the valves is one thing; inspecting the clearances is another. Simply listening to the valves will not tell you if one of them is too tight; that is the whole reason you have to take off the head covers and visually measure the gaps.
All of this being said, when I did the initial valve clearance inspection on my bike at 600 miles, there was no adjustment needed. Subsequent inspections have only required minmal adjustments.
As far as the warranty is concerned, if the valve clearances are not visually inspected and you have a valve related problem down the road, it could possibly invalidate any warranty claim. You should probably ask your shop what their policy would be if such a situation should occur.
If you have any mechanical aptitude at all, you should invest in the service manual, and begin learning about your bike from front to back. Not only will you save a lot of money in labor costs going forward, but you will become much more knowlegable about your motorcycle, and that is always a good thing!

[sonic635]

Thanks for the advise. My extended warranty states that I have to take the bike back to where I bought it from for service work so that is what i will do (though I am sure I can take to any Honda dealer for service.) Sounds like there is no real panic to check them. I ordered a service manual for my bike, and I will pick a nice summer day and check them myself.

[MudholeMike]

Originally Posted by sonic635

My extended warranty states that I have to take the bike back to where I bought it from for service work so that is what i will do (though I am sure I can take to any Honda dealer for service.)

That is absolutely not true! Dealerships make a lot of money on extended warranties and service contracts and then perpetrate the myth that they are the only ones that can do the work.
You can actually do all the service work yourself and it will not invalidate the warranty. As long as you keep good records of work you have done showing date, mileage, and services performed along with parts or repair invoices, there is no way that a warranty claim can be legally denied. That is of course assuming that you did the work correctly and in accordance with the manufacturer's established maintenance schedule.