Can't believe the price...

[Earthling789]

Originally Posted by DRVMN

I feel better when I do my own work because I know I'm going to take my time and do the job right . . . I'm not trying to work as fast as possible so I can get to the next bike and make more money in labor like some dealerships do.

I've not had a "new" bike since the '70s, and do all my own wrench turning (on every vehicle I own), for everything from oil changes to a full rebuild... for the same reason... I take my time and do it right according to the books, help from this forum, and wrenching-friends. I've had bikes in the past to dealerships and independent stations... results were always "less than perfection", and price far exceeded the results I received.

A lot of guys I know don't turn their own wrenches for whatever reason... no room, no tools, afraid they'll screw it up, or they just have money to burn... but the biggest reason I see guys hauling their bikes off the dealers for routine service is because they are "expected to"... this is especially the case with new bikes. A lot of the dealerships make you think that if you don't bring the bike in to THEIR service bays for at least the first 12,000 miles, your warrant will be void or something catastrophic will happen... this is NOT TRUE! As long as you do the work (or have it done by someone competent), the warranty will not be void. Just remember to document the service.

[sta18ff]

I believe it is all related to the Magnuson-Ferguson Act. You have to do the service at the manufacturers intervals, but you can have any shop (or yourself) do the work. It also says that if they require you to use a specific brand of part (such as requiring a Genuine Honda oil filter) then they have to supply you with the part for free.

[cl65ame]

When the engine is manufactured there are a couple of things that require a shorter oil change interval the first time around. First is that some metal from assembly and machining can be introduced into the engine from manufacture. this is rare but does occur. second is that the cylinders are not smooth when the pistons and rings are installed. This is how the rings are seated to the cylinder and the main reason for honing cylinders when doing a ring job. This wear in process creates metal in the oil however fine. third is the assembly lube used to fit the parts together and prevent damage when the first start up occurs. this lube contains moly and is not recommended in the oil. last is that metal parts will wear into one another during the break in period and sometimes yes this creates shavings of metal in the oil which is sometimes NOT magnetic since some components of the engine are not made of ferrous metals.

As for the price of the inspection yes it was expensive but shop rates are shop rates and are posted for you to see. Shop rate here is in the order of $115 per hour at a dealer so right off the bat if the job is flat rated at 1 hour you are into $115 right away before consumables or parts. If the inspection has several points then each point will have a flat rate time. Even if it takes half an hour to do it you still get stung for the flat rate even if its 2 hours. Thats how it works at most shops except the hourly rate is less. There are still some small shops that work hourly but they are getting harder to find.

This is why I do (almost) all of the maintenance on my vehicles myself. Document everything and there are no warranty issues.

[gdb069]

First, there is a major difference between car and MC driving habits (although maybe not so much in cruiser class). Break in period on most motorcycles seems to be 600 miles and I think its more of a generallity than it could be. At 600 miles most parts have seated and although calling them "shavings" sounds like slices of metal its really just microscopic. Most of this will happen in the first few hundred miles. Also remember our MCs share the oil with the crankcase so removal of these fine particles is important. There is a break-in oil used and for a MC that oil will need to be changed earlier than for cars. In most cars these days the manufacturer wants you to leave the break-in oil in the car until the first scheduled oil change which could be 6000 or more miles.

Second, you are paying for training, tools, experience, original parts and the availability of the parts, a thorough inspection and a dealer "guaranty" that the work was done professionally. I know some forum members are excellent technicians and I am a DIY but the Dealer should be providing a superb level of service ie: everything has been done with utmost care so there are no "defects". The technician should be providing an list of inspected items and in the case he/she notices a defect, the technician can repair free under warrantee. If its a new bike/new model to you, you may not even notice a defect. That seems to be worth the couple hundred dollars based on what you paid for the MC.

Third, quick lube employees have minimal training, do no inspection, use bulk oil that is usually a low end brand, use bulk oil filters that are usually low end brand, usually attempt an upsell with wiper blades, air filters, etc.and I did not know they would do bikes.

Last, if you keep your bike for a long time then the $200 amortized over five years is just $40 per year. I keep my bikes at least so just consider the original service cost part of the purchase price.

G.

[gat803]

Originally Posted by gdb069

Second, you are paying for training, tools, experience, original parts and the availability of the parts, a thorough inspection and a dealer "guaranty" that the work was done professionally. I know some forum members are excellent technicians and I am a DIY but the Dealer should be providing a superb level of service ie: everything has been done with utmost care so there are no "defects". The technician should be providing an list of inspected items and in the case he/she notices a defect, the technician can repair free under warrantee. If its a new bike/new model to you, you may not even notice a defect. That seems to be worth the couple hundred dollars based on what you paid for the MC.

Yea, good luck with that....

[old dad]

I let the dealer do this,,last time they saw the bike too.

[flybuy]

WOW..Never had it that bad.

I just got my bike back from Honda Marysville Motorsports in OH.
New tires, carb sync, oil change (24.95) and they filled up the tank and detailed the bike.

Check around out there, there are still a few places that will provide great service without robbing you.

[bikenut]

Originally Posted by flybuy

I just got my bike back from Honda Marysville Motorsports in OH.
New tires, carb sync, oil change (24.95) and they filled up the tank and detailed the bike. Check around out there, there are still a few places that will provide great service without robbing you.

Wow, that is like returning to the mother ship. Marysville Ohio is where a whole bunch of Honda's, both two and four wheel, are made. There used to be an annual bike event on their grounds but I dunno what became of that. If I ever needed dealer service, Honda Marysville would be the preferred place for me.

[Barracuda]

I appreciate the comments. I'm not as concerned about the price that the dealership charges for 'serious' mechanical work because I'm not a serious mechanic and would rather make sure that professionals do the work and get it right. Also, I know that the price of mechanical work is expensive on all my rides -- bikes and cars -- and that it is a price of having the mobility available.

I remember when I used to do all of the routine maintenance on my own cars until I bought a Hyundai. I did the first oil change and it took me nearly 45 minutes just to get the oil filter off. Was so frustrated at how inaccessible the thing was that I decided to pay someone to deal with that from then on. Then I just got lazy and started having someone else do all of the routine stuff because it was convenient and not really that expensive.

Since seeing the price for routine maintenance on the bike, I've decided to at least give that a try a couple times myself. It might actually be nice to get my hands dirty again doing stuff like that. Kind of looking forward to it.

[gdb069]

Originally Posted by gat803

Yea, good luck with that....

Thanks for providing your usual deep insight and experience to the post. Oops I forgot you don't like thanks.