600 mile service $$

[Apertureguy]

I paid 180 for my first service & they did check the valves.

I was happy to pay it too. Especially when the service manager came out to shake my hand and comment at how nice I keep the bike. I haven't blushed like that in years.

My bike was actually ready before the time they said it would be. Maybe I did a good job shopping for my dealer...I looked into 3 different dealers. The first two wouldn't give me the time of day & the people there either didn't know anything or were arrogant about what they did know.

When I walk into my dealer it doesn't matter if it's the salesman, parts guy, service guy, DMV runner or the owner, whichever sees me first waves & says hello to me using my first name. I don't hang out there either...heck, it's in another state from where I live...they just care. I guess that's why I've made as many purchases as I have from them.

[rtroiani]

I just got mine done for $165, and that included all synthetic oil. I also had them throw on the 2" Johns Kit (lowering) for another $50.00. I thought that was pretty good. It took about 2 hours, but that's ok - Perkins has good breakfast!

[Lid]

3600 miles, no service, no problems ...

Getting my first service in two weeks, $190.

[snowman671]

Ok,

So I had a serive appointment but could not make it. I did change the oil and the gear lube in the back at 800 miles. My question is this. They cannot void a warranty if I do the adjustments myself and not take it in can they??

No where does it state a "Dealer" has to do these things etc. I prefer to do it myself and my vavles are quiet i hear more fuel injection than anything. I am mechaniclly adept and work on alot of things but a bike is new to me but should pose no issue.

So what do you say ? Can they void it or not .. I think they cannot

[Xerses]

Originally Posted by BudTheGrey

I have to be honest, sometimes I don't get it.

Pretending for a moment that we live in a world where dealers are fairly competent and honest (honest == they actually do the work they bill you for), why do so many people complain about the cost of getting the valve adjustment done? The valve adjustment is something done once after some break-in, then you don't have to do it again for quite a long while. But if you don't do it, the very real risk is that someday you'll be on the side of the road with little bits of the valve train in your crank case, or worse, with parts of the inside of the motor sticking out.

Good grief, the bike cost between $6K and $7K, depending on how you equip it, but you can't afford $200 for a necessary maintenance visit? I understand the desire to DIY and save the $$ -- I would probably tackle the job if I had some kind of a garage or shop to do it in. But I don't so I had the local shop do it and wrote the $250 check, and smiled while I did it. I fully plan on putting 50K miles on this bike, so maintenance is a must.

I paid about 300$ Canadian. My dealer has 2 of the 4 Suzuki mechanics in Québec that got 100% on the Suzuki exam, the dealer is rated #1 in QC for pre and post sales service. They adjusted my valves (2 were too tight), did the once over and verified for the recall even though I told them my serial number was not in the range for the recall.

Good dealers = investment
First service = long lasting M50 = good investment.

[rtroiani]

Well said Xerses (and BudTheGrey). btw - Grey is actually faster than black

[RodScher]

I realize this is a marauder forum, but I think the question is a good one and applies to bikes, dealers, and service in general. I just bought a VN900. Went through the usual rigmarole with the dealer: You should really pay the $1500+ extra for an extended service plan, yada, yada, yada, that 600-mile service can be $375-$400 all by itself because of the valve adjustment, etc., it's really a good deal, we sell a lot of them...and on and on.

I said no for a number of reasons, some of them discussed in other posts related to the whole question of extended warranties.

So I look in the manual, and it says you don't even need to inspect the valves until 15K miles.

Nonetheless, I'd imagine that the 600-mile service is important; I'd certainly never skip it, but I'm not too excited about paying $400 either! Do y'all (sorry, I spent a couple of years in Texas) think it's OK to go to another bike shop? There's a good one in town and they've never steered me wrong on anything; they've even turned down chances to sell me stuff they thought I didn't really need. (They're not a dealer, just a small independent shop, but they definitely seem to know what they're doing.) If they told me they needed to adjust my valves, I'd believe 'em.

On the other hand, I haven't bought a bike brand new off the showroom floor since...hmmm, well, around 1971 or so. If it really needs to go to the dealer, I'd definitely grit my teeth and do it.

update: I went and had the dealer do it, but it cost me about $330; they supposedly checked the valves, but I kinda doubt it. So the question remains, really... Could I have had the indie guys do it? Should I have them do the next one?

[palanon]

Yes you could have, as long as you keep records and receipts of the service, your covered. $300.00 plus is a rip off for an oil change and to check fasteners.

If you trust the independent shop, have them do the service and sign off on the maintenance schedule. Save the receipts and your good to go.

Better yet, buy a manual and do it yourself. You will know your bike better and, you'll still be covered if you do and keep your receipts/documents.

[DeRiggi]

$300 would be a blessing....Just got mine back tonight after dropping it off last night for my 600 (was really 740) maintenance. $368....Three hundred and sixty eight &*@#$%! dollars.....And to think i had some money put away for a fuel processor and exhaust....So i drilled some holes in the baffles when i got home to make myself feel somewhat better....thank god i don't need to ever see them again...

The only thing i am happy about is having it back the next day....

[BEK]

I just got the 600 mile service done at a large dealership. $157.00. I told the service manager I thought the 600 mile service included a valve adjustment. He said "Oh - No - you won't need that for at least 5,000 miles, but I'll check the service manual." When I picked it up, he said - "no - I checked - no valve adjustment needed" Expensive oil change. They did say they lubed all cables. Don't know how hard that is. They charged me 1.5 hours labor. It does run alot smother/freer since the oil change.

[Rickb1415]

im around 1200-1300 and never went in for my service.. i had my vacation, and other bills and spent plenty on MODs lol, I will be taking it in next friday. I called the other day to see if a weekday or weekend is best. They said if i come saturday morning it will be done in 1- 1 1/2 hours and will be $200

[ls1der]

When I picked up my bike, the dealership had lost the owners manual. They claimed they were going to order one for me (I'm still holding my breath on that one). Anyway, when I asked about service, they copied a page out of THEIR service manual that shows intervals. If I can figure out how to attach a file I will scan it and post it. Maybe it will be enlightening. I haven't even looked at it yet.

[RodScher]

Interesting... Thanks for the feedback. Generally, I don't trust (car OR bike) dealerships; kinda hate to say that, but there you go. I think I'll let the indie guys do whatever I can't and -- and some of you have said -- be sure to keep receipts, etc. (And I read someplace about a guy who also took photos of everything he did. That seems a bit paranoid but, as Woody Allen has said, "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you.")

[QuikRelease]

I've got around 1700 miles on my 2006 M50 and just this past week started to notice a slapping sound coming from the engine. The whole valve adjustment came straight to mind. I wonder, has anyone here or does anyone know how to go about adjusting them on your own? I've done all my own work to my bike so far and would hate to just hand over $100-$200 for a valve adjustment. I am more than willing to spend a few hours doing it myself. I've done the rear fender mod (and then some), lowering mod and my own oil changes myself so I feel good doing this myself if I just had a step by step on how to do it. Any help would be great, even maybe point me in the right direction to find out how. Thanks guys!!