The dealers around here are all selling a "1000 Mile Service". It costs about $450 and they say they change all of the fluids, adjust the clutch, check and change brake pads if they need it, tighten anything that is loose, etc... Is this required for the Harley warranty to stay in tact or is this just a money making scheme like the car dealers do when you buy a new car? This is my first Harley but I've owned a few other brands and none of them have needed to be serviced at only 1000 miles. Hard to believe a new bike with only 1000 miles on it would need any work at all.

 

I'm not sure if it voided my warranty, but I just had a local shop change my fluids. I'll be doing them myself from now on. You'll want to get the fluids changed. The engine oil in mine was pretty dirty from breaking it in. The primary oil wasn't too dirty, and the transmission oil looked brand new.

 

I asked the same question the day i bought mine, dude at the dealership said if i change fluids or have to change anything and want to do the work myself without voiding the warenty to just save the reciepts showing I used "genuine H-D" suplies. For my 1000 mile I checked everything they said they would check and changed my engin oil only. I'd check with your dealership though, they may tell you different, I stuck to the break in suggestions and had no issues, I did my 5k service myself too.

 

1,000 mile service is pretty important. You can do it yourself, many do. Get a manual and you can get a list of what is checked and adjusted online. Several dealers post a list that they use when doing it. You can do it for the cost of fluids and a filter. Save your receipts and keep a checklist of what you did and you'll be good to go. Each model has specific checks but you didn't tell what you've got.

 

Also..... get to know the techs at your dealer......you may find that one of the Master Technicians that do the work so the dealer makes the 450.00 will do it at his house on the side for 100.00 parts and all................. I did!

 

Service has to be done to maintain warranty but it doesn't have to be done by a mechanic and I doubt you have to use HD fluids. As long as they are of equal certification I think you'd be fine as long as you keep your receipts. First 1000 mile service is probably one of the most important imo.

The manual, a few tools, and some online help should be all you need to do your service. I also bought the HD belt deflector gauge but haven't had to make any adjustments in the belt in over 15k so it's probably nothing to concern yourself with at 1k.

But if you have the money and trust mechanics in general ( I don't) by all means, take it to the dealer.

BTW, I got 13.5k out of my rear tire and brake pads are just now getting close to first change at 15k. Front tire still has alot of tread left.

 

Cowpokey..... Nice Avatar!!

 

You can do the work yourself and you do not have to use Harley fluids. The only thing that I buy from HD is the filter and the derby gasket.

 

Thanks! I ride a Heritage Classic.

 

The first 1000ml dealer service was part of the price package...it'll be independents from now on....