Hey all, how many of you completed your first service yourselves? Does it benefit me to have the dealer do the first service? I like doing maintenance myself, especially if it is simple stuff. I figure that I learn my bike intimatlely but if something down the road happens to my bike they make come back and say it was my fault. What do you guys think?

 

My dealer does it free. But unless they charge way to much, good idea to let dealer do the first. I will do my own after the first.

Get the service manual for your bike if you can do do your own.

 

I did my first one.. it's easy. just get a manual and take your time, and save ALL your receipts.
it's all pretty straight forward, and most dealers dont put their most knowegable techs on first service jobs. i'd rather do it myself, that way i know its done right.

 

On my Honda, i figure let the dealer do the 1000 mile service. I go to do the next service at 3500 miles, and discover that the tech had left the crush washer off the drain plug. Amazing it didn't leak.

 

They did my first one! (but it was free!!)

 

Hello Rotorhead;
Some elect to take the bike to the dealer on the first service and then do all of their own maintenance and service after that. I performed my own 1000 mile service and it was not difficult. You will definitely need a service manual, so if you do not already have one then make it your next purchase. Save the receipts on the oil, filter, transmission lube, any gaskets that you replace, etc. I even took a few pictures of the work in progress to help document the service. You will need the normal assortment automotive tools and a good motorcycle jack is just about a necessity if you are going to do much work on the bike. The Service Manual walks you right through the 1000 mile service step by step and the 5000mile service is almost a repeat of the 1000 mile. Give it a try you will learn more about your bike by doing it yourself.

Good luck with it.
Zyklon

 

Thanks for the advice, does it give the dealer an edge for warranty work if they dont do the first service?

 

took mine to my independent mechanic and had the entire svc done for a little less than $200

he also signed/stamped my owners manual