Most of us have been there and are now doing our own service. It's bad enough the price they charge, but it's the crap they do to your bike and the service they're supposed to do, and don't, that drives you mad. I wonder if it ever dawns on them how much $$ they lose after experiences like this? It's a pet peeve of mine that motorcycle service should be like car service. Drop it off in the morning and pick it up at 5. But since the dealers are too incompetent to properly schedule anything, they just keep your bike for 2 or 3 days till they get around to working on it. Never mind that you made the appt a month in advance. And the 2 or 3 days it's there you stress out on what damage they're doing to it.

And you wonder why things like the "Fix My Hog" DVD isso sucessful. Anything to keep from going back to the dealer.

 

yep, its the magnusson-moss warranty act. basically, they would have to prove that what you did caused the failure in order to not cover it under warranty. and for oil and stuff, if they require you to use a specific oil, then they have to provide it for you. as long as it meets the specifications, you're good to go. and really, when was the last time you saw an oil related failure? not a 'lack of oil' related?

 

My 1000 mile service is coming up next week on my '07, I am going to take thehit and let the dealer do it ($330- Idaho). Thanks to the forum I now understand that a person can do these service visits and not void the warranty, but for me I feel the 1stservice is the most important, as long as it's done right. New bike, things can move around and "adjust" themselves, makes me more comfortable knowing I had an experienced eye looking at it. Another thing I want to accomplish is to get a feel for the service department of the dealership, I'll ask questions about what they're doing, and why, just to see if they consider me a dumbass that's just forking over more money to them. A good dealer mechanic (and that's for any vehicle, be it a car, bike, truck) is a bonus, you can always get the run of the mill type that is just putting in their time. I figure paying for the first service will be my chance to either build a rapport with this group, or look elsewhere for someone I can trust.

Sorry for the long post, just my opinion.

 

Where is a good place to get the fix my hog DVD's and the service manual. I do like my dealer, but whenever i ask them a ? I get the runaround or 5 different answers from 5 different people. Couldnt even get a good answer about the Power commander that was recommended by one of their guys....pitiful!!

 

The FMH vendor is a sponsor here and are listed in the sponsor section. You can get the service manual from the dealer or get it cheaper online from Zanotti's. Good luck.

 

Because they can.
But the point is, you can never be sure it is being done right(per aj373ku's original post, I don't think his was).

 

I just called Patriot HD in Fairfax VA to make an appointment for my 1K service ($225) and they can't get me in for two weeks. I'm in the wrong bussiness. Killing bad guys just dosen't pay as well...

 

It takes them forever to get you in, the dealer that is, and if they are in such a hurry to get it out, chances are they will goof. Just earmark this dealer as no good. I'd also like to know who this incompetent dealership is. I plan to travel, and don't want to make the same mistake you did.

I don't think that rolling over it the way to handle this. You should take it back and complain, also call or email HD in milwaukee and complain that their name is at stake and being abused by the incompetence this dealership has displayed, not to mention your safety put at risk by a seized engine etc. I would push the point of your safety, and not as much about the bike being hurt, or your wallet.

 

Are you a pilot in the AF?

 

Some of it is, some of it ain't.

If you have a lift anda couple of hours, changing three fluids isn't hard. Dirty, nasty, messy, but not difficult.

Same with changing fork oil, adjusting the primary chain, adjusting belt tension & tracking, changing brake pads.

Much beyond that, you'll need the tools that the H-D techs get from the factory. Plus you have no access to service bulletins (same as an independent shop), etc.

Half the time, I change my own fluids. Half the time, the dealer does it. The bike always runs better when they do it, maybe because my hands & clothes stay clean