My first service was include on both my 05 XL and my 07 FLHTC...Not sur ei would pay for it... just change the oil right? Breakin period.. What else are they gonna do? Make sure the bike runs right? Naw...

 

I had my dealer do the 1000, which cost me $279. I stay pretty busy so it works for me. The give value cards each time they service it, so my 5000 mile service cost $247. I change the oil myself at every 2500 miles due to the dusty conditions in New Mexico. I'm pretty happy with my dealer, they've always done me right.

 

Why waste the money at the dealer. You can take to an idependent garage. They will do a synthetic oil/filter change for under $150 and perform the inspection at no charge and even make any minor adjustments. There is no reason in my mind why I would pay the dealer upward of $300+ to tighten items that should have been taken care of at PDI for which I have already paid. It's amazing how complacent many Harley customers are when it is time to pay through the nose for average quality service. When you go to an indie, he is the man responsible for keeping you as a customer and will likely go beyond his duty to make sure you are satisfied witht the level of service. That is just my personal experience, I have found the dealer to be way overpriced and always offer a degree of indifference. That is not the way I treat my customers in my business and certainly not the way I want to be treated by a service provider.

 

For you it''s NOT worth it. I'd spend the money on a Service Manual, Parts Catalogue and oil then I'd spend what's left foolishly (beer / wine / women).

 

Agree with above!!!! I had the dealer do the 1,000 mile service on my first new Harley a couple of years ago. What a mistake, they never changed the fluid in the primary, I'm guessing that they drained it and forgot to refill it completely. After a few miles of riding, clutch felt really funny. No matter how I adjusted it, wouldn't work right. So, I removed the inspection cover and couldn't see any primary fluid. Drained out what was left, refilled with fresh fluid, adjusted clutch and 6,500 miles later, one additional change and everything seems fine. Never greased the neck bearing, etc...
Never again!

Do whatever you are comfortable with, but, if you use a dealer check around with local Harley owners to find a dealership with a good service dept.

 

I had mine done last year. I felt I got ripped ofF. The clutch was adjusted so bad it was hardly driveable. I complained and they came out and felt the lever without even starting it,LET ALONE RIDING IT and said thats the way its supposed to be. I ask, if it was the way it was supposed to be WHY wasn't it that way when I picked it up. Never was given a good answer. I'll never let that dealer touch my bike again. PERIOD. I'll service it myself or take it to someone qualified who can. Not the grease monkeys at the stealers.

 

Good service departments, bad ones. Just gotta get lucky sometimes.

 

Do you usually have a dealer or local shop check your spokes during the 1k, 5k, 20k service?

 

When I owned a Harley with spokes such as my previous 07 Road King Classic I checked my own and kept them tensioned properly with regular checks.( the service manuel can assist if you do not know how to check spokes or true spoke wheels) I do not let the dealer touch my bike unless there is no other choice in the situation.

Ride Safe,
Bill G

 

Money aside, the big advantage of doing your own wrenching is that you learn the bike. By doing the service and mods you will become familiar with the bike and have fun in the process. It is also safer because chances are, if you have trouble on the road, you'll recognize it and you may be able to get take care of it. It also helps when riding in groups if some of the riders are proficient wrenches.

Harleys are fairly simple machines. Jump in and have fun. Get the tools you need and have some riding buddies help over a few cold ones. Just my .02