5,000 mile service

[gamechngr]

With all the craziness in my life I actually put just over 5,000 miles on my 2013 trike.
Had to bring it into dealer for some warranty work and they reminded me about the 5,000 mile service. This includes oil changes, adjustments and other assorted items for a total of $500 plus tax. Yeesh!!
My car doesn't cost that much for an oil change.
I called a local motorcycle shop that used to work on my ultra. He said since its still under a factory warranty i should have dealer do the work and he would charge about the same anyway.
So my question, is this what everyone else has to do, pay the $500 or can we do our own oil changes? Everything else on the trike is working fine.
Would doing the work ourselves void the warranty?
What happens when I go to trade my 2013 for possibly a 2015?
Would there be some unwritten rule that affects resale because I didn't let an authorized dealer do the specified service?

 

[Fusionfool]

First did you do the 1K service? If so your dealer is robbing you, I had the 1K service free of charge, then had the 5K thinking it would be around $300 and was only charged $180. Not sure where you are from, but I would search for an honest dealer. That is the highest I have ever heard. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[HDB0B]

I'd want to see an itemized list at that price . Like said around $180 for a full service engine, primary, and transmission oil change with new filter. At many bike weeks dealers do this service FREE LABOR .... just for the price of the fluids and filter.

Bob orag:

 

[Gorilla]

Yes you can do your own service. just keep your receipts of the stuff you purchased as proof that you did the service. Look at the service manual and see what needs to be done at each service and document that you did it. Keep a log book.

 

[rhino 2]

My Harley dealer only chargers for oil and filters, For the thousand and 5 thousand mile.
When you buy a bike from them.. Also no trans or set-up chargers.

That said not all dealers do that...Makes good business scents for them' I've bought 3 bikes from them in the last 4 years...

For oil and filter and ''Other assorted items'' 5 hundred might not be too far over the top?/?

 

[gamechngr]

I had my dealer do the 1K service. I had all synthetic oils put in. Was around 300 i recall.

I looked up what the 5K service from Harley is required and only engine oil/filter is to be changed. So minimal cost in materials on their part. The rest of the service is Check this and adjust that. Absolutely over priced.

At 10K service then all fluids are replaced so I could see more expense and time on the dealer side.

Im not sure why they charge so much. Maybe if others stop bending over they would have to drop the price they charge.

 

[screwball]

Like a couple above, our local dealer did the 1000 mile freebie and the 5000 was under $200. As a matter of fact, with the exception of tires and brakes done at a 5000 mile interval the service work was always under $200. We are very lucky out here, there are 6 dealers within a 60 mile circle so competition helps keep the prices down. You can do your own service, I'm nearly 70 and the crawling around on the garage floor 'hurts' too much anymore.... old age is the crapps.

 

[Bikerbozo]

Now that I looked where you are. Yes, all dealers around Long Island are completely overpriced. You are probably going to Nassau or LIC HD. I am out at Suffolk HD. They all charge by the hour. And take their time. I have a smaller shop near me in Coram that can do the warranty work also. It is in with them right now for stator and other stuff. Only complaint is I have to lay out money that gets refunded to me after stingy warranty people pay him. Work does get done faster than HD.

 

[lboos]

I took my 2013 back to the dealer for the 1000 mi. ck, the bill was a little over $500, I just turned 5000 miles and the dealer wanted $480 to do it, plus I would have to wait six days for an appt. I went back to the parts dept. and bought the oil [syn. 3] and '0' rings etc. and filter for about $80 and done it myself, I already had the service manual, It was very easy, I kept all the recites.

I think some of these dealers would like for you to think that only one of their so called master mech's. can do the minor maint. required on one of these checks, if you can take care of an older VW bug, you can take care of a Harley, plus you learn a lot about your bike, and their is a since of pride about doing it your self.

I did find the eng. oil drain plug loose and the primary oil drain plug loose, barley finger tight,.... left that way from the 1000 mile ck, the dealer did :AGGHH:.

I now know that the oil I used is right, and the proper level is correct, and all the drain plugs are torqued like they should be..... and I saved $400 .

I'm not saying that every one should do this,.... but for me, it's not that hard .

 

[msocko3]

I took my 2013 back to the dealer for the 1000 mi. ck, the bill was a little over $500, I just turned 5000 miles and the dealer wanted $480 to do it, plus I would have to wait six days for an appt. I went back to the parts dept. and bought the oil [syn. 3] and '0' rings etc. and filter for about $80 and done it myself, I already had the service manual, It was very easy, I kept all the recites.

I think some of these dealers would like for you to think that only one of their so called master mech's. can do the minor maint. required on one of these checks, if you can take care of an older VW bug, you can take care of a Harley, plus you learn a lot about your bike, and their is a since of pride about doing it your self.

I did find the eng. oil drain plug loose and the primary oil drain plug loose, barley finger tight,.... left that way from the 1000 mile ck, the dealer did :AGGHH:.

I now know that the oil I used is right, and the proper level is correct, and all the drain plugs are torqued like they should be..... and I saved $400 .

I'm not saying that every one should do this,.... but for me, it's not that hard .

Your right on the money, its a racket. Normally the oil changes and misc service work goes to the less experienced tech, especially if the more experienced tech is working on something more challenging than an oil change.

 

[gamechngr]

I called Harley Davidson direct to make sure there is no issue with doing the 5K myself. All I need is, as it has been stated earlier, is keep receipts and records and a checklist of the required items to be performed. Even take pictures or videos showing a particular detail being performed. This would help to avoid the Dealer bitching that a non-harley approved person did the work and it was done correctly.
Yep, I like saving $400!!!

 

[Sully]

After reading all the posts about cost for service, it has made me feel better about the service contract I purchased when I got the trike. ThumbUp At least I don't need to worry when I take it in about any extra charges that may pop up.

 

[trikermutha]

What I have done in the past was let the dealer do all the adjustments and checks and I would do all the fluid changes to save some Cash..:AGGHH:

 

[MB1953]

Well, after forking over $380 to the dealer for the 1K service on my '14 TG (and they acted like they were doing me a favor, saying that they knocked off $100 from their normal rate) I have decided to do the 5K service myself. I will check with them for pricing, but so far they have done me no favors...

 

[HDB0B]

Really???? No free 1st service?

Classic Harley in Leesport, PA

Delivery day ..... Wife and I got introduced to each area of the dealership:
15% off coupon total spent (1 time use good for 90 days) for any clothing purchase. 2 free dealer imprinted t-shirts.
15% off coupon total spent (1 time use good for 90 days) for any parts (bling) purchase. 1 free sample size detailing products kit.
1000 mile service free
2500 mile service free (negotiated at time of sale).
1 yr local HOG chapter free
1 yr HOG Member free (I have been a life member since inception in 1983 so HOG gave me a refund credit to be spent on Harley merchandise).

Average labor rate for Dealer in our area is $80/hr.

Pay the $60 for a shop manual and get the satisfaction of doing some of this routine service yourself.
Buy your oils and filter from your Dealer and save your receipts. Document your service interval mileage.

or ..... visit 1 bike week event each year and you will find a Dealer offering free oil changes for the price of the oils!! I think there were at least 3 places to get free oil changes at bike week Laconia N.H. this past June. epper:

Bob orag:

 

[Phu Cat]

plus you learn a lot about your bike

Right Lboos. You start to develope a more intimate relationship with the bike when you're paying that close of attention to it. You learn what things should look and feel like.

I suspect tho that guys lay down a big wad of cash, maybe more than they ever have before. So they may be reluctant to even try changing their own oil unless they are 'wrench proficient' and confident the factory manual will keep them out of trouble. If they even have a factory manual.

PC