[Filip75]

When I got the bike, I got the "Advantage plan" (free maintenance/warranty for 36 months). I was told that I can bring my bike in any time and have whatever I want done on it, done.

What should I take in for the most? I figure since I have that "plan" then I might as well abuse it to the max :flipa

Suggestions?

 

[RayOSV]

Given that it's such a pain in the a$$ to bring a bike to the dealer for service, how about the recommended maintenance schedule? If you read the fine print, it likely excludes wear items (tires, brake pads, etc.) as well as bringing it in every week.

 

[Filip75]

I know about the wear items, but it's all kind of maintenance, free tire mounting/ballancing, free oil changes and regualr inspections. The service manager joked about bringing it in every month to change oil.

 

[RayOSV]

I know about the wear items, but it's all kind of maintenance, free tire mounting/ballancing, free oil changes and regualr inspections. The service manager joked about bringing it in every month to change oil.

I wouldn't over-do it unless you have total confidence in the dealer's service department. With the horror stories I've heard, they don't need more opportunities to screw something up. By all means, though, take it to them for anything you need as long as you are happy with the work. There really is no need to change the oil/filter any more often than 3000 miles at the minimum.

 

[Filip75]

I wouldn't over-do it unless you have total confidence in the dealer's service department. With the horror stories I've heard, they don't need more opportunities to screw something up. By all means, though, take it to them for anything you need as long as you are happy with the work. There really is no need to change the oil/filter any more often than 3000 miles at the minimum.

I know all that. I just wanted to find out how much "free" stuff I can get out of this

BTW, in my car I change oil every 12K (Red Line). Is there any special oil for bikes that lasts that long?

 

[CasterTroy]

So, you paid for the advantage plan, and now you want to know how BEST to abuse this option?


Ever been to a buffet and decide to "get your moneys worth" and in doing so you leave and are so miserable that you wished you could barf?

Why not take it for what it's worth and simply use it as it's intended an not try to "milk it for all it's worth"


We already have plenty of people doing that daily with my tax dollars....it's called welfare....be original and only take what you need from the service.


BTW.....I'd almost BET for a simple oil change they have to keep your bike at least a day and a half, and even then I'd place money on whether they actually touched your bike.



I've taken my bikes to the dealer maybe 5 times in 20 years...and I know for a fact that one of the times they never did a thing to it.


I buy a shop manual and do ALL the scheduled maint myself...saves you $1000 and ensures that you KNOW the service you needed was actually DONE

 

[stoinkythepig]

Valve adjusts at the recommended intervals (pretty sure it's the first 600 miles then at 6000 miles, and every 6000 after). Wouldn't be abuse though since they are regularly scheduled.

I'd be shocked if the dealer actually did adjust them though. Do yourself a favor and place a small and somewhat hidden "tell tale" on the valve cover that will make it obvious to you if the valve cover came off or not. Odds are good the mechanic will listen to the bike and determine that the valves are "fine" without ever actually measuring them. Make a huge stink if they do this to you. No one can tell if valves are out of adjustement by listening.

I use Mobil 1 15W 50 and change every 6000 miles or so. Since you will have free maintenance, you'll be stuck with whatever oil the choose to put in and having it changed at the regular change interval.

 

[Lok]

I wouldn't let a dealership touch my bike unless I knew for a fact that some $7/hr high school graduate with no formal training is doing the work. If it is a good dealership go in for oil changes or whatever else is under warranty. Checking the valves is probablly the most important thing yous houdl have them do.

 

[Filip75]

I bought the whole deal because I'll be selling the bikein about a year or 2. It will be a good selling point (as it carries over.. and should pay for itself by then anyway). Same way as the "theft ptotection" plan that I got: if it get's stolen, the dealer cuts me a check for the value of the bike, so I didn't have to put that on insurance. That goes for 3 years too, and carries over with the bike.

So, whoever buys that bike from me, should be set for close to 2 years with theft protection, warranty and free maintenance (coutry-wide).

I figured that I should get it, mainly because I'm not that familiar with bikes yet (as I'm with cars.. German cars mostly)

 

[firefighter81]

I'd suggest just using it if anything major breaks. But learn to work on the bike yourself, it's much more rewarding and is a BIG money saver in the long run.

 

[TheWraith]

Somebody obsesses to the point that it makes baby jesus cry.

 

[KYGixxer]

Just wait till you try to get an appointment to get in. I know that if you have a warranty claim or service plan at the dealerships here, it takes a month to get an appointment.But if you were paying cash for the service, theyd have an appointment open tommorow

 

[clsmitty]

servicing

Just becouse you get free maintenance does not mean it is timely, it could be 2 days - week before they get to your bike. I do not know about you but i prefer to spend my time on my bike not waiting for it to be serviced.