new bike 600 mile check up... necessary?

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Facington · #1 Unread post by **Facington** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 3:10 pm

I just got my 2004 Honda CBR 600F4i about a month or so ago. Since then i've put 600 miles on it; being that it was a leftover, these are the first 600; the dealership recommended i bring it back at 600 for oil change and to 'check the bike out' to make sure it is staying together as new. When i asked about how much this would cost he said something to effect of couple hundred dollars, at least i'm pretty sure i heard him right. Just wanted to see if anyone else had heard of this, if you guys would recommend it or say whatever to it. If you say its not necessary, at what mileage do you think i should do the first checkup / oil change. thanks.

#2 Unread post by **Sev** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 3:17 pm

I just did the first oil change myself. It hasn't shaken itself apart after 2500 km, so I'm happy.
The mechanic from the dealership I talked to said it wouldn't affect my warranty to do it myself.

#3 Unread post by **cb360** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 3:40 pm

I personally think a 600 mile checkup is ridiculous... especially at $200. That could amount to a whole payment on a lot of bikes. Sounds like a $200 oil change to me. Put it this way, if there's anything wrong with that bike after 600 miles then they'd damn sure be fixing it for free if it were my bike. It's still under warranty, right? Change your own oil, save $190 and take it in at some reasonable interval like 3000-5000 miles. That's my .02

mswarrior · #4 Unread post by **mswarrior** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 3:52 pm

While looking at new bikes I asked the salesman a Q about this.

He said the 600 mile/100km tune up is recomended by the manufacturer but is not really required until 1600mile/2500 km. And when I asked about cost and what they do he refered me to the service department. They said it will cost $200-300 depending on the bike. What they say they do is of course change the oil, check all fluids, adjust the valves, and do a total check on the bikes systems (loose bolts etc.). When asked if the tune up was skipped what about warranty. He says it depends on the dealer (O-Ring or not). Myself I'de talk to them and get the low down or just get it done and skip any future hassles.

Hope this helps.

cruisinflatout · Wed Jul 06, 2005 3:55 pm

I think if a guy is gonna go out and spend big bucks on a new bike...he best be doing everything he can to protect that warranty.

I've heard horror stories about guys trying to save a little cash and end up being screwed down the road when something serious goes wrong.

Alot of times, the bonehead you speak to at the local service center has no final say whether or not it'll affect your warranty down the road.

And think about it...it's in their best interest if they gently shove you in the direction of voiding your own warranty.

You gonna play with expensive toys, better have the kash for everything it entails...

Just my 2 cents, spend it wisely.

#6 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 4:26 pm

I talked to the service rep at my local dealership and he gave me a copy of the checklist they use when performing the 600-mile service on a Mean Streak. After looking it over and finding nothing that I couldn't do myself, I took it home and did it in my garage. My bike has hydraulic valve lifters, so no adjustment there....it's shaft drive so, ditto...and on and on. Ultimately it was just a $250.00 oil change, so I saved $200.00 doing it myself (yes, oil changes cost me $50.00 because Mobil-1 10w40 is $8.95 per quart).

If your bike requires a valve adjustment and/or is chain driven, you might want to bite the bullet on this one and have it done by pros, assuming you aren't one. Otherwise, just change the oil and filter at 600-miles to flush out any metal shavings and assembly lube from the motor and tranny, and just ride the thing.

Gadjet · #7 Unread post by **Gadjet** » Wed Jul 06, 2005 7:12 pm

I had my 800km service done on my new KLR last thursday. Cost me $30 (Canadian). this was the cost of the oil and filter. Chain lube was free, as was the examination of all fasteners, tire pressure check and washing. I even stood there and chatted with the mechanic while he went over everything and he also showed me how to go about doing some of the maintenance tasks and the easy ways to do them.

Sounds like you guys need to find new mechanics if they are charging you that much.

Brand new bike, bought it at the dealership, so they charged me for the consumable supplies - no labor charge.

#8 Unread post by **cb360** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 4:12 am

WhyteGryphon wrote:I had my 800km service done on my new KLR last thursday. Cost me $30 (Canadian). this was the cost of the oil and filter. Chain lube was free, as was the examination of all fasteners, tire pressure check and washing. I even stood there and chatted with the mechanic while he went over everything and he also showed me how to go about doing some of the maintenance tasks and the easy ways to do them.

Sounds like you guys need to find new mechanics if they are charging you that much.

Brand new bike, bought it at the dealership, so they charged me for the consumable supplies - no labor charge.

Now that sounds like an appropriate charge for a checkup after that short a period. Sounds like a service department that wanted to make sure you are happy with your bike and that it's performing properly. The $200 thing sounds like a money grab. I don't think ANY motor vehicle should need a $200 service after 600 miles. It's not even broken in yet!

TechTMW · #9 Unread post by **TechTMW** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 6:21 am

I need to make a sticky on this (been thru it a few times) but heck what's another heheh ...

Dealerships put these bikes together . They come in crates and typically the lowest guy on the totem pole is the one who gets the boring task of building the bike. This is the biggest reason to take your bike back to the same dealership that put it together. Because now a more competant mechanic is charged with fully going thru the bike to make sure junior didn't screw the pooch on something when he put the bike together. Since he knows junior, he's probably got a better idea of what to look out for.

Honda and Yamaha are typically almost complete in the crate, Kawi and Suzuki ... nope, they have to be pieced together and really gone thru.

Second big reason for the early oil change is to clear any leftover residue (swarf) from the milling process out of your bike. It's not important that a dealer does this - but it is important that it gets done.

#10 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 6:33 am

TechBMW wrote:They come in crates and typically the lowest guy on the totem pole is the one who gets the boring task of building the bike.

Damn skippy! On the ride home from the dealership, I could have sworn one arm had grown longer than the other. Turns out the pimple-faced high-school dropout that assembled my bike installed the handlebars crooked (a little play at the base amounts to a whole lot of slop at the bar ends). It was a quick fix, but it was a blow to my confidence in the dealership.