what should i do? 1st maintenance, oil change.

[Sev]

Hmmm, I called my Honda mechanic when I did mine and was told the following, "well if you're going to hit 1000 km a month earlier then you can get it in (booked up) all you really need to do is change the oil and bring it in for the 6k inspection."
"Will that void my warranty?"
"No."

So I bought a Canadian Tire oil filter, and 4 liters of oil and went to work. Took me quite a while, because I wasn't totally sure what everything was, the manual was very vague, but the long and short of it was that I did it myself, I didn't have any oil leaks, and when I went in for my 6k service nothing was mentioned of it. Meaning to me that whatever I did, it didn't destroy the integrity of the bike

The story is posted somewhere below in my blog.

[ZooTech]

I had a similar experience to Sev. When I went in to schedule my 600-mile appointment, I asked to see the check list of things that would be performed. More than half the items on the list didn't pertain to my bike (valve adjustment, chain adjustment, etc.) and the rest were cake-walk items that I could do myself (oil change, rear diff lube change, bolt torque check). I asked if skipping this $260.00 procedure would void anything and the answer was, "Nope".

[CNF2002]

They legally cannot void your warranty by doing the work yourself. If you try to make a warranty claim for damage, they have to then prove that improper maintenance caused the damage (ie your engine explodes and you never changed the oil)...most of the time they are perfectly happy taking your business, because they still get paid whether its out of your pocket or from the warranty claim.

[TechTMW]

The 600 mile service isn't just about the oil change. They check everything (or are suppose to), including valve adjustment.

I asked if skipping this $260.00 procedure would void anything and the answer was, "Nope".

Scott's mostly right on this (The warranty issue is not a big deal). Zoo and Sev both make very valid points, but Verm's already expressed his inexperience in maintaining a vehicle. It IS easy to do the initial service, but you could very well overlook something important if you don't know what you are looking for.

The first service is about more than the oil change - it's also about checking the parts of the bike that were assembled by the dealership prior to the buyer taking posession of the bike. MOST people have no idea what's assembled and what's not, because it varies based on manufacturer and model.

I will say that usually the lowest ranking employee (The most inexperienced) gets stuck with the boring job of putting the bike together. It's worth it to take the bike back to the dealership for the initial service so that a more experienced mechanic can go over the younger tech's work and make sure everything is still assembled properly.

Anyway, Verm, I think it's worh your while to have the initial maintenance done between your 2 mos/ 600 miles. Oh and I also think it's worth your while to learn how to maintain your bike. So get a shop manual and maybe a friend who has some mechanical know-how, because after you get the first maintenance done, you are just throwing money away on consecutive visits to the stealership.

[VermilionX]

thanks, i think i'll do that shop manual and inquire if not having receipts will void my warranty.

if it will not affect the warranty, i'll try to do it myself next time and avoid the "stealership" as you say.

[CNF2002]

I will say that usually the lowest ranking employee (The most inexperienced) gets stuck with the boring job of putting the bike together.

That sounds like a fun job to me!

[VermilionX]

cool, i've bumped my odo from 260-320 miles just today. i think i'll make 600 miles before this month ends. i still have 3 hrs left before sunset but im still not hardened for long riding yet. i feel a little sore rigt now plus it's lonely riding alone.

i don't know any bike mechanic shop around here. i'll probably just take it to a suzuki dealer since the dealership i bought my bike from is far from here.

[swatter555]

Its probably not a bad idea to bring it into the dealership for the initial service. After that, its easy to maintain the bike yourself. Also, you need to adjust and lube your chain every 300 miles. It would definately be good to know someone who can help you wrench the bike.

Also, a dealership is only a "stealership" if you dont do your homework and cant say no.

[VermilionX]

ok, what's the common price for a 1st maintenance of a new bike here in the US or California?

so at least, i'll have an idea if they're charging me ridiculously.

help...

[VermilionX]

i just asked around the SCLR forums and the response i got was shocking.

the normal range dealers charge for the 600 mile break-in maintenance was around $200-$250.

WOW! now i really need to learn to maintain my bike so that next time, i won't need to go to a dealership.

i've googled repair manuals but they don't seem to have one yet for my bike.

i heard Haynes repair manuals are good since it has a lot of photo instructions but they don't have one for my bike.