Bike servicing.

[Throttled]

Looking at it the other way around, I would not necessarily pay more for a bike that has a full dealer service history. My experience is that they employ mechanics who also make mistakes, work for someone else and do not have the pride of ownership of a self serviced bike. Then some people do not give a monkeys about their bikes and it would be better if a dealer had serviced it after all.

My preference is for care of ownership and pride, no matter who serviced it.

[TDMTAM]

My current TDM got the dealer services whilst it was under warranty, but now it is not under warranty I do all the maintenance myself. When I do the maint myself I alway keep the receipts for the oil filters etc and I have a check list that I fill out and document what has been done. As for effecting the resale value, I do above the "average 4000 miles" a motorcycle should do, so I am screwed anyway but I also plan on keeping my TDM900 for the another 3 years (taking it to 6 years old) so the resale value will be low that a full dealer service wont make that much of an odds.
The only thing I cant do is the valve clearances, that are due soon but I am hoping I can get someone to show me how to do them, if not I will have to pay a dealer to do that part.
TAM

[Alphadog43]

I have had my Harley from new & it has always been serviced by an independant specialist. I just part exchanged it aginst a new Hog at a main dealer & they offered me a price without seeing or asking about the service history. It obviously made no difference.

A bit off topic but I only lost £900 in three years! It seems like Harley's do hold there value better than most.

[Sprockette]

Removed.

[Sprockette]

Removed.

[Richard Simpson]

As said before I was trying to buy a service manual for the super Ten.

Dealer could not supply so contacted Yamaha, look at the repy below.

Will look up the Europen directive and load the missile launcher.
I think that it was voltswagan that got fined millions for this type of action.

Hello Mr Leask

Thank you for you enquiry.

Unfortunately Yamaha service manuals are not available for retail sale, but I am sure your local dealer would be happy to answer any questions you may have that are not covered in the owners manual.


Best regards
Duncan.

Parts and Accessories
Parts & Accessories Department
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I'll translate that into plain English for you.

"Go and buy a KTM!"

[davec]

Many years ago a mate of mine became a motorcycle mechanic from leaving school, he was useless but still managed to stick it out for about six months. His stories about mistakes he made put me right off ever taking my bike to a dealer.

[Pussyhorse]

Do it yerself if you can. At least you'll know it's been done.

I used to take my bike to a tech with a great rep on loads of forums. First service I did on it I discovered one set of plugs (the trickier ones to get too) looked like they'd been left in a canal for several years. Electrodes were worn right down too.

[Ashley]

I would say it depends on 3 things the age of the bike how old it is and how many miles your going to put on it, I have a KTM 950 and do must of it myself. To start with you may have to spend money on tools if you haven't got many,but the up side will be if it breaks down in the middle of nowhere you will stand more chance fixing it if you do your own work on it.

[Dark Knight]

Another reason for getting a new bike serviced by the dealer during the warranty period is that they will do any updates to the bike, fuel mapping, etc at the same time.

By the way did manage to get the service manual for the Super Ten, see Yamaha UK issues, would you believe that Yamaha UK did not know that they could suppy it and I had to get them to load it onto their computer system!!