Doing your own servicing

[Simon Davey]

3 hours ago, Davidtav said:

I have this conundrum at the moment. So I bought the VStrom 650 new last November when living in Yorkshire. It went to the dealer for 600 mile service. Planning to take it to the dealer for services up to 3 years old. And I believe the bike has a 3 year warranty if serviced by Suzuki. So the stamp in the book is worth having … but now I’m living in Scotland. My nearest Suzuki dealer is over 100 miles away. And a lot of that is highland roads. I’m wondering if I really fancy doing this in November?  I’ve done 6500 miles on the bike. Everything seems perfect. Planning to keep the bike a few years. I am tempted to just service it myself and keep all the receipts. I’m confident I would do everything competently. I haven’t decided what to do yet. 

 

What about using a local mechanic, as long as they use OEM parts and you get a stamp in the book, your warranty should be good. (?)

[Gerontious]

It’s governed by law. Stamps in the service book are unnecessary.

 

its essential that you keep receipts. It’s also essential that you keep your ears open for any recalls and have the work done by the dealer so the fact they have been done goes on its history.

 

aside from that the rules are quite straightforward.

 A warranty claim can be refused if you do any if these.

• Not following the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended servicing schedule/intervals;
• Fitting non-genuine/standard manufacturer-approved parts during repairs;
• Ignoring any warning lights which have illuminated on the dashboard or any noticeable mechanical and/or electrical faults, and continuing to use the vehicle;
• Modifying the vehicle outside of the manufacturer’s standard specification;
• Using the incorrect fuel or fluids, such as oil, coolant and brake fluid and
• Failing to follow the warranty provider’s claim procedure

[bonio]

If your situation were to change and you decided to sell, having the stamps would likely make it easier.

 

But perhaps it doesn't make any difference where you are now... I know that out here it's too remote for most people to be bothered to come this far. The secondhand market is very local.

[Shepherd]

18 hours ago, Kush said:

Hi there I’m kush I wish I could device my own bike I have Kim exc 300 2006 could anybody possibly help me with a check over maybe a rebuild if any ones local to Colchester please drop me a message I’ll obviously pay for work ?

 

I wish I was confident enough to help. I try to do my own, but wouldn't feel right doing someone else's. YouTube is the best tool I use.

Failing that ...

https://www.hythehillmotorcycles.co.uk/mot-service

 

Great guys, not over expensive and very fair, give them a call and have a chat.

 

But, give it a try yourself first, you'll get to know your bike better.

[Hairsy]

1 hour ago, Gerontious said:

It’s governed by law. Stamps in the service book are unnecessary.

 

Sadly not - it's a commonly held belief but it's not actually the case. This belief is based on EU legislation and doesn't apply to 2 wheeled vehicles. 

 

HOWEVER, just because the law doesn't force manufacturers, that doesn't mean they won't be sensible.

 

There's more info here :

 

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/advice/bike-maintenance/motorcycle-main-dealer-servicing-warranty

 

Personally, I always do my own servicing. I create a detailed record of work completed in the format of a detailed 'invoice' and I keep it with all the receipts. I also take pictures while the work is being undertaken that I can show to a potential buyer. Without fail, buyers have told me that these records give them more comfort than a stamped service book but I've never had a new enough bike to test it in terms of a warranty.

Edited October 13, 2024 by Hairsy

[Davidtav]

2 hours ago, Simon Davey said:

 

What about using a local mechanic, as long as they use OEM parts and you get a stamp in the book, your warranty should be good. (?)

I’m honestly not sure if that is actually correct. I know it is true for cars but I’m not certain about bikes. The warranty terms in the booklet imply that the servicing needs to be carried out by a Suzuki dealership.

[RideWithStyles]

Triumph are particularly stickler for the “we must be the only ones to have serviced” / touched this bike or you warranty is void bs….an arguably another nail in the new bike sales. 

[rob m]

19 hours ago, Hairsy said:

 

Sadly not - it's a commonly held belief but it's not actually the case. This belief is based on EU legislation and doesn't apply to 2 wheeled vehicles. 

 

HOWEVER, just because the law doesn't force manufacturers, that doesn't mean they won't be sensible.

 

There's more info here :

 

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/advice/bike-maintenance/motorcycle-main-dealer-servicing-warranty

 

Personally, I always do my own servicing. I create a detailed record of work completed in the format of a detailed 'invoice' and I keep it with all the receipts. I also take pictures while the work is being undertaken that I can show to a potential buyer. Without fail, buyers have told me that these records give them more comfort than a stamped service book but I've never had a new enough bike to test it in terms of a warranty.

 

Spot on with the pictures, I do that too. I do all of my servicing as much as I can, I now have a lock up so I can have a ramp in there which helps a lot. I keep receipts for everything. Stamps are in the service book but I can show I have actually done the work through pics and receipts. I don't trust service histories 100%.

 

I've been servicing and working on my bikes for 30+ years. One of the main reasons I do it myself is because I have a massive distrust (almost paranoia) about dealers not doing the work they have charged you for. This goes back many years (early 2000s) when I paid for a service on a bike, got the bike back, and after checking, realising that they had done nothing. Since then I have done it myself as much as I can. Even going to these lengths outside my house 10 years ago, to the delight of my ex-wife and neighbours:

 

 

Fast forward to my current bike, a BMW K1300S. I bought it in June 2023 with a full service history including claiming that the valve clearances were done 10k miles ago. When I did a full check over earlier this year, it was obvious that they hadn't been done after examining the cam cover which looked like it had never been removed and the original gasket was still in place. The stamp in the owners manual was from a certified BMW Motorrad dealer that alleged that the valves had been checked in 2019. It was bollocks. FYI after I checked, they were all within spec. Also, the final drive was not filled to the 180ml level and the plugs were originals. I was little annoyed but not really surprised. Being honest, I love sorting these issues out but I shouldn't really have to. I have an OBD link cable and use Motoscan on my android tablet to cover the service resets and other bits and bobs. Other tools are pretty standard stuff. I love Bahco tools, my Halford Professional socket sets have been punted on now, although I still have a Halfords Torque wrench, I can't find better for the price. 

 

Unless I can stand there and observe them doing the work I will never trust another mechanic to do work on my bikes. However, there is one and I trust him to whatsapp me pictures and videos of the work but I will only use him when I can't do the work myself.

 

 

[S-Westerly]

All kudos to those keen on spannering. I hate it and avoid as much as possible. My son in law is an addict and once my bike is out of warranty I'll let him do some stuff. The odd bottle of Scotch is cheaper than a mechanic although I'm lucky in that I have 3 decent ones in my neck of the woods.

[AstronautNinja]

1 hour ago, S-Westerly said:

All kudos to those keen on spannering. I hate it and avoid as much as possible. My son in law is an addict and once my bike is out of warranty I'll let him do some stuff. The odd bottle of Scotch is cheaper than a mechanic although I'm lucky in that I have 3 decent ones in my neck of the woods.

Son in laws or mechanics? 

[Nick the wanderer]

7 hours ago, AstronautNinja said:

Son in laws or mechanics? 

Ha haar.. or bottles of scotch?

[Egon247]

Servicing? gotta get the damn thing running first.

Always have done, as a spotty apprentice with my DT50mx it was probably apart more than it was actually together! 

But the RD250LC used to grenade enough to not actually need an oil change as it all came out when it was being rebuilt.  

[S-Westerly]

13 hours ago, AstronautNinja said:

Son in laws or mechanics? 

Mechanics. Only have one son in law, only one daughter.

[husoi]

I'll do all servicing every time.

Even worse since last MOT in a bike garage they tried to stitch me up with absurd unnecessary repairs.

Thank you, but no thank you.

I'll do it my self 

[Saul]

I do most of my own servicing, although I did have my Hornets first yearly service done at the dealer.   I know you can do it yourself with genuine parts and keep the warranty up but for me it was just easier to let them do the first one plus that stamp in the book will help if I want to trade it in.