Today I did my 1000 mile service on my new 2013 Street Glide, pretty simple as I've always done my own service for the 30 years I've been riding. Oh and I did changed all fluids to synthetic. Gear, tranny and engine oils all changed, checked the pipes and air cleaner (upgraded already) for secure mounting, basically checked all bolts for anything loose, etc. not much that I can see needs to be done short of the fluid change.

That said my question is what the h*ll does the dealership do for the 1000 mile service that cost north of $400 that I couldn't do myself, am I missing something critical or is this just a typical dealership bill for those not able to or don't want to do their own service?

It amazes me that I can go to Pep Boys, Walmart, etc. for a $40 oil change on my Avalanche but HD dealership charges $400 so what do they do to justify this and why would or does anyone actually pay for this "service" or better named "hiway robbery" to a stealership?

Just want to make sure on a new Harley I'm not missing something critical that needs to be done. Thanks for your feedback.

 

The 1,000 mile service is supposed to be a 24 point inspection. I posted it in one of the many 1,000 miler service threads. I'll go find it and post a link.

 

I've never carried a bike back to dealer unless it was broke and under warranty. Just finished my 1000 mile service on my 2013 SERG. Dealers are all about the money.

 

Here's the link to the list:

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/11194430-post87.html

 

Thanks much stevemkentucky. I did check pretty much all of the 23 items you pointed out but after changing the fluids and checking everything, as much as I've done over the last 30 years its never been to a new bike, I've always owned used bikes. Now that I can afford a new SG I see that I should just drop in on my HD dealer and have stuff checked for the 1st 1000 miles. At least for peace of mind.

I do have the extended warranty and tire/wheel warranty so I would not want to void or test the dealership limits on at least the 1000 mile service. I'll take it to them next week to inspect everything to ensure all is well and I'm still in warranty.

It should be at least a couple hundred cheaper as I already did the fluid change so I don't mind paying up knowing a "factory trained service tech" is doing it properly.

Again, thanks to all for the feedback.

 

Just had my 2013 Electra Glide Classic in for it's first service not long ago. Since this was my first Harley as well as the first bike in over 20 years I wanted the dealer to check it over once it was broke-in and before I started maintaining it. I expected a large bill but was not impressed when I was handed a $530 bill for a brand new bike that was less than 1 month old. Parts were $110 with labour hitting $420, Canadian prices. The dealer I bought it from did have the best price for the bike being $1000 less than the others but as with the other 3 I was dealing with not one would negotiate any lower or throw anything else in on the deal. I would have been a much happier customer had they charged me $500 more for the bike and threw in the first service, especially on a $30,000 bike.

I did get a shop manual with the bike and plan on doing my own servicing now that I am getting more familiar with the Electra Glide. Thanks for the inspection list SteveMKentucky, it's probably in the shop manual but I'll print a copy for quick reference.

 

Harley is just like any other Dealer. Take an F150 for it's 5000 check-up and Ford will bill $400, Chevrolet is the same.

I always say, the dealers don't have those big shiny buildings by doing stuff cheap.

The one thing that I have noticed about our dealers. Harley dealerships consist of 2/3 retail stuff, like shirts and such.

 

I am taking my 2013 RK in for it's 1k service tomorrow. I got them to throw it in with the deal when I bought it. Dealer charges $380.00 for the 1K

But, I look at it this way. Dealership shop rate is $100.00 per hour. Time to do 1K service on a RK is 2.5 hours. That's $250.00. Take the labor price out and that leaves you with $130.00 for all three fluids, and o-rings.

So, is it really that bad of a deal? Probably not as bad as some think.

Can I do this work myself. Absolutely, with the only reason for me to take it in this time, is the dealer through it with the deal. Will I take it in for the oil changes and other service intervals. Nope.

Dealerships, along with any other service related business, like a auto repair shop have a labor rate they charge. Most times, your bill will be mostly labor and not the part.

Kev