1000 mile service
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,173
Likes: 12,740
From: South Carolina
OP: Get a genuine HD service manual from your dealer.
The money you save on your 1,000 mile service by doing it yourself will more than pay for the manual.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 630
Likes: 345
From: Cary, NC
Last edited by nightsterept; Aug 13, 2020 at 10:37 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,173
Likes: 12,740
From: South Carolina
So let me understand this, you have an issue with someone purchasing a digital pdf version of the genuine HD service manual from a legitimate US retailer? This isnt some photocopied version, it's the pdf digital version that I guarantee dealers use themselves, it's 2020, not everyone wants a 2000+ page phonebook size manual laying around. OK, yeah, umm.....nothing illegal there.
The fact is, Harley Davidson does not sell or authorize the sale of pdf copies of their service manuals.
There are no legitimate US retailers...
Novice
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 15
Likes: 5
From: monterey ca
1k service
My dealer quoted me $1000 for the 1k mile sevice . You will not void the warranty by doing it yourself , its not rocket science. Get a service manual download on ebay for $8, follow directions , theres nothing you will miss and its all very rudimentary. I paid cash for my 2020 flhcs and I will never set foot in one of theses STEALERSHIPS again , former HD wrench
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 55
Likes: 11
From: Louisiana
Just had mine done today for $350. I had that just wasted some money feeling when I paid for it though. I'll do the 5000 mile myself. The dealer is about 50 miles from me so it was a good day for ride at least.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 614
Likes: 231
From: Hendeson, NV
I purchased the 1k and 5k prepaid service package when I bought my bike last year. Saved enough that I was OK with the price. IMHO, the 1k service is the most important one on a bike; this is the service where a good mechanic will find corrections that need to be made. Having the 1k service done by the dealer also reduces any questions about warranty coverage since HD is becoming very strict on warranty claims.
My experience was less than excellent with both services. I found problems with the settings after both services. I have taken the bike back and am now treated as a "problem" "picky" customer. I bought the service manual, and will be doing the routine services myself. Most of them are not rocket science. I will find a good local shop/mechanic to perform services I believe are above my capabilities.
I like my new bike--a lot. But, the buying experience and dealing with HD service are not HD's strong suits. If there new strategy is to sell fewer bikes at premium prices (not sure this is so new), HD needs to get its total experience act together and take the dealers out behind the woodshed. There are some very good people at HD dealerships, the the multi dealer, corporate dealerships are substituting bling for quality customer care.
My experience was less than excellent with both services. I found problems with the settings after both services. I have taken the bike back and am now treated as a "problem" "picky" customer. I bought the service manual, and will be doing the routine services myself. Most of them are not rocket science. I will find a good local shop/mechanic to perform services I believe are above my capabilities.
I like my new bike--a lot. But, the buying experience and dealing with HD service are not HD's strong suits. If there new strategy is to sell fewer bikes at premium prices (not sure this is so new), HD needs to get its total experience act together and take the dealers out behind the woodshed. There are some very good people at HD dealerships, the the multi dealer, corporate dealerships are substituting bling for quality customer care.
Novice
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 17
Likes: 4
From: Atlanta, GA
I had a bike shop do my 1k service. I had brought it in initially to do a chain conversion but the mileage was so close I figured I would have them do the service as well. very happy with the work.
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Advanced
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 55
Likes: 11
From: Louisiana
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 809
Likes: 362
From: NW Indiana
I have found that they want you to leave the bike to get the service done for a good reason, they don't want you to know how little time they actually spend doing it. For the 1K you would assume that they would go over all of the critical fasteners, and do an inspection to make sure that everything is the way it should be when leaving the factory! They don't, they do what they have to do as quickly as they can, including working on several bikes at the same time. I ad a brake line routed outside of its retainer ring, and I figured they would correct it during the service, they didn't. They will spend maybe 50 minutes doing the service, and charge you as if they worked on it for hours!! Do your own routine maintenance, including the 1K service, it's not rocket science!