5K service at home or dealer?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 22,999
Likes: 11,439
Do it your self. Save a lot of cash. ,Do it when you want to not when they can get you in. You will learn more about your bike.
Good chance to look it over.
It is not Hard to do.
Warranty does not have a dam thing to do with services.
Good chance to look it over.
It is not Hard to do.
Warranty does not have a dam thing to do with services.
Last edited by smitty901; Aug 12, 2023 at 10:54 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 2,261
From: Ft. Wayne IN
I rode bikes when I was a kid and a young man. Took 39 years off due to family, career, etc. Decided to get back into it at age 65 when I retired and bought am XL1200T Sportster. Took it into a dealer to do the 1000 mile service. The technician did not replace chain inspection gasket on the primary and it leaked a lot of oil out. They came and picked up the bike from 25 miles away and made it right, but I never trusted another shop to do the routine services again, except for the 2-year brake fluid replacement. Over 45k miles on bikes since.
Advice: get a shop manual and some tools and do it yourself. There are also many YouTube videos out there to help you out. You will really get to know your ride(s) and you will build your confidence.
Advice: get a shop manual and some tools and do it yourself. There are also many YouTube videos out there to help you out. You will really get to know your ride(s) and you will build your confidence.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,186
Likes: 2,412
From: USA
I do my own work, and everything I have is long out of warranty.
But youve a new bike, and you dont want to screw up the warranty. Thats a bit of a quandary. Manufacturers and dealerships can be quick to deny a warranty because you didnt properly adhere to the maintenance schedule.
If I did it myself, Id have a bound written journal where I record all vehicle work in, and Id document each step and the findings. As in what was belt play? Write it down. Etc.
If I were jacked for time, or didnt want to do it, I would most likely go to a dealership for this, not an independent shop. If only for the official approval of proper compliance.
But youve a new bike, and you dont want to screw up the warranty. Thats a bit of a quandary. Manufacturers and dealerships can be quick to deny a warranty because you didnt properly adhere to the maintenance schedule.
If I did it myself, Id have a bound written journal where I record all vehicle work in, and Id document each step and the findings. As in what was belt play? Write it down. Etc.
If I were jacked for time, or didnt want to do it, I would most likely go to a dealership for this, not an independent shop. If only for the official approval of proper compliance.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,871
From: Upstate New York
I've always done my own service work with the exception of tire changes. Tire changes are no fun at all and I'm glad to pay someone else not to have to do it myself. I did let the dealer do the 1,000 mile service because, the price was built into the purchase price, but I've done every one since. If I do it myself, I know for certain what gets done and how well.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 617
Likes: 196
From: Munchkinland
That's the most annoying part for me. The last time I took my bike to the dealer, they had it for 3 weeks and it cost almost $800. The solution ended up being something I could've done myself. I missed out on a bunch of good riding days.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 992
Likes: 130
From: Maple City, Michigan
If you have a great dealership with great reviews have them do your work if you are willing to go that route.
I had a terrible experience with a major warranty issue at 6300 miles, both the dealership and the Motor Company handled it very poorly. I totally lost my confidence with both entities. I will never go through that BS again. 20 years as a loyal HD enthusiast.....never again.
I had a terrible experience with a major warranty issue at 6300 miles, both the dealership and the Motor Company handled it very poorly. I totally lost my confidence with both entities. I will never go through that BS again. 20 years as a loyal HD enthusiast.....never again.
Tourer
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 294
Likes: 169
From: California
Its pretty simple. Buy a service manual, or find a digital copy online. Then head to YouTube so you can get a visual demonstration. The channel Rons Workshop is really good at this, and he references the service manual with torque specs and everything
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 315
Likes: 178
From: Socal
This was my first service experience at HD and will definitely be my last. The worst part was the girl cleaning the bikes scratched the **** out of my **** and got water in my saddlebags. Thanks for nothing!
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