$350 for a 10k service?

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Sep 20, 2009 | 10:37 PM

#41

Retrop

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 2,034

Likes: 128

Quote:

Originally Posted by LWOS

Here's my take on the entire discussion. No disrespect intended to anyone. But if we dont support your local Harley Dealers, one day, many of them may become extinct like the Auto Dealerships are experiencing. Before you go off on a rant....the dealerships employ many workers who have families and who pay taxes and spend money in their local communities. Do you want a market full of Rice Burners? Look what happened to GM, Chrysler and Ford when people decided to buy FOREIGN IMPORTS. How many of your brothers and sisters are no longer STEEL WORKERS, TEXTILE WORKERS, FACTORY WORKERS or work at the small independent tool and die shops or other small spin off parts suppliers? Sure Harley's are OVERPRICED.... but you still bought one didn't you? So if you are cash strapped, I can fully understand doing it yourself. But if you can afford to have it done by a Dealers who you've built up a rapport with, and trust.....then I'm for supporting them. Now I'll take my soap box and leave.

It is awful hard for me to build up much favorable rapport with a dealer/franchisee who continually bends me over the counter each and every time I go in there. It is not just the chrome, it is the $98.00 hour labor charges and the fact that so many things are not covered by their warranty. As far as looking out for my brothers and sisters, hell, they are all old enough to look out for themselves. I look out for those closest to home first. The Harley dealers have had a bird's nest on the ground for the last 5 years. I know quite a few riders who don't ride as much as they used to because they can't afford the maintenance and upkeep that Harleys demand. By the time they make their monthly payment, there is no money left for $400.00 oil changes and the other Harley taxes. With a tight economy and fewer sales, it is hard for some of these Taj Mahol dealerships to bust their nut every month. All I am really saying is that there is no absolute need to charge as much as they have in the past. Yet I have seen no Harley dealerships rolling back their prices. My local GM dealership just made a bit deal out of charging $55.00 an hour for labor instead of his old rate of $75.00 per hour. I have talked to several Harley franchise owners over the last few months and they are both some of the biggest optimists I have ever talked to. They are in complete denial that the country is in a slump and indicate that things are going to bounce back bigger and better than it has ever been before. We will see where this all goes this winter when sales will be harder to find than a set of gold hen's teeth.

Sep 21, 2009 | 02:55 AM

#42

fastkevin

Tourer

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 272

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From: In your closet

Quote:

Originally Posted by bberck

Going on 13k on my bike and it hasnt seen the dealer since I bought it.

If you have a service manual it lists all the things you should do at what intervals.

10k has more checks than some others but its still easy.

Bingo! If you don't wanna pay for it, get the service manual and do it yourself.
Do yourself a favor and don't blow off anything, however.
Bikes are like airplanes, and not like cars.. When a car has a problem, it will pull over to the side of the road. When bikes and airplanes have problems, they can end up becoming a smoking hole in the ground.

Sep 21, 2009 | 08:45 AM

#43

Fastfwd

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 1,297

Likes: 3

From: Oklahoma City, OK

I got something in the mail from my dealer about maintenance and they listed their 10,000 for $258 I believe. Just FYI. I think they said that was a special though.

Sep 21, 2009 | 01:33 PM

#44

tomtompiperson

Novice

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 19

Likes: 0

Do it yourself! (sorry in advance for the long post)

I drive a Acura and the OL a Lexus. I don't feel the need to support the two dealerships by having them do my work. Their labor rates are too high. When the oil needs changing it goes to an independent. For me the savings is not that much if I do it. When the brakes need new pads, I do it myself cause I can. Some don't have the skill or the time. They need to pay someone to do it, but competition is what makes a strong economy and keeps businesses honest... value for value.

If you don't have the skill to check your belt tension,( it was checked when you got your last rear tire. For me that's about 10K.) PS they looked at your rear pads while they were there.
Same goes for the front pads when changing the front tire. I always ask for the condition of the pads. Have never been refused this on a bike or in a car.
Need some skills ask a friend or go to a HOG meeting and make a few new ones.

I believe we all should take an active part in the maintenance of everything we own. The guy changing your oil is not a rocket scientist, just a guy who knows how. I doubt he is the top mechanic; so why the high price?

For too many years, Harley owners were the Doctors, Lawyers and Industry chiefs that paid well over retail for their bikes and dropped them off at the dealership every time it needed service. They kept the prices up through demand. They were paying for all the big dealership buildings and labor rates because they didn't want to get their hands dirty. HD is now going back to it's roots. The average guy who want to own a Harley not a rice burner.

Track retail prices of new Harleys over the past 5 years and see which bikes are having the increases. Look at the prices of used bikes The MoCo knows what is going on and adjusting prices only on the best selling bikes. Soon the dealerships will catch on, but only if we let them know how we feel.

Vote with your money.