Twinkie riding chrome ****** make up for what we don't spend at dealerships.

 

Learning to maintain your bike is one thing, doing a rebuild or anything major is another. I am one of those "mechanically retarded" riders you mentioned, and have no problem admitting that.

If I could turn wrenches on my bike I would; however, I wont do anything that I am not capable of doing at the risk of screwing it up then having to find someone to fix it. I don't think that makes me, or anyone else who can't do their own work, any less of a rider than anyone else.

With that being said, I envy those who can rebuild motors and do all their own work and to have the tools and means to do so.

 

You shouldn't blame the parts guy.
He is just doing what he is told by the higher ups.

I blame the accountants at the head office myself.

 

FWIW EVO's aren't hard to work on.
Actually they are really easy to work on.
They just look intimidating if you haven't done it before.

 

Texashillcountry,

Thanks for the comments, and yeah they are a bit intimidating when I have never touched a motor before, other than servicing and basic stuff. I might look around for an old beat up evo engine to mess around with. That way, I can learn something and if I mess it up then it wont matter.

 

FWIW every time I have done something for the first time I always think "Damn that was easier than I thought!!!"

There is nothing wrong with having a good indy do the work though.

 

I have most always done my own work, being an auto mechanic by trade.
There have been times recently that I have been to damn tired or working late. I have turned a tire replacement and a carb rebuild over to a trusted indy here.

Taking care of and knowing how to ck basic things is a responsibility of the owner. Be it a cage ,bike or whatever. All of our 4 kids (2 girls) can change oil,ck tires and do basic repairs to their cars or bikes.
Each vehicle we own has a service manual and they use it if they don't know. Kinda a long learning process but we all had to start somewhere.

WP

 

Damn. That's the way I was taught, and my son. You must be prepared to help yourself.

 

I agree 100% with being self sufficient, no argument there at all. What Texashillcountry said is also pertinent, it's a matter of not being intimidated and take the learning curve. I do all the work on my own "cars" as I know them and understand them, the bike will fall into that as well, at some point.

I was brought up to be self sufficient and that is what I taught (or tried to teach) my two step sons as well, if you own a car know how to do the basics at least.

 

When you end up having to walk through some ankle deep water with those zip up boots on let me know how dry your feet stay.