Dealership vs independent shop for Maintenance?
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 69
Likes: 3
From: California
Dealership vs independent shop for Maintenance?
Hi, I live in Costa Mesa (Orange County, SoCal) and tries to get back to the harley after decades.
I just visited a closest dealer for Street Bob, and a sales manager still tries to do MSRP+ heck. (Cant believe Harleys still doing it. Or everythings just getting more expensive around here.)
Anyway, I plan to visit all dealers around me to get a better deal. My question is, for regular maintenance services, hows your recent experience independent shops? (vs dealership) There are couple shops around me like cycledoctor.
I heard many things are changes(?) recently how Harley corp treats non-dealership network.
I expect my options are going be either
1) Buying a harley from a dealer far from me, then bring it to the closest dealer for maintenance service
2) Buying a harley from a dealer far from me, then bring it to the independent shop around me
Id like to ask your advice on this.
is there any extra benefit having the same dealer service the bike? (Time, Cost save?)
Thank you.
I just visited a closest dealer for Street Bob, and a sales manager still tries to do MSRP+ heck. (Cant believe Harleys still doing it. Or everythings just getting more expensive around here.)
Anyway, I plan to visit all dealers around me to get a better deal. My question is, for regular maintenance services, hows your recent experience independent shops? (vs dealership) There are couple shops around me like cycledoctor.
I heard many things are changes(?) recently how Harley corp treats non-dealership network.
I expect my options are going be either
1) Buying a harley from a dealer far from me, then bring it to the closest dealer for maintenance service
2) Buying a harley from a dealer far from me, then bring it to the independent shop around me
Id like to ask your advice on this.
is there any extra benefit having the same dealer service the bike? (Time, Cost save?)
Thank you.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 35,773
Likes: 38,459
From: Post Falls, ID
No need to visit a dealer, email them for the best price. Some wont reply, some are hungry for sales.
I reckon HD dealer showrooms are empty during the virus lockdown, this is a buyers market to look for a bike.
The best deals are in used bikes.
Dealers do not care where you bought the bike, parts and service is where the dealer profit center is.
Find an indy or do the service yourself to save big.
I reckon HD dealer showrooms are empty during the virus lockdown, this is a buyers market to look for a bike.
The best deals are in used bikes.
Dealers do not care where you bought the bike, parts and service is where the dealer profit center is.
Find an indy or do the service yourself to save big.
Last edited by upflying; Apr 3, 2020 at 10:11 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
I recommend the following to all new comers. This is based on whether you do your own maintenance, or have it done. I suggest that if you are mechanically inclined you get the service manual and do it yourself. If you keep good records and follow the maintenance schedule during warranty (regardless of who does the work), you should not have any problems with dealer warranty work.
Welcome from Spartan Country, Michigan!
I tell a lot of new comers to the forum to get: Factory Service manual and the Parts manual. Get a three ring binder and record all your maintenance, repairs, accessories, etc. This will be a great reminder of what was done when. And great material to pass along to the new owner should you sell and upgrade. Also know how large your fuel tank is, and record your fuel usage. I have an app called Simply Auto that I record all my fuel used. I use the odometer and use the fuel gage as reference only. I reset the odometer to zero on fill ups, and I know I can safely get 200 miles on a tank on around town riding.
Good Luck!!
Welcome from Spartan Country, Michigan!
I tell a lot of new comers to the forum to get: Factory Service manual and the Parts manual. Get a three ring binder and record all your maintenance, repairs, accessories, etc. This will be a great reminder of what was done when. And great material to pass along to the new owner should you sell and upgrade. Also know how large your fuel tank is, and record your fuel usage. I have an app called Simply Auto that I record all my fuel used. I use the odometer and use the fuel gage as reference only. I reset the odometer to zero on fill ups, and I know I can safely get 200 miles on a tank on around town riding.
Good Luck!!
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 69
Likes: 3
From: California
No need to visit a dealer, email them for the best price. Some wont reply, some are hungry for sales.
I reckon HD dealer showrooms are empty during the virus lockdown, this is a buyers market to look for a bike.
The best deals are in used bikes.
Dealers do not care where you bought the bike, parts and service is where the dealer profit center is.
Find an indy or do the service yourself to save big.
I reckon HD dealer showrooms are empty during the virus lockdown, this is a buyers market to look for a bike.
The best deals are in used bikes.
Dealers do not care where you bought the bike, parts and service is where the dealer profit center is.
Find an indy or do the service yourself to save big.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 69
Likes: 3
From: California
Ill look for more used bikes. The problem (at least in my area) is, it seems the online update has not been properly managed. I think itd be better sensing an e-mail to check.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 69
Likes: 3
From: California
I recommend the following to all new comers. This is based on whether you do your own maintenance, or have it done. I suggest that if you are mechanically inclined you get the service manual and do it yourself. If you keep good records and follow the maintenance schedule during warranty (regardless of who does the work), you should not have any problems with dealer warranty work.
Welcome from Spartan Country, Michigan!
I tell a lot of new comers to the forum to get: Factory Service manual and the Parts manual. Get a three ring binder and record all your maintenance, repairs, accessories, etc. This will be a great reminder of what was done when. And great material to pass along to the new owner should you sell and upgrade. Also know how large your fuel tank is, and record your fuel usage. I have an app called Simply Auto that I record all my fuel used. I use the odometer and use the fuel gage as reference only. I reset the odometer to zero on fill ups, and I know I can safely get 200 miles on a tank on around town riding.
Good Luck!!
Welcome from Spartan Country, Michigan!
I tell a lot of new comers to the forum to get: Factory Service manual and the Parts manual. Get a three ring binder and record all your maintenance, repairs, accessories, etc. This will be a great reminder of what was done when. And great material to pass along to the new owner should you sell and upgrade. Also know how large your fuel tank is, and record your fuel usage. I have an app called Simply Auto that I record all my fuel used. I use the odometer and use the fuel gage as reference only. I reset the odometer to zero on fill ups, and I know I can safely get 200 miles on a tank on around town riding.
Good Luck!!
Now I have only one, and become so busy with other works, I solely want to focus on riding. Still having a manual is always the best idea. Thank you.
Trending Topics
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 149
From: High in the Colorado Rockies
Independents can be hit or miss. Do some checking and research before entrusting your bike with an independent. PS) I have used Lifestyle Cycles in your neck of the woods and they do an excellent job on service (and they sale lots of Harleys). 👍
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 69
Likes: 3
From: California
I heard about a few good words about this shop. Thank you for the information. Ill check them out.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,124
Likes: 6,611
From: Stafford VA
Do yourself a favor and keep your money in your pocket and do the maintenance yourself, all the people on this forum will get you out of a pickle if need be, ask all the questions you want and YT is your friend. good luck in your search. welcome.
rk classic.
rk classic.