Why so much service on Harleys's ?
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 142
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Why so much service on Harleys's ?
Just purchased a 2002 RoadKing and new to this forum. I began reading all the previous post...lots of post on the service the bikes takes and the high prices the stealers charge. I haven't had bikes for a long time and want to get back into riding. I"ve had old late 60's Sporters, many Triumphs and one Honda. All those bikes were easy to maintain and never saw a dealer once I got them. You just rode them and occassionly changed the oils. Maintenence on those motorcycles was nothing. Never spent more than a few bucks on service.Do the later Haarley models really require all the dealer service that is posted on this forum? Maintaining Harley's now really sound like a big expense...much more than any automobile I've ever owned...starting to wonder if Harley is the way to go. I love Harley's, but with the high price of maintenance.....starting to wonder.I just want to ride, not worry about all that maintenence.
Administrator Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,704
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From: Walker Basin, CA
RE: Why so much service on Harleys's ?
Just like in the old days
, if you do it yourself, it is far less expensive.
Modern automobiles are expensive to maintain if you take it back to the dealer and do all the recommended servieces. I had a Volvo and it was even more expensive to maintain than my Audi.
I do all my own work on my Road King including mounting and balancing tires. The factory service manual is cheaper than 1 hour shop time and pays for itsef in savings the first time you change oil.
If you don't do your own servive, that is the price you pay to ride.
Get the manual and do what you can. It is simple and the manual is easy to follow.
, if you do it yourself, it is far less expensive.Modern automobiles are expensive to maintain if you take it back to the dealer and do all the recommended servieces. I had a Volvo and it was even more expensive to maintain than my Audi.
I do all my own work on my Road King including mounting and balancing tires. The factory service manual is cheaper than 1 hour shop time and pays for itsef in savings the first time you change oil.
If you don't do your own servive, that is the price you pay to ride.
Get the manual and do what you can. It is simple and the manual is easy to follow.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
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RE: Why so much service on Harleys's ?
Harleys are no different from any other bike, change oil, 4 qts and a filter, clean or replace dirty air cleaner element every 3-4k. Every 10 k or so change primary fluid (1qt) and trans fluid (20-24 oz) and check primary chain adj. on 05 and back models(newer have automatic adj.) and clutch adj. just simple things, a service manual on your model shows how to do it all. Only time it runs into more money is when you pay a dealer 70-90 a hour to do it for you.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 513
Likes: 6
From: Reston, Virginia
RE: Why so much service on Harleys's ?
Servicing yourself is easy if you have the manual, the tools, and somewhere to work on it. The Fix your Hog DVD is great to show you all that as well.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: toontown
RE: Why so much service on Harleys's ?
Don't forget the independent shops, Quality service at realistc prices.
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Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2005
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RE: Why so much service on Harleys's ?
Yup, no more service than any other bike. If you had brought all your other bikes to the dealer for recommended services it would cost you a bundle also. Do it yourself and save.
RE: Why so much service on Harleys's ?
I usually use an independant Harley certified shop but I'm getting this DVD and starting to do my own work. I got the tools and skills.Now I just need to find the time.
http://www.fixmyhog.com/
http://www.fixmyhog.com/