It's Getting Ridiculous
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 305
Likes: 10
From: Charlotte, NC
Damn. Some of y'all are being a bit of an asshat to the guy if you ask me. And, even if you don't ask, same opinion.
Not everyone can, or wants to work on their own bike, and some don't have the time or ability to do so.
The OP is right, the labor on that was steep. No where did I seem him say it wasn't affordable, for all I know he's rolling in money. But I do know it's not anyone's place to judge when all he seemed to be doing to me, is venting on the over the moon labor rates these days.
Off my soap box now, rant over.
Not everyone can, or wants to work on their own bike, and some don't have the time or ability to do so.
The OP is right, the labor on that was steep. No where did I seem him say it wasn't affordable, for all I know he's rolling in money. But I do know it's not anyone's place to judge when all he seemed to be doing to me, is venting on the over the moon labor rates these days.
Off my soap box now, rant over.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,619
Likes: 57
From: New York
I think it's fine for anyone to not work on their own stuff. I don't do all my own stuff all the time depending on how busy I am. I just don't complain about the cost when I know what shop rate is. I look at any breakdown or failure as an opportunity to upgrade.
Being 68 is a good reason to have it towed but not to know the rear tire is almost gone.
Being 68 is a good reason to have it towed but not to know the rear tire is almost gone.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
To the OP
When is the last time you took your car or truck to the dealer for repair or maintenance? I'm betting you're like most everybody else and you avoid the car dealership service department because you know the labor rates are high and the up sell of services. It's no different for motorcycles. You're either gonna have to get handy with fixing things and maintenance or you're gonna have to find someone else who will do the work (that you trust) for less than the dealer. Even then, you're still beholding to someone else. If they decide the price goes up or they go out of business you're back where you started. It's the old "feed em a fish or teach em to fish" thing.
If you're gonna ride the rest of your life I'd recommend getting handy with some tools. The benefits are you're not dependent upon anyone and you know the work was done correctly. If none of those things sound like a good option for you I'd look at economizing in another area of the budget to accommodate the expensive maintenance and repairs or get out all together. It's not just Harley, it's anything with wheels. There is no brand that doesn't have maintenance costs and the occasional repair issue.
You think you got it bad? Have a look at what a valve shim change is on Japanese bikes. On some models it can get quite steep because of the labor involved.
When is the last time you took your car or truck to the dealer for repair or maintenance? I'm betting you're like most everybody else and you avoid the car dealership service department because you know the labor rates are high and the up sell of services. It's no different for motorcycles. You're either gonna have to get handy with fixing things and maintenance or you're gonna have to find someone else who will do the work (that you trust) for less than the dealer. Even then, you're still beholding to someone else. If they decide the price goes up or they go out of business you're back where you started. It's the old "feed em a fish or teach em to fish" thing.
If you're gonna ride the rest of your life I'd recommend getting handy with some tools. The benefits are you're not dependent upon anyone and you know the work was done correctly. If none of those things sound like a good option for you I'd look at economizing in another area of the budget to accommodate the expensive maintenance and repairs or get out all together. It's not just Harley, it's anything with wheels. There is no brand that doesn't have maintenance costs and the occasional repair issue.
You think you got it bad? Have a look at what a valve shim change is on Japanese bikes. On some models it can get quite steep because of the labor involved.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 305
Likes: 10
From: Charlotte, NC
I think it's fine for anyone to not work on their own stuff. I don't do all my own stuff all the time depending on how busy I am. I just don't complain about the cost when I know what shop rate is. I look at any breakdown or failure as an opportunity to upgrade.
Being 68 is a good reason to have it towed but not to know the rear tire is almost gone.
Being 68 is a good reason to have it towed but not to know the rear tire is almost gone.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 14
From: Michigan
Yean Yea
Hey I have sold both Boats and Motorcycles...
I was way more happier when I sold the Boat !
Your future trip is worth the money you spent...Having troubles on road is a real kick in a-ss.
Hap
I was way more happier when I sold the Boat !
Your future trip is worth the money you spent...Having troubles on road is a real kick in a-ss.
Hap
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: Delaware
bought a tire machine last year, split the cost with a buddy, $1500.
after 40 years of doing my own tires with tire irons, it seems well worth it. The new super wide rears are just too much a pain (literaly) to mount by hand.
after 40 years of doing my own tires with tire irons, it seems well worth it. The new super wide rears are just too much a pain (literaly) to mount by hand.
Nothing wrong with having work done.......but the last place I would have it done is the dealership......have dealt with dealers from Arizona to Michigan and have found a grand total of one that I would deal with again.
Do some looking around, find a good indy, have some work done, don't use mine a lot, but enough that now if I am doing the work and get stuck I can give him a call.
Do some looking around, find a good indy, have some work done, don't use mine a lot, but enough that now if I am doing the work and get stuck I can give him a call.