It's Getting Ridiculous
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,173
Likes: 12,740
From: South Carolina
That`s the way it works, you post a rant, you will get replies.
If you don`t like being on the forum, don`t be.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 10
From: Jacksonville
Lighten up, Francis.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 1
From: NH, US
So 540-160 means you got the battery + tire for $380. And the $160 was probably 1.5 or 2 hours labor cost, so really they're what $80-110 an hour for labor? That's all pretty reasonable for a brand name dealership.
For reference, a single tire for a sporty car is $380. For the tire. No mounting, balancing, labour...nothing. Just a rubber donut. You can always get less expensive, non-oem equipment and bring your bike to an independent garage. They'll find you inexpensive parts and they'll charge you probably up to $80/hr for the work. But in my mind, if I'm spending $25k on a bike I'm not even going to blink when I spend $400 on service. It's less than 2% of the vehicle's cost.
If they say they checked your charging system and your new battery dies, then they'll usually warranty the work so you'll get another new battery and whatever work is needed to make it right. Because you can talk to the service manager and say "Look, you said charging system was fine and here we are. Now you need to fix it and make it worth my time." Most shops take pride in their work, and the SM's don't need customers coming back pissed off. I've only ever had one dealership try to screw me this way, and all it took was one forum post mentioning them by name to get it taken care of.
For reference, a single tire for a sporty car is $380. For the tire. No mounting, balancing, labour...nothing. Just a rubber donut. You can always get less expensive, non-oem equipment and bring your bike to an independent garage. They'll find you inexpensive parts and they'll charge you probably up to $80/hr for the work. But in my mind, if I'm spending $25k on a bike I'm not even going to blink when I spend $400 on service. It's less than 2% of the vehicle's cost.
If they say they checked your charging system and your new battery dies, then they'll usually warranty the work so you'll get another new battery and whatever work is needed to make it right. Because you can talk to the service manager and say "Look, you said charging system was fine and here we are. Now you need to fix it and make it worth my time." Most shops take pride in their work, and the SM's don't need customers coming back pissed off. I've only ever had one dealership try to screw me this way, and all it took was one forum post mentioning them by name to get it taken care of.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
You are 100% right, but it gets old with all the internet tuff guys, hiding behind a key board. Busting ***** is one thing! If you know the guy. When someone instantly kicks someone and many jump on the band wagon with the same repeated stupid comments, it turns a good place into a high school dance. One would think that this group would be full of mature grown men, not a bunch of drama queens, who should be watching one of those reality shows my wife watches. The reality of the situation, is that 99% of the folks that are here for the drama or get off on bashing / flaming others on a regular basis would never be as mouthy if the other man was in the same physical room.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 502
From: Northern WV
Until that happens the best, fairly easy option is what many do... buy your tires for substantial savings on line at Jake Wilson, etc, remove and reinstall the wheels yourself, then pay someone to mount and balance the tires.
Last edited by Ridewva; Mar 31, 2015 at 07:29 PM.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 305
Likes: 10
From: Charlotte, NC
BTW, I also had the SE compensator installed and it solved the hammer banging at start up. The IDS was also a great upgrade. The 2007 was the first year of the 110 engine. Since then the SE compensator is standard as well as the IDS.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 1
From: NH, US
That would be nice, no doubt about it. But I'm one of those people that feels like with half the tires, they better be double the quality. lol
I'm actually worried about taking off the rear wheel and re-aligning it properly. I'm sure I could, just never done it before. So instead, I pay the man to do it all for me like a b*tch...and they charge me a premium for it.
Since some people think there's a bunch of people bashing on the original post, I'm certainly not. Bikes are toys for most of us, and for better or worse because of that dealers and service people can charge a fortune for their work. I do my own basic service, but I don't do my tires. And they're pricey. But when you break down the cost of service hours a harley stealership is like a ford stealership is like a honda stealership. Most of them charge more than indie shops, they use the over priced OEM parts, and they take your hard earned money by the fist full. I use an indie shop for my cars and I can't rave about the service I get from them enough. I use a dealer for my bike service, and they make me happy too. Go where you feel like you're getting your money's worth and never comparison shop online once you've paid.
Since some people think there's a bunch of people bashing on the original post, I'm certainly not. Bikes are toys for most of us, and for better or worse because of that dealers and service people can charge a fortune for their work. I do my own basic service, but I don't do my tires. And they're pricey. But when you break down the cost of service hours a harley stealership is like a ford stealership is like a honda stealership. Most of them charge more than indie shops, they use the over priced OEM parts, and they take your hard earned money by the fist full. I use an indie shop for my cars and I can't rave about the service I get from them enough. I use a dealer for my bike service, and they make me happy too. Go where you feel like you're getting your money's worth and never comparison shop online once you've paid.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 117
From: Ashby, Ma
The Bagger Brace was one of the best after market upgrades I have done to the bike. And, I installed it myself. I could feel the difference the first time I rode it. There are lots of these stabilizers out there, but for the price and the quality of the product, I opted for the Bagger Brace. No regrets and no vibration.
BTW, I also had the SE compensator installed and it solved the hammer banging at start up. The IDS was also a great upgrade. The 2007 was the first year of the 110 engine. Since then the SE compensator is standard as well as the IDS.
BTW, I also had the SE compensator installed and it solved the hammer banging at start up. The IDS was also a great upgrade. The 2007 was the first year of the 110 engine. Since then the SE compensator is standard as well as the IDS.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,156
Likes: 56
From: Milwaukee
Since I bought my bike it hasn't and wont ever go to the dealer. My indy is the only guy that will work on my bike. He know his chit about bikes, Down to earth guy with realistic working man prices. Their out there. Just ask around. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 27
From: Toms River, NJ
Well I will check in with my 2 cents. Labor costs are what they are, no getting around them. Look for sales/ specials and winter rates. When possible plan ahead. Just because you have a few tools and a manual doesn't make you a service tech. I have been working on bikes for the past 25 years, went to night school at a local college for 2 years to learn. I enjoy working on my own and friends rides. I don't change anyone, I do it as a hobby. I can't tell you how many screw ups I had to repair from people trying to do their own work. I also have seem many bad jobs coming out of the service departments of dealerships. I don't mount my own tires. Last year the dealership had a special on tires with free mounting. I didn't want them to touch my bike so I pulled the tires and rolled them in. When I picked them up, the rear was mounted backwards..... If they mounted the tire wrong, how can I trust them to adjust the belt or axle bolts correctly ???
I feel the OP just had sticker shock from the price but it does seem in line with current dealership prices. At 68, my hats off to him for still riding and planning riding trips. I pray I can still ride at his age.
Be Safe JIM
I feel the OP just had sticker shock from the price but it does seem in line with current dealership prices. At 68, my hats off to him for still riding and planning riding trips. I pray I can still ride at his age.
Be Safe JIM