Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Do you do your own servicing?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 2, 2015 | 03:55 AM
  #1  
traildog's Avatar
traildog
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,238
Likes: 799
From: Indiana
Default Do you do your own servicing?

I bought rhe bike in my sig pic a few days ago, and so far, I'm loving it!

I always serviced every bike I've owned myself, but I've never purchased a brand new one.

I know I CAN service this one, but, I'm not sure I SHOULD (in case of a warranty issue).

I bought the factory service manual, and, I'm good to.go, just a bit nervous I guess.

Have you done all of the servicing on your NEW bike?
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2015 | 04:00 AM
  #2  
Sam2010's Avatar
Sam2010
Outstanding HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 217
From: Puyallup Wa.
Default

Yes I'm on my 4th new one in 19 years. Serviced all of them myself. Just do it!
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2015 | 04:53 AM
  #3  
mndelrosario's Avatar
mndelrosario
Tourer
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 496
Likes: 33
From: MA
Default

It was my understanding that they check a bunch of other things and re tighten down key bolts, replace o rings, etc etc. Everyone I've asked who works on their own bikes recommended going to the dealer for the first service (this is the most important) and then they service it themselves after that. Honestly it is expensive, but isn't it worth the extra money to protect your investment?
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2015 | 05:45 AM
  #4  
GroovusMagnus's Avatar
GroovusMagnus
Road Captain
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 682
Likes: 197
From: Raleigh, NC
Default Do you do your own servicing?

It's a motorcycle, not a retirement account. If you're looking at your motorcycle as an investment, you should get used to disappointment.

GM
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2015 | 05:47 AM
  #5  
billbuzz's Avatar
billbuzz
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 307
Likes: 3
Default

I've had 5 Harleys over the years and have serviced them myself but none of them were new. When I bought my new street glide I was hesitant about doing my own servicing also. I'm no major mechanic but I can do all the basic stuff so I just did it. After awhile you'll wonder why you would even think of letting someone else work on your bike. I have a jack and put my bike on it once a week just to check everything out and clean it and of course have a few cold ones. Do your own servicing and don't worry about it.
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2015 | 05:52 AM
  #6  
nevets61's Avatar
nevets61
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 767
Likes: 54
From: San Antonio, TX
Default

Do it yourself, even the first 1000miles... Service manual tells you what critical items to check, keep good notes of everything checked, receipts for filter and oil and your fine. Neither HD or any other vehicle maker can force you to use themselves for service unless they are paying for it. I've done all my own service and the one time I had to take it in for warranty work dealer just asked about general maintenance service but didn't question that I did it.
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2015 | 05:53 AM
  #7  
QC's Avatar
QC
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Default

<p>Take notes and keep receipts and you should be good to go.</p><p>But I get it about the first service.</p>
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2015 | 05:55 AM
  #8  
mndelrosario's Avatar
mndelrosario
Tourer
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 496
Likes: 33
From: MA
Default

Originally Posted by GroovusMagnus
It's a motorcycle, not a retirement account. If you're looking at your motorcycle as an investment, you should get used to disappointment.

GM
When I drop $23,000 on a bike then dump a few grand more in for mods, I call that an investment. I've never had any disappointment with viewing my bikes as something I will have and enjoy long term. Same reason I am meticulous with their cleaning and maintenance. I invest time and money into it, for most people a bike is an emotional purchase, which is why riders are proud of ownership.
Your seem like one of those people who will buy a car, never take care of it, run it into the ground and just get another beater
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 2, 2015 | 06:02 AM
  #9  
lp's Avatar
lp
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,471
Likes: 2,998
From: Charleston, SC
Default

Originally Posted by mndelrosario
When I drop $23,000 on a bike then dump a few grand more in for mods, I call that an investment. I've never had any disappointment with viewing my bikes as something I will have and enjoy long term. Same reason I am meticulous with their cleaning and maintenance. I invest time and money into it, for most people a bike is an emotional purchase, which is why riders are proud of ownership.
Your seem like one of those people who will buy a car, never take care of it, run it into the ground and just get another beater
It's a common thing to split hairs around here so people can feel big, buzzkill, etc. No biggie - internet thing I guess.

No, it's not an investment in monetary terms (because bikes depreciate) but it surely is an investment in happiness/fun. Most of us get that...

OP, do all your own maintenance. Does not affect warranty and you will learn some new and interesting things about your bike.
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2015 | 06:05 AM
  #10  
mndelrosario's Avatar
mndelrosario
Tourer
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 496
Likes: 33
From: MA
Default

Originally Posted by lp
It's a common thing to split hairs around here so people can feel big, buzzkill, etc. No biggie - internet thing I guess.

No, it's not an investment in monetary terms (because bikes depreciate) but it surely is an investment in happiness/fun. Most of us get that...

OP, do all your own maintenance. Does not affect warranty and you will learn some new and interesting things about your bike.
Invest money/time and care into something that will make you happy. Precisely what I was getting at!
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:13 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE