I recently bought a 2011 Ultra Limited. I took it to the dealer for its 1000 mile service last week. I asked when the next service was and they told me at 2500 miles, then 5000, then 7500, then 10,000.

I picked up the 2011 Touring service manual yesterday because I plan to do my own service, and the scheduled maintenance chart shows the first service is at 1000 miles, then at 5000 miles, then every 5000 after that.

Now I tend to want to believe what is printed in the "official" HD service manual, and I can't help but wonder if the dealer is trying to gouge customers by getting them to pay for twice the amount of oil changes?

Changing oil at 2500 miles seems excessive to me, especially if using synthetic oils.

What should I go by - what's printed in the book or what the dealer told me?

 

Go by the book

 

Your dealer is a thief. It should be just as it was writin. The moco put that out and I am sure that after the millions that they have sold they know what they are doing.. 2500 I would do my self. Nothing to it and then at 5000 and every 5000 after that.You will find that the miles will add up really quick now that the weather has started to warm up..

 

Yep what he said

 

It is, as you read, every 5000 miles, other than the first one at 1000. It just amazes me at some of the stories I read on this forum about the HD dealers they have in their area.

 

It's almost always *warm* where I live. In another month, it will almost be too hot to ride. Thanks!

 

I'm doing 1k, 6k, 11k, etc. Dealer told me to do 1k and then 5k--when i questioned him he said it's just easier to remember the 5k, 10k....

 

I'm doing service intervals at 5K. Just had the 15K done. Dealer gave me a list of things they did which included changing the fluids in all three holes (except for the crankcase oil this was probably not necessary, but it was part of the service plan). Also had the air filter replaced - it was the original I believe. The tech said it looked like it really needed to be replaced. The dealer has gone up on service charges, so I might be looking into doing the service interval checks and changes in the future. I want to get the manuals anyway.

 

I run the syn-3 and do my services every 5000 miles. When the syn-3 originally came out it was actually rated for over 10,000 miles. I have put on over 100,000 miles on 2 bikes and never had any problems with changing the fluids every 5000 miles. The dealerships still through out the 2500 option, not necessary.

 

I bought enough synth for all 3 holes, a manual, gasket kit and filter for $150 at the dealer. I get to wrench on my own bike, give a great dealership some business, and I have a computer copy that service materials were bought in case warranty issues ever come up. Following the book service interval recommendations with the exception of changing out oil at beginning of season regardless.

works for me.