First Service

[SgtShak]

Hey Guys.....I am gonna need my first service on my '13 GT300i in about a week.  Do you think it's worth having the first one done at the dealer and then from that point on do them myself?  I am very capable of the oil changes, filter checks etc...I have high quality oil (IPONE) and the Hi-Flo filters which I bought just after I got the bike along with any tool necessary.  Dealers always make it sound like the first service is imperative, but I never really figured out what they actually do other than an oil change.  I want an iridium plug installed and my Battery Tender kwik connect but I hate the idea of taking off all that plastic to do it.  Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

[zombie]

Two words Sgt... Warr Anty.

If you skip out on the dealer you may have warranty issues down the road. I've seen on the forum where some dealers are more than fair at 50.00 for service, and some are animals at 300.00 plus.

The service should include all the basics... Tire pressure/oil change/filter check/plug check/valve adjustment/component check (brakes/steering)/safety check (lights,blinkers,horn).
It should all take an hour to an hour, and a half at whatever the shop charges. Adding the pigtail is a 15 minute deal once they are in there so I would go over what they intend to do, and ask them to add the wiring for you.

It's all about the relationship you have w/ them, and if they care about you after the sale.
You pay hookers to leave, and pay the dealer to stick around. Just my opinion.

[SgtShak]

Thank you Sir....That's pretty much what I wanted to hear.  On my other larger bikes that I recently had (Connie 1400 & Burgman 650) I didn't hesitate to go to the dealer.  I was just doubting myself on the single cylinder.  The dealer was very good at the time of sale and just sent me a 20% off coupon.  I think I will head up there later in the week and then just do the interval oil changes on my own.  Man...you really are like a God. I might just send you that cut off jean picture after all.  Thanks

[BettinANDlosing]

The main thing that you may want to take it to the dealer for is valve adjusting. Also good idea to change engine oil and final drive oil. Both come from Taiwan with break in oil. Most dealers are chill with you doing the basics. If your want to keep it cheap, do your own oil and gear oil then ask your dealer to set the valves. If they are dicks about it, find a better dealer.

[zombie]

Aaaaaaa No! There is a lot of F  kery in this vid so ask mommy... (send me her money too)

[SgtShak]

Thanks B&I....

Zombie....You are a funny bastard!  Your loss however, I got some nice limbs.  see ya on the next post

[zombie]

  Now I'm doubting my choice...

How about we just leave that door open.  Thanks Sarge!

[SgtShak]

Took a ride up to the dealer this morning for my first service.  Nice cool morning and a beautiful ride.  Service too about an hour and a half.  All the basics as stated earlier.  Added in the iridium plug and Battery Tender connects......it was $170 out the door.  About what I expected.  They got me in and out just as they promised and had plenty of new & used toys to look at while I was waiting.  Threw the tech a ten spot for not adding the plug and tender labor on the bill.  Overall a really nice dealership (sales & service) in the Hudson Valley area of New York.  (HudsonValleyCycles)

[zombie]

I used to love it up there. Spring Valley.(when it was nice)

200.00 is decent as long as you are happy. That's about all the matters.

One of my Buds just bought a collection of 23 sport bikes from a fella going to prison. Medicare fraud, and murder 1 (his wife). You all have most likely seen the story in the news. Tallahassee Doc.
Anyway one of the bikes is a 2008 Concours 14. F'ING MONSTER!
I only mention it cause of your Connie 1400. I never rode one so I had nothing to compare. These bikes are just f'ing AWESOME!, Mostly engine, and a very little bit of tire, and frame. They are Nothing like the bikes from the 80's that I used to ride. Nothing like them. Once the fear is gone the adrenalin kicks in, and the nuts drop.
Just overwhelmed, and impressed.

[SgtShak]

Had I known, he could have added in my ex-wife and I would have talked to the D.A. for him.

My Connie was an '09.  Added in some risers (to take away that sport bike hunch, a sargent seat and a two brothers exhaust)  This bike was awesome. Could have ridden it for days on end.  Comfy and very powerful.  Too powerful for a "miss Daisy" rider like myself.  0 - 90 in about 3 seconds was just to temping to play with. I also found it too cumbersome for those shorter around town errands.  BUT...I would recommend this bike to anyone in the market for a large sport tourer.   I downsized from this to a Burgman 650 ('13)....My 3rd one.  Another fantastic bike but the changes to the '13 just didn't do it for me.  Hence my new GT300i.  In the 80's I was a cruiser guy. A Vulcan 700.  Rode that until I took a few year sabbatical after one of my partners was killed on his bike.  A passionate Harley rider.  Great cop and even a greater guy.  Retired after a nearly 30 year career.  Three days after his retirement party He and his wife (also a Harley rider) were taking their bikes to a local shop to have them shipped to New Mexico where they were going to live closer to the grand kids.  Just a few miles from the shop a guy driving a box truck fell asleep at the wheel , crossed the double yellow line and in an instant, Frank was gone.  His wife went down too but survived.  That day sucked!  I was working a dayshift and heard this whole thing go down on the radio...having no idea who it was until the State Police requested we expedite a car to the scene.   Sorry about that sob story....It just rolled into a place for it to be told.       

[zombie]

Sorry for that.

Life can be a straight up F'ing nightmare.
I was having the most insightful conversation of my life last night, and it was about God/no God. I'll leave that off the forum but in the end... I believe there is no good God. Just people