second service

[paulsmc]

This may be a daft question but my Alp has had its 600 mile service, its now nearly at the 4000 mark is the second service usually done at 4000 miles or 4600???
Cheers Paul

[sean]

4000!

[paulsmc]

Cheers, looks like im due one then, I will be needing a new rear tyre as well, wot do you reckon get another deathwing to see out the front? or fit a new pair altogether? I have read loads on here about tyre choice but still unsure wot to fit!!!
Cheers Paul

[sean]

deathwings are ****e! i'm running metzler tourances which grip well both wet and dry but handling goes to pot whem worn! i do rate them though

[Dessert Storm]

My rear deathwing was bald at about 3500 miles. Changed it for an Avon Distanzia, which I am very pleased with. IMO, grip on dry or wet tarmac is superior to the deathwing, although the tread pattern is less blocky and so it probably wouldn't handle even mild off-roading as well as the dw.

I've been getting my bike serviced at the dealers who supplied it, in order to get those stamps in the book that meet the terms of the warranty and maybe maintain resale value should I decide to sell it. However, I have major concerns over the dealers competence (for example, it came from PDI, 600 mile and 4000 mile services overfilled with engine oil; at the last service, they missed the fact that one of the exhaust mounting bolts had fallen out; etc etc).

Reading the invoice and jobsheet from the 4000 mile service, it becomes apparent that despite lots of ticks in boxes, what I have actually done is pay £125 for an oil and filter change.

Currently weighing up the possibility of doing the servicing myself, counting the money saved (and knowledge it has been done properly) against the loss of warranty.

Cracking bike though!

Alan

[harrisphil]

Lets face it how much extra would you pay for a book with lots of stamps in or in reality 2 stamps because most people stop dealer servicing after warranty runs out. As apposed to a bike of equal milage but with an owner who knows what they are doing and stamps or more likely receipts from a motorcycle mechanic who will have actually done the work.
me I wouldn't pay any extra.
therefore in my opinion
buy your bike from a parallel importer or non franchised dealer then
get it serviced by somebody who knows what they are doing

[Recycler]

Save yourself loads of money and inconvenience:

Get down to Halfords, buy yourself a Haynes manual, torque wrench, decent socket set (need a 17mm ring spanner for the sump bolt), a bottle of Castrol GPS, a tub of lithium (high melting point) grease and a tub of Copaslip.

Get genuine filters/brake pads etc from Honda.

Wash the bike first, take your time, don't over tighten anything (use the torque settings in the manual), follow the instructions carefully and check everything over again after a short test ride.

A tidy environment (garage) helps a lot, as can a digi-camera to remind you cable routing etc.

£100s can soon be saved to spend on better things. I don't think I've lost value either - everything I do is recorded in the back of the manual and I keep parts reciepts. You will never recoup expensive labour charges.

[Darkenbad]

I'm with recycler on this one, there is no guarantee the garage will carry out a full service even though you pay for it; the MCN survey a couple of years ago caught out just about every garage and dealer they went to. Most admitted they just did not have the resource for the more time consuming jobs.

If you do it yourself you know its been done; there is enough experience in this forum to solve most problems and explain how to do some of the more intricate stuff, it may take longer but it gives peace of mind and job satisfaction.

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Must admit I agree with the above, maintain everything myself, make a note of it in the service in the book, milage, date etc.

When selling a bike some may ask questions like what oil I use etc. But overall no loss on resale value I reckon.

Plus I know what's been done and when and that it HAS been done!!!

Warranty complicates things a little, it's your choice

Phil

[wheeliebin]

Welcome back Mr Snagger, good trip ?

(look forward to some pics and a write up ?)