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[LN Nation]

My dealer, HD of Bergen County, offers a 4-year maintenance program that includes all of the scheduled maintenance plus oil changes at every 2.5k miles. The program makes sense to me. It costs $2000, but I ride about 10,000 mile a year. At this oil change frequency, I'm thinking that I shouldn't need to use synthetic oil, but I know that my CVORK has synthetic in it now. Is it ok to go back to dino oil after using synthetic? I've heard that I shouldn't but it sounds like a myth to me. Anyone care to enlighten me? Thanks.

[r0de_runr]

It's the heat your air cooled motor produces that demands syn oil.

[hrdtail78]

Is the oil and filter included into that price?  The HD manual has everything set up on a 5000mile schedule.  Why are they offerening 2500?

[grc]

If you stick to the manufacturer's recommended intervals, and there isn't any real reason not to, then you're talking about two oil changes per year if you ride 10k per year.  That would make for a maximum of eight oil and filter changes, four primary fluid changes, and two trans fluid changes over the four year term of the contract.  So let's figure about $63 for engine oil and filter times eight, or $504.  Then add about $18 for 1.25 quarts of primary fluid, times four, or $72.  Then you have about $15 for a quart of trans fluid, times two, or $30.  Throw in $10 for some O-rings for the drain plugs.  So we have a grand total of $616 for fluids and filters over that four year period.  That leaves about $1384 labor.  If you don't mind paying full price for the fluids and filters, and almost $1400 for less than twelve hours of simple labor, then maybe it's a decent deal.  I prefer to do those services myself, so I know they are done right and using the fluids and filters I prefer, but I realize some people don't know how or just prefer to let someone else get their hands dirty.   

Is it a good deal?  Depends on who you are.  If you're the dealership, it's a good deal for them.  A regular consumer, not so much.  It all comes down to how much value you place on having someone else do the work.  Only you can answer that question.  Btw, I assumed this includes all the other maintenance items on the interval checklists.  If it doesn't, and is only fluid changes, then that labor charge is way beyond ridiculous. 

JMHO - Jerry

[mark]

The "2,500 mile oil change" was created at the dealership level to sell you more fluids, filters, and labor if they do the service.  It also gets you into their dealership twice as many times, increasing the likelihood of selling you something else. Don't let anyone sell you on the idea that a Harley needs the oil changed this often...that's counter to the factory established service intervals.

[FlaHeatWave]

The "2,500 mile oil change" was created at the dealership level to sell you more fluids, filters, and labor if they do the service.  It also gets you into their dealership twice as many times, increasing the likelihood of selling you something else. Don't let anyone sell you on the idea that a Harley needs the oil changed this often...that's counter to the factory established service intervals.

I agree.

I stay with synthetic (after break-in on new pistons, rings, cylinders etc...), redline shockproof in the tranny, & formula+ in the primary.

This plan wouldn't work for me on the '09 since that is my long distance bike and I don't always know where I'll be when the oil requires changing...

[Johncr]

Would this possibly include the fork and brake fluid changes per scheduled interval?

"4-year maintenance program that includes all of the scheduled maintenance plus oil changes at every 2.5k miles."

[LN Nation]

Is the oil and filter included into that price?  The HD manual has everything set up on a 5000mile schedule.  Why are they offerening 2500?

Yes, it includes oil and filter. I guess they figure at 2500 miles intervals, it's a deal.

[LN Nation]

Would this possibly include the fork and brake fluid changes per scheduled interval?

"4-year maintenance program that includes all of the scheduled maintenance plus oil changes at every 2.5k miles."

This includes everything listed in the owner's for the 5,000,10,000 etc. maintenance intervals.

[LN Nation]

If you stick to the manufacturer's recommended intervals, and there isn't any real reason not to, then you're talking about two oil changes per year if you ride 10k per year.  That would make for a maximum of eight oil and filter changes, four primary fluid changes, and two trans fluid changes over the four year term of the contract.  So let's figure about $63 for engine oil and filter times eight, or $504.  Then add about $18 for 1.25 quarts of primary fluid, times four, or $72.  Then you have about $15 for a quart of trans fluid, times two, or $30.  Throw in $10 for some O-rings for the drain plugs.  So we have a grand total of $616 for fluids and filters over that four year period.  That leaves about $1384 labor.  If you don't mind paying full price for the fluids and filters, and almost $1400 for less than twelve hours of simple labor, then maybe it's a decent deal.  I prefer to do those services myself, so I know they are done right and using the fluids and filters I prefer, but I realize some people don't know how or just prefer to let someone else get their hands dirty.   

Is it a good deal?  Depends on who you are.  If you're the dealership, it's a good deal for them.  A regular consumer, not so much.  It all comes down to how much value you place on having someone else do the work.  Only you can answer that question.  Btw, I assumed this includes all the other maintenance items on the interval checklists.  If it doesn't, and is only fluid changes, then that labor charge is way beyond ridiculous. 

JMHO - Jerry

Jerry,

Thanks for the break-down. I should have looked at it that way. I was only considering the normal cost that the dealer charges for the regular interval maintenance. The only thing that I won't do is the fork oil change but I think that I could part with a few hundred bucks every 10,000 miles to pay someone to do that for me. I'll take your advice and continue to do the fluid changes myself. Thanks again.

[LC110]

I notice on the web site they do not have any of the conventional oil or formula+ listed. Called 3 dealers they all told me that HD will not be offering any more conventional oil or offering formula+ once stock has been depleted.

[harsh1828]

When I purchased my 12 my dealer offered VIP lfull maintenance for as long as I own the bike every 2500 miles and one free tire and install is included.  I figure at 15,000 miles it was paid for.

[skratch]

When I purchased my 12 my dealer offered VIP lfull maintenance for as long as I own the bike every 2500 miles and one free tire and install is included.  I figure at 15,000 miles it was paid for.

never seen a vip plan with no expiration date.  how much did that puppy cost?

[harsh1828]

$2,000.00

[2k]

Anyone that runs ANY oil other than synthetic, has their head in the sand.