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[tomcat56]

Is the 1000 mile check worth the money? What do they do?...Should I save my money?

[Chief]

Is the 1000 mile check worth the money? What do they do?...Should I save my money?

IMO, if you have the tools, not many, the manuals and a bit of know-how, you're better off doing your own. Save the money, learn about your bike and get the satisfaction of doing the job yourself.

My dealer only sees me when I need warranty work done. I've gotten to know my dealer quite well since I got the new bike. 

[bobaroni]

IMO, if you have the tools, not many, the manuals and a bit of know-how, you're better off doing your own. Save the money, learn about your bike and get the satisfaction of doing the job yourself.

My dealer only sees me when I need warranty work done. I've gotten to know my dealer quite well since I got the new bike. 

Funny   

[SOKOOLJ]

IMO, if you have the tools, not many, the manuals and a bit of know-how, you're better off doing your own. Save the money, learn about your bike and get the satisfaction of doing the job yourself.

My dealer only sees me when I need warranty work done. I've gotten to know my dealer quite well since I got the new bike. 

Haven't we all!!! har

[LRebel]

Is the 1000 mile check worth the money? What do they do?...Should I save my money?

It will be worth it to me, because my dealer is doing it for FREE.  I don't know what all they do or check -- I don't know how much most dealers charge for the 1k service.

I know the dealer will put SE syn back in the bike during the service, but I will probably run it a few thousand that then switch to Amsoil when I change it myself.

[grc]

Is the 1000 mile check worth the money? What do they do?...Should I save my money?

tomcat,

Go to this page, enter your VIN and 1000 miles, and you will get a page with all the service checks for your model.  This same information is also available in the owners manual and the shop manual.  https://www.harley-davidson.com/EX/MNT/SCHK/en/servicecheckup.asp?locale=en_US&bmLocale=en_US

The 1000 mile service is basically a fluids and filter change, as well as an inspection of things like the rear belt tension.  There are several other "inspections" listed on the form, but many (most?) techs shortcut the service by blowing those off.  My advice would be to buy the $60 service manual and do the service yourself.  You will need about $50 worth of fluids (6 qts @ approximately $9/qt), a $14 oil filter, and basic hand tools.  Assuming you already have the hand tools, your first self-service will cost about $130 including the manual.  A typical dealership will charge anywhere from $200 to $600 for the various service intervals. 

If you aren't a hands-on type of person and prefer to have someone else do the work, you aren't limited to Harley dealerships.  There are plenty of independent shops that work on Harleys, get some quotes from a few.

Jerry

[Rhino]

For what its worth, I did hear from a MOCO rep one time that the 1K, and the 10K are mandatory. The 1K initiates the warranty status.  In any event many bikes are sold with this service free, its a good time to check for oil contaminants, and a general bolt tweak here and there.

Rhino

Is the 1000 mile check worth the money? What do they do?...Should I save my money?

[Chief]

For what its worth, I did hear from a MOCO rep one time that the 1K, and the 10K are mandatory. The 1K initiates the warranty status.  In any event many bikes are sold with this service free, its a good time to check for oil contaminants, and a general bolt tweak here and there.

Rhino

No way. No how. They can not make the warranty contingent upon you having the bike serviced at a dealership. It's illegal. They may try to convince you this is true. If they do, ask to see it in writing. They won't show you anything.

You'll get better service at home. Period. Master techs are not doing oil changes all day. These days Master Techs are trying to figure out how to stop the 110's from leaking and clanking and over heating and pinging and shutting down. The new-hires from MMI and Wyo-Tech are the ones doing the oil changes, when they're not washing bikes and taking out the trash.

Bring your bike, and service manual, to my house and I'll help you (anyone) through it. I'd much rather spend the time helping you learn than have you believe it's too complicated. If you can sharpen a blade and change the oil on a lawn mower, you can service your Harley.

[mr_magoo]

The one thing you MUST have is a service manual for the bike in question.  Other than that do your own.  Get familiar with your bike who is going to help you on the side of the road.

[RedDevil]

Federal law on warranty repairs only requires that you show proof that you have followed the manufacturers suggest maintenance schedule.  It does not state that you have to have your vehicle serviced by the dealership to satisfy the requirement.  All you have to have for proof is receipts for parts and supplies, if you do it yourself, and the service manual to show the warranty dealership that you performed the maintenance in accordance with their, the MoCo's, schedule.  Or you can have an indie to it and show the receipt for all the work he/she did to your ride.  They (the dealership) cannot tell you that you have to have your service done by the dealership in order to keep your warranty intact. 

Cheers ,
  :devil;

[RJ749]

All of the above is true, however, were it to come down to a "judgement" call or "goodwill claim" servicing with a dealer is "always" considered.

If you haven't done any service with a dealer the chance of the MoCo or a dealer making the "judgement" in the customer's favor is most likely "zero".  I look at the 1,000 mile service as cheap insurance for a problem down the road that may require the dealer to back me.

There is no better advocate than a "good dealer".  We have seen all too many times here where members have had nothing but trouble from a dealer that has no concern in assisting the member to get a warranty issue pushed through.

IMHO, a bone thrown the dealer's way from time to time is a cheap investment in a good dealer relationship.

[Chief]

All of the above is true, however, were it to come down to a "judgement" call or "goodwill claim" servicing with a dealer is "always" considered.

If you haven't done any service with a dealer the chance of the MoCo or a dealer making the "judgement" in the customer's favor is most likely "zero".  I look at the 1,000 mile service as cheap insurance for a problem down the road that may require the dealer to back me.

There is no better advocate than a "good dealer".  We have seen all too many times here where members have had nothing but trouble from a dealer that has no concern in assisting the member to get a warranty issue pushed through.

IMHO, a bone thrown the dealer's way from time to time is a cheap investment in a good dealer relationship.

Point well stated. My post was in response to Rhino's stating that the 1k and 10k had to be performed by a dealer in order to keep the warranty intact.

Buying the dealer's friendship can be considered preventative maintenance.

[grc]

Clarification:  The federal Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975 is the controlling document.  If you find yourself bored to death with nothing to do some day, Google it and spend some time browsing.  What you will eventually come to know is that a manufacturer cannot force you to use his parts or his services to maintain your vehicle, UNLESS those parts or services are provided free of charge.  It is incumbent upon the manufacturer to prove that your maintenance work, aftermarket part, etc. was the direct cause of the failure before the manufacturer can legally void the warranty.

I used to subscribe to the theory Roger mentioned in his post about "good will" adjustments, etc., and I would have the dealer do the first service.  After being severely overcharged on the last two Harley's for the first service, and then having to redo it myself anyway due to the p-poor workmanship, I changed my mind.  Now I subscribe to Chief's theory; the dealer will see my bike only for warranty work.  In fact, I have been known to even fix the small stuff that should be covered by the warranty rather than let the trainee at the dealership screw up 3 other things in his attempt to make a repair.  Trust me, I've been there.

Jerry

[BalDeagle]

Just had my 1,000 mile check and all oils changed - FREE OF CHARGE !

Aren't all 1,000 mile services free ?

Nige

[RJ749]

Just had my 1,000 mile check and all oils changed - FREE OF CHARGE !

Aren't all 1,000 mile services free ?

Nige

Not in the Homeland of the MoCo