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[porkypig]

In 2 days I take my '11 softail convertible in for its 1000 mile service.  they are going to charge me 3-hours flat rate at $95 per hour for labor alone plus the cost of the parts.  Last year I took my '10 convertible in for its 1000 mile service and a dealership 80 miles away charged me 3-hour flat at $60 per.  My question is "is it reasonable to pay $95 an hour for this service?  I have a difficult time paying this especially if the 25-year master mechanic is just going to drop the plug and let the oil pour while he goes outside for an extended smoke break.  Several of the checks are labeled as "as needed" or "as necessary".  Several of these such as the inspection of fuel lines, etc. can be onced over with a minute or 2.  Last year I had 5 or 6 warranty items also during the service and the whole shooting match came to just 2 hours.  This time I have no warranty issues; just the 1000 mile check.  what in the world can take 3 hours of shop time for this check??  I imagine there may be someone that comments that if you can't afford this price, don't buy a Harley but I think at some point it becomes hiway robbery.  Any thoughts on this?   Porky

[dnephew54]

I AGREE BUT THE 1000 MILE SERVICE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOR WARANTY PURPOSES SO BITE THE BULLET ON THIS ONE AND GO SEARCHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE FOR FUTURE SERVICES LET THEM CHARGE HARLEY 95 PER HOUR FOR WARRANTY WORK

[Dr.D]

$95/hr is high for service work. We have three shops near us in Knoxville and they range from $65-75/hr. I am no mechanic and let them do most of the service work.

My real question is, are the tech.'s really working at a steady rate for 3 hours?

[porkypig]

Well, 108 years later I think it is you have a bean-counter that is out to make the motor company money so he is counting absolutely everything that could possibly be done to your bike under the most pristine conditions; i.e. lab conditions.  They build in a safeguard timeframe that includes taking care of your bike from stem to stern and figures tweeking every bolt and nut, lubing every cable, checking the air in the tires, cleaning the oil drain pan before and after your oil goes in, and everything else that could be checked to keep your bike "as new" to return it to you.  Then you have the "reality" wrench that may do the bare minimal and gives it a once-over and says, "it's a brand new bike; everything's got to be good, right?"  And he (or she) may be working on your bike, as well as the bike beside yours and after a couple "short breaks" it comes out the door on the light side of 3 hours and so of course they get to claim the 3 hours that the book says.  Now this could all be conjecture on my part..............But it sounds like there are several methods of charging us and breaking the bill down so it is very difficult to even price shop one dealership versus another.........remember, this has had 108 years of practice to get the methods down.  Think they're gonna change the system now just because it "seems" high??   pork

[grc]

The plain and simple fact is that it's a ripoff designed to further juice up the dealer's already quite hefty profit margins.  First, those same items other than the fluid changes are also on the prep checklist.  Do you really think the fuel lines are going to start leaking (without you knowing about it) after a week or two?  Do you really think the brake lines are going to start leaking (without you knowing about it) after a week or two?  Do you really think they are going to check and tug and pull and put wrenches on all that stuff?  My point is, the factory is supposed to assure the quality levels and especially the critical safety items before the bike ever leaves the plant.  Then the dealer is paid (usually twice, by H-D and again by the customer) to "prep" and inspect the bike before it gets delivered to the customer.  Charging another $300 plus parts a week or two later for what in effect is just a simple fluid change is BS.

BTW, there is no legal requirement for you to take the bike to your selling dealer or to any Harley dealer for the various service intervals.  Let them BS you if you want, but the truth is that you can do the service work yourself, have a qualified friend do it, take it to an independent shop, etc., and your rights are protected by Federal law.  


Jerry

[porkypig]

It really is a quagmire, if you ask me.  I bought a brand new 2000 chevy pickup truck and looked over the check-off sheet when I got home.  It had been checked off by the inspecting mechanic that several items were functioning fine.  These were items that were not even on the pickup!!  I have my serious doubts about these bikes as well.  I firmly believe these wrenches can repair most things that are truly defective (with about 50 pounds of help from the Harley Corporate, in some cases) but do I believe they thoroghly check over these items that were supposedly already inspected when the bikes left the factory?  They certainly charge us for those inspections, though.  I don't mind paying extra if I get something extra.......We may never be aware of that dedicated, diligent wrench that systematically goes through our required check list and actually does what he or she is paid for.  It's like those old Olympia beer commercials talking about meeting an Artesian:  One day I'd like to meet an Artesian............ and shake his hand........if'n he's got a hand.   

[brr5]

Pork-
So you've already hit the 1000 mile mark?
The weather must be better over in WAshington them Montana! 
I think I have about 860 on mine now. Had it out only twice this year so far. 

And I'm not sure what my dealer is going to hose - err, charge me for the checkup.
Bob

[porkypig]

Oh, man I bought this bike on October 8th and am surprised I only have this many miles by now.  7 years ago I bought my 1st Harley and in the first year I put 17,000 miles on it.  Rode it most every day in rain, snow, and etc. to put miles on it, etc.  This is the 2nd bike since then and I just didn't have the desire to get out and punish myself in the name of getting the bike broke in.  Those other 2 bikes I received right after the 1st of December so in my opinion I am waaaaay behind in putting them on this bike.  But this bike runs so smoooooooooooth, as soon as I get the service done on it, I'm leaving for Ellensburg Wa for a rally.  Yaghooooo!

[dcigar]

gday porkster
i am also wondering WHY so much, i had my 1600km service done about 8 weeks ago and the total including GST (an australian tax of 10% added to all goods and services) came to a shade under $400 , i didnt query my dealer as his service is always good and they do a free pick up and delivery for me, but i queried it with the service director of harley australia, who informed me that all fluids are changed, that is why it costs so miuch,
but now at 2600kms and  the bike is just getting better and better, loosening up nicely....... and the best harley i have owned..... love it

[porkypig]

Well, at this point I have decided to have the service done here at my local dealer.  Could be several positive factors at work here.  I guess it is time to find out what type of service we have here.  If the wrenches really "know thier onions" or not.  And to develop a report with them for the future.  If I had a serious problem with the bike, I guess I would have to take it here locally so might as well get to know the department.  If the extra $90 was truly a financial burden, I might think otherwise.  And if you take it to someplace 80 miles away to save $90, I think I might be fooling myself.  Going to be extra gas, and other expenses while waiting for the bike.  And the local dealership may realize that as well.  It's a shame but there are worse shames out in this big bad world than this apparent one.  $90 per hour seems extreme but when faced with few realistic options, I see no other real choice.  After this service I will be doing all my work myself that I can.  One can purchase all the manuals for about $150 and save yourself a ton of money down the road.  Plus you get to know your own bike.  Win/win situation, it would seem to me.  thanks for the responses, guys.     Porky

[muddypaws]

I have all my service done by a former Harley dealer mechanic. It take him less then two hours for a 10,000 mile check up and that includes all the BS we do. He charges $50 per hour plus parts. When I told my dealer who does my service they said he once worked their but went out on his own. They only paid him $15 per hour. I wonder why he left. They would love to have him back.

[Mr. Warlock]

I agree, this is BS. Does anyone really think they put a wrench on all these bolts and "break" the "locktite" bond to see if there loose - not ever!

[porkypig]

Update to my 1000 mile service.  Had it done here locally and end result was they only charged me for 2 hours @ $90 per.  However, they did charge me full price for 6 quarts of oil even tho the bike only calls for 5.  anybody have an idea why they do this??  Is there a secret hiding place that I'm not aware of??  And what is with a $10 charge for shop materials???  How many rags can you get for $10 to wipe your paws on?  Anyway I'm thankful that I was only charged for 2 hours but some of these other things irritate the old arse sometimes.     Pork.

[Dr.D]

Update to my 1000 mile service.  Had it done here locally and end result was they only charged me for 2 hours @ $90 per.  However, they did charge me full price for 6 quarts of oil even tho the bike only calls for 5.  anybody have an idea why they do this??  Is there a secret hiding place that I'm not aware of??  And what is with a $10 charge for shop materials???  How many rags can you get for $10 to wipe your paws on?  Anyway I'm thankful that I was only charged for 2 hours but some of these other things irritate the old arse sometimes.     Pork.

They never wipe paws at my dealer as evidenced by the grease and prints all over the bike.

Shop materials??? are they charging for the five drops of loctiite?

[Grizzly]

$95.00!  And here I thought the $87 hourly rate we in Canada pay was expensive.