Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Steve_G]

My HD dealer charges $700 plus tax for the 20,000 mi. tune up on baggers. 
Is it worth it?  I'm considering new lifters and a couple new tires at the same time.  $1,500-$2,000 should cover it.  -Should be good for a couple more years then. 

[willyB]

I would say no. I can't imagine it more than a fluid change and tightening/lubbing the steering head. Maybe they'll lube the shifter linkage.

At 20k they'll probably tell you the brakes need to be replaced. Brakes are easy to change yourself and fluid change is a breeze at home too.

It's hard for me to hand over $700 for stuff I can easily do myself. Then again, if I was rich I'd probably have it done.

[grc]

Can't answer the question without knowing exactly what the dealer does for that 20k service.  Do they tear down, clean, and rebuild the forks?  That's probably worth a couple hours labor, but I don't think Harley recommends that until 50k.  So what else do they do at 20k above and beyond what they do at 5k or 10k?

My point is that you need to know exactly what they are charging for.  Do you have a copy of the 20k service checklist from H-D?  And do you have any assurance that they really do all the stuff on the checklist?

Jerry

[Steve_G]

I'll get their list to see what they do. 
They better be doing some serious stuff for $700!
Tightening steering head bearings, aligning the engine mount links to the frame, etc.  Maybe changing the gas filter in the tank.

I've always done the routine stuff myself.
I will post here what their service schedule is.  My dad paid $350 for my firstmotorcycle (used)!

[skratch]

Can't answer the question without knowing exactly what the dealer does for that 20k service.  Do they tear down, clean, and rebuild the forks?  That's probably worth a couple hours labor, but I don't think Harley recommends that until 50k.  So what else do they do at 20k above and beyond what they do at 5k or 10k?

My point is that you need to know exactly what they are charging for.  Do you have a copy of the 20k service checklist from H-D?  And do you have any assurance that they really do all the stuff on the checklist?

Jerry

+1

the schedule of what hd recommends be done is in the service manual and the owner's manual.  at 20k, everything looks pretty routine.  i've attached a copy of an excel spreadsheet that i put together that mirrors my 2013 owner's manual.  a separate tab for each mileage interval.  the only thing that i can think of to bump that cost so high is that hd recommends brake and clutch fluid be flushed and refilled every 2 years.  10k per year seems like a conservative average so maybe they're doing a flush and fill on the brake and clutch hydraulics?

[grc]

+1

the schedule of what hd recommends be done is in the service manual and the owner's manual.  at 20k, everything looks pretty routine.  i've attached a copy of an excel spreadsheet that i put together that mirrors my 2013 owner's manual.  a separate tab for each mileage interval.  the only thing that i can think of to bump that cost so high is that hd recommends brake and clutch fluid be flushed and refilled every 2 years.  10k per year seems like a conservative average so maybe they're doing a flush and fill on the brake and clutch hydraulics?

That's what I thought, nothing special or different from the 10k service.  What is likely is that this dealership has added their own "recommended" services to the ones actually in the official Harley list.  You can find this same practice in the auto industry, with dealerships adding all sorts of unnecessary extra's like flushing engines, cooling systems, transmissions, etc., not because those items are needed or even recommended by the manufacturer, but strictly to make big bucks. 

Steve, the fuel filter replacement isn't necessary until at least 50k these days, and didn't show up in the earlier model checklists until 25k.  The filter and the fuel system didn't change, but Harley changed the interval to 100k for the 2012 model year.  So if that's part of this dealers 20k service, you can take that as pretty strong evidence they are just padding the list to make bigger profits.

Jerry

[FlaHeatWave]

'Don't think I've ever paid anywhere near that much, even the 50k service (forks)

[Steve_G]

That's what I thought, nothing special or different from the 10k service.  What is likely is that this dealership has added their own "recommended" services to the ones actually in the official Harley list.  You can find this same practice in the auto industry, with dealerships adding all sorts of unnecessary extra's like flushing engines, cooling systems, transmissions, etc., not because those items are needed or even recommended by the manufacturer, but strictly to make big bucks. 

Steve, the fuel filter replacement isn't necessary until at least 50k these days, and didn't show up in the earlier model checklists until 25k.  The filter and the fuel system didn't change, but Harley changed the interval to 100k for the 2012 model year.  So if that's part of this dealers 20k service, you can take that as pretty strong evidence they are just padding the list to make bigger profits.


Jerry

Thanks, Jerry.
You just saved me some big bucks.
I change the brake fluid and oils all by myself!

-Steve

[dicko]

How does one change the brake fluid without access to a Digital Assistant II?
     -Dick-

[Steve_G]

Just pump it out the bleeder and when it gets close to emptying the master cylinder keep pouring brake fluid in.  Keep pumping 'til all the old is out, fill to the proper level and button her up.
(I have my wife do the pouring and I operate the pump and bleeder)
I've done this every two years.  You don't need the Digital Assistant ll.

[Jswerve]

Just pump it out the bleeder and when it gets close to emptying the master cylinder keep pouring brake fluid in.  Keep pumping 'til all the old is out, fill to the proper level and button her up.
(I have my wife do the pouring and I operate the pump and bleeder)
I've done this every two years.  You don't need the Digital Assistant ll.

Sure don't!

Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk

[dicko]

That technique will certainly clear the fluid between the hand lever and the brake caliper but how do you clear the fluid in the ABS without using the Digital Assistant to control the valves?  I think you don't.  And, if any air gets in there I think you can't clear it either.
     -Dick-

[Steve_G]

That technique will certainly clear the fluid between the hand lever and the brake caliper but how do you clear the fluid in the ABS without using the Digital Assistant to control the valves?  I think you don't.  And, if any air gets in there I think you can't clear it either.
     -Dick-
[/quote
I'm not aware of any other fluid.

[dartman]

My HD dealer charges $700 plus tax for the 20,000 mi. tune up on baggers. 
Is it worth it?  I'm considering new lifters and a couple new tires at the same time.  $1,500-$2,000 should cover it.  -Should be good for a couple more years then.

Wow a wopping price for a sloppily done Fluid Change, and a set of spark plugs, don't walk away Run

[Banana man]

The answer would be no.