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[ultrarider123]

Up to this current ride, I've always performed all my maintenance.  This one was different to me, however.  I felt (and that's the best way to describe it) it more prudent to have a dealer I trust (and can negotiate pricing with) perform the service on my 110.  Laws are laws but for me, piece of mind was the factor.  I didn't want to be in a potential  tug of war with the MoCo with service questions if there was any mechanical failure while it was under a factory warranty.  Once the factory warranty expired, I'm back to servicing myself.  Reality is I feel much more comfortable with doing it myself as I know it's been completed and done to spec.  I trust my dealer but still, unless I see it being performed, I really don't know what I'm paying for.

For the question of the 1000 mile service, I've always had the dealer perform these on all my HD's.  I re-inspect everything when I get it back home.  It's that peace of mind thing all over again.  Only once did I find something out of spec after a 1000 mile.  I called the service manager, told them what was found (and not performed) and actually was refunded some of my money.  You don't find that often with a dealer and it's one of the many reasons why I go back to them over and over.

If you feel comfortable with performing the service yourself, do so but keep all the records (as others have already stated).  Good luck in whatever route you decide.

[porthole]

Just have a hard time paying $389.00 for oil change. 

all performed by the least experienced kid in the shop.  If you really want everything on the checklist performed, you will need to insist on it up front and then stand there watching while it's done.  Get a copy of the complete checklist yourself, you can download it on the H-D website or find it in the shop manual.

I think that I will have the 1st service done by the dealer just because I am still not familiar with the bike.

Take that $389 and buy the four manuals, filter and some quality oil.
With the money you save with the 5K service buy a quality jack.

Up to this current ride, I've always performed all my maintenance.  This one was different to me, however.  I felt (and that's the best way to describe it) it more prudent to have a dealer I trust (and can negotiate pricing with) perform the service on my 110.  Laws are laws but for me, piece of mind was the factor.  I didn't want to be in a potential  tug of war with the MoCo with service questions if there was any mechanical failure while it was under a factory warranty.  Once the factory warranty expired, I'm back to servicing myself.  Reality is I feel much more comfortable with doing it myself as I know it's been completed and done to spec.  I trust my dealer but still, unless I see it being performed, I really don't know what I'm paying for.

For the question of the 1000 mile service, I've always had the dealer perform these on all my HD's.  I re-inspect everything when I get it back home.  It's that peace of mind thing all over again.  Only once did I find something out of spec after a 1000 mile.  I called the service manager, told them what was found (and not performed) and actually was refunded some of my money.  You don't find that often with a dealer and it's one of the many reasons why I go back to them over and over.

Short cut one time means short cuts more then one time, just not caught.

If you feel comfortable with performing the service yourself, do so but keep all the records (as others have already stated). 

Personally I would suggest keeping receipts of purchased oil and filters etc. But you don't have too. Actually by law as Jerry brought up, you do not need to keep receipts or even a log. It is incumbent on the manufacturer to prove you did not perform a required or recommended maintenance.

Been there - done that - got the t-shirt with my bike when it was a year old.

But, keeping a log and an envelope of receipts certainly doesn't hurt.

I'm down to just keeping a log on my phone now.
Very simple app called "Gas Cubby"

Easy to keep track of fuel and services as well as reminders, and it allows simple multi vehicle record keeping.

[ultrafxr]

I made a detailed checklist for fluid changes and basic services like air filter, belt tension, etc. I complete one each time I do a service then date it and note mileage. I file them along with receipts for fluid, filters, etc. Never been questioned by dealer but good insurance plus it helps me make sure I don't overlook something.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kojak]

Its worth it to me to have a trusted tech do the service for me. I only use dealerships where I have the same tech work on my bikes for years. As far as the first 1000 mile service, its usually when I have any mods done or when I know whatever needs to be adjusted/fixed after breaking in the bike. If I was retired, I might tinker more with the bikes but working 60+ hours a week, I value my time riding more.
I attached the cvo 1k service checklist. Its a bit more than just changing the oil.

[Jswerve]

Its worth it to me to have a trusted tech do the service for me. I only use dealerships where I have the same tech work on my bikes for years. As far as the first 1000 mile service, its usually when I have any mods done or when I know whatever needs to be adjusted/fixed after breaking in the bike. If I was retired, I might tinker more with the bikes but working 60+ hours a week, I value my time riding more.
I attached the cvo 1k service checklist. Its a bit more than just changing the oil.

What's a trusted tech? Never found one to date lol.

Yes it's slightly more then an oil change but hardly challenging.

Bottom line if you aren't comfortable doing it don't but there are plenty of us that do and it isn't challenging for a slightly mechanically inclined person.

There's no wrong answer here imo. My motivation is to not discourage capable people from doing their own service.

[grc]

While there is more on the official checklist than just fluid changes, most of it takes longer to read than it takes to actually do.  For instance, check things like hydraulic fluid levels at the site glass on the M/C.  Big whooping deal.

The truly important things are the rear belt tension and the critical fastener security.  Next time you have your dealer do a service, stand where you can observe without being obvious, and see if the "tech" assigned to the job pulls out the specs and a torque wrench to check all those fasteners.

The 1k service is 99% BS, and is basically another chance for the dealer to make a nice profit on top of what he made a short time earlier when he sold you the bike, the ESP, financing, and some accessories.  If they did the initial prep correctly, there is no reason to have to do any of this stuff other than the belt tension and a visual inspection for leaks, damage, etc.

Jerry

[Phantom309]

This is a real good one #4 on the list ... "Check torque on wheel spokes, if equipped (Touring Models). Yeah, riiiiiiiight! I can just see the trusted tech break out the torque wrench for your spokes and checking every one of them if you have laced wheels, lol. You can wipe your ass with most of what's on that "official" list if you ask me.

I understand some people don't have the time or want to get their hands dirty and that's fine ... to each their own. I bent over and did the piece of mind thing with my last bike and let them do the 1000k service. I then had to go home and suck some oil out of the motor (yes, over-filled) and clean up their mess from not being neat about removing the old oil filter. Guess who did the 1000k service on this bike? ... wasn't HD this time. Sometimes you just have to do things yourself if you want it done right, nobody cares about your bike better than yourself. I'm sometimes busy too, but there are plenty of rain days on my days off when I can take advantage of doing maintenance or cleaning. 

[ultrafxr]

I agree with the above.  There are several items on the 1k checklist but most of them are as grc stated pure bs.  I had the 1k service included in the deal for my '06 cuse and took it in and waited on it.  No way did they do much more than fluid change 'cause it sure didn't take them very long at all.

Since that time I've done all the regular maintenance services including the initial 1k on the three CVO bikes I've bought since then.  Never any question or problem when warranty / esp repairs came up - and they have come up. 

[mark]

I actually think the owner who does his/her own service does a better job of ensuring things are done right (torque values, correct fluid levels, care in not scratching the bike, care in handling brake fluid, etc.).  If I discover something I'm not sure about, I post it here and 9 times out of 10 there's an answer within an hour.  This site is like having a tech in your garage.

[deldago]

  If I discover something I'm not sure about, I post it here and 9 times out of 10 there's an answer within an hour.  This site is like having a tech in your garage.

This is the winner!

[dartman]

Its worth it to me to have a trusted tech do the service for me. I only use dealerships where I have the same tech work on my bikes for years. As far as the first 1000 mile service, its usually when I have any mods done or when I know whatever needs to be adjusted/fixed after breaking in the bike. If I was retired, I might tinker more with the bikes but working 60+ hours a week, I value my time riding more.
I attached the cvo 1k service checklist. Its a bit more than just changing the oil.

Just had a trusted tech change my rear tire under Warranty, got home and rechecked every thing, found the drive belt with a 1/2 in of play and the rear axle torqued to 60 lbs, I just fixed it myself, A retired salesman told me that service departments are like fast food restaurants no telling what happens when U send it back the second time.

[ultrafxr]

Just had a trusted tech change my rear tire under Warranty, got home and rechecked every thing, found the drive belt with a 1/2 in of play and the rear axle torqued to 60 lbs, I just fixed it myself, A retired salesman told me that service departments are like fast food restaurants no telling what happens when U send it back the second time.

The sad thing is that this is endemic in the motorcycle world - moco for sure and suspect other brands as well.  If only that trusted tech you finally found could in fact be trusted each and every time.  But unfortunately it does not seem to work that way.  I've found several, I thought, exceptional techs only to have been disappointed down the road with less than stellar repairs like those mentioned above.  Simply HATE to take my bike in for repairs because I know I'll most likely find something when I get it back that will raise my blood pressure.  And getting it back is usually the first thing that does.  Shops never seem to have any urgency to get to your repairs.

[GregKhougaz]

 "Trusted tech"  =  OXYMORON.   There is no tech out there who cares about your bike as much as you.  The taskes required to service your CVO are not brain surgery nor as difficult as what most of us do every day.   There are plenty of reasons to have the dealer tech perform your service but I don't think trust is one of them.  Just my $. 02.

[kojak]

"Trusted tech"  =  OXYMORON.   There is no tech out there who cares about your bike as much as you.  The taskes required to service your CVO are not brain surgery nor as difficult as what most of us do every day.   There are plenty of reasons to have the dealer tech perform your service but I don't think trust is one of them.  Just my $. 02.

Well I've had bad experiences and great experiences. After 40 years in the saddle, I think I probably can tell the difference by now. I wouldn't paint everyone with the same paint brush.

[Harley Guy]

The 1,000 mile service on my new CVO Limited is a free-bee by the dealership. I will let them handle it.

When I get to retirement, with more free time, a basic oil/filter etc is doable.  Changing tires, nope.....

RIDE ON............