Had my bike booked in for its first service today: I had prearranged for the bike to have a dino tune, fit the SE stage 1 air kit and SE tuner.. I had fitted the S & S mufflers myself... day b4 the service..

About 4 PM I get a phone call to say that we are starting your service now! ???? However we have had some problems with the dino tune machine today, so we won't be able to do the tune!  and I will txt you when the bike is ready. YEAH RIGHT I WOULD SAY MORE LIKLEY OVER BOOKED IN BIKES FOR THE DAY...

Just after 5 PM I received the txt message to say my bike is ready!

I arrived to pick up my bike at 5:30 PM.  Was handed a bill for $297 what the F#^ K is this crap oh $200 for the service WHAT I REPLIED I have never purchased a new bike or car before and  had to pay for the first service with the exception of oils. I GUESS I KNEW OWNING A HARLEY WOULD BE EXPENSIVE! 

My problem is they are charging me for two hours of labour how could this possibly be?  Given they only started on my bike at about 4 PM?...  and it was finished at 5pm or just after  ?? PLUS THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE OTHER ITEMS THAT WERE FITTED AS I WAS CHARGED A FEE FOR THEM AS WELL AND BLEEDING THE BRAKES AS I HAD A SOFT FRONT BRAKE CONTROL...

I was also informed they fitted the air cleaner kit and the Screaming Eagle Tuner, but given they had not the time to do the dino tune they downloaded the stage one map for my bike?  (I think I read somewhere you do not need the tuner to download this map?)  So why the hell did they recommend I purchased it in the first place?..  However the bike runs quite rough with popping and a little dcell when backing off the power. So I am pissed off with the way its running... NOT  A  HAPPY CHAPPY...

Bottom line is I guess I will be using an independent Harley Davidson expert, to service my bike very soon.

I am also not happy with the sound of the S&S mufflers so will now have to look at some alternative mufflers/exhaust systems..

NEWBY QUESTION

whilst I have been running in my bike I have been running the bike in third gear whilst doing 60 km an hour! (as advised by the salesman who sold me the bike)  Now it's almost run in, would you recommend fourth gear or staying with a third gear?  Whilst doing 60 km an hour?....

 

Welcome to the world of HDAU.
The stealers [Not their real name} usually find a way of pissing people off once they have sold them an overpriced and complicated piece of machinery.
Your 2 hours would include the time the receptionist took your call up until the time it took to do the transaction to clear funds and parts of that time in half hour increments.More than likely.
Thank you come again..

maybe they had two monkeys mechanics working on it?

I can do near 60 in 1st what the fuck would you want to be in fourth for.

As stated ride it like you stole it.
It will sort out any weak points and take the shine off the internals .

I definately would call a Harley very overpriced, but its far from being a complicated piece of machinery.

I would call it very old technology and easy to work on.

Yes the Dealers are very expensive for what they provide, do the wrenching yourself.

And if you look at Mr Motor head he looks an intelligent gent.LOL
Nice of you to front my friend and tell it how it can be.

I am not a mechanic by any stretch nor am I a novice rider.
I have been in the workshop with the best of them and wouldn't go out half cocked on a Machine that could kill me and others.

The HD world in OZ is a community and many wise crew have been there done that riders that will help you out and teach you the workings of your bike.

Red gave me a work shop manual for my model. Thanks again Red and I read it like porn.Will I do any or a crucial job on my bike without backup or pay my local $60/h and then not look on. Not a fuckin chance.
It not only gives me an in on what and who are working on a bike it gives me knowledge to SLOWLY do things for myself.
Jumping in cold and fucking it up is not a wise act.

I have owned HD's for over 30 years and say this to everyone.

BUY A MANUAL AND DO IT ALL YOURSELF!

Especially with the new EFI bikes today it is a piece of piss. You can't fuck anything that can't be easily "unfucked".

REALLY!!

I remember my first service on my 09 FXST back in 2010 cost $364, I was not expecting this! since then I bought myself a workshop manual, a spare parts manual, all on CD, and have done all the work myself.
I appreciate the fact that some people are not confident or do not have the technical expertise to carry out service work, minor modifications themselves and therefore should engage the services of people who do know what they are doing. This does not mean that person has to be a HD technician.
If you "shop" around you will find people who do carry out HD work, they are out there. As we all know there is no room for error on a motorcycle.
Just my two bobs worth. Paul

I have had a number of new cars, the first service is usually free because it is a check nothing has come lose, the odd tension but that's it
on your new bike, the service also includes fluids, filters, tension and a better inspection (mainly metal shavings in the oil) of the motor and gear box, you can't not pay for that

I also bought a manual for my 09 FXDL ,have great time doing my own service and mods

Incidentally... I tried to get my first service for free. No go!! Was about $380 from memory.

OOOOOOOH shit yeah...I can hardly wait.

Bought and paid for my Tuner / Pipes / Heavy breather up front in the deal on my new 2012 FXDB - Was supposed to have all parts fitted pre-delivery, Finally got the bike, no parts....waiting, waiting, waiting.... First service is coming up.

IM GONNA GET BENT OVAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!

I hope so mate! Make sure you get that told to you first before it goes in. If they want to charge you extra, take it home and do it yourself. I did!!

I 've 2 things phsgasit,

1} What Kustomtown asked "Did you say all this to the dealer?"

2} As others have already said "get a manual" and learn how to do it yourself, I get great enjoyment working on my bike (nearly) as much as riding my bike and I get to spend more time with my bike (also saves fighting with wifey on $$$ for it).

"A cars first service for $80, you pay for the fluids but not the service. " - what a load of shit! What is the $80 for? An hours labour is what that covers because sure as shit they dont change anything on that first service and rarely do they even put the car on the hoist. I know for a fact that car dealer mechanics (apprentices actually, there is typically only one or two qualified mechanics in a car dealers shop) check the oil and water, a quick look at the car and thats it unless the owner has listed an item to be looked at ( and that is all that is done, the fault will be looked at, not rectified) . Its an easy $80. if there is any mor ecost then 'the manufacturer pays" = bullshit again. You, as a customer, have prepaid for the first service in the initial purchase price. Thats the way it works. Some where along the line you pay for that service, it is either disclosed fully or hidden is a previous payment.

As for HD mechanics - no idea, haven't used one yet. Having a reasonably modern bike (2007) , I check the bolts are tight, clean the battery terminals and recoat them with petroleum jelly, Spray some lube down the cables, look at the rubber bits like engine mounts and hoses looking for cracks or movement (on hoses often means some thing is changing that shouldn't) marks, change the engine oil, spark plugs and filter, have a close look at the tyre wear and hit the peg swivel points and side stand friction points with some spray lanolin grease. Then make a note of it being done in the exercise book I have for that reason and then go for a ride. It aint hard. With the engine being fuel injected I will need to change fuel filter at the 30 thou service and while I have the tank off I will pull all the electrical plugs apart and give them a squirt of contact cleaner, along with all teh earth bolts and screws and that should be it.

One of teh best services you can do is whenyou wash your bike. get in there, up close and have a really good look at the bike. Study it a bit and learn what your bike looks like normally. Each wash and before each ride, have a really good look at the bike. If some thing sticks out as having changed, then something is wrong or wearing. Thats the time to ask or investigate if you can fix it yourself, or need to start saving for the fix to be done by some one that gives a damn about your bike, not filling their wallet with your cash.

 

Well said ^ ^ ^ ^

 

if i build a motor an i mean the whole motor not just tickle heads an cams i get the owner to bring back in 1000k to do oil change an check all then at 5000 do the same again i also on twinkies if doin a full service take cam cover off inspect internals an check runout tensioners ect only cost me a 2 buck gasket an 20mins if that when do service i like to use k an n oil filters as well bit dearer but well worth it for ease of on/off an better flow an filtering too think last major service i done was 230 all up oils in eng box primary brake fluids ect ect i even wash the bike an thats rare cause i never washed mine to busy rideing it

Ok, probably should be a new subject, but what the hell.
Anyway - what do you think should be done for an intermediate and a 'full' service on all bikes (ie, frame and running gear stuff) and then engine/gearbox? (sportie vs 'long motor' bikes )
Assume minor service is every 5000Km, big service at 10000Km and a major is every 30000km, and that the owner can do an engine oil change (but probably not change the filter) at the intermediate 2,500Km.

mate, again, get a manual and do it all yourself.

change the oils and filters every 3,000 k's. have a quick whip around with a half inch/ nine sixteen spanner after you wash it every whenever..

the lifters are self adjusting so you dont need to ge there. efi takes care of the fuel and timing so nothing there.

check the rear belt tension, change the fork oil every 10,000 as well as flushing the brake lines with clean oil.

thats it basically. nothing to it.

and remember, you can't fuck anything that can't be easily unfucked...

 

 

You can have your bike serviced or repaired by a licenced vehicle repairer and mechanic other than the business you bought it from. In other words, do not be fooled into believing that you must go back where you purchased the bike.

Manufacturers warranty will not be voided if you follow the scheduling and not alter the bike from standard.