Servicing costs for a 'big' bike?

[Little Miss Trouble]

Now my little GPX has gone to her new home I can seriously start looking for a bigger bike.
I have my eye on a few, just wanting to know what sort of servicing costs I should expect on a 600cc+ bike particularly for the BIG services (I will be learning to do basics on whatever the next one is myself so will be saving a bit there.)

[James Deuce]

$600-$900 for the valve adjusting ones.

$100-$200 for the others.

[The Pastor]

I think the average price is a tube of ky and a month of doctors bills after the ass raping you get from the grease monkeys

[jafar]

I think the average price is a tube of ky and a month of doctors bills after the ass raping you get from the grease monkeys

This from a twofiddy polisher. :laugh:

[The Pastor]

this from a twofiddy polisher. :laugh:
last bike was 1000cc sports bike you bmw riding hillbilly.

[hang0ver]

last bike was 1000cc sports bike you bmw riding hillbilly.

Hahaha...

:ar15:

[Forest]

What make and/or model of big bike are we talking about?

There's a huge variation in service cost between a Bandit and a 1098r.

[slimjim]

doesn't really . normally big cc less major problems, regular home servicering of the bike is the big pay-off, however it may depend to in what model of bike.

[jafar]

last bike was 1000cc sports bike you bmw riding hillbilly.

Notice that's not current bike :Oi:

Nuffin wrong with a BMW or being a hillbilly.

Maw where's me grit's & me shotgun? I gotta go shoot me a Renegade :devil2:

[Pixie]

Buy a bandit 600 - 1200 and do the servicing yourself

[madbikeboy]

Servicing costs are pretty cheap on the Thou. I change oil myself ($20 for a filter and $70 for oil. Valves need to be checked soon, that'll be expensive.

Stick with a 600 - the real difference is consumables. I can't believe how quickly tires wear out. I get maybe 1000 kilometers. Maximum. And chains... Hmm.

[HungusMaximist]

Stick with a 600 - the real difference is consumables. I can't believe how quickly tires wear out. I get maybe 1000 kilometers. Maximum. And chains... Hmm.

It's because of all those pansy burnouts you do.. :yawn:

[slimjim]

Servicing costs are pretty cheap on the Thou. I change oil myself ($20 for a filter and $70 for oil. Valves need to be checked soon, that'll be expensive.

Stick with a 600 - the real difference is consumables. I can't believe how quickly tires wear out. I get maybe 1000 kilometers. Maximum. And chains... Hmm.

:whistle:...1000km's....yea right ! ..you missing a 0 on that or what..you buy half used tires..

chain life should be up around 40000 kms +for big bikes ..shit the xjr had sprockets and chain changed at 54000km's...however it was cleaned and oiled more than the wife.:crybaby:...however yet to get 22yrs out of a chain..lol

[HenryDorsetCase]

What make and/or model of big bike are we talking about?

There's a huge variation in service cost between a Bandit and a 1098r.

given the 12000km service intervals for the 1098, you'd expect it to be cheaper than the bandit, right?

[vifferman]

Yeah, what they said.
The big thing is the tyres, chain and sprockets. Budget on say $500-$600 for tyres every year to 18 months, depending on how many km you do, and how hard you ride (you can kill a pair of tyres on one hard ride or trackday), and about $300 for chain'n'sprockets every few years (depending on how you look after them, and how much wet waether and/or dirt roads you ride).

[Little Miss Trouble]

What make and/or model of big bike are we talking about?

There's a huge variation in service cost between a Bandit and a 1098r.


doesn't really . normally big cc less major problems, regular home servicering of the bike is the big pay-off, however it may depend to in what model of bike.

The reason I've not mentioned Make/Model is at this stage I am looking at a few from various makers.

The prices mentioned for 600s in general isn't so different to the quote I was given this morning by a workshop for an Italian so its looking like I might be getting some V-twin goodness in the not too distant future :2thumbsup

[slimjim]

:calm:..guzzi..?

[NighthawkNZ]

Now my little GPX has gone to her new home I can seriously start looking for a bigger bike.
I have my eye on a few, just wanting to know what sort of servicing costs I should expect on a 600cc+ bike particularly for the BIG services (I will be learning to do basics on whatever the next one is myself so will be saving a bit there.)


Just have your pay direct credited to the bike shop :crazy:

[Forest]

given the 12000km service intervals for the 1098, you'd expect it to be cheaper than the bandit, right?

I'm not sure that I would.

The major service interval on the GSF1250 Bandit is 25,000 km.

[R6_kid]

Stick with a 600 - the real difference is consumables. I can't believe how quickly tires wear out. I get maybe 1000 kilometers. Maximum. And chains... Hmm.

Sounds like you need to work on controlling your right hand my friend. So far my GSXR1000 has cost be about the same to run as my old R6. It's all about being smooth.

The only difference between brands for servicing tends to be the frequency. You dont need to look at the top end of a japanese 600cc sports/tourer every 10,000km - more like every 20,000-30,000 (some are more frequent than others). The Ducati's have the need for new belts and to have the desmodromics readjusted every 10,000km - hence the 'high cost of maintenance'.

The rate at which you use consumables such as oil/tyres/brakes/chains/sprockets is largely dependant upon the rider.

[discotex]

I'll shortly be up to my 4th service in a year (18000km service next) plus a set of pads and tyres. Fortunately the 1000km service is free labour with Honda.

Will probably go through another service + my current tyres and another set before the summer is over. Depends on how many trackdays I can fit in I guess.

Adds up fast :whistle:

[Cajun]

Miss L

alot of depends on your bike, and your skill with a spanner, most japas are every 6000kms for a oil/filter change, pretty simple to do yourself if bike is out of warrenty, often its helps by doing small things to bring costs down
when taking bike in for service, remove the side fairings, so easyer for staff to service, also means you are not spending $50+hr for some shop boy to remove your side fairings. also a good time to give motor a clean up.

When in warrenty most of my services never costed me more than 2 hours worth of labour, + oil + filter, which i use to supply myself,

I often brought oil/filter way before service, spreading the cost over a longer time.

[Gremlin]

The rate at which you use consumables such as oil/tyres/brakes/chains/sprockets is largely dependant upon the rider.
Yep, and how much you get done by the shop. Yet I certainly don't count myself as a fast rider (and think I am reasonably smooth when I want to be), and the zx10 consumed stuff like it was going out of fashion. All servicing was done by Mt Eden, I'm shit at mechanic stuff.

Bought at 5500km. Serviced at 11000km (the books 12k), full set of tyres, scottoiler etc, and the bill ran up to a little over $1300.

It was then serviced at 17000km. Another set of tyres, and it had had a 2nd hand rear tyre in between the services as well. It also needed chain and sprockets. The bill was over $1400.

My experience of big sportsbikes was one of hating service time...

It completely depends on what you get and how you ride it.

[Crazy Steve]

Now my little GPX has gone to her new home I can seriously start looking for a bigger bike.
I have my eye on a few, just wanting to know what sort of servicing costs I should expect on a 600cc+ bike particularly for the BIG services (I will be learning to do basics on whatever the next one is myself so will be saving a bit there.)

Gsxr1000k3 valve clearence $500 plus at 24kms.

Gsxr1000k7 small whole in Radiator $400 plus.

1st 1000km service on ER6N $120ish.
2nd 6000km service on ER6N $120-130ish again.

The 1st two were done with new tyres aswell making both around $1000 each

Crazy Steve

[Little Miss Trouble]

The only difference between brands for servicing tends to be the frequency. You dont need to look at the top end of a japanese 600cc sports/tourer every 10,000km - more like every 20,000-30,000 (some are more frequent than others). The Ducati's have the need for new belts and to have the desmodromics readjusted every 10,000km - hence the 'high cost of maintenance'.



Lies!
(unless of course it varies from model to model) On the Ducati I have my eye on I've been told you replace the belts and check shims etc. every 20,000k

[madbikeboy]

Sounds like you need to work on controlling your right hand my friend. So far my GSXR1000 has cost be about the same to run as my old R6. It's all about being smooth.




My right hand has a mind of it's own. Thought of getting it amputated, but it's so entertaining. This morning it flipped the bird twice, not sure why either time. And then it grabbed handfuls of throttle while I was admiring the scenery. Some days the madness spreads to the other hand. Burnouts are the result.

No one listens to me, even my dick seems to be out for itself.

I'd try drugs, but I can't afford it due to the fines and tires.

Any advice?

[vifferman]

That was very good, MBB :niceone:. (I'd bling you if I could, but apparently das is verboten).
Sorry - I don't have any answers. You could try driving something small, gutless and boring, but no doubt the boredom would cause your various parts to think up new ways to entertain themselves and get you into even more trouble.

[Slyer]

Go for the Kawasaki 650, nice and cheap-to-run parallel twin. :)

[madbikeboy]

That was very good, MBB :niceone:. (I'd bling you if I could, but apparently das is verboten).
Sorry - I don't have any answers. You could try driving something small, gutless and boring, but no doubt the boredom would cause your various parts to think up new ways to entertain themselves and get you into even more trouble.

Yeah, I run out of bling each day for you as well.

I tried riding something smaller, but the right hand would spank it even harder. It's affecting my work life as well. My voicebox seems to have a mind of its own - just the other day I was explaining that the statement "that's because you're an idiot looking for a village" came out all by itself...

[Pwalo]

Whatever you buy will be expensive after the 250. If you want a cheap bike for servicing costs buy a GS500. Air cooled, two valve heads, it doesn't come any cheaper.

As everyone else has said, if you do your own minor servicing (oil changes etc), you can keep your costs down. I guess the other option is to buy a new bike every two years.

Anyways bikes are expensive to own if you get them serviced regularly. Mind you it can be even more expensive if you don't get then serviced regularly.

[OutForADuck]

Bigger the bike bigger the bill ... bigger the grin.. bigger the thrill and bigger the speeds, bigger the chase, bigger the suspension, bigger the fine... Damn.... why do I like big bikes :bleh:

They are not cheap but you get the joy you pay for!!!!

[gijoe1313]

I has perfect solutions for choo! Yous buys a smalls bike, a mediums bikes and also has a biggest bikes! That way you saves moneys by riding each of them a bits, I's not goods since I rides them all heaps!

See? Easy when you knows how! Wait ... I was meant to have a 18000km servicing ... but somehow I got involved in a ride that took it to 20000km :o Oopies, mys so bads! :sweatdrop

What everyone else said, if you can do stuff for yourself it saves money - but if we were being practical, we wouldn't be riding bikes! :msn-wink:

[Little Miss Trouble]

Go for the Kawasaki 650, nice and cheap-to-run parallel twin. :)


Whatever you buy will be expensive after the 250. If you want a cheap bike for servicing costs buy a GS500. Air cooled, two valve heads, it doesn't come any cheaper.



Thanks guys, but I wasn't actually asking what I should get, more like looking for help justifying what I already knew I wanted, and neither of those bikes give me that funny:love: feeling anyway

[madbikeboy]

Okay, I'm about to throw $0.02 here.

Screw the practicality, you always find a way to pay for it, even if it means eating Pams branded weet bix for lunch (as I do), and taking clients out for lunch when that becomes unbearable on the company credit card (which I'd never do...!).

Bikes aren't practical. There is no way I can justify riding the GSXR on a financial basis. It makes no sense at all, running a V8 would be cheaper. But, screw the cost, I love the bitch.

Throw practicality aside, this is one time in your life to base decisions on fun and gut feeling, not dollars and sense (sic).

Just don't buy a Ducati, no one needs that much aggravation in their life (if you do, I can sell you an Alfa).

[Little Miss Trouble]

Okay, I'm about to throw $0.02 here.

Screw the practicality, you always find a way to pay for it, even if it means eating Pams branded weet bix for lunch (as I do), and taking clients out for lunch when that becomes unbearable on the company credit card (which I'd never do...!).

Bikes aren't practical. There is no way I can justify riding the GSXR on a financial basis. It makes no sense at all, running a V8 would be cheaper. But, screw the cost, I love the bitch.

Throw practicality aside, this is one time in your life to base decisions on fun and gut feeling, not dollars and sense (sic).

Just don't buy a Ducati, no one needs that much aggrivation in their life (if you do, I can sell you an Alfa).

THATS what I wanted to hear! Except for the last bit.

[hospitalfood]

if you get a buell the service is reasonable as they dont need valves adjusted or new cam chains, tensioners etc.

[Little Miss Trouble]

if you get a buell the service is reasonable as they dont need valves adjusted or new cam chains, tensioners etc.

Out of my price range unfortunately, that and I've seen for myself they really don't handle having a lay down well

[rok-the-boat]

Get a good toolkit and manual and you'll save yourself 1000s.

[Balding Eagle]

You obviously want to buy the Ducati and want us to justify your decision for you. It isn't going to happen. Take the emotion out of the decision making process and look at the facts. That's the way I did it. Looked at all the options and then bought a Honda, but I was prejudiced too.

[Slyer]

What's with this "A-Style" avatar and why do so many people have it. :bleh:
(I get what it symbolises)
Edit: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=76911&highlight=a-style] Aha

[Little Miss Trouble]

You obviously want to buy the Ducati and want us to justify your decision for you. It isn't going to happen. Take the emotion out of the decision making process and look at the facts. That's the way I did it. Looked at all the options and then bought a Honda, but I was prejudiced too.

The Ducati is no longer in the picture, I've decided to wait until I can afford the full spec option before I go buying a Monster (yes I've got my lotto ticket!)
Its back to the drawing board & waiting a few weeks now by the looks of things.

Thanks for all your input guys.:2thumbsup

[GSXR Trace]

had my 600 serviced the other day (6000km service) and it only cost me $240

[Morcs]

get a 400 sports and thatll teach you how to ride better than a 600 or thou can.

[jafar]

Thanks guys, but neither of those bikes give me that funny:love: feeling anyway

The lady wants a thumper :niceone:

[James Deuce]

had my 600 serviced the other day (6000km service) and it only cost me $240

That's not a major service interval, that's a standard service. When is the first valve clearance check required? Because that one will cost a bit more. Three to four times more.

[Jantar]

I've just collected my bike after its 36000 km service. Total cost $953.

But that did include new rear tyre, chain and sprockets (not standard size), brake pads, air filter etc.

The next service will be the expensive one. It will be just before the Southern Cross and will be two new tyres, valve adjustment, throttle body synch as well as replace any parts that look as though they may be due within the following 8000 km.

[NOWOOL]

I'm going through the same dilema; I want a sport tourer but i don't frequent (or any) valve adjustments that require high price tags.

What bikes don't require valve adjustments?

What bikes will go at least 25,000km's without needing them inspected?

[cheshirecat]

Well I reckon should do my old red bus once a yearish. Done 16,000k in 8 months and it doesn't need doing. Previous owner did them at 55,000 and I'm now over 80,000. Just about to put a new chain on though and will hopefully avoid needing new sprockets. pads OK.

[Karl@Alpha]

Get a Morini!
Two years free servicing!
3 years warranty!
Mmmm... 1200cc of Italian maddness!
Try one today!

[mikeey01]

The Ducati is no longer in the picture, I've decided to wait until I can afford the full spec option before I go buying a Monster (yes I've got my lotto ticket!)
Its back to the drawing board & waiting a few weeks now by the looks of things. Thanks for all your input guys.:2thumbsup

Well since I've owned a few big bikes...........

Ducati or not to Ducati.....

2 valve is a lot cheaper than a 4 valve to maintain, but you don't get nothing for nothing. i.e. power out always comes at a cost, same goes for any high performance engine.

If it's cost your worried about then buy a 2v Ducati. Do the minor maintenance yourself, such as oil / filter etc.

As for belts and shims, arr hell people make a big deal out of it, end of the day it's a check, sometimes a shim is changed and piece of mind you change the belts at 20k.

They are not that expensive to maintain, contrary to common myth.

That said if you want cheap maintenance then don't buy a Ducati, or any other high performance bike for that matter!
Sports bikes cost, tyres, engine performance etc etc. Service intervals less than 10k
Cruisers / tourers normally cost less. Service intervals above 10~12k


Italian bikes are about emotion.

If you want the fastest, sharpest, trickest bike on the planet, buy Japanese and follow the crowd.

But if you want a bike to stir you deep inside every time you open the garage door,
a bike you will spend hours cleaning just for the sake of it,
a bike that will make you shudder every time you hit the starter button and grin like an idiot behind a dark visor on the open road, there is none better.

stolen from www.ducatispares.co.nz

[Little Miss Trouble]

haha awesome timing with the thread dredge, my SV is up for a service this week, very interested to see what the cost will be

[3umph]

Had my Daytone in to get the basics done just before christmas as part of the std 20000k service...

wanted valve clearances, balance throttle bodies, replace fuel filter, new plugs and a computer tune up and that was it apart from a few small things...

what I got was:
valve clearances
balance throttle bodies
new plugs and a computer tune up
Replaced oil and filter (instructions were defiantly DON'T Change the oil ... so did not get charged for it so they say)
Drain and replace brake fluid (I had done this 4 weeks prior)
Replace front brake pads
Tighten and lube chain (new chain about 2 weeks prior from different shop)
put air in my leaky rear tyre
New valve cover rubber gasket (replaced due to being leaky but then found out leak was most likley due to snapped bolt for holding cover on)
Helicoil for above cover bolt

And a hell of a lot bigger bill then what I was budgeting on...

What I didn't get but asked for:
replace fuel filter.... but then told not to worry about it till it starts playing up.... I thought preventative maintenance was better then crapping out in the middle on nowhere but told that it should do 40-50k

If you take a bike in say what you want done and make sure they write it down and get an idea of price and when you pick it up make sure they stick to it....

to easy for the $$$ to be added on

[mikeey01]

so who did the service, just so I know not to go there!