Servicing costs - why so vague?

[bluninja]

I booked my bike in for it's 1000km service at the local dealership, and asked what the cost would be. The answer $150-200.

So an authorised Suzuki dealer can't give an exact figure for an oil and filter change plus a thorough (I hope) checking over of the bike and any needed adjustment to chain and clutch. When asked why the figure was vague, he said it depended on what they found....though any additional work would probably be covered by warranty.

Is this par for the course?

[nodrog:Me]

I booked my bike in for it's 1000km service at the local dealership, and asked what the cost would be. The answer $150-200.

So an authorised Suzuki dealer can't give an exact figure for an oil and filter change plus a thorough (I hope) checking over of the bike and any needed adjustment to chain and clutch. When asked why the figure was vague, he said it depended on what they found....though any additional work would probably be covered by warranty.

Is this par for the course?

$150 would be if nothing needs adjusting, $200 would be if they have to adjust something, just like you said.

[YellowDog]

I booked my bike in for it's 1000km service at the local dealership, and asked what the cost would be. The answer $150-200.

So an authorised Suzuki dealer can't give an exact figure for an oil and filter change plus a thorough (I hope) checking over of the bike and any needed adjustment to chain and clutch. When asked why the figure was vague, he said it depended on what they found....though any additional work would probably be covered by warranty.

Is this par for the course?

Yes, it is par for the course. They are just trying to manage your expecations.

If you have been looking after your bike really well and all it needs is the standard service for the mileage, then $150 may more than cover it.

If you have however been caning the bastard and it consequentially runs like a dog needing much correction, adjustment, and replacement parts; then $500 may be nearer the mark.

They can only make an estimate as to what the specified service will cost on the basis that will be all that is required.

As a tip, when a garage says your brake pads are below 50%, should I change them for you? Just to be safe!

The answer is NO THANK YOU

[Bassmatt]

Yes, it is par for the course. They are just trying to manage your expecations.

If you have been looking after your bike really well and all it needs is the standard service for the mileage, then $150 may more than cover it.

If you have however been caning the bastard and it consequentially runs like a dog needing much correction, adjustment, and replacement parts; then $500 may be nearer the mark.

Keeping in mind it is the 1000 km service I cant see why the owner should be expected to pay for any adjustments.
I went through this with Kawasaki. I was charged around $300 for the 1000k service and was told most of the cost was checking all the bolts etc were still tight, ffs.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Seems more than reasonable to me.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Keeping in mind it is the 1000 km service I cant see why the owner should be expected to pay for any adjustments.
I went through this with Kawasaki. I was charged around $300 for the 1000k service and was told most of the cost was checking all the bolts etc were still tight, ffs.

Why shouldn't the owner pay for time used? New bikes often need going over with a fine toothed comb. Bolts/spokes etc often come loose during break in and need tightning/adjustment. That margin is certainly not built into the profit on a new bike...so the dealer shouldn't be out of pocket checking it all.

[bluninja]

Yes, it is par for the course. They are just trying to manage your expecations.

If you have been looking after your bike really well and all it needs is the standard service for the mileage, then $150 may more than cover it.

As it's the first service, I wouldn't expect to have to pay for anything other than standard.

As a tip, when a garage says your brake pads are below 50%, should I change them for you? Just to be safe!

The answer is NO THANK YOU

LOL, I'd change my own pads anyway. If the bike had no warranty I'd do all the simple servicing myself. I used to commute 1200kms a week on an SV650, so I serviced it quite frequently

[Bassmatt]

Why shouldn't the owner pay for time used? New bikes often need going over with a fine toothed comb. Bolts/spokes etc often come loose during break in and need tightning/adjustment. That margin is certainly not built into the profit on a new bike...so the dealer shouldn't be out of pocket checking it all.

Put it together properly in the first place. I have never had to take a car, truck or tractor in after 1000ks so they can check its not falling apart, why are bikes different?

[Crasherfromwayback]

Put it together properly in the first place. I have never had to take a car, truck or tractor in after 1000ks so they can check its not falling apart, why are bikes different?

No matter how well it's put together in the first place things do and will vibrate loose from new. Chains bed into/onto sprockets...and can have a wee bit of stretch.

Kawasaki used to expect you to pull the cyl on their two stroke moto-x bikes to make sure the piston was all good on their electrofusion cyls etc.

And if something come lose and falls of your tractor or car...you might not die. On your bike you're quite likely to.

[Slyer]

When I bought my Kawasaki ER6, they threw in the first service for free.
No checking of bolts necessary.

[5150]

Why shouldn't the owner pay for time used? New Harleys often need going over with a fine toothed comb. Bolts/spokes etc often come loose during break in and need tightning/adjustment. That margin is certainly not built into the huge profit on a new Harley...so the dealer shouldn't be out of pocket checking it all.

Fixed that for you

[Bassmatt]

No matter how well it's put together in the first place things do and will vibrate loose from new. Chains bed into/onto sprockets...and can have a wee bit of stretch.
Why not check every 1000k then

Kawasaki used to expect you to pull the cyl on their two stroke moto-x bikes to make sure the piston was all good on their electrofusion cyls etc.

And if something come lose and falls of your tractor or car...you might not die. On your bike you're quite likely to.
Depends what falls off i guess.

I dont think we would find this acceptable practice with other products
eg: Here are the keys to your new house ( car,boat,carpet,computer,etc etc) sir! We will be back in three months to check the nails (bolts, carpet tacks, etc) are still holding everything together. Naturally this will be at YOUR cost,sir!
So why do we accept it with motorbikes?

[Genie]

I booked my bike in for it's 1000km service at the local dealership, and asked what the cost would be. The answer $150-200.

So an authorised Suzuki dealer can't give an exact figure for an oil and filter change plus a thorough (I hope) checking over of the bike and any needed adjustment to chain and clutch. When asked why the figure was vague, he said it depended on what they found....though any additional work would probably be covered by warranty.

Is this par for the course?

Is this first service??? Gee, mine was free.

I think you'll find that any business, motorcycle or not, will give you estimates like that with any kind of verbal quote.

[ukusa]

after the 1st 1000 kms, I would expect the service to involve replacing the running in oil & the filter & maybe some chain/belt adjustment if necessary & a quick once over of nuts & bolts. Should be easy enough for a shop to put a figure on that.

There is also sometimes a checklist in the owners manual of stuff to be done at the first service.

If there's anything else wrong with it, it should be covered under the new bike warranty. Brake pads, tyres, clutch etc should not be worn out after 1000 kms.

[Crasherfromwayback]

When I bought my Kawasaki ER6, they threw in the first service for free.
No checking of bolts necessary.

And that's great. I often talk with buyers about what they'd like for a deal. Most would rather have a discount/deal on gear than a free service. But for sure I'll look at all of the above.

I dont think we would find this acceptable practice with other products
eg: Here are the keys to your new house ( car,boat,carpet,computer,etc etc) sir! We will be back in three months to check the nails (bolts, carpet tacks, etc) are still holding everything together. Naturally this will be at YOUR cost,sir!
So why do we accept it with motorbikes?

Yeah...and you ride your new house down the bumpiest street full of potholes you can find then get back to me about how many lose fittings you find.

But hey...no worries mate. You keep thinking you're being ripped off...makes no difference to me.