"Normal" maintenance costs?

[nerrrd]

My bike recently ticked over to 40,000kms, over the last five months I've had to spend nearly 2.5k on general maintenance costs - tyres, brakes (new rotors), and the 'BIG' 40k service; theoretically I should have spent another $600 or so on a new drive belt for it as well.

I should have made more of an effort to learn how to do things myself I know, but I'm a bit of a klutz (that time I managed to push my vt250 off it's centrestand while trying to adjust the chain, for example) so I tend to leave things to the professionals most times.

I'm starting to think a more conventional Japanese bike might be a better way for me and my wallet to go in future; or am I dreaming, and these are just "normal" costs for a bike of this age (2002) and mileage? As a replacement I'd be thinking along the lines of another 650, probably a Vstrom or a Kawasaki Versys.

[mossy1200]

My bike recently ticked over to 40,000kms, over the last five months I've had to spend nearly 2.5k on general maintenance costs - tyres, brakes (new rotors), and the 'BIG' 40k service; theoretically I should have spent another $600 or so on a new drive belt for it as well.

I should have made more of an effort to learn how to do things myself I know, but I'm a bit of a klutz (that time I managed to push my vt250 off it's centrestand while trying to adjust the chain, for example) so I tend to leave things to the professionals most times.

I'm starting to think a more conventional Japanese bike might be a better way for me and my wallet to go in future; or am I dreaming, and these are just "normal" costs for a bike of this age (2002) and mileage? As a replacement I'd be thinking along the lines of another 650, probably a Vstrom or a Kawasaki Versys.

How many of those 40k did you do during those 5 months. Now that it has new rotors, service etc doesn't that say the next 5months shouldn't cost 2.5k.

Every bike uses tyres. They all cost money. The devil you know and spent coin on could be better than a new devil.

[Drew]

Depends on lots of things.

What are the service intervals for valve clearances, cam chain inspection (which I expect service agents automatically just replace it) and other big things?

If it's not any more regular than the Japanese bikes you're considering, the belt is about the only consideration for cost...Some people have spats of bad luck with them from time to time. Becomes more of a factor then I imagine.

[Gremlin]

I spent $1400 on the BMW in September alone. 80k service came up (a big one) and then new rotors and pads. Just one of those things, and I don't do the servicing myself. October I spent nothing.

As mossy said, having paid out on those items, it would likely mean you won't have those costs in the near future (of course, there could be something else). I wouldn't include tyres, you'd use them regardless of whatever bike you owned. Servicing? Part of riding a bike, and all bikes have certain services that are more expensive and they come up at different intervals. Belt vs chain, pros and cons both ways, same as my shaft really.

Gotta have a bike you enjoy. Do you enjoy the BMW? Would making a mathematical choice and getting a jap decrease your enjoyment? I find that sometimes the japs can be too clinical and almost soul-less.

[Madness]

Am I the only one here choking on the $600 or so for a drive belt?

[Gremlin]

I'm choking over here on the $600 or so for a drive belt. Jebus.

No idea if the price is accurate, but what's it's expected service life? What's a chain and sprockets expected life, and their cost? I'm guessing the belt lasts longer under normal conditions, but costs more to replace. All down to life vs cost.

My shaft doesn't need replacement until it... uh, needs it. Currently at 80k (a mates older model was replaced at 80, mine is fine - no idea how long it will last), and it's only had fluid replacement done. However, when it does need to be replaced, it's going to sting me $2k ish I think...

[Madness]

Never owned a belt-driven bike but I tend to think of them as being much more fragile than a chain drive by nature of them being a rubber band. Why else would some bikers carry spare belts when you don't see people carrying spare chains, for example. There's also a lot more manufacturing going into $600 worth of roller chain & sprockets than a simple reinforced rubber hoop, doesn't seem to add up.

[nerrrd]

Thanks for the replies, yeah all good points. I probably should have left the tyres out of the equation.

I would have done around 10,000ks so far this year. Valve clearances were checked this time (it's every 20,000ks for them) needed a couple of new shims (?). Also a new fuel filter, which was a big expense ($200+) and a proprietary BMW item. Same goes for the belt, only available from BMW and not a lot of demand for them either - and yes it's lasted 35,000ks so far for me, even with a small hole in it, so that might be a couple of chains and sprockets. Apparently some have lasted for a whole lot more.

The normal service intervals are every 10,000ks (around $600 in the past), but something usually comes up in between times - e.g. bearings, a faulty oil sensor (I think?).

Seems labour is a big factor with this bike, things that start out routine end up taking longer than expected. The service this time was going to take one day, then two, then I had to take it back on Saturday (by now I kind of expect that though and factor it in to the process).

But from what you're all saying it seems like it's not too much to expect and maybe it is better the devil I know now that I've spent the cash.

And it definitely has personality - can be a cantankerous sod one minute then purrs like a kitten the next.

[Gremlin]

European bikes are generally more complicated, many reckon to give the dealers more work. As you say, when the BMW goes in (10k intervals), it's kinda play it by ear as to when you get it back (but they do try to be accurate - guess it depends on what else happens, or becomes urgent, or something goes wrong during servicing - ahem, some of which is my fault ).

The CB900 has 6k service intervals. Schedule is roughly 3x basic then 1x big. Basic services are $200, big $300, bike in and out same day almost every time. I'm sure it's partly the dealer and how they operate. Anyway, that said, commute, I'd take the CB900, just easier, less going on with the bike (no anti-dive, ABS, traction control etc), but out the country, no contest, the BMW is much more enjoyable to ride. I know it's not exactly two similar bikes, but you were asking euro v jap, and I've ridden euro and jap back to back for 4-5 years now.

Biggest enemy of belts is stones, great for making holes, and guessing their life at that point is impossible. Could last ages, could fall to bits fast. CB900 goes through a chain/sprocket set around 30-40k with not enough maintenance, ZX10R had the first replacement done at 17k (sold shortly after that).

[Drew]

The manufacture cost of a chain, would be less than a belt I should think. There's lots of parts to it, but they are all the same three bits and four seals that can be made in mass very easily.

A belt with overlapping kevlar fiber, made to perfect length with evenly spaced teeth needs more set up time. Quantities are lower because different sizes are needed for each application.

Chain and sprockets for good quality can cost $600 too, though I'd never spend that much.

About the drive belt with a hole in it. Get a new one, and put the holed one under the seat as a spare. Clean it, silicon spray it, and keep it in a plastic bag to stop it degrading and going hard.

[Banditbandit]

Yeah - I loved owning and riding my BMW - BUT I will never have another -- fucking expensive things to run and maintain ...

[MarkW]

Back in the late 80's early 90's my BMW K100RS SE was also an awesome ride but unreliable and expensive to keep on the road. BMW NZ were very good about my dud but, having ridden Japanese for 18 years before buying the BMW and having gone back to Japanese since 1991 I have found my Japanese bikes to be cheaper to run long term than my BMW was.

I have learnt to do all my own servicing and by purchasing an easily serviced machine this job is relatively easy. Saves me a fortune in labour and I enjoy spending the time getting it "correct" rather than "close enough".

Modern sports bikes are not cheap to run - ever since motorcycling became a "recreational activity" rather than "transport" cost er kilometre has sky rocketed.

The month my previous Honda needed $1600 worth of parts would make some people think again, but this "service" was the first of it's type in 160,000km so was only 1 cent per kilometre. Cam chains, guides, tensioners, followers, head and base gaskets plus the normal filter, plugs and oil all added up but over the life of the bike (I sold it at 230,000km) was peanuts.

[nerrrd]

OK so that pretty much confirms what I was thinking. I'm always looking at new bikes, might actually do something serious about it early next year if I can.

Can't bring myself to stump up the extra cash for a new belt, I think i'll just risk it for now (famous last words) - the hole is small, didn't even know there was one until it was picked up recently, could have been there from the start, might be new, who knows.

Carrying a spare is probably a good idea, I've read that the reason a lot of riders riding belt-driven bikes carry spares isn't necessarily because they fail a lot, more because if they do fail on a trip it can be hard to source a replacement quickly.