Shop service ($$) versus DIY - your advice?

**Machiavelli** · 9th October 2007, 16:29

Hey all,

I am now the very proud owner of my first motorbike, a 2007 Suzuki GN250.

I wanted a new one 'just coz', and I'm very happy that it has its 1 year factory warranty, I've already utilised that in my first week of riding!

I have zero knowledge about bike upkeep and maintenance. The Suzuki shop guy said that Ginnys are very reliable bikes and that maybe the only thing I'd need to do it make sure its chain stays greased.
I asked him about how to change oil etc (i have no idea) and he said I wouldn't need to do that - to just bring it in to the shop after the first 1000km and then every 5000km after that. He said it would cost about $150 do to a full service.

Is this good advice, or is he trying to rip off a newbie such as myself?

How much bike maintenance should I be doing myself, versus how much should I just leave for a shop servicing?

**James Deuce** · 9th October 2007, 16:37

Check the engine oil level religiously. There's only 1.4 litres of oil in a GN's engine and gearbox and they do use a little bit.

Follow the service schedule religiously, or your factory warranty will be invalidated.

I've only had a couple of new bikes and both times I let the shop do the servicing for the duration of the warranty.

Don't put grease on your chain. Use chain lube.

The owners manual will tell you quite plainly all the things you need to look after.

**ManDownUnder** · 9th October 2007, 16:41

Rip off.

Get yourself a GN Manual which will spell out all the stuff to be done at each interval (5,00kms etc) and either do it yourself or have someone show you how. Most isn't hard and the ocassional pro job on the high tech stuff can be done as required.

Here's a chance to learn, meet some people and get your hands dirty.

**HTFU** · 9th October 2007, 16:55

Warranty will cover some of the GN problems, most of these are not motor related. I did 25000km on mine with no engine problems, got the shop to do the 1000km and then did my own oil/filter from then on, replaced the chain myself etc all from internet searches and using the manual.

Great thing about the basic air cooled GN is most people could learn how to keep it maintained. I had the valves adjusted by the shop at 10000km about the only thing the shop needs to do. I had to replace the rear sprocket at 20000km and had the valves done again by the shop. I put a new chain on at 10000km and 20000km. Need to adjust it often and keep it well lubed, so something worth learning. Because the GN has a centre stand it makes this stuff easier to do.

Buy some castrol GPS oil from supercheap (you need this anyway to do topups, important to keep the oil on the full line, but be carefull not to overfill it) , some kero and filter oil to service the filter, spark plug socket with the swivel in it, oil filter and just read the manual. I would mark the bolts with a vivid so that when ever I put It back together I had an idea where everything was before I undid it.

Well worth learning this stuff. Rewarding to fix it yourself and save some coin. There will be stuff you need to do between service intervals so makes sense to learn the other things as well.

**Usarka** · 9th October 2007, 16:58

if ya dont have the stamps in the book then the dealer might not honour the warranty.

your call.

**Machiavelli** · 9th October 2007, 17:03

Excellent advice, everyone

Obviously the 'get stuck in and dirty' approach seems to be the agreed on way to do it. I keep finding reasons why I'm glad I bought a GN and that fact that it sounds like a good bike to learn to maintain is just another one of them!

Here's hope I have smooth running

Now I guess I need to find a GN250 manual... (yes, i spotted the thread on it but i have no idea if i want to install some random zip programme on my PC just for that)

**Motig** · 9th October 2007, 18:50

You do realise the "get stuck in and dirty" should only be done when its out of warranty otherwise the dealer can justifiably refuse to honour the warranty

. Reread the previous posts and the majority are trying to tell you that. But after warranty runs out - Go for it, it does save a lot of money.

**boomer** · 9th October 2007, 19:13

If you value your warranty, get the book stamped by a dealer every service. If not.. fill ya boots; even i can change oil, filter, sprocket and chain..fill with water and abuse unnecessarily

**SVboy** · 10th October 2007, 14:00

I think it is really important to let the bikeshop do the 1000km service. They have a schedule of checking and tightening as well as the oil and filter. I think getting the dealers stamp in the book is important for resale too. HOWEVER be warned, the dealers dont do this service for free, oh god no!

**Ragingrob** · 10th October 2007, 14:49

Originally Posted by Motig

You do realise the "get stuck in and dirty" should only be done when its out of warranty otherwise the dealer can justifiably refuse to honour the warranty

. Reread the previous posts and the majority are trying to tell you that. But after warranty runs out - Go for it, it does save a lot of money.

Hey I downloaded the manual from a site...it may be the same as you've seen, and it says you need 7-zip to unzip it? Well I downloaded it and it's actually just in pdf format and opened and printed straight away

, now I'm gonna buy a notebook so that I can record everything I need to and have done at what km's...

**Machiavelli** · 10th October 2007, 21:56

People keep referring to getting stamps in books.

Should I have some kind of book that came with my bike?
Can I just get any old notebook and get the dealer to stamp it when they service it?

Whats the deal with the book & stamp thing?

**FROSTY:Me** · 10th October 2007, 22:16

Dude The NEW Gn 250's have a reputation for giving several issues which can be expensive to fix.
You get a warranty book with the paperwork when you buy a new suzuki.
That book needs to have stamps put in it by a bike shop at the required service intervals. If you dont do this it WILL invalidate your warranty

**HTFU** · 11th October 2007, 07:53

Bike should have come with an owners manual that has all the servicing information you will need, go back and get one from the shop.

I agree get the first service and maybe a second one at 5000km done by the shop. If there is any motor related problems that would be covered by warranty they will most likely show up in the first few thousand kms. Each service will cost $150 so not a huge expense (you will be paying $60 for labour).

Thing is, you will need to lube and adjust the chain, top up oil in between servicing anyway. So learn how to do this and then after 5000km do the rest yourself if you want. Any other warranty issues like the speedo stopping, baffle falling out of exhaust will still be covered regardless of who has serviced the bike, so I wouldn't be too fussed about that. The GN is just a good bike to learn some basic mechanical skills on.

I have not heard of many motor related warranty claims most have been electrical etc. Motor may be made of cheaper chinese metal but its still the same engine that came out of Japan. Its the finishing touches and build quality that is the problem with China.

**Pancakes** · 11th October 2007, 12:39

Yeah do what ya gotta do to keep the warranty valid IMO. Being a single even though it's low power you'll want to get the hang of chain adjustment from day one. After the warranty period get in thar! Oil and filter, air filter, pads, chain etc you should be sweet as with. I like to clean my bike too. Not polish the paint but spend time in the nooks and crannies so you get an idea on where things should be so you notice if anythings come "unstuck" or cracks etc. I have a rag with numbers along the bottom and when I remove parts of bikes or cars or whatever I'll do a rough drawing of the cover and number the bolts, they then get put on the rag by their number. Sounds anal but takes one minute more and is cheap insurance if your new to the game or worried you'll mix bits up. The new GN's have softer covers and bolts than the old ones so don't over tighten, I don't do my covers that tight at all and use the tiniest bit of loc-tite on the bolts so I know they won't wiggle out.

Good luck and have fun!