Biker servicing costs - am I being quoted silly money?

[fireball]

i once was told to pay $400 for basic service...... turned out i needed a whole lot of new parts (bull shit) told the lovely mechanic to pull his head out of his arse, just because im female doesnt make me stupid.
be wary of those wanting to take you for a ride....

my last service cost me $100 only a month ago due for another one in under 500km
last work done was new chain and sprockets and breaks checked for $300

but shop around just because some are more exspensive or cheaper than others doesnt mean quality in some cases

[HungusMaximist]

As a student I do have to agree with all the tone of the thread that bringing in your bike to be serviced is expensive.

BUT

Just like anything else, getting a tradesmen doing your burst water pipes is also gonna be expensive. If the price is right, just pay the damm money, at the end of the day people are there to make money. Trust me, from the words of my South African mechanic mate, people in NZ are hold outs and just don't wanna pay for quality service. So what they get basically is crap service.

But if you do find that special mech, build a relationship with him and question his work/quote when needed. Otherwise, learn how to do the basic stuff yourself.

[klyong82]

As a student I do have to agree with all the tone of the thread that bringing in your bike to be serviced is expensive.

BUT

Just like anything else, getting a tradesmen doing your burst water pipes is also gonna be expensive. If the price is right, just pay the damm money, at the end of the day people are there to make money. Trust me, from the words of my South African mechanic mate, people in NZ are hold outs and just don't wanna pay for quality service. So what they get basically is crap service.

But if you do find that special mech, build a relationship with him and question his work/quote when needed. Otherwise, learn how to do the basic stuff yourself.

Does that include you when it comes to paying others for quality work?

[Max Preload]

...but shop around just because some are more expensive or cheaper than others doesnt mean quality in some cases

Indeed, some people think the more you pay the better the service, but the two are not inseparable.

Trust me, from the words of my South African mechanic mate, people in NZ are hold outs and just don't wanna pay for quality service. So what they get basically is crap service.

It's a bit of a catch-22. People have come to expect mediocre service, so they want to pay less for it.

[Edbear]

If you're not too far from Whangaparaoa, give Tim a call on 09-424 0477, he's a KB'r. Classic_Z and does bikes.

[Roki_nz]

$250 yeap thats what i was quoted, my cage costs less to service

[rok-the-boat]

Bloody expensive if you ask me. Spend the money on tools. All you need to buy is oil and an oil filter. Odds are you'll do a better job of it than they will. I can't believe how much people are paying here.

[Max Preload]

I can't believe how much people are paying here.

That makes 2 of us. Not to mention not getting any experience and enjoyment from doing things for yourself. It used to be the case that motorcyclists worked on their own bikes and there's no reason why that can't be done now for basic maintenance by 99% of people.

[Pedrostt500]

Im certain that I saw a Thread here some where about bike maintenance groups, look it up and see if you can go and learn how to service your bike your self, it will make the experience so much more enjoyable.

[gunrunner]

Hi guys,

I'm a newbie to the whole bike scene and KB (cool forum btw. lots of info).

I've just got my learners license and recently got my hands on a Yamaha SRV 250 Renaissa (love it!). I'm wanting to get it serviced and generally checked over, but was pretty gobsmacked at the price I got quoted for servicing. I was told it would be "about $250, but could be more" for a simple service. The way he was talking, i got the impression that didn't include all the parts (plugs, filters, etc). It costs less to do my car, which involves more oil, includes all filters, quick tune and even WOF! Am I missing something or is this normal price for servicing a bike?

I was considering doing it myself as I've done loads of work on cars before so not afraid of getting oily, but I'm new to bikes and don't have a manual etc, so figured I'd just get someone to do it for now.

I know it can be difficult to give a rough idea of price, but I'm in Auckland and I'd be after a service including all filters and also to get a general check over of the bike to include chain, etc.

Cheers in advance guys!
Dave

Seems steep it should be that with everything included , google your bike make and model and get a manual online , then go get what you want and do it yourself its a good way to learn bout your bike and easy enuff to do yourself

[gunrunner]

i once was told to pay $400 for basic service...... turned out i needed a whole lot of new parts (bull shit) told the lovely mechanic to pull his head out of his arse, just because im female doesnt make me stupid.
be wary of those wanting to take you for a ride....

my last service cost me $100 only a month ago due for another one in under 500km
last work done was new chain and sprockets and breaks checked for $300

but shop around just because some are more exspensive or cheaper than others doesnt mean quality in some cases

Good on ya , i remember years ago at the sprints out of Ash Vegas all my mates were giving this very attractive blonde in a race suit shit as she was looking at the bikes well later on in the day she jumped on a late model Triumph (Daytona i think ) she went out and broke the speed record .

[tate35]

Welcome Dave and congrats on getting your learners and your Yamaha.

Happy and safe riding

Hi guys,

I'm a newbie to the whole bike scene and KB (cool forum btw. lots of info).

I've just got my learners license and recently got my hands on a Yamaha SRV 250 Renaissa (love it!). I'm wanting to get it serviced and generally checked over, but was pretty gobsmacked at the price I got quoted for servicing. I was told it would be "about $250, but could be more" for a simple service. The way he was talking, i got the impression that didn't include all the parts (plugs, filters, etc). It costs less to do my car, which involves more oil, includes all filters, quick tune and even WOF! Am I missing something or is this normal price for servicing a bike?

I was considering doing it myself as I've done loads of work on cars before so not afraid of getting oily, but I'm new to bikes and don't have a manual etc, so figured I'd just get someone to do it for now.

I know it can be difficult to give a rough idea of price, but I'm in Auckland and I'd be after a service including all filters and also to get a general check over of the bike to include chain, etc.

Cheers in advance guys!
Dave

[scracha]

$50 for 40minutes labour (oil, plugs and chain)
$40 for oil (number i pulled from the air)
$40 for filter (number i pulled from the air)
$50 for a pair of plugs (may be twice that)
comes to $170....

40 minutes to change plugs, oil and tighten chain. It's a ginny FFS.
$25 a plug? It's a ginny FFS.
$40 for oil? It's a ginny FFS


Shop around.

[CookMySock]

It's a bit of a catch-22. People have come to expect mediocre service, so they want to pay less for it.

Yeah well thats what we get when we keep playing them off against each other for the best deal. It's not fair that they charge $150/hour but its not fair on us dutch-auctioning them either.

I love my bikeshop. (Underwood and Wilkins). After each service they stop and talk to me and tell me "ok we checked this also, and this was loose so we sorted that out, and this is how to adjust this properly coz it was a mile out ok? and watch out for this, this, and this over the next few months. cool?" And if I have a problem I just wander in and pester their sales dude (heya John!) and if its over his head I just get sent in to talk to the service folks and interrupt their work! (which I feel really nervous about doing - I get outa there pronto!)

I have no idea how much they charge me. I've never looked at the bill. I just want them to still be there next month - it will be a tragedy if they aren't.


DB

[sinfull]

I'm currently in the process of downloading a heap of yamaha workshop manuals on pdf (1.5 gig of em) and there's an SR 250 in amoungst them , not 100% sure if its the same as yrs but its gonna take a few days to get them all anyway lol i only got 900 odd mhz of processor and with lime running it gets damb frustrating ! Will be posting up a list of manuals i have already and keep updating it as i collect more ! Will come find ya when i have the SR manual !
If ya aint riding many k's (up to you if ya hold off on ya service) but most yamaha dealers will give ya a copy of service schedule sheet which tells ya what it needs at how many ks ! If in doubt do ya oils and filter anyway, before ya do any more ks (that aint hard to work out) check ya chain aint slack (take it off if ya feel inclined and turn it sideways if it seems limp it prolly is haha) Sprockets etc obvious check !
Thing to be carefull of is have the scheduled services been done on time in the past if at all !
I make a point when buying second hand bikes to have a full service done to start with ie clearances etc so i know where i'm at !