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Do you service your own bike(s)?

How many here service their own bike(s)?

7K views 73 replies 46 participants last post by  GL_Vstrom 
#1 · (Edited)
So I was reading in another forum (SV Rider) that Suzuki is closing almost 20% of their bike dealers in the US. Most of the responses over there were in the lines of "I don't care, I service my bike myself anyway" so I was wondering what's the general consensus here.

I personally enjoy working on my bikes and getting my hands dirty just as much as I enjoy riding them. When needed, I love taking things apart and then put everything back together... it's always a learning experience.

I could never trust anyone else working on my machines no matter how many certifications he may have... plus, that would strip me from half the fun of owning a motorcycle.
 
#3 ·
I do the easy stuff myself. I'm not sure about the valve checking and adjusting yet. I do take the bikes to the dealer for service once in a while. Sometimes because I just don't have the time to do it myself. I work on my own cars though, I have to pull a head and do timing belt on my truck this summer. I guess the motorcycle kind of intimidates me for some reason.
 
#4 ·
i do most all of it except mount tires which i hate doing and adjusting valves. i did the valves on my other bikes that were not shim under buckets and required adjustment every 7k miles but at 20k adjustments, i'll pay. the only problem is there are no independant bike shops here that i know of. my favorite closed.
 
#5 ·
The way you've worded the poll will skew it away from people who let the dealer do everything.

The poll may tell more about you, Mr. Offie, than those taking th poll.
 
#6 · (Edited)
The way you've worded the poll will skew it away from people who let the dealer do everything.
Well, it's just a bit of humor for that last question, but I guess if anyone gets offended by it they can request a mod to change the wording ;)
 
#8 ·
I get tools by servicing my own. But dear, I only spent $100 on this socket set, and saved $250 in service at the dealer.
 
#10 ·
I let the dealer do my valve adjustment and TBS. Cost was reasonable and very easy for me.

I picked the dealer over "my favorite shop" so i would know someone was working on it that has done so before, and not somebody hacking away, or taking guesses.

All other maintenance i can do myself.
 
#12 ·
a vital choice omitted

What about those of us who have recently started out on the two years warranty period ???
I don't want to put my choice in the last choice available -- it sounds so demeaning -- and also doesn't tell the whole story.
And anyhow -- perhaps an alternative wording could have been "I can't be bothered, and don't mind paying someone else to do the work".
'Just saying' ..............
 
#14 ·
+1 on valve adjust and TBS. I work 6 days a week (one day working on bicycles), and don't mind throwing a little money at my independent shop for these things. I ride a lot, ride year round, and want to get my bike dirtier than my hands any more. sorta like having a great conversation instead of a night of great sex. well, sorta....
 
#18 ·
I do the lot on my own and plenty for others too. All part of the hobby and social side for me.

Find great pleasure in riding while at the same time knowing a bike is all the better for my work. Sort of double bubble. Particularly when I find a genuine improvement to share with others on the forums.
 
#21 ·
So far I've managed all my farkeling and oil changes without the benefit of a garage to do it in. The only thing I had a dealer do was the 6K (was it?) tuneup. I'm getting close to needing tires, though, and will probably pay (through the nose) to have a dealer do it.
 
#24 ·
1: I don't trust others to do it correctly. I don't even use the "free" oil changes on cars, even though I know I've already paid for them. After 2-3 screw-ups by dealerships, I learned my lesson. I never screw up doing my own maintenance items...or, if I ever have, I correct my mistake before closing everything up.

2: I enjoy knowing more about the machines I depend upon to get me around reliably. Especially when I used to ride out in the desert, far from any help other than myself and whatever riding buddies I have along....and we always say that everyone on these wilderness rides should be self-supporting, including the ability to work on one's own bike. Of course, in reality, EVERYONE pitches in to help fix whatever needs repair when someone breaks down. Still, it's nice to know everyone has some level of experience to bring to the problem when your life can literally depend upon being able to get out of the wilderness. With some of my old riding buddies, I bet we could do a minor rebuild out in the desert with all the tools and parts people brought with them.

3: I don't trust others to do it correctly. Did I say that already? It's worth repeating....
 
#27 ·
So what should I vote?

I left the two valve checks I did on my 2006 to my dealer, the two valve checks and tbs on my 2012 to my dealer, stuff like replacing tires and chains to a local shop, and routine stuff like oil changes, brake pads, brake fluid changes, coolant changes, spark plugs, fork oil changes, etc myself.

..Tom
 
#28 ·
That's about my regimen, too.

Except I sometimes clean my chain.
 
#29 · (Edited)
I do all my own work - oil changes, valve checks, and tire changes too. A lot of it I learned from reference material I got from this site........ It skeers off a lot of guys, but with the right set of tire irons and some soapy water, changing tires really is quite easy. I can remove the wheels, remove the old tires, put on the new tires, and re-install the wheels all in about an hour. Saves $100 from the dealer......... That's $100 for beer and cigars!

As others have said, I too enjoy working on the bike almost as much as i enjoy riding it - almost! And just like riding, I find it therapeutic.

And as others have said, honestly, I really don't trust anyone else to work on my stuff. I've had other bikes at various dealerships through the years and afterwards have almost always found things done half-ass or not done at all. Things like missing bolts, nuts or screws (especially on the plastic panels and covers), scratched wheels, valve stem caps not put back on the wheels, they don't check or grease the wheel bearings if needed (without you asking and without having to pay another hour of shop labor - $$). Even found a rag left in my airbox one time.......
 
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