initial service at dealer?

Anybody got a really good reason I should have the dealer do my initial (600 mile) service on my 8th Gen VFR800FD, rather than just do it myself? I know my Harley manual STRONGLY recommended the dealer. I let them, and went to the dealer on the only other brand new bike I ever had, too.

I've heard people say...oh, they don't just change the oil, they check everything, make sure nothing has come loose since build, blah blah. Do your own later if you want, but definitely let them do the first.

But I picture the low man on the totem pole back there, about 19, hungover, texting his girlfriend, "servicing" two other bikes, an ATV, and a weed eater at the same time as mine (okay, maybe not a weed eater). I just kind of doubt they are going to look it over any more closely than me...

I plan on doing all my own maintenance in the future so...is there really any good reason?

 

Might be worth checking what your warranty says about this. If it says you have to get a dealer to do the first service or the warranty is invalidated....

Realistically, if you've got a torque wrench and the service values, there's no reason you won't do the same or better job. The most critical thing (I think) is that oil and filter change, to get rid of any wear particles. I doubt there's any other servicing of starter valves, or engine valves at that point.

Based on the pre-delivery inspection on my last new bike, I think they had the same stoned kid doing that.

 

I don't think they can legally do that in the U.S. (Magnuson Moss Warranty Act), but of course they could give you a hard time and force you to force them...so I will read the warranty. Thanks.

Update: Owners manual says warranty cannot be voided for doing your own service, but it can be if you do it incorrectly. Maybe that's their way out...just always claim it was done incorrectly. Magnuson Moss also says they must prove it, though. I just wonder how that law works out in practice...

Can't seem to find the warranty booklet the manual refers to...don't think I got one...probably couldn't understand it anyway.

 

I won't let a Honda deal anywhere NEAR my VTEC engine or any other part of the motorcycle! But then again, I bought mine used.





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only reason I'd take my bike to the dealer would be to trade it in.

 

Roar,

When I had a bike I did take it to the dealer for some items but when I did I always took the side panels off because after one visit the bike came back with cracks around the fastener holes.

Naturally they said it had come into the shop that way and I had no proof otherwise.

Probably a bit anal on my part but the plastics on my 4th gen were easy to take off...........



LookingHard

 

I am not a wrencher. I would like to have the valves checked once, as the original owner had mush in his head. The dealer service said, "We haven't done a VFR in the four years that I have been here. I MIGHT call you tomorrow with the rate for inspection and for modification." He never called.

My independent mechanic who refreshed the bike for me is Honda certified. He does not have shims (I found a kit for him and politely e-mailed him LOOK HERE!). He would have to waddle his way through it as, I am unclear, he may never have done this bike, or it has been a long time since he was at a dealer and did this on a VFR. He recommended the only dealer in town, as he has never heard anything bad from them. But it has been weeks and they have not responded.

So here I sit with $600 to spend or WHATEVER and no one to dance with.

I hate the modern service. Service has gone out the window. At my job at the Fortune company, if I do not respond within an hour I have people calling, knocking...just think of Peter in Office space as ten people come by for every stinking issue. I cannot understand how people run companies the opposite way, delaying, ignoring everything they can. It is reasonable for me to want some semblance of service like I provide at my job but alas, it does not seem to exist in retail anymore.

 

The first service is basically an oil change and to check chain slack, air pressures, and the fasteners. I've done a multitude of 1st services and can't remember a time when I found anything amiss. Most mechanics I knew/know just do the oil,chain, and tire pressures.
Do it yourself. It doesn't void the warranty and you'll do a better job than most. Take it to the dealer for recalls and warranty work.

 

I just "Tune-In" to check out Jevs' avitar, ound: I would never bring a bike or car to a dealer. Caveat is if your friend, (read: good friend) works as a wrench in the back. Then mabye, in my case I would'nt as I don't have friends :devil:

If you brang your v-tec bike in for service think about this for a minute, how well versed is the mechanic that is gona work on your scooter? Practice makes perfect and I know they don't see many of those style bikes. Just some food for thought. Happy/safe motoring

 

I'm surprised not one person chimed in for the dealers. These are dark days indeed for the vehicle service industry.

I spent a couple hours the other night studying the dreaded valve check in my service manual. Watched a video, too. I thought, man that sure looks sketchy for me. But then I thought, I don't trust one bit that any dealer around here would do it any better, or maybe not even do it and say they did (I've caught car dealers twice lying about what they did). I'll either skip it when the time comes or do it myself.

Anyway, I'm going to maintain it myself, including the initial, unless something breaks and I don't have a clue.

 

Exactly! Same happened to me but like you say, if you don't have before and after photographic evidence, where are you. Mine was cracked in that narrow spot on the left where the faring narrows to accommodate the side stand. For the life of me, I don't know why they even designed that silly and small triangle of plastic there.

When I had mine painted, I also had them remove that triangular piece all together, clean up and stiffen the edge that they cut, then paint it with the rest of the faring. Looks like it was designed that way. I am sure if I did not mention it to everyone, no one would even notice that triangular piece not there.

Keep your receipts for the oil and filter that you by for the changes to back up your claim that the servicing was done at least until it is off warranty. I keep all that shit anyways cause I am a pak rat for paperwork. I still have expense claims from two careers ago dating back to 1978. Back then, we were allowed $4.50 for lunch. Fawk!

 

Got up to 579 miles and did it myself. Not too bad. They could have made the filter a little easier to get to...lol