First service at 600 miles

[serhan]

I am thinking about doing the first service myself. From what I see in the service manual main things are engine oil change, final gear oil change, spoke check.

Would I be voiding any warranty if I do it myself? These all seem very trivial things.


Thanks.

 

[nankoweap]

i don't know that you'd void the warranty as long as you can, if required, produce some dated receipts for filter, engine oil and gear oil. i like taking my bikes to a dealer for the first service just to keep it official. after that i do what i'm able to do and bring it to a dealer for everything else.

 

[canyonman]

use the spec'd fluids and save your receipts.

 

[Twitch]

I like to do the routine stuff myself and let dealer service do the heavy lifting. There are a lot of great threads and tips throughout the forum on maintenance info.

 

[Yamaguy55]

i don't know that you'd void the warranty as long as you can, if required, produce some dated receipts for filter, engine oil and gear oil. i like taking my bikes to a dealer for the first service just to keep it official. after that i do what i'm able to do and bring it to a dealer for everything else.

Me too. After the first one, I do it all from there on out. That way, if there ever is a warranty issue, I can say they had it for the 600 mile check, and didn't catch it then. It also officially gets it into the warranty system as well, in my understanding. It isn't so much voiding the warranty, but proving at some point that you didn't just pick up the bike, ride it into the ground, then say you want it fixed.

 

[Tremor38]

Labor is free for my 1000km/600mi service, so I know how I'll be getting it done! 8)

 

[glazier]

After the purchase and royal screwing I got from Roseville Yamaha.
I'll definately be doing the FIRST and ALL other routine mantenance on my ST.
Any warranty issues ...goes to another Yamaha dealer.

 

[Twitch]

I am thinking about doing the first service myself. From what I see in the service manual main things are engine oil change, final gear oil change, spoke check.

Would I be voiding any warranty if I do it myself? These all seem very trivial things.

There is discussion in the forum here and there on the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act that can be searched. Those discussions seem to indicate that doing this (U.S. Owners) is backed by statute, but check out the threads.

Like I said above, I do it because I like to do it. I have no problems with my dealer's service techs and I trust them. Now, those sales guys out in the front...that's a different story.

 

[Tremor38]

I do all my own maintenence. If the bike is junk I don't want it, so if they deny warranty because I changed my own oil, it's meant to be. I've had 3 motorcycles ruined by dealers, and it won't happen to me again ever. I did my 600 mile maintenence, drained out upwards of 5 qts of oil and put in the 3.59 spec. I was overfill by 1.5 qt approx at delivery. I really don't see I need dealer to do botch service. I can do any and all that myself for free.

That's something that took some getting used to after I arrived in Japan. I wasn't comfortable having a dealer work on my bike, but soon learned how professional and attentive to detail most al of them are over here. They don't stay in business long if they do shoddy work. That said, my last bike took barely 2 liters of oil and even the OEM element cost next to nothing IMO, so I avoid battling the elements and making a mess. With the S10, I'll definitely be doing most of the servicing. Charge for initial service was parts/materials only, but still totaled to about U.S. $70.00 : Now to research some good aftermark filters and a nice fitting socket/wrench fit'em 8)

 

[glazier]

That's something that took some getting used to after I arrived in Japan. I wasn't comfortable having a dealer work on my bike, but soon learned how professional and attentive to detail most al of them are over here. They don't stay in business long if they do shoddy work. That said, my last bike took barely 2 liters of oil and even the OEM element cost next to nothing IMO, so I avoid battling the elements and making a mess. With the S10, I'll definitely be doing most of the servicing. Charge for initial service was parts/materials only, but still totaled to about U.S. $70.00 : Now to research some good aftermark filters and a nice fitting socket/wrench fit'em 8)

It's amazing that we Americans are paying about $200.00 for the first service by dealers.
Which really amounts to an oil change and checking bolts... usually performed by unskilled shop monkeys.
Don't think my Super Tenere will ever see the incompetent dealer again (Roseville Yamaha).

 

[Rynn Storm]

Which really amounts to an oil change and checking bolts... usually performed by unskilled shop monkeys.

My Yamaha dealer is gold star rated (http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/yta/yta_home.aspx) and besides changing the filter/oil/drive-oil, test road the bike, checked the computer, checked the battery/alternator, checked the spokes, tires pressure and of course the bolts. I agree that some dealers have poor techs, that doesn't imply they all do. Sure, the 600 miles is not a big deal but I always let the dealer (since I have a good one) do it. I will do all future services myself...

 

[CUCVGRV]

I had scheduled to have my ST first service done at the dealer but I was racking up too many miles. I also read the thread about the rear diff possibly being low. I just inspected my ST to find the water pump has a small seeping issue from the rubber hose coming from the pump itself so still keeping the appointment but I did the oil change and diff service. As long as you can provide evidence that the service was performed and the failure was not caused by abuse or neglect they cannot void warranty because you didn't have the dealer do the service.


I also would still be cautious about any manufactures gold seal rating. I worked at an auto dealer with the highest ranking for that manufacture. The secret was to intercept any bad surveys by offering a free service or some other compensation. It's a dirty business.

 

[TierHawg]

It's amazing that we Americans are paying about $200.00 for the first service by dealers.
Which really amounts to an oil change and checking bolts... usually performed by unskilled shop monkeys.
Don't think my Super Tenere will ever see the incompetent dealer again (Roseville Yamaha).

i purchased my bike from Roseville and had the first service done by them. Yes it was expensive, but for the piece of mind in maintaining the factory warranty, it was worth it to me. I didn't see any monkeys running around in the shop. In fact, the shop looked first rate and professional. The tech who worked on my bike knew what he was doing and looked like he has been working on motorcycles for years.

Not sure why the sour grapes against Roseville. in fact I drove 200 miles round trip to have them service the bike cause they appeared to know their shit.

 

[nga]

Re: First service at 600 miles - Update on price

I purchased my blue 2012 S10 on January 16, 2013. On January 24, 2013, I had the same dealer I purchased the bike from, complete the first service (total miles were 771). They told me they normally charge $140 plus fluids and oil filter. Since I purchased the bike from them, they gave me $35 off, reducing it to $105 plus fluids and oil filter. Total was $159.72. I figured I would have the dealer do the first service, and have the person, who regularly does my service(s), do all the rest (a father and son moto business in Ellijay, GA).

I hope this helps someone.

 

[avc8130]

DIY.

I can't believe how much motorcycle dealers can charge. $159.72 AFTER a $35 discount?!?!?! Close to $200 for an oil change, final drive change and spoke tightening? I do all of that in less than an hour. Supplies cost ~$35. That leaves me with a spare $165 to blow on stupid things like windscreens and exhausts and tires and hookers and blow and gas and seats and CJMs.

My 1 year anniversary with the S10 is coming up, other than stopping in to say "hi" it has never been back to the dealer.

Heck, even when I had my Buell that lived in the service shop for warranty work (was later lemon lawed) they NEVER asked for service records and I did my own.

ac

 

[Kelvininin]

Unless I get a coupon for a free service, I do all my own service on all of my families vehicles. I figure if I could rebuild and engine, and turn wrenches on a KTM Adventure, I can handle anything that Yamaha can toss at me. If there is a warranty issue the dealers I go to are pretty good about honoring it, even though I do complete my own maintenance. Out of Warranty, my bikes, cars, and trucks, likely never see a dealer again, unless it has something to do with the ECU, and even then, I try to find a way around the dealer.

Personally I enjoy it, put the tunes on in the garage, get the tools out, and go to town. But I am weird like that.

I just bought a bunch of stuff with free shipping from Rocky Mountain ATV for doing my first few services, crush washers included. So unless my S10 has some Warranty issues, it will only be going back to the dealer when I need parts, if I don't buy them online.

I will say my dealer is pretty good about giving discounts on parts and such, if you buy the bike from them.

 

[offcamber]

I have been going back and forth on whether to do the first service myself. The dealer gave me a $50 gift card I can use on anything and free state inspections for as long as I own the bike. However I know that $50 off won't make much of dent in the dealer service price...

The other concern I have is I think the dealer may have over filled the engine with oil...the site glass looks full....I may drain it and refill it just to be sure. I haven't ridden the bike at all yet.

 

[iridemotorbikes]

I've always done ALL my own maintenance on every bike/truck/car I've owned, owe that to my dad putting tools in my hand some 40+ years ago when I was just knee high. Just did the 600 mile service on my Tenere last week- easy 30-40 min job, I get piece of mind knowing it was done and done right- no guess work if something leaks or fails, I'll know exactly what/why its doing it cause I worked on it. just my .2cents

Your warranty can not and will not be affected in anyway for doing your own maintenance, as some others have stated "some/most" shops give the first service jobs to the newer less skilled guys at the shop to help them learn there way around new and different models. I've been good friends with the owner of a LARGE(100Ksqft+) multi brand dealer for many years and he always jokes "if they (customers) only knew" when talking about his own service dept!!!!

They've been in business 25-30 years and do good work but at the end of the day I wouldn't take MY bike there cause its never gonna get the same attention and extra care that I will give it cause it's MY bike and I care about it a lot more then some mech who views it as just being a few labor hours job before his lunch break..

 

[iridemotorbikes]

The other concern I have is I think the dealer may have over filled the engine with oil...the site glass looks full....I may drain it and refill it just to be sure. I haven't ridden the bike at all yet.

Just go ride it and then see what the level is at after it sits on the center stand for awhile, its a dry sump motor so unless the dealer WAY OVER FILLED IT and oil is pumping out the crankcase vent you'll be just fine.
I see guys stressing over a few ml's or oz's of extra oil in the motor, Yamaha or any Manufacture for that matter does not build any motor to that tight of measurements that a little extra oil is gonna do harm- same theory as running (burning off) oil a little lower then "optimum" levels..

Enjoy your new bike- do the service yourself and NEVER worry again about guessing if the levels are correct..

 

[avc8130]

I have been going back and forth on whether to do the first service myself. The dealer gave me a $50 gift card I can use on anything and free state inspections for as long as I own the bike. However I know that $50 off won't make much of dent in the dealer service price...

The other concern I have is I think the dealer may have over filled the engine with oil...the site glass looks full....I may drain it and refill it just to be sure. I haven't ridden the bike at all yet.

Take that $50 and use it to buy the supplies from the dealer. Then they will have it on record that you bought the supplies to do the service should you have any issue in the future.

ac