First Service Call 2005 GS500F

[uhcord98]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum and new to riding in general. My GS500F has slightly over 600 miles on it so I figured it's time for the first service call on it....I was quoted $120 + parts....does that sound right? 

thanks for your replies in advance.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=20521.0

Seems $250 or higher is common, so it's an ok price. Make sure to ask what they'll be doing. Don't want em to gyp you or anything.

[uhcord98]

Wow some expensive maintenance.........this is all the stuff they should be doing according to the maintenance schedule right?

    *  tighten cylinder nuts and exhaust pipe bolts
    * Inspect valve clearance, adjust if necessary
    * Inspect all fuel lines for leakage
    * (California models) Inspect evaporation canister and vapor lines
    * Change engine oil and replace filter
    * Check engine idle speed; adjust to 1200 rpm if necessary
    * Check clutch adjustment; adjust if necessary
    * Check drive chain tension; adjust if necessary
    * Inspect all brake hoses for leakage
    * Check brake fluid levels in both master cylinders; add fluid if necessary
    * Check brake pad wear
    * Inspect tire condition and air pressure
    * Check steering operation; adjust if necessary
    * Check operation of front forks
    * Check rear suspension operation
    * Check all chassis bolts and nuts for tightness; tighten if necessary

[uhcord98]

sorry...i forgot to ask something......should i just need an oil change at 600 miles? according to the maintenance schedule posted on thie site....all the other BIG stuff doesn't need done untl 4000 miles....sorry for so many questions...they never gave me a manual for my bike!!!

[blue05twin]

Paid 130 for everything. 

[ryusan]

$130 is good.  I paid about $230 for my 600 mile service.

[blue05twin]

Funny thing is boss500 paid about 230ish when he had his done at a different dealer, the two dealers were 8 miles apart. 

[Unnamed]

sorry...i forgot to ask something......should i just need an oil change at 600 miles? according to the maintenance schedule posted on thie site....all the other BIG stuff doesn't need done untl 4000 miles....sorry for so many questions...they never gave me a manual for my bike!!!

For what its worth, if you pick up a Clymer or Haynes manual it will walk you through most of those adjustments, and the majority are very easy. IMO, people shouldn't ride or drive vehicles that they can't change the oil and filter for.

[GS Jenn]

I paid $200 (Canadian) for my 1,000 km service. I was quoted $300 but that was supposed to include the oil change, which I did myself instead since I was going over the 1,000 km before I could make the appointment. I wouldn't have gone to the dealer except I needed to have a Suzuki dealer do the first service to maintain my extended warranty.

I think it was worthwhile though, the bike ran better afterward and they adjusted my clutch cable, which I didn't realize out of inexperience, had too much play and was causing my problems that I assumed were rider error.

[uhcord98]

sorry...i forgot to ask something......should i just need an oil change at 600 miles? according to the maintenance schedule posted on thie site....all the other BIG stuff doesn't need done untl 4000 miles....sorry for so many questions...they never gave me a manual for my bike!!!

For what its worth, if you pick up a Clymer or Haynes manual it will walk you through most of those adjustments, and the majority are very easy. IMO, people shouldn't ride or drive vehicles that they can't change the oil and filter for.

I totally agree....I was just curious of what they would do to the bike besides the oil change....I really didn't want to pay any money for an oil change let alone $120...that's why I was curious what else they would be doing....thx guys

[Codger]

Make sure they follow the book, even if they are a Suzuki dealership.
I would say to see if they are competent, but you probably don't have the opportunity to test for that.
On my first service, the mechanic noted that the valve clearance measured right in the middle at 0.8mm on all 4.  I  now take it to the Honda shop, which hasn't BSed me yet.

[Alphamazing]

Make sure they follow the book, even if they are a Suzuki dealership.
I would say to see if they are competent, but you probably don't have the opportunity to test for that.
On my first service, the mechanic noted that the valve clearance measured right in the middle at 0.8mm on all 4.  I  now take it to the Honda shop, which hasn't BSed me yet.

Aww Codger man, that sucks.

If you want to save some money I'd be more than willing to do your valve checks for you. I've got my own little kit to check them, but no shims yet.

[scratch]

Welcome, Uhcord98!

That sounds like a really good price! 

Take up Alpha's offer for the valve check and order the shims.  You'll have to have Alpha go into the bike again to replace the shims (if any), but it sure beats the shop prices.

[Alphamazing]

Welcome, Uhcord98!

That sounds like a really good price! 

Take up Alpha's offer for the valve check and order the shims.  You'll have to have Alpha go into the bike again to replace the shims (if any), but it sure beats the shop prices.

The offer was more for Codger, as he's an hour and a half away from me or so, but if uhcord98 is near me I'd be more than willing to do his as well!

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

I paid $200 (Canadian) for my 1,000 km service. I was quoted $300 but that was supposed to include the oil change, which I did myself instead since I was going over the 1,000 km before I could make the appointment. I wouldn't have gone to the dealer except I needed to have a Suzuki dealer do the first service to maintain my extended warranty.

I think it was worthwhile though, the bike ran better afterward and they adjusted my clutch cable, which I didn't realize out of inexperience, had too much play and was causing my problems that I assumed were rider error.

Whoa.. an oil change added $100 CDN? Holy crap.. I guess I should start doing oil changes here and charging like $75 per..

And Alpha, if you were near me.. you'd be adjusting my valves right now..

[nascarkeith]

That is insane!!!  My dad has a Suzuki cruiser and S40 to be exact.  The first service for it was 65 bucks in Alabama.  I asked the dealer that I bout my bike from when it needed to be serviced.  He told me to change the oil at 600 miles and then change it every thousand miles.  I bought the filter, oil, and some chain lube for 25 bucks.  A half our of my time and it was done.  Sounds like its time to start an oil change place for bikes!

[nick_villan]

danm then 65 for me was a good deal, thank good my neigbour owns a shop

[Codger]

Alpha,  thanks for the offer.  Be careful or I might take you up on it someday.

The Suzuki dealer charged $250 US and the only thing that I can confirm from the receipt and discussion was that they changed the oil.  When I bought it new, I rode the bike off the lot and one of the carbs had the idle screw bottomed out, they wanted me to have it fixed on the first service, at which time they would charge me for warranty work.

The Honda shop has done full service on the GS and on the Ninjette for $150 each.  The mechanic hands over the bike when I pick it up and he answers all questions intelligently.  I sometimes hate to admit it, but if I had to buy a bike right now, I would by a Honda just because of the treatment that I have gotten from the shop.  Suzuki sent a questionnaire on the service at their shop, I made my complaints clear and documented, and they never contacted me on the issue.

You would think that someone paying cash for 2 bikes at the Suzuki shop would get some minimum level of treatment. 

[Alphamazing]

Alpha,  thanks for the offer.  Be careful or I might take you up on it someday.

Feel free man, I've got no problem whatsoever.

You would think that someone paying cash for 2 bikes at the Suzuki shop would get some minimum level of treatment. 

You'd think...

[mike_mike]

taking my GS to get the valves adjusted on Monday. new GS is a bloody expensive bike to run.. initial service, ride it for a while 6,000 serivce.. then 12,000 service.