Taking bike in for service, how do these prices compare?

[MVent03]

 I've been having a lot of issues with my bike lately and I think they stem form valve and/or carb issues.

Since I'm at almost 20K miles I'm due for a regular tune up anyway and I'm thinking about just taking my bike in to have it all professionally done.

For $320 + parts i get

Oil & filter change
Clean or replace air filter   
Check/Adjust tire pressure
Check tire condition
Top off all fluids
Basic electrical check.                                             
Check all fluids
Change differential on shaft models
Adjust and lube chain on chain models
Adjust and lube cables
Lube pivot points
Check brakes
Check battery
Check charging system
Check/adjust spokes
Replace spark plugs
Valve adjustment
Torque fasteners
Service/replace air filter
Sync Carbs/Throttle bodies

I also get 10% off the listed price on labor and parts since I purchased my bike from this dealer.

Now I know a lot of the things listed are insignificant like checking my tire pressure, big whoop, but I'm really wanting the valves checked and carb synced along with all the other maintenance stuff that needs to be done.

Do these prices seem reasonable?

[Paulcet]

I think dealer rates are $70-100/hr.   So, that $320 is on the high end I think.  Which is why my GS will never be serviced by a dealer.  Well, one reason why....

[wayne242]

Why? when you can do all that sitting in your backyard or garage. Only 2 things i would even consider letting them do would be Valve adjustment and  Sync Carbs/Throttle bodies. and that those or not really that hard to do (I'm a bit lazy though).

[ohgood]

I've been having a lot of issues with my bike lately and I think they stem form valve and/or carb issues.

Since I'm at almost 20K miles I'm due for a regular tune up anyway and I'm thinking about just taking my bike in to have it all professionally done.

For $320 + parts i get

Oil & filter change
Clean or replace air filter   
Check/Adjust tire pressure
Check tire condition
Top off all fluids
Basic electrical check.                                             
Check all fluids
Change differential on shaft models
Adjust and lube chain on chain models
Adjust and lube cables
Lube pivot points
Check brakes
Check battery
Check charging system
Check/adjust spokes
Replace spark plugs
Valve adjustment
Torque fasteners
Service/replace air filter
Sync Carbs/Throttle bodies

I also get 10% off the listed price on labor and parts since I purchased my bike from this dealer.

Now I know a lot of the things listed are insignificant like checking my tire pressure, big whoop, but I'm really wanting the valves checked and carb synced along with all the other maintenance stuff that needs to be done.

Do these prices seem reasonable?

sounds like a $300 oil change and a $20 valve adjustment. they might grease something, if they even look for a nipple, but i doubt it.

do it yourself, watch kerry's valve adjustment videos first. more than likely, you do not need it yet anyway.

[codajastal]

That is an absolute rippoff.
99% of this can be done with minimal tools and minimal fuss.
I am NOT bike savvy but I still do 99% of that by myself.

[weedahoe]

You as a rider and owner should be checking all of that in your pre-ride inspection and maintenance anyway.

[wayne242]

You do know there is a reason they don't want customors in the work area's, its not just for safety concerns. They don't want a issue due to a custom catching techs skipping corners.

Example, when i took our fire engines in for service I'm required by the fire dept to stay and observe the work because i have to sign off on the work done, shitty job of an officer (so its my ass if they screw up and i sign off on it). I was watching the're heavy truck tech working on the engine (great guy did great work), but there was a young tech in the back ground cussing and tossed a wrench across the floor and hit a car, no one said a word to him (must be a son of a boss or something). Now This same tech worked on our rescue truck a little after this happens(like a month or 2 after), and  i did not over see the work. I was in the office doing paper work since it was only a part recall so i did not have to over see it(pretty much pop plastic part off and put new one on). I get the rescue truck back to the station to find this idiot cracked the radiator installing the plastic part near it or on it(don't recall). They replaced it for free since they did not want to lose us to another dealership in the area.

So over all you have to watch dealerships, the're about money and if your care returns its more money so they might not even fix everything or point anything out to you. Just word of causation. dealerships have a bad rep for a reason.

[crzydood17]

If you get it done, you sit there and watch them rip your bike apart and lube and clean it. You make sure they adjust the valves. Make sure they take your swing arm off and lube it. That is what I would do at least for that much scratch.

[yamahonkawazuki]

Why? when you can do all that sitting in your backyard or garage. Only 2 things i would even consider letting them do would be Valve adjustment and  Sync Carbs/Throttle bodies. and that those or not really that hard to do (I'm a bit lazy though).

kerry posted a good howto on the valve adj. its not hard at all had mine done inside an hour. shop rates are an hour minimum. if it takes 15 mins, you pay for an hour. keep that in mind. most of this you can do yourself. get a price on the valve adj. alone

[five hundo]

Pick up a Haynes or Clymer manual for $30.00 then add a couple of hours of your time and it's money better spent.  Maintenance is easy and a great way to learn about the bike.  I don't know much compared to other guys but that's what forums and fellow riders are there for.  Spend the money on a new helmet or jacket!

[sledge]

Do these prices seem reasonable?

Without assuming you have got the time/facilities/tools and equipment/confidence to do it all yourself and without going off at a random tangent the only way you will find out if its a reasonable price is to phone all the shops in your area and ask them to quote for the same. If they are all ballpark its a resonable price.....but

look closely at the list, some things are repeated and some are just not apllicable to the GS5 

[MVent03]

I should have known better than to post this because these were the responses I expected.

I didn't ask if this was worth it to you.

I have no idea what I'm doing when I get into my engine and I don't want it f%&ked up. If they do it, I'm not paying for basic labor like airing up the tires, I can do that. I'm paying them for their EXPERTISE in motorcycles, for their expertise in the hard stuff I'm not sure how to do. They break it, they're liable. I break it, I'm f%&ked and pay someone anyway.

For example, I'm a nurse and as simple as putting a foley in is for me, literally less than 5 minutes start to finish, you probably couldn't do it with the correct technique your very first time ever.

[Badot]

I should have known better than to post this because these were the responses I expected.

I didn't ask if this was worth it to you.

I have no idea what I'm doing when I get into my engine and I don't want it f%&ked up. If they do it, I'm not paying for basic labor like airing up the tires, I can do that. I'm paying them for their EXPERTISE in motorcycles, for their expertise in the hard stuff I'm not sure how to do. They break it, they're liable. I break it, I'm f%&ked and pay someone anyway.

For example, I'm a nurse and as simple as putting a foley in is for me, literally less than 5 minutes start to finish, you probably couldn't do it with the correct technique your very first time ever.

Sounds like you already made up your mind then. No need to berate people for giving you their personal opinion and experiences in an attempt to save you money.

If you think it's worth $320, then do it. Simple as that. Don't forget these costs will recur every 4000 miles.

[adidasguy]

Look for a general bike forum for your area. Up here we have PNWriders.com (for Pacific Northwest Riders). There I can get feedback on the local dealers. Also I talk wither bikers. if you see a group, ride up or walk up and ask them who they trust. Price doesn't matter. It is who is a reliable dealer. Is there a place you see bikes hang out? Ask them. Wear your bike jacket, even if in a car. A bike jacket will immediately break the ice and they will be more open to talking to a stranger.

As prices vary all over the country, asking if a price is reasonable is hard to say. Here in Seattle it will be more expensive than Ames, Iowa.

I would think a reputable service place would show you their area. Places I've been to around here either have glass doors, windows or it is just roped off so you can always see into the service area. You can stand there and watch them do the work. Since dealerships are closing around here, those that are left or just starting up (like Seattle Used Bikes north on aurora) have to give good if not superior service.

They will go over everything beforehand. After finished, they will again go over everything. They explain what they did. anything they found that I should keep and eye on and even the extra things they did while they were doing the work (replace bolts, tuighten things, etc.)

I'm going to have work done on the EX500 I just bought. I don't know the bike so she is going to SUB because I and others on this forum from Seattle trust Dave. He will pick up the bike. 1/2 hour labor to remove carbs. 1 hour per carb. 1/2 hour to put back. All pricing up front. Since we trust Dave, price doesn't matter. He will not screw us over. He will stand behind his work and make anything right that isn't.

In your area that's what you want to find. Who do other bikers trust? Again I have to stress that trust is more important than price. I'll pay whatever it costs to know it will be done right.

This isn't if the price is good, but this is how we make sure we get the best work for our money.

and here's one more thing to try. After you decide on a couple places (if more than one choice), ride your bike there to the service entrance. Tell them you're going to need service. Do they ignore you or do they take 5 or 10 minutes with you at your bike to discuss the service? If they take time to look at your bike, that is a very good sign. Ask noob questions you know the answer to. See if they give a correct answer or are blowing steam at you. Do not call them on their errors or argue. Sometimes they just forget some petty detail. get your feel for how much they really care about you and your bike. Here's an easy one: "I lost my manual. What is PRI? I know what ON and RES is."  See what they say. Almost all bikes have a prime setting - at least ones with gravity fuel systems and carbs.

[five hundo]

"For $320 + parts i get"  - How much time will be spent on your bike?  What is the labor rate?  Is this just a flat rate for the work done regardless of how much time is actually spent doing work?

Ask how much it would cost (estimated) for the shop to do a valve adjustment & adjust your carb. 

Everything else on the original list can be done by you with minimal tools and effort.

[wayne242]

I should have known better than to post this because these were the responses I expected.

I didn't ask if this was worth it to you.

I have no idea what I'm doing when I get into my engine and I don't want it f%&ked up. If they do it, I'm not paying for basic labor like airing up the tires, I can do that. I'm paying them for their EXPERTISE in motorcycles, for their expertise in the hard stuff I'm not sure how to do. They break it, they're liable. I break it, I'm f%&ked and pay someone anyway.

For example, I'm a nurse and as simple as putting a foley in is for me, literally less than 5 minutes start to finish, you probably couldn't do it with the correct technique your very first time ever.

You ask for advice and get upset at the responses. Typical "i did not hear what i wanted or i already decided be for posting" post.

You asked if we/I think its a fair price, (I'll answer using your method of post) f%$k no.

My first repair ever was taking a the heads off chevy engine apart and installing headgaskets and valve seals using print out "how to". So don't rant at me "oh no i might break something", only way your going to break something is not following the 100's of guides here telling you how(Your a nurse right, you should know how to following guides you read manuals). There is even a great post with PICTURES to guide you through checking valves.

Over all its your money and after that rant don't care at this point, BTW Even the top techs break shaZam!...

[adidasguy]

Let's all cool down.
No need to rag on each other.
Things maybe got a little off track.
Calm down and be one with the cat.

[wayne242]

Who could be mad after that