So my buddy and I went to the dealer today (bought our bikes at the same time) inquiring about the cost of our first service.  My buddy has an 06 kat 600 and I have and 05 GSF. 

Price for my buddies first service: $215.  Not too bad I think considering that the katana is supposed to be one of the most expensive first service bikes out there.

Then comes my price: ~$350.  The service guy must have seen my eyes go wide because he had an answer ready for when I asked why my twin cylinder 4 valve motor cost so much more to service than my buddies I4 16 valve motor.  His answer:  "Your motor is smaller so you rev more which means we are going to have to mess with your valves". 

Thats about the time I said "thank you", and me and my buddy left.

Now I am a motorcycle newbie, but something just doesnt seem right here.  The dealer made is sound like that no matter what, they were messing with my valves and I was getting charged $350.  I thought they checked to see if the valves were in spec and only messed with them if needed.

So I ask you, the great GS community, am I right in calling  ? 

If so, is there anyone in Maryland who can suggest a good, honest motorcycle mechanic who won't bend me over on prices.  I bought this bike over others to save money .

I paid $120ish maybe $125 for my first service.  My Nephew went to a different and paid $240.  You best bet is to do it yourself.  If you feel uncomfortable in doing it yourself then call all the local suzuki dealers in your area and find the cheapest one.  Or you can even call the independant motorcycle repair places and ask them for a quote.

x

My service WAS going to be around $260 but now that I would like them to take my new 06' gs and shove it up their ass, It's not getting done so it's now $0. Sweet! 

mine was $89 and some few cents

Thanks for the opinions so far.  I feel comfortable doing everything but the valves, because quite honestly I have no idea what to look for with valves.

I guess I'll call around and see if I can get a better deal.  I'd be happy to shell out $150-200 and be done with it, but $350 is just insane in my book... especially when my friends Katana is $150 less.  Just does'nt make sense to me and I think its total BS.

Keep 'em coming guys....

You can do everything in the service yourself, easily.  Motor vehicles don't come much simpler than the GS.  To check the valves you'll need basic hand tools (ratchet and sockets, long flat screwdriver, allen keys, pliers), a $5 metric feeler gauge and a little bit of grease or silicone to hold the valve cover gasket in place when you reinstall the cover.  Kerry's video walks you through the valve checking process step by step.  If you find one or more valves are out of spec then consider having a professional swap the shims or just spend the $25 for the tool.

-M

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2015554469142545363&q=kerry+valve

One a Honda I bought new the first service was free, just paid for the oil. One the GS it cost around 130 dollars.

Zero,

PM sent. 

Another option would be to just not worry about the valves right now.  When it was almost time for my first service, I asked the dealer about the valves and he told me they have yet to have a GS come in for the first service and have the valves be off.  Because of this, and because I'm lazy and lack a lot of free time, I'm at ~3,000 miles and haven't checked the valves yet, but I think I'll check them tomorrow morning.  I guess I wouldn't really recommend going as long as I did, but it seems a valve check at 600 miles is nothing more than an exercise.

If you are comfortable with changing the oil yourself, you should also try checking the valves yourself.  The Kerry video makes checking the valves look super easy, and I bet if you can use a wrench well enough to change your oil, you can check the valves too.

Quote from: Egaeus on August 04, 2006, 06:30:39 AM
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2015554469142545363&q=kerry+valve

GASKET, HEAD COVER part# 11173-15502 = Cost about $18.00

3.1 Quarts premium motorcycle oil = Cost about $18.00
                       
Oil filter Suz.#16510-45040, Fram#CH6000, K&N#133 = Cost about $5.00 - $12.00
 
A few hours learning how to do it yourself, and not getting screwed over by the Dealer = PRICELESS

Even if you have to buy a few new tools you'll still come out better than paying someone else.  

Quote from: Yankee Punker on August 04, 2006, 07:10:06 AM

Quote from: Egaeus on August 04, 2006, 06:30:39 AM
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2015554469142545363&q=kerry+valve

GASKET, HEAD COVER part# 11173-15502 = Cost about $18.00

3.1 Quarts premium motorcycle oil = Cost about $18.00
                         
Oil filter Suz.#16510-45040, Fram#CH6000, K&N#133 = Cost about $5.00 - $12.00
 
A few hours learning how to do it yourself, and not getting screwed over by the Dealer = PRICELESS

Even if you have to buy a few new tools you'll still come out better than paying someone else. 

I agree its really not hard.  And if you check your vavles as often as you are supposed to then by the time the ps3 comes out you will have saved enough to get the high end model.  So do it yourself and get a ps3

So you guys suggest doing it yourself? Will this void any kind of warranty on the bike? 

The dealer I talked to said ~$275 and most of that was for labor which they said was going to take ~2.5 hours.

Just watched the entire Kerry video.  Must say that it was both extremely informative and humorous at the same time (reminded me of those cheesy high school sex ed videos for some reason).  Kerry, you are seriously the man!

More importantly, watching it made things seem much easier than I anticipated.  I'm nearly certain that my friend and I could do that with no problem.  I'm almost certain that my valves will be in spec as well (no knocking or performance dips and I've followed factory break in), so it would be more of a "be safe" measure than anything. 

I'm sure I could search, but if anyone would be so kind as to tell me, what are acceptable valve clearance ranges?

Also, like wever said, will doing this myself void any warranty (as long as I keep reciepts of purchases and so forth)

badguy, I'm in Glen Burnie, right around north county high school (if you are familiar with the area).  You're offer was very generous and if I find myself in too much trouble, you may be getting a pm. 

Oh yes, and perhaps this is for a new topic, but does anyone know if squeaky brakes are covered under warranty???  My back brakes are really bugging me! 

I called the local dealer and my friendly Suzuki trained private wrench and both said about $85 USD for the 600 miler.  Neither recommended checking valves because, they said, the valves are never out of spec that soon and it is a waste of money and time to discover that. 

~ JP

My local dealer charged $180 for the 600 mile service, which included checking the valves (they were perfectly in spec).

Quote from: wever411 on August 04, 2006, 01:01:51 PM
So you guys suggest doing it yourself? Will this void any kind of warranty on the bike? 

Doing it yourself is the way to go, and as long as you don't do anything obviously wrong you won't void your warranty.  It's actually against the law for them to say the warranty only holds if you use their service.   You're free to use any private mechanic, including yourself 

Quote from: ZeroCool on August 04, 2006, 02:36:30 PM
Oh yes, and perhaps this is for a new topic, but does anyone know if squeaky brakes are covered under warranty???  My back brakes are really bugging me! 

Nope that's not covered, but it's not covered because it's normal.  Just go easier on the rear to avoid the squeak because they don't do a lot of the stopping anyway.  Still use them, just not that hard.

Quote from: ZeroCool on August 04, 2006, 02:36:30 PM

Oh yes, and perhaps this is for a new topic, but does anyone know if squeaky brakes are covered under warranty???  My back brakes are really bugging me! 

Yeah that get annoying but after awhile it will wear in more, and then once the pads warms up after riding for a few miles it should not squeak so bad.

I bought mine 05 GS last summer and my rear brakes still squeak, regardless of temperature. Yeah, they're clean, I do wash it occasionally.  I think it squeaks beacause the back rotor doesn't float