Over the years I have owned nine different motorcycles,  all of them were purchased new, and never once have I taken a bike to a dealer after purchase. I always buy the appropriate service manual and do my own maintenance. Fortunately I have never had warranty issues on any of them. I was wondering if any of you have skipped dealer visits and had to have something done under warranty. Most of the owners manuals say they don't void the warranty if you have proof you did the scheduled maint., or had it done elsewhere.  Since I just purchase a brand new GS-F, and have never previously owned a Suzuki, I'm wondering if any of you have had a problem with dealers in this respect.

   

             Rick.

I guess it depends on the type of service you're talking about.  If it's an oil change or something like that, than just do it yourself.  If it's something more serious like an internal engine check than leave it to the pros.

Quote from: tripleb on March 22, 2009, 07:04:22 PM
I guess it depends on the type of service you're talking about.  If it's an oil change or something like that, than just do it yourself.  If it's something more serious like an internal engine check than leave it to the pros.

What I'm driving at is, if you do all your own maint. that's listed in the schedule, are you still covered by the 12 month warranty?

what does the warranty info that came with the bike say?

I don't pick up the bike till thursday so I really don't know, that's why I posted the original question.

I don't know if the gs500 is different but for my busa (still a suzuki) that I bought last year it says

"have your suzuki dealer or a qualified mechanic do the maintainance items marked with an asterisk.  you may perform the unmarked maintenance items by referring to the instructions in this section..."  

all the asterisk ones are emissions, internal engine clearance, and the initial suspension bolt torque checks.  I wasn't about to pay anyone to torque down a bunch of bolts so I just took photos of the bolts with a torque wrench on them.  That's just me, though.  Interestingly enough I didn't see anything about voiding the warranty.  It just says that not having a qualified mechanic do the maintainance may cause a crash. 

Ok ineedanap, that helps, thanks for the input. Never thought of taking photos.

congratulations on the new bike!!!!!!

I get parts from the dealer on a regular basis, but they've only actually touched my GS twice. The first time, I was dropping off an extremely good looking lady friend to pick up her bike and she convinced them to wash my bike and the second time I had them mount a tire. Other than that, I do all the work myself, sometimes with the assistance of a good friend who provides a valuable second set of hands and second opinion on things.

I dont like our dealership to much down here so I just do the work myself.  If it comes to something really important like messing with the engine I will think about going to the dealership but not here, maybe the one a few hours from here.

Most people call me dumb but I bought the maintainance package with my bike and the five year extended warranty. But, I thought was a great idea for $5 a month I don't have to really do anything to my bike for five years. My tach went nutzo about a month after buying it and was glad  I had the warranty because a $250 job cost me $50 so I've already saved $200. Besides that I'm a regular at the shop and made a few friends over there. They have no problem taking quick looks at my bike and such. Like when I was having idling problems they spent about 20 min with me and got it appropriately tuned for no cost.

I did do the rear brakes myself because they are not covered and they said things like that don't mess with the warranty they even said I could do the carbs but if I screwed it up it'd be my cost. I think it is a good idea esp if it is you're first bike. I was afraid I'd screw something up and have more problems than the warranty would cost!

Mary

Thanks Mary, It sounds like you made the right decision, $5 a month sounds like a pretty good deal considering what you get. My dealer never offered that.

My bike doesnt go to the dealor.  Not even to have the tires mounted.  My rims went to the dealor but my bike did not.

Quote from: Toogoofy317 on March 26, 2009, 06:21:18 PM
Most people call me dumb but I bought the maintainance package with my bike and the five year extended warranty. But, I thought was a great idea for $5 a month I don't have to really do anything to my bike for five years. My tach went nutzo about a month after buying it and was glad  I had the warranty because a $250 job cost me $50 so I've already saved $200. Besides that I'm a regular at the shop and made a few friends over there. They have no problem taking quick looks at my bike and such. Like when I was having idling problems they spent about 20 min with me and got it appropriately tuned for no cost.

I did do the rear brakes myself because they are not covered and they said things like that don't mess with the warranty they even said I could do the carbs but if I screwed it up it'd be my cost. I think it is a good idea esp if it is you're first bike. I was afraid I'd screw something up and have more problems than the warranty would cost!

Mary

Sounds like you got lucky and have a good dealership.  They are hard to find, usually they just want your money.  The best place we have around here is a cycle store.  They usually help alot and will look at your bike if somethings wrong.  To bad they arent a maintenance center also.

I bought mine brand new and only took it to a dealer for the first service.

Warrantys and servicing?.......very grey area.

They generally wont pay out if........
The bike is outside the time/mileage limits
The problem is related to a service item/procedure that has not been carried out at the scheduled interval.
The problem is related to the fitment or use of non OEM parts.
The problem has been caused by making settings or adjustments outside of OEM specs.
There has been obvious misuse.

If there is no dealer service history on the bike the problem would be proving servicing has been done to OEM spec. A detailed invoice from an independant shop together with a receipt for OEM service parts might swing it but without this I wouldnt hold my breath on them accepting any warranty claims. If they accepted waranty claims based on word of mouth only, it would be abused.

I guess if you do your own work, you'd just better hope that if something goes wrong with the bike it's within the first 600 miles.

Mary, when your tach went nuts your bike was under the factory warranty.

I have been lucky so far.  I've had one new Japanese motorcycle, one late-model, and two old ones.  None of them ever crapped-out, leaving me with a big bill.  Just minor stuff, like bulbs, cables, battery, tires, and brakes.  Oh, the mufflers rusted-out on the bike I bought new after 3 years.  Got 4-into-1 pipes.  That's been it so far.

Maybe I should buy a Harley so I could experience warranty service... 

Suzuki Australia are funny buggers to get warranty work done let alone attempting to prove you have done the "Correct" service and done it properly.  I HATE dealers as they charge so much but the way I look at it you may as well for the first 2 years get the dealer (preferable another cheaper trusted mechanic) to do the service work.  If anything goes wrong with the engine in the first 2 years then Suzuki has no leg to stand on and MUST provide warranty cover on your bike.  Do the work yourself and you could have troubles proving you have serviced the bike properly (major services etc).

Mine was a 2004 with 5,000 miles on him. He was bought in August of 2007 and in October is when the tach went nutz. I mean it would just bounce back and forth back and forth. So, I'm pretty sure it was under the warranty that I bought with the maintainance package. If I get a chance I gotta drop by there and pick up some indicator lights so I will ask them under what warranty it was covered.

If I'm not mistaken we only have a one year warranty no?

Mary