First service.

[DanAbnormal]

My bike has now done 750 miles as I use it almost every day. I have tried booking it into the dealers for it's first service but they keep putting the date back and now want to do it in two weeks. As I do 70 - 100 miles per day and have no other means of transport this is a problem. Should I change the oil/filter myself or could I do a few more miles. Everyone says th 1st service is the most critical and they use a much thinner oil so I'm a little worried that I might be damaging the engine if I ride it much more. Also if I were to change the oil myself what oil is the one to use, I keep hearing people saying that mineral rather than synthetic should be used until the engine has done a few thousand miles? Could I get away with just changing the oil and not the filter until I can get it into the dealers?

Cheers,

Dan

[embee]

I'd have a word with the dealer and explain the situation, and suggest you do an oil+filter change yourself which means the first service they do should be free :wink: (normally pay for oil+filter). Definitely do the filter.

Semi-synth 10W-40 is just the ticket, many people's favourite is Castrol GPS.

[Biker Biggles]

Pretty poor service from your dealer if they can't fit you in for what is essentially a "while u wait " quick service.Pester them some more.

[fizzwheel]

If it was me in your situation, I'd be changing the oil myself, or Alternatively I'd be asking the dealer for a courtesy bike free of charge until they could fit my bike in for its 1st service. Try that line and then see how quickly they fit you in.

[DanAbnormal]

I'd love to but they only offer courtesy bikes if you've had a full licence for 3 years. Bummer. I'll do the oil myself and then they can do the rest when they get their fingers out of their arses. At least all my servicing will be free up until 8'000 miles.

[tigersaw]

Its always busy just after the new reg. I bought a new bike in Feb to avoid the rush, hoping to have it run in before everyone else. So far its done 70 miles :oops:

[Stig]

I know it's too late now, but, I booked the 1st service the day I picked up the bike from brand new. (Not this bike but the principle is the same) I estimated the time that it would take me to reach the mileage and booked that day. Worked for me. I just had to take the long way round to get to the garage doing the servicing.

Like I said, too late for you now, but if others are out there in the same situation, they may think about this.

Cheers

Si.

[RandyO]

I know it's too late now, but, I booked the 1st service the day I picked up the bike from brand new. (Not this bike but the principle is the same) I estimated the time that it would take me to reach the mileage and booked that day. Worked for me. I just had to take the long way round to get to the garage doing the servicing.

Like I said, too late for you now, but if others are out there in the same situation, they may think about this.

Cheers

Si.

that's what I did too, made the apointment for 4 days after the day I bought it, I put 1100 miles on it in those 4 days

[diamond]

I know it's too late now, but, I booked the 1st service the day I picked up the bike from brand new. (Not this bike but the principle is the same) I estimated the time that it would take me to reach the mileage and booked that day. Worked for me. I just had to take the long way round to get to the garage doing the servicing.

Like I said, too late for you now, but if others are out there in the same situation, they may think about this.

Cheers

Si.

that's what I did too, made the apointment for 4 days after the day I bought it, I put 1100 miles on it in those 4 days

I booked my bike in for it's first service a week before i picked it up cos i knew i would do the miles quickly. I picked the bike up on monday lunchtime and it went in for the 600 mile service on the wednesday morning.

[DanAbnormal]

First service all sorted. They came through at the last minute. Although being a forgetful muppet I forgot my free servicing vouchers and hence had to cough up £134. I would have though being as I bought it from them they could overlook it but apparently not. Oh well they'll refund it when I go back at the weekend being as they've adjusted my clutch so that the last 10mm of play is where it bites. Fecking twits.

[Viney]

*Spits coffee all over the screen* £134 for the 1st service :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: Holly crap. It should be Free. Suzuki pay for it. All you pay for is Oil and Filter, thats it. £35 max.

You my friend have been ripped off.

[Grinch]

*Spits coffee all over the screen* £134 for the 1st service :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: Holly crap. It should be Free. Suzuki pay for it. All you pay for is Oil and Filter, thats it. £35 max.

You my friend have been ripped off.

yup... thats what I thought... are they a suzuki dealer... cus if suzuki found out they might not be happy.

Don't loose that recipt...

[DanAbnormal]

I thought it was slightly ridiculous but they take two hours doing whatever it is they do (in this case mess with my clutch and oil/filter). Hence they charge £50 per hour labour. I will not be getting any more servicing done by them. The service is free as all suzi's come with 2 years free servicing but you get these vouchers and without them you have to pay but get refunded later.

[DanAbnormal]

And yes it was an official Suzuki dealer. I shall be contacting suzuki direct to inform them to see what they have to say about it.

Dan

[Viney]

Interesting. Why on earth have servicing vouchers?

My dealer still knows me by name, and i havent been in there for 2 years!!

[DanAbnormal]

Interesting. Why on earth have servicing vouchers?

My dealer still knows me by name, and i havent been in there for 2 years!!

It's so that you can go to any official Suzi dealer and still get the free servicing. A good idea until people like me forget to take them! :D

[Stig]

Interesting. Why on earth have servicing vouchers?

My dealer still knows me by name, and i havent been in there for 2 years!!

Let's face it m8, your a hard person to forget. :lol: :lol:

[rpwoodman]

And yes it was an official Suzuki dealer. I shall be contacting suzuki direct to inform them to see what they have to say about it.

Dan

Name and shame them then!
At least then others on here would know to avoid them.

[DanAbnormal]

Mott's Motorcycle's of Basingstoke. Very expensive labour. £50 an hour it would seem. Plus when I went back there and saw the salesmen that sold me the bike I said hello to him and he just about managed a response. Will be getting a Hyabusa next year so they'd better start being more friendly!

[rpwoodman]

I can see that if you're local to Basigstoke, it makes sense to use them, but when I bought my bike (SV650s), I decided that I'd rather go for someone I trusted above convenience, as once I'd bought the bike, hopefully I wouldn't need to make too many trips back to see them.

For me, it was the right decision. If you're not happy with these guys, ask around and find someone with a good reputation.

It does amaze me how few Suzuki dealers there are around. But there seem to be even fewer Triumph dealers, so I guess it could be worse!

Rgds

[SV650Racer]

Nope the dealer doesnt have to do the first service for free. Thats a common misconception. It used to be the case years ago but it is no longer covered in the OTR charges.

So its down to each individual dealer to decide whether its free or not.

TBH the first service on the SV isnt a biggy. On a bandit 1200 it is valve clearances so often the first service is free from us dependant on the deal on the bike.


You should have remembered your vouchers! 8)

[Viney]

Interesting. Why on earth have servicing vouchers?

My dealer still knows me by name, and i havent been in there for 2 years!!

Let's face it m8, your a hard person to forget. :lol: :lol:

Thanks...i think :? :lol:

[Viney]

Nope the dealer doesnt have to do the first service for free. Thats a common misconception. It used to be the case years ago but it is no longer covered in the OTR charges.

So its down to each individual dealer to decide whether its free or not.

TBH the first service on the SV isnt a biggy. On a bandit 1200 it is valve clearances so often the first service is free from us dependant on the deal on the bike.


You should have remembered your vouchers! 8)

Well, there you go, another biking myth shattered ;)

I know that its not free on a Milie, or Tuono

[DanAbnormal]

Well I took my vouchers in last weekend and got my money back so all is well. The service was not exactly great though. They seem a bit reluctant to do any work or make any effort on teh customer services side. I also wanted a lower seat, I phoned and phoned and phoned. Got fed up of them telling me they'll phone back. I asked about it when I got there and was told they don't do them. Really?! An official Suzuki dealer will not supply an offical Suzuki seat. My **** (and it was for my **** too! :D)

[SV650Racer]

sounds crazy :shock: ... if someone wants a part then i will sell them that part..simple!.

Oh well...i do wonder sometimes how people can run a business like that!

[Piglet]

Mott's Motorcycle's of Basingstoke. Very expensive labour. £50 an hour it would seem. Plus when I went back there and saw the salesmen that sold me the bike I said hello to him and he just about managed a response. Will be getting a Hyabusa next year so they'd better start being more friendly!

Lucky I saw this post!! Just about to book my curvy in for a service at Motts, but might give them a miss now.

Anyone know of a decent alternative in the area? I'm fairly new to B'stoke, still get lost going home at night...

[lukemillar]

On the topic of services...

I bought my K3 second hand from a dealer and it only had 900 odd miles on the clock. I do very little mileage on it - current reading about 2300 miles after 4 months. The thing is I have no idea when it was last serviced or even if it has ever been serviced. The dealer was pretty crap - I'm still waiting for him to send me the spare keys and manual and I have no service history.

I'm guessing it would be a pretty good idea to book it as soon as possible, though I was waiting for the book to get the service stamp (I presume you get some kind of service book when you buy new), but that doesn't seem like it's going to appear.

Anyone got any thoughts advice on this?

[DanAbnormal]

Mott's Motorcycle's of Basingstoke. Very expensive labour. £50 an hour it would seem. Plus when I went back there and saw the salesmen that sold me the bike I said hello to him and he just about managed a response. Will be getting a Hyabusa next year so they'd better start being more friendly!

Lucky I saw this post!! Just about to book my curvy in for a service at Motts, but might give them a miss now.

Anyone know of a decent alternative in the area? I'm fairly new to B'stoke, still get lost going home at night...

Berkshire Motorcycle Centre in Slough are ace. Not an official Suzi dealer but great mechanics and friendly people. As well as really cheap.

Dan

[Piglet]

Mott's Motorcycle's of Basingstoke. Very expensive labour. £50 an hour it would seem. Plus when I went back there and saw the salesmen that sold me the bike I said hello to him and he just about managed a response. Will be getting a Hyabusa next year so they'd better start being more friendly!

Lucky I saw this post!! Just about to book my curvy in for a service at Motts, but might give them a miss now.

Anyone know of a decent alternative in the area? I'm fairly new to B'stoke, still get lost going home at night...

Berkshire Motorcycle Centre in Slough are ace. Not an official Suzi dealer but great mechanics and friendly people. As well as really cheap.

Dan


Thanks for the advice, will give them a try :D

[anna]

If this was me a big letter with nasty words in it would be written!!! I know it is done now but it may be worth it if they get you a seat and a few other nice things for the rubbish service they have given you :?

[DanAbnormal]

It's okay. They've lost out on a bike sale next year when I buy something else.