20,000 Mile Service, What Did It Cost | 2023 Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Explorer

[@pfoster7467]

The price is in line with what I have experience. I find peace of mind knowing that the service tech has gone through my bikes annually. I do the same with all my vehicles. Thanks for sharing that with us. Enjoy riding…

[@martinhahn8773]

Thank you Craig, nice video again all the best from Germany , Cheers Martin

[@Jal10500]

Sometimes the proper specialty tool is the checkbook. Thanks for sharing your experience...and costs!

[@backstagemusicfromthemotor5828]

Just returned from my fall trip on a new bike purchase (BMW 1600B). did my 600 mile service prior to the ride and on my way back home hit an object in the road and blew my rear tire about 400 miles from home.. LUCKY I have BMW road side assistance program on my bike as the tow was $1300, covered by BMW... I agree with you FUN is never free or cheap..... In my Retirement I find that my motorcycle purchases and riding is well wroth the cost and I chose to let the Professionals do the work correctly..... Thanks for your breakdown and transparency..... Keep your content coming...

[@mikesnodgrass4311]

Funny how some will pay $1000 just to change the sound of their exhaust but, maintenance is another matter.

[@davidruggles996]

Nice video Craig. I enjoy doing the mechanical work on the Vision. That said I can see the value in handing off a big service like this to a shop. Time versus money. What takes a shop 10 hours would probably take me a weekend and a couple of weeknights plus an extra trip or two to the dealership anyway to replace those missing fasteners, get the right valve shims etc. 🤣🤣🤣

[@wingandhog]

Yep… not surprised. I had my 32k service done on my GoldWing at my local dealership last summer. It’s a pretty comprehensive top to bottom inspection and service including timing gears etc. it’s a ‘must-do’ inspection in my mind. I paid $1400 for the service which I thought was reasonable for the peace of mind and knowledge that I am within spec for my bike. My dealership charges $130 per hour. Yes, I could have done most of it myself but I honestly don’t feel like it. I will do my oil changes and brakes though.

[@NedRochford]

Thank you, Craig! I really thought it would be more expensive, especially as your dealer reworked the steering head and swingarm bearings, too. Overall, I have to say it seems very reasonable for the amount of work that was done ... and I know what it takes to re-shim a Tiger! Lovin' your videos! Ned in SC

[@scottastell9415]

Thanks for this info. Used to own a Tiger 1050; which was fun but I found it too top heavy for my body and riding day trips. Did all minor services myself as I game pleasure working in shed in retirement.

[@ricklewis9564]

I bought the initial and 10,000 miles service at the time of purchase for $1,600 bucks when I ourchased the bike....looks like a good deal when i did that (I think only my dealer has this option--Motoworks Chicago).

[@jimc778]

$.14 cents per mile is more than reasonable. The smart thing about having the service done at a dealer is ownership of the work. They screw up they fix it and the odds are good they aren’t going to screw up servicing a bike. If we fix our bikes we own it and because we don’t service 10 bikes a week for a living the odds are higher that we will screw it up. While I enjoy putting attachments on my bike I would rather pay the dealer to do the maintenance. I can do the majority of it but I have also stripped bolts and cross threaded bolts before. I’m fine with paying for their skills and tools. They earn the money when they do the work. Fair trade in my book. They have families to feed too!

[@robertk4552]

I have a 2022 BMW 1250 GSA. Shortly after buying the bike for a daily rider in Texas our office went entirely work from home to save on office space costs. In 3 yrs I haven't put more than a few thousand miles on the bike and I purchased the maintenance plan that ends this month. Bike is presently in the shop for its final oil change and other service but circumstances made the service plan mainly a waste. Now those high price service checks will be out of pocket. Knew it going in so no regrets on the purchase, absolutely love the bike. Between $2K & $4K for regular maintenance at the BMW dealer will still be a shocker when it comes. Thanks for the heads up.

[@erocnw1341]

I wonder if the BMW will be less expensive to service because techs don't have to disassemble so much of the bike to get access to the motor. Sounds like you'll find out soon and be able to report back.

[@satzawesome]

Any bike where taking the tank and doing valve adjustments, plugs take time. So its not bad considering they have to factor in the winter lul. I got a boxer two years ago and thr closest dealer is razee which over an hour away as dunbar in brokton lost the the bmw line. Till moms took triumph there were non after the swansee dealer went out of business. My triumph needed a service and i am happy i got a local dealer. The america is such a cool sport crusier. Got to support our dealers.

[@12masterr]

My bmw r1250 gs has been the cheapest bike to maintain of all of the ones I had. $2000 bucks for service is nuts. There is a reason I went with the r1300gs. Super easy to maintain.

[@jeman022004]

Definitely helps having valve covers that are easy to access.

[@Speedytrip]

Hydraulic valve lifters are so underrated. Aside from high performance sport bikes, modern bikes should no longer require valve checks, and that would greatly reduce the cost of owning. Even Ducati on the latest models have increased the interval by a fair bit. The Harley Panemerica requires no valve check. And when you shop for used bikes you realize how many owners sell the bikes before major services.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Yes and that is silly. They don't want to pay $2000 so they go out and get another $500 per month payment.

[@12masterr]

Im with you 100 %. Unfortunately is not that they can not do it, it is because service, like in modern vehicles, represents a lot of money to them. Soon as my r1300gs is out of warranty, I do all mthe work miself, including valves.

[@12masterr]

​@@LivingOffTheSlabI think that wasn't his point lol! I don't wantcmy bike to be disassembled every year just to check valves or change a air filter. Basic maintenance should be simpler. Every time you do that you are opening the door for more problems. And you need to be lucky that the "technician " working on your bike is a good one.

[@Speedytrip]

@@12masterr yep and at least on the boxer the valves are accessible. Like on my DR, about an hours work including the time to remove parts and reassemble.

[@12masterr]

@@Speedytrip that's one of the reasons why I went with the gs, on the new 1300, you can check them even easier, you get a little tool from Europe to pussh the valve in and take the shim out. On the triumphs, or afrika twins, you need to practically take the whole bike apart, jist to get to the valves, imagine a 1 hour job is now a 5 hs job! Good for the dealer but not for you!

[@jgigs6569]

I’ll try this again the first one was deleted somehow. I never had a problem paying for work I had done as long as they actually did the work they say they did . But in my experience I don’t get what I paid for . Unfortunately this happens more times than you think . That is why the dealerships get the nickname stealerships . If you are lucky to get a place that does what they say they did then you have to bite the bullet and pay up.

[@LTVoyager]

I am surprised that motorcycles are not designed for maintenance the way modern cars are. If a car cost 10% of its purchase price for every major maintenance visit, nobody would buy it. Motorcyclists are gluttons for punishment. My BMW motorcycle costs far more to maintain than any of my cars or pickups and that is simply ridiculous in this day and age.

[@richardkeeley6927]

Thanks for the review. Out of curiosity, at what rpm range does the 1200 operate while traveling 70 MPH? Is it super smooth like a touring motorcycle or does it vibrate a bit more?

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Around 4000. Generally ride in the 4000 to 5000 range. The 2023 models, that I have, are a little buzzy at high RPMs. Nothing that bothers me, but some will not like it. Triumph change the engine character for the 2024 models to smooth out the ride.

[@richardkeeley6927]

@@LivingOffTheSlab My 2023 Honda Africa Twin adv Sports is about the same. I'm happy to learn that it's similar to the big bore bikes.

[@Haytifdad]

Wonder if service would've been cheaper if user removed all those extraneous fasteners Beforehand. My bike has 75K miles and never serviced swingarm or steering head; Kawasaki makes pretty good OE parts! Good info.

[@12masterr]

@@Haytifdad I think needing to repack head bearings and swing arm evry 30k is excessive, but again, that's how dealers make the money!

[@richardahola692]

$2000 sounds like a lot but when you list all the stuff they did it sounds reasonable. Fork and swingarm removal are a pain.

[@richardahola692]

I forwarded your video to my riding buddy. His Tiger 800 is coming up on 20,000 miles. Not going to the dealer. I will probably have to adjust the steering bearings as he noticed slight looseness. Valves can wait til about 40,000 miles. One thing for sure whoever buys your bike when you trade it in will get a sweet bike that should run forever.

[@pistolpete6321]

I own a 2021 BMW s1000xr and the 18k service cost $2,100 so needless to say I’m unlikely to be the owner at 36,000 miles.

[@Username_JP]

Yes it’s a chunk of change but really not to bad either. Cars and bike cost money to run. I am still shocked at how often a BMW needs service. I would of expected better from them.

[@JimmyHamAnp]

Smart way to split the work!

[@haroldconner2645]

I’m not a mechanic, And I understand the dealership service department needs to turn a profit, however, I am skeptical it took over 10 hours to do the work that you mentioned during the video. Only my opinion

[@dazzlemedicated]

Bikes and cars used to have grease nipples to pump some grease in - none of this dismantling to regressed a bearing.

[@martinhughes9769]

That’s around £1600 to £1700 crazy money, 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿😭

[@jameshardy6277]

Checked the brake operation and pads! Are you having a laugh!? Pull a lever, and look at the pads takes about 15 seconds. Learn to do 80% of this work yourself, save money and become more self sufficient on long tours. Nobody will ever do better, more careful work on your bike than you.

[@rickyzoom8059]

Once it out of warranty… sure!

[@LTVoyager]

@@rickyzoom8059There is no problem doing your own maintenance during warranty. I have done so for 55 years.

[@jimmin9802]

I think I would have changed the brake fluid n clutch fluid, and a bleed every two years as it is a small amount of oil and does a lot of work.

[@DonnaRoushall]

That’s not bad to be honest…. Dosen’t matter the make you ride… it’s the labor $$$ that gets you every time. I have a tiger sport 660….. I change my own oil, but there’s not too much else I can do because it’s all within the engine.

[@danconner8264]

you have convinced me that i will not look at triumph for my next bike. those costs are ridiculous.

[@robert-wr6md]

I nearly bought this exact model in May but it needed the 20k service within 100 miles. Looked into the cost and bought a Honda VTX 1300 instead where I can do all the work myself and have. Clear why the Explorer was on sale, it was a financial liability. Rich mans toy.

[@bobleonard790]

I own multiple motorcycles. For me, like most Americans, they're toys. As the life-cycle cost of owning them skyrockets, it's harder and harder to justify owning them. This is a doom-loop for the legacy brands. Those riders that don't drop out entirely are going to migrate to Indian and Chinese brands that are less expensive to buy and maintain, something that the legacy brands and their dealers are either unwilling or unable to see coming.

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Some brands, like Triumph are moving in that direction with bikes like the 400 Speed and Scrambler. Poor Harley has tried several times, but their "base" get all upset. But you are correct at some point they will have to deal with a shrinking market.

[@pja7]

Wow, I thought my Yamaha service center labour charge of €44 per hour was expensive for my Super Tenere

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

That is very cheap. I don't think you would find that anywhere in the US.

[@pja7]

@@LivingOffTheSlab The local Piaggio dealership for Moto Guzzi, Aprilia etc is €39 per hour (Malaga Spain)

[@rickyzoom8059]

First service on my Tiger 900 GT Pro yesterday, 860km. $449AUD . Was not a good experience….

[@markmundy3435]

Here in the UK Triumph pick up the bill for the labour on the first service, so we just have to pay for any parts used which runs out at less then £90, oil, filter, sump plug washer and a few workshop consumables.

[@eugeniustheodidactus8890]

That's not overly expensive from my experience with HD in USA. Since starting riding 3 years ago, I now realize than anyone can BUY a bike.... but it takes real dedication to afford the maintenance.

[@tswelbaumsr]

$2K ... not bad for all that. I was expecting closer to $3K. I have to admit, the Cross Country was cheaper to maintain!😆

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Yes, the Victories were pretty cheap in retrospect.

[@ChrisDoyle-v5l]

Just because you can,doesn’t mean you should.

[@eugeniustheodidactus8890]

Some things are best left up to the dealership to accomplish. *Can you get 10k on the tires ?* _I get 10k on the rear and 20k on the front tire of my Harley._

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Yes, the Dunlop Trail Max can go over 10k.

[@eugeniustheodidactus8890]

@@LivingOffTheSlab THANK YOU ! 👍🍺

[@eugeniustheodidactus8890]

@@LivingOffTheSlab Do you think the Dunlops can be used on a GX or RT ?

[@jgigs6569]

Posted a comment it posted and then disappeared. WTF

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

Not me...

[@UncleWally3]

If “being serviced” was a euphemism, what springs to mind?

[@georgeharsin6292]

$1600 in labor and they have the balls to charge $35 for shop supplies. Lol

[@kevingullick1596]

How do you find that compares to your super tenere, the triumph is obviously more modern and greatly updated compared to the relatively old school tenere, and I would love to upgrade to the triumph, but the big 24000 mile service including valves on my super tenere was less than half the cost of servicing the triumph "that could be a UK thing and not a triumph thing I'm not sure" so I'm thinking at my age 66 I might just see out my riding days on my old tenere, I think the triumph is a bit expensive for me ,ps love the channel 👍

[@dk_traveller]

I understand Craig. Making videos results with income and bike services are just something you have to calculate in. More and more people I know accepts this and does similar. And that is fine. However, being a Super Tenere owner I find the above stated costs per mileage a bit high. I understand that ST is more "trivial" bike than Triumph...but for things like Alaska trip it is one of the few bikes I would like to be on. Anyway, this is not the first time I hear people complain about BMW 1600. R 1250 RT would probably be better choice. Best regrads, D

[@LivingOffTheSlab]

I did an entire video on the Tenere vs. the Triumph. As far as costs go, the Tenere is cheaper per service, but requires it more often, every 4000 miles. Using rounds numbers and today's prices, 300 for first service, 500 each for 6 oil changes and other maintenance, plus 1000 for the top end service at 26k. That is 4300/26k = 16 cents per mile. Yes, you can do more of the service yourself, but comparing apples to apples the Tenere is slightly more expensive. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6aoaZVreKykrZo

[@dk_traveller]

​@@LivingOffTheSlab I've watched Yamaha vs Triumph. I also watched most of the videos from the channel. Thank you for that. You do a nice narration and your videos are interesting to watch... occasional nagging is also OK 😅 I have a bit different calculation about ST expenses. Here in Europe, ST has 10,000 km oil services. 4L of oil costs €30, filter €10... Somehow everything seems cheaper compared to your list. But, I do all myself. I just use this time to hang out with my family and friends. We do it together. So, all in all if I include service material + tires for the last 50 kkm I come to around 1800€. Yamaha is really robust. I had one heavy accident and it had almost no damage. Also, on the other side, I'm really angry at the Yamaha factory. They just stopped development. Time to bring new bike was like 8 years ago. Also, this what they are doing with T7 is not OK. Every year they "add" something and present it like it is a completely new bike. This just doesn't work anymore. I will continue riding ST and probably will never sell it, but I have my eyes on other brands as well. BTW thank you for the Alaska series. Regards, D