Discover the Truth About Harley Davidson Maintenance & Upgrades costs: Based on 2021 Road King

[@richardanderson4916]

Hey you're spot on with the crazy ass labor prices! Freaking ridiculous! What a great video! Great road, beautiful country, the sound of the bike, and just talking like we are having coffee together. I'm hooked. Have you thought about the Ohlins suspension?

[@CageFreeMoto]

Happy you enjoyed the video. If you watch part II of this video the road is very bumpy and you bring up a good point, I should look at Ohlins suspension :)

[@richardanderson4916]

@@CageFreeMoto exactly why I mentioned it. I want it for my bike too. I loved that road!! What a great ride!

[@joezednick3197]

My advice for your stock handlebars is " learn to love them". They really are decent bars,,give them a chance. I was at the same crossroad as you are, thinking I should change out to a more " beach bar" set up,,,,and even with me doing the labor myself, (was a motorcycle tech over 30 years) I didn't want to pay the money for parts. I went on a couple long trips and realized the bars and the stock seat were just fine. I don't even think about it anymore.

[@CageFreeMoto]

You have been my mentor here and appreciate all the advice you have provided.I agree and will just leaves things as they are and see how I feel after this road trip. Better for me to invest in riding classes then bars :) Thanks for everything!

[@isaacwyer5238]

Great video with amazing views. I love that area. Hearing those Harley prices is sure making me love my Vulcan 900 classic a bit more lol.

[@CageFreeMoto]

Yep! Wish I knew but it was between Harley and or Indian so I think I was destined for this expense :/ Take care and stay safe!

[@bodieb316]

I have a 2020 Road King, I wanted the 12" bars at first, but I'm so happy I went with the Factory 47 14" bars. I'm 5' 11 and they are right at my shoulder.

[@CageFreeMoto]

Awesome! I put the bar upgrade on hold... but still may pull the trigger in the future. Post a picture of your Road King on our FB page, would be great to see it. Stay safe!

[@1219magnum]

Harley maintenance costs are stupid high. Can't get a good answer for why the first oil change at 1000 miles should be done. I have a '21 Subaru Forester, first oil change was done at 6000 miles. Subaru oil change about $50-$60, and they have a 25-30 point chek. So I found a motorcycle shop that'll change my '21 Road King oil for $70. Just oil change. Oil is xtra, but won't add up to $350-$400. My son helped me change engine and primary oil on my old Harley, without any kind of stand! Saved over $200. It's doable. Thank u for the vid. Keep up the good work!

[@CageFreeMoto]

Glad you liked the video. I am seriously considering doing maintenance in the future.

[@Pennfan5]

I was hoping you’d mention a comparison. Pricing on service for your Road King vs Your Vulcan.

[@CageFreeMoto]

The first service on the Vulcan is due at 7k and the Toad King is 1k. And the Vulcan first service was 100 dollars cheaper. However, depends on where you go and the same with HD you can call 5 dealerships and get five different quotes.

[@richiechristie007]

Just found your channel, and bought my first bike last week. A 02 Road King Police. I'm also in the Sacramento California area.

[@CageFreeMoto]

Welcome aboard! I am about 1:15 south of you. Congrats on the Road King!!

[@anthonyvickers3469]

Thank you for the Headsup on service and your choice of really beautiful roads.

[@CageFreeMoto]

Thanks for the kind words. Stay safe!

[@exmon007]

When you purchased your bike you should include a 2 or 3 year service plan. A new bike also comes with a 2 year warranty. If you have a service plan then your scheduled maintenance is covered.

[@CageFreeMoto]

The default was the 2 year warranty. From what I understand, it is not to late too get a service plan and looking into it.

[@waltertodd4281]

I have the HD Visa card and earn points with each purchase. My points usually pay for my services and tires. Really works out well for me. Also just for comparison, a friend had his Honda serviced for his 1000 mile about the same time as I did. His service cost $15 more than mine.

[@CageFreeMoto]

Great tip on the HD Visa! I hear BMW service is much higher than HD. Good that we share the costs of service so people can bake that into their planning into Motorcyle riding. We hear save for gear and yes it's true, but also bake in the service and maintenance also.

[@garyallen6486]

Nothing better Cage, than chilling out and clearing your mind on a local, easy, low-traffic paved road. However, when it’s a NEW road to you… and you’re not 100% sure where the big arteries (roads) are… and it’s getting late or you’re a bit low on fuel, I know I get that pit in my stomach that I will end up on the back of a milk carton, haha. I know, it’s illogical, but here in WA state, that forest gets dark and those mountains look foreboding in no time, haha. Can’t wait to see how this turned out for you- I hope you lived to tell the tale 😉. Good luck on your KY ride! That’s amazing! Oh- quick cost nugget for you- here just outside of Seattle, HD service labor is insane. I was going to get heated grips- in December, I could have gotten factory heated for $450 (+tax). Now, in Feb, they are “on sale” again- $550 (+tax). When I pressed on the increase, they said labor cost had gone up “to match the fact that baristas at Starbucks make $20/hr.” I bought new gloves, haha!

[@1219magnum]

Consider also, handguards from Memphis Shades, around $75. Keeps alot of the cold air from hitting my hands directly. Thank u.

[@CageFreeMoto]

Yep, agree... thank goodness it was not in a deep forest and in the end I turned off to a road I know but did not know it... see part II. Take care!

[@CageFreeMoto]

Good idea! I will check them out, thanks!

[@garybaldwin1061]

Do the fluid changes your self....transmission, primary and engine oil. Super easy its even in your owners manual on how to do it. KZbin has videos. There are other videos checking the fasteners too. Follow you OM for when maint is due. Except I do all three holes when I do the engine oil change. You can easily do the air filter when its needed.

[@CageFreeMoto]

I am seriously considering it :)

[@ronwarber535]

Great Video, and very informative. I own a BMW K1600GT. I have to see my bank manager to get a loan for a service. Well not that bad but almost

[@CageFreeMoto]

Thanks for your kind words... I have heard BMW service is high and even higher than Harley...

[@drjjpak]

Beautiful Ride!

[@CageFreeMoto]

Yes it was! Happy you enjoyed the video.

[@CDWB]

I sure hope those are Cali prices lol. not sure what all is involved in a "service" but if it's just stuff like fluid changes, spark plugs, etc., consider doing them yourself...did mine and it's easy if you have the tools.

[@CageFreeMoto]

I know right! I thought maybe I can have them done when I am out traveling in another state. Just got another quote for 1,750.00... sigh!

[@devildog3125]

So what road is that and I was thinking it could be Tassajara Rd. but don’t think so and keep the videos rolling in and ride safe.

[@CageFreeMoto]

Here is the address and if you are close to Livermore, this is a great area to ride - 5800 Collier Canyon Rd, Livermore, CA 94551

[@isaacwyer5238]

Also YES!!! You took one of my favorite slow roads. Morgan territory road. I used to take that street to work sometimes for the long nice ride with views. Did you go all the through to marsh creek?

[@CageFreeMoto]

I did go all the way to Marsh Creek... however, I did not know until I pulled over, see part II video. Nice ride, bumpy rode and realized my suspension was too stiff. Made that adjustment now :)

[@isaacwyer5238]

Yes it’s a tough road but very scenic and awesome. I used to take my dual sport on it and got off road at times. Either way a nice ride. My wife loved riding on the back on that road.

[@CageFreeMoto]

@@isaacwyer5238 WOW! Your wife loved being a passenger on that road? Awesome that you both can be together doing something fun like being on a motorcycle ;)

[@dennisgriffith2670]

Those are some crazy price quotes even by Canadian standards. It must be a Cali thing.

[@CageFreeMoto]

Yeah maybe a Cali thing... I should get quotes from neighboring states :)

[@conservativechristian8508]

Any H-D parts installed in the 1st 2 Months of ownership are covered by the factory 2 year warranty. 1K Service includes fluids for all three holes and checking all critical fasteners. You (Dealer) can program the ECM passing lamps to work with the high beams. You will pay a little more for Amsoil Fluids. Figure $400-$500+/- for 5K Services and a little more when the Primary and Tranny come do. With a new bike, I do oil changes between services. If you keep the bike long enough for a 50K Service you are in for sticker shock when they service the steering bearings, forks etc. Fluids are $12-$15 a quart shipped direct, or retail. Crankcase will take about 4 1/2, trans and primary roughly 1 qt each. Oil filters runs 8-15 depending on brand/source. The K&Ns are nice because they have a nut on the end to facilitate removal. If you do your own oil changes either get the Harley plastic gizmo, or fashion something yourself. There is limited clearance and the Harley drain pan is sized right, but runs about $35. Bars and parts are what they are and service can run from $90-$135 an hour. If you have a rider rewards program, or HOG discount use it and check with your Chapter to see if there are additional savings. Buy your parts and when you are ready to have the work done apply your rewards to service. I highly recommend The Harley Visa. I have received thousands in gift cards for using it. I am also one of the fortunate winners of a brand new Heritage just by using the card. If you wanted to save money the choice would have been a Honda Civic, or Toyota. Mileage is about the same. Automobile service and tires are much cheaper, but you won’t have all the smiles and great memories. A good Independent Mechanic will be a little cheaper sometimes, but they pay retail for parts at HD and they don’t usually do warranty work. Cultivate a positive relationship with your dealer and various employees. When they see you coming in frequently they will take care of you if they can. That means filling out the E-Mail Surveys and letting management and the owner know someone provided great service. Enjoy the new and less travelled roads.

[@CageFreeMoto]

Thanks for all the info and advice! I will look into HOG discounts and getting the HD credit card... maybe I can win an HD in the future ;)

[@conservativechristian8508]

@@CageFreeMoto Someone has to win. They give away a bike a month. I was fortunate to win the March Bike my Heritage.

[@CageFreeMoto]

@@conservativechristian8508 WOW!!

[@earlkozak6538]

You can always do it yourself. Save the $$$$

[@CageFreeMoto]

Yes, this is the plan. I recently purchased a motorcycle lift, and one of the first tasks I will undertake is learning to perform the three-hole oil change myself.

[@earlkozak6538]

@@CageFreeMoto Ain't shit to it

[@exmon007]

Also when you purchase a new bike from Harley you should get a 20% discount on parts for 2 years.

[@CageFreeMoto]

I will ask my dealer on that discount... Thanks!

[@secondlookmodels]

Those prices are absurd. At that point, just do the work yourself. You'll save 80% of the cost.

[@CageFreeMoto]

If I only had the time to do it myself... plus the time for the learning curve. I have many irons in the fire, as I have been told and prefer to take the Motorcyle and trust professionals. I pull out the laptop and continue working while waiting at the HD shop or a local coffee shop. That said, I know I share how shocked I am with pricing and just wanted to let others know as they may be thinking about riding and also plan to use the pros to work on their bikes. I was aware but sharing my shopping and price comparison while looking for service.

[@Mike-uh2gw]

It's not just Harley. Any stealer is gonna charge over 100 bucks an hour. My local East Texas Honda dealer is 110 for motorcycles and ATVs. Water craft are $125. Certified mechanics make good money for a reason and the business has tons of overhead and taxes to cover before they make a cent. If our government keeps printing free money for everyone, it's going to be $200 an hour soon. Wait till you need tires, you're gonna have a stroke when you find out it's 250 dollars plus tax just to mount them.

[@CageFreeMoto]

OH! Was not aware on the cost to mount the tires! Some time in the future I will learn how to do thing like fluid changes and small maintenance to save $$$. Until then, I will put my trust and money on the certifies mechanics. Now I am nervous on getting new tires LOL. Stay safe out there!

[@BloodPlusPwn]

Harley will talk up their service department like they're the second coming of Christ but you can do everything they do with a torque wrench. Most service intervals for Harleys are just glorified oil changes. That's one of the great things about Harleys is that maintenance is so approachable. I'm no mechanic and there's nothing on my Low Rider S I wouldn't feel comfortable doing, even total engine rebuilds. Can't say I felt the same about my old Vulcan 900 lol. Then again, service on it was cheap as dirt. Just make sure nothing is leaking, change the oil, google what the critical fasteners are and break out your torque wrench suddenly you can do 90% of the service points in a matter of minutes lol. Okay, I lied. It will probably take a little while since you gotta look up the torque numbers on every bolt, but it's seriously very easy to do lol Harley doesn't make much money selling you a bike, they make all the money after that when you get service and buy t-shirts. I'm sure that's obvious to you now haha. We all had that sticker shock. I do actually appreciate Harley dealers since the fact that there are so many will make long trips worry free, but your wallet will definitely thank you if you use it to buy a torque wrench and some oil instead of paying the dealership to do that stuff. Oh, in regards to handlebars, you can always pay a shop to install the longer clutch/brake lines and do the rest yourself. Running the lines through the handlebars can be annoying if they don't deburr them well (there are tricks to do it more easily all over youtube if you have trouble with it) but pretty much anyone can do that stuff and it'll cost you more like 300-400 dollars instead of 1300 or whatever that crazy number was lol. It just takes a long time, that's why it costs so much. Anyway, I'm just kinda rambling lol. Stay safe out there.

[@CageFreeMoto]

Yep, it is obvious to me that the Motorcyle is just the beginning and now with upgrades and merchandise (which I purchased an HD helmet) it is just the start LOL

[@johney4484]

Your the type of customer Harley Davidson loves. Charge you over $400 every 5,000 miles. That’s why they have the nickname of stealer.

[@CageFreeMoto]

LOL! I may work on it myself in the future, however, having it serviced saves me time where I can focus on other things I am good at, like the tech startup I have. I leave it to the experts at HD until I find time or choose to work on it. The love is both ways 😉. Take care and stay safe!

[@motorcycleislife8296]

Man just learn to work on your bike, it's simple to read a service manual. My sportster oil change is literally a drain tube and a primary oil change and Harley would have charged $400. I feel more comfortable doing it myself and dont trust another man touching my bike. Most mechanics are stupid anyways.

[@CageFreeMoto]

Yep, maintenance is something that will be in my future. Looking to get a lift and everything needed to get it started. That said, I am sure I will still use HD service because my life gets very busy (Day Job, tech startup at night, consulting and OH YEAH.. KZbin) because I can have it worked on during the week so I can go for a ride on the weekend. Call it a hybrid model of DIY and HD Service :) Take care and stays safe!