DIY or Dealership? The Cost of Maintaining Your Motorcycle

[@_audacerider3838]

True that! You hit the nail on the head. Since my first bike (BMW R1100S) I was doing my maintenance except for the valve clearance. I had a Boxer twin a Triumph triple (Daytona 955i) and a inline four (Suzuki GSXR1000) and now I ride a Moto Guzzi Audace 1400 (transverse 90 degrees V-Twin) working on Your bike is easy and very therapeutic (until You snap a bolt lol 🤣 it happened to me only once!) but yes you are right I think these days the motorcycle companies know most people won't do their own maintenance so they will charge an arm and a leg for it! When most of the time working on a bike is much easier than working on a car due to the fact that bikes are more open there is easier access to everything. The only thing is if You got Yourself a new bike if You want to keep Your warranty you need to go to the dealership for maintenance to get your warranty stamps. Once you get a year old bike and the warranty runs out. You are good to go to do Your work maintenance!

[@Chasing.Adventure]

For sure. I do basic stuff on all the two/four wheel vehicles we have. A) because labor is crazy expensive, B) I like to know it was done correctly, and C) because I like to have a decent idea of where things are if something goes wrong. If you have zero idea of what problems mean and how they're fixed anyone can quote you whatever they want if you have to take it somewhere. Unfortunately, I think my generation (heck even then there aren't a lot of millenials who do any mechanical stuff) will be the last to service anything of their own.

[@petersymons7817]

Thank you

[@lonecowboyadventures]

I did watch your video series on that stuff, but I don’t have a BMW as you know, but it was very informative And yes, doing your own maintenance saves a lot of money, which I have started to do on my own Harley Davidson

[@Chasing.Adventure]

Thank you sir! Like I say, I've been a fluid, filters, brakes kinda guy for many years. It wasn't even honestly a money thing so much as I like knowing my bike (or 4 wheels) a bit better in case something comes up. I'm sure this scenario is fairly similar for any brand. Labor has gone through the roof, and it makes it that much easier to just DIY 🤘

[@dantecondemitte275]

Hi, I have a BMW R9T and I want to upgrade to a R18B similar to yours. I just saw your video and I see the same thing that happened to me with my BMW R9T. They are easy to maintain and the dealerships are very expensive for the maintenance service. I ask you how you deleted the service notice that appears on the motorcycle screen every time you perform the service yourself. Thanks for the information, your videos are very good.

[@Chasing.Adventure]

I actually came from an R9T. I loved the bike, but it was a couple of years after a wreck that took me out of commission. Didn't know how much I would ride.... then started riding a whole lot and it is a terrible touring bike lol. I have a Hex GS-911 diagnostic tool. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07994V1G5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I actually bought it when I got the R9T, and was planning on having BMWs for the foreseeable future, so 10 VINs and it's (as far as I'm aware) basically what the dealers use. If you are on android (I use iphones)it seems like there are cheaper app+generic diagnostic tool options. I can't speak to their features or capability though. If you want to crush some miles, the R18 is great!

[@williamgehring2291]

What do you recommend for resetting the service light? Great videos.

[@Chasing.Adventure]

Thanks, I appreciate it! I personally have a Hex Code GS-911, which I had prior to getting the R18. It's not cheap, especially if you aren't planning on having BMW bikes for a number of years. Some folks have success with generic code readers, but that might require android use (I use an iPhone). This R18 forum thread has a good discussion on the various options folks have tried: www.r18forums.com/threads/service-light.2823/#post-39589

[@dhc8guru]

$2000 service! Wow! Service labor is outta control. I thought maybe $600 in labor and maybe $1100 total. I did the 600 mile service on my R18 and swapped the air filter to a K&N. It’s a fairly typical service. You can do the valve check if you can do the other service items. I’m going to swap my transmission fluid to Redline shockproof. It did wonders in my Harley. Just curious how the Amsoil did in your R18?

[@Chasing.Adventure]

Yep, now I have heard from many people that BMW (maybe all brands) can vary pretty wildly from dealer to dealer. I've heard of people paying $1,000+ for the break in service. I will likely do valves myself at some point, but that's the one thing I'd prefer to check the box on at a dealer while under warranty. It has only been a week or so since I did it, but seems fine. BMW used 75-90 in the boxers up until the R18 as I understand it and have switched the new 1300 boxers to the 70-80 the R18 uses. A lot of speculation that it is strictly for emissions/fuel economy regulations, and I've heard several folks either use the old 75-90 from BMW or another brand. The 70-80 is incredibly expensive. The dealer I go to quoted $87 per 500ml, and they would have had to order it. I would have used the BMW 75-90, but it has become difficult to source. Amsoil is much cheaper (possibly better) and easy to get.

[@dhc8guru]

@@Chasing.Adventure my dealer sold me 75/90 for the final drive. 7oz was like $15. I hadn’t changed the gearbox yet because I only have 1800 miles on my bike. Redline shockproof trans oil is 75/90.

[@dhc8guru]

$2000 service! Wow! Service labor is outta control. I thought maybe $600 in labor and maybe $1100 total. I did the 600 mile service on my R18 and swapped the air filter to a K&N. It’s a fairly typical service. You can do the valve check if you can do the other service items. I’m going to swap my transmission fluid to Redline shockproof. It did wonders in my Harley. Just curious how the Amsoil did in your R18?