Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Vault13Hero on May 12, 2011, 03:46:09 PM
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I was just wondering how long it takes a dealer to do the 600 mile maintenance...i have a small local dealer and they told me it was 2-3 hours worth of work, just wanted to see if that was par for the course or if they're over/under-estimating...
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Well, about as long as it takes to change the oil and check fasteners? I changed mine out at 100 miles, 500 miles, and every 3-5thou after that. Only thing I have the dealer do is the valves, back just cant stoop that long.
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I would save the money and change the oil/filter and shaft oil myself. Check the tire pressures and nuts and bolts and you have done what the dealer is going to do.
My local dealer charges $25 for the 600 mile service(if you bought it from him). New oil and filter and your on your way.
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I have recently done mine myself, not much to it and very easy on the 14. All receipts kept and logged into owners manual, much cheaper that way and you know it's done right.
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That's about how long it took my dealer to do my 600 mile service. I dropped it off and went for a long lunch with my wife and then had her drop me back off at the dealership. Bike was ready when I got back.
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Yeah, I keep hearing that I would save money by doing it myself, but the dealer I bought it from (not my local dealer) said that there was valve adjustments/tuning involved...I don't mind doing work myself, as long as it's as simple as changing oil or something, but I've never done any motorcycle maintenance except cleaning and adjusting a chain, so I'm not sure I feel comfortable doing it myself.
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I'm the same way, Vault. My dealer made me a deal on a maintenance package when I bought the bike. I figured I'd let them do the first few services, then I'd take over later.
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Read your owners manual. there is no valve adjustment on a 600 mile service. Change fluids, check for fastener tightness etc.
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Yeah, I keep hearing that I would save money by doing it myself, but the dealer I bought it from (not my local dealer) said that there was valve adjustments/tuning involved...I don't mind doing work myself, as long as it's as simple as changing oil or something, but I've never done any motorcycle maintenance except cleaning and adjusting a chain, so I'm not sure I feel comfortable doing it myself.
Your dealer is an asshat!
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get them to put on paper that a valve adjustment only costs 100 bucks or whatever reasonable fee they are going to charge for your 600 mile service then hold them to that price on actual valve adjustments. That'd learn 'em. :)
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A valve adjustment isn't called for on a 600 mile service and I very seriously doubt any dealers would do one anyway so I did my own 600 mile service.
When I first got my gsxr I (over) paid for the initial 600 mile service because I thought I was getting a valve check out of the deal. I didn't. I was pissed.
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Yeah, seems like they lied to me (imagine that, a dealer lying!)...I still think I'll take it to a dealer for the first maintenance but I'll try to do the rest myself, unless something pops up that I'm really uncomfortable with.
Maintenance sucks, I just wanna ride! ;D
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Buying the Service Manual will pay for itself 10 fold. Its one of the best investments you can make. It will also give you a much better understanding of how long something will take to complete and whats involved. It's the first thing I bought.
http://kawasaki.com/DefaultFrame.aspx?strContentURL=/Site/VIVehicleInformation/VItechpubs.asp?intCatalogID%3d2%26CatalogTypeID%3d4%26ProductTypeID%3d8%26ModelMarketingId%3d453%26ModelYear%3d2011%26SHOWVEHTABS%3d1 (http://kawasaki.com/DefaultFrame.aspx?strContentURL=/Site/VIVehicleInformation/VItechpubs.asp?intCatalogID%3d2%26CatalogTypeID%3d4%26ProductTypeID%3d8%26ModelMarketingId%3d453%26ModelYear%3d2011%26SHOWVEHTABS%3d1)
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Yeah, seems like they lied to me (imagine that, a dealer lying!)...I still think I'll take it to a dealer for the first maintenance but I'll try to do the rest myself, unless something pops up that I'm really uncomfortable with.
Maintenance sucks, I just wanna ride! ;D
To each their own but you can do the 600 mile service in less than an hour yourself.
Take the money that you'd save by doing it yourself and buy Fred's DVDs
http://www.angelridevideos.com/concours.html (http://www.angelridevideos.com/concours.html)
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Had my 2011 600 mile done this week at Hudson Valley MC in Ossining, NY. Took a little over an hour. All fluids, oil filter etc,. and general check of bike. $162.00
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Had my 2011 600 mile done this week at Hudson Valley MC in Ossining, NY. Took a little over an hour. All fluids, oil filter etc,. and general check of bike. $162.00
And you could have done all that yourself for probably $50.
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Mine took two hours at the dealer, total $161.00 with oil and filter along with final drive fluid change and labor.
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My dealer did acknowledge there is NO valve service at 600 mi. check, but did say the "book" indicates 2.0 or 2.5 hours, and said it will cost about $200.
Does it include only fluid change in shaft and engine oil, or brakes too?
If it is only engine and shaft oil, and checking fasteners etc., that seems like a lot of $$$ for that.
I need to get a Service manual. The owners manual isn't too well written, or too informational!
Seems oil filters are quite pricey comparatively? Does around $15 seem right?
Peter
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I did my own, took me about an hour. Found a couple of loose fasteners and changed the oil and filter. I also bought the paper manual (book) from Kawasaki so I can look at it while I work.
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Don't let the dealer take your money. It took me less than an hour to do mine the first time. It was probably the easiest oil change I've ever done, including all cages I've owned. While the oil is draining, check your fasteners. If you really want to get meticulous, you can check/tighten the exhaust header nuts. Basic maintenance on this bike really isn't as difficult as some dealerships would have you believe.
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i did the 600 mile service myself, not bad at all
what bolts are you guys checking for tightness? there are alot of them on the bike.
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i did the 600 mile service myself, not bad at all. What bolts are you guys checking for tightness? there are alot of them on the bike.
Good question. The manual tends to imply all the bolts :)
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Good question. The manual tends to imply all the bolts :)
i saw that and damn that would take a while......
i guess i will do that sunday.
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It took my dealer about 40 minutes while they changed the oil, checked that bolts and changed the final drive fluid. it cost me about 100.00 to get it done.
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So if I understand what is being said:
600 Mile service is nothing more than changing the engine oil and filter, changing the shaft oil and checking all the fasteners?
I am leaning towards doing that myself, and spending the money saved on a service manual!
Peter
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So if I understand what is being said:
600 Mile service is nothing more than changing the engine oil and filter, changing the shaft oil and checking all the fasteners?
I am leaning towards doing that myself, and spending the money saved on a service manual!
Peter
that is all i did.......
im doing it again at 2000 miles than going 3000mile oil changes and 6000mile diff changes.