Take it to the dealer for first oil change, or DYI?

[billyzoom]

I just bought a new 2012 in black.  YEEHAW!  The dealer was 90 minutes away, but bought it there due to getting a really good deal.  Anyway, the service manager met me and was talking about it being a good idea to bring it in for the initial service there, as with the first service it's a good idea to, in addition to the oil and filter change, check bolt torques, etc. 

The oil change looks super easy, I do it on all my bikes, and already bought two filters and oil.  In your view, is there likely any real benefit to taking it to the dealer for the first change? 

Thanks for any feedback.  BTW, I already have a full Area P exhaust on the way, and my only ride on the bike so far has been getting it home from the shop.  I finally finished tweaking my Ducati, and I guess now I have another to take its place.  Should be fun.

 

[feelergaugephil]

If your mechanicly inclined, do it yourself, it is very easy, and check your own bolts/torques..... save $$$

[The Pope]

If your mechanicly inclined, do it yourself, it is very easy, and check your own bolts/torques..... save $$$

+1

[TallyRex]

Bought my new 2012 a few weeks ago and did the oil and gear oil change last weekend.  It's easy and I'm not a wrench.  It wasn't the money that I saved that mattered to me, it was the time that I'd waste waiting for the dealer to do the job.

The oil filter was on very tight, so that required some muscle and I used the center stand to get clearance for my oil pan.  The gear oil filler can be very hard to remove, but mine wasn't bad and I used a quarter with a vice grip.  Get a cheap syringe to put the new gear oil in since the filler is on the side and not on the top.

I bought the oil and filter from the dealer so if necesary, I could prove that the 1st service was done and the mechanic told me to use dino oil, not synthetic,  for the next 3 thou miles.

[Conrad]

Do it all yourself. Engine oil, gear oil, cheack the other fluids, and check all the fasteners that you can lay eyes on. Also check your exhaust header nuts and you'll be good to go.

[tweeter55]

Hindsight...should have had the dealer throw the first service in on the deal.

[twowheeladdict]

I guess it all depends on whether your the type to want warranty work done on your bike or not.  There are obvious warranty items and discretionary warranty items that a good dealer will take care of. 

If you have a good rapport with your dealer, they will be more helpful in your time of need.

I do my first oil change on a new bike and all other oil changes and maintenance, but I do bring the bike in for the 600 mile service and go out back and watch the technician perform the service.  I also buy my supplies through the dealer at a 20% discount that I negotiate at time of purchase.  That way I am in there all the time and they know me well.

Get yourself the service manual and make sure you change the rear differential fluid everytime you change the oil.

[Pokey]

Do it yourself, become 1 with your steed.

[Rhino]

So far I've only had a dealer touch my bikes twice. Once to change the cylinder base gasket on my DR650 and once to check the valve clearances on C14 after 30,000 miles. They don't even do my tires. Oil change is VERY simple on this bike. In about a third of the time it took you to ride to the dealer one way you could have done it yourself. But of course maybe that 90 minutes is a great ride and now you have an excuse to spend 3 hours on the bike

[stevewfl]

Do it yourself. It goes so quick the only hard part is waiting for the oil to drain.

[VirginiaJim]

That's what beer is for..

[Bourne2Ride]

The first couple of times I went to the dealer, but they seriously over charge for the privilege. So I buckled down and did it my self the very next time. Been doing it myself ever since. Getting the can off took some strength, but in truth, the hardest part [is] waiting for the oil to drain. Oh, and don't over torque the drain bolt. The pan is aluminum, and it'll ruin your day if you do.

[billyzoom]

Thanks for all the comments.  I'll be doing it myself...just was concerned that there was something I was supposed to check that perhaps I wasn't aware of.  Now I just need to pile on some miles so I can get through the initial oil change and break in period. 

Joel

[booger]

On a new bike, I always change it myself at 100 miles.  Then I take it to the dealer at the first schedule oil change.
I know you can do it yourself.  But you just spent a load of bucks on a new bike.  Why scrimp now?

[MAN OF BLUES]

Thanks for all the comments.  I'll be doing it myself...just was concerned that there was something I was supposed to check that perhaps I wasn't aware of.  Now I just need to pile on some miles so I can get through the initial oil change and break in period. 

Joel

as noted, best scenario is for you to become completly one with the machine, that said, I cannot dis your dealer untill you actually know whether thy are functional or not.... do the 600 check and drill yourself, pick up a Kaw filter, and save the reciept in your owner book, fill in all of the service checks you do, and date them in the book....it is your protection.

I will say that the filter will be a bear to get off.....first ime is a biotch...they put them on TITE.
go back and use the search function and find my posting of how to get the filter off...

document everything you do, don't skip anything....and ride it for many years.....

[PlaynInPeoria]

go back and use the search function and find my posting of how to get the filter off...

Umm, I tried to search for "how to remove oil filter" and got about 600 hits.  Could provide a link or maybe something else to narrow down the criteria?  I threw in your username and still had no luck.

I ask because I am at 185 miles and planning on doing my own first service.

Thanks

[Conrad]

Umm, I tried to search for "how to remove oil filter" and got about 600 hits.  Could provide a link or maybe something else to narrow down the criteria?  I threw in your username and still had no luck.

I ask because I am at 185 miles and planning on doing my own first service.

Thanks

The problem is that the Kawasaki factory seems to employ gorillas to install the oil filter and the rear drive filler cap. In order to remove the oil filter you might have to be imaginative. Some folks have resorted to driving a screwdriver through the filter to remove it. I used a LARGE pair of channel locks and had no issues. YMMV