[atom]

Ok, I've read this entire post about the cost of the first service and I feel like I'm about to get screwed. My dealer told me that it would be $240 for the first service. I got the "hard sell" about how important it is while they were going over the familiarization before I rode it home. I mean, they were really pushing this first service thing. I've seen some replies that say get the service manual and do it yourself. I'm all for that! Anyone know where I can get one? And what are your thoughts on an average/moderately mechanically inclined person being able to perform that first service on their own? Or should I just bend over and enjoy the "dealer experience"?

 

[CSBrad]

just google kawasaki ninja 250 service manual. I would really jsut take it to the dealer for this first service, unless you really know your way around engines and motorcycles. It is up to you though, owning a bike requires different kind of effort than a car

 

[mia-ninja]

I took my bike to the dealer for my first service. They ripped me a new one, but I wouldn't have done it differently though. Having said that, I'll never take it to the dealer for service again. Not because I'm cheap but because I don't get a good vibe from the dealer. Like, they do the minimum and that's it. Of course, if it's beyond my reach then, yeah, I'll take it in. I just changed the oil and filter (which I recorded, not very good though) on my bike for the first time and honestly, I was scared. Mainly because I've never done work on a bike but after searching youtube for oil changes and whatnot, I felt confident I could do it. And so I did. I recommend doing as much of the maintenance on your bike yourself. Search the net for information. This website is a wealth of information. RedRider rock! \m/

 

[CSBrad]

yea for most of us I'm sure the bike is a secondary mode of transportation. After reading all these stories I'm glad I have three or 4 really good dealerships, shops that I can go to if ones being bitchy.

 

[headhunta252]

i dunno about the US but in AUS if u dont take ur bike to an authorized mechanic/dealer to get it serviced u basically void ur warranty, being a mechanic im more than able to carry out almost anything needed to be done to the bike but i dont want to void my warranty so where do i stand :S

 

[Felix]

Dont know about that headhunta. Qualified mechanic and OEM parts, or like quality is the g o for all the car marques I've dealt with. It was a common lie we used to use when we handed over a new car to a customer.

A friend has a fazer and does his own maintance, he has to keep receipts and a diary of dates things were performed, I am going to contact AU kawasaki for clarification.

Felix

 

[headhunta252]

well as far as i know, for cars it needs to be serviced by a MTA aproved mechanic this means most mechanics as they can stamp the logg books but if ur logs books arent stamped then no warranty, ie a customer tried this didnt serice his car for 45.000 km come in engine fk*ed out and tried to claim warranty they said no, altho ill be changing the oil same rule still applies. Last time i spoke to kawasaki they said the same thing so ring em and find out will be curious to save myself some cash

 

[Felix]

Yeah, thats right. I never used to tell my customers to get it serviced at our dealership If they did want to, they could come see me and have a coffee and I would fill their tank up with fuel.

A mate of mine gets his bikes serviced at my dealership and is really happy with them, so i'll give them a shot.

Felix

 

[RoadRunner]

Man I feel good. As I said in another thread that talked about this same thing, I only had to spend just over $69 for my first service. I was surprised. They just charge $45/hr for anything they do plus whatever parts they have to use. It sounds to me like I'm pretty blessed. The only downer is that they are 30 miles away down the interstate but I can handle that. They're they closest Kawasaki dealer to me. It's best to take it to them so you don't void your warranty. They use Kawasaki oil and the whole bit. I was told by the dealership over two hours away that I bought it from that if you don't use Kawasaki oil they have a way of finding out and it will void the warranty for sure. That dealer however told me that if I was taking it to them it would be over $200 for the first service so $69 at my closer dealer sounded quite alright to me. Must be a small town thing.

 

[Turblown]

Man I feel good. As I said in another thread that talked about this same thing, I only had to spend just over $69 for my first service. I was surprised. They just charge $45/hr for anything they do plus whatever parts they have to use. It sounds to me like I'm pretty blessed. The only downer is that they are 30 miles away down the interstate but I can handle that. They're they closest Kawasaki dealer to me. It's best to take it to them so you don't void your warranty. They use Kawasaki oil and the whole bit. I was told by the dealership over two hours away that I bought it from that if you don't use Kawasaki oil they have a way of finding out and it will void the warranty for sure. That dealer however told me that if I was taking it to them it would be over $200 for the first service so $69 at my closer dealer sounded quite alright to me. Must be a small town thing.

There is a lot more overhead at a big city shop thats why. It takes a lot of money to run a business, hence the reason hourly rates are usually near $100...

 

[virtualmatrix258]

OMG Turblown you're alive!

 

[Ratty]

First service just cost me $198.60 I think. Wasn't too bad.

Bike still runs the same unfortunately, Actually it's a hot day so it only did 155 on the way home.

 

[Batch]

Im not far off 700km's, will probably book it in a week from now and do a decent ride this weekend if i can, i was quoted $185 when i asked about it when i first got it. Lets see how close that is haha

 

[Jester]

haha those are really good deals. Like thats $125 USD. which is a really good deal compared to the prices people in the states have said they payed.

 

[spooph]

atom, this is my stance:

1.) The first service should include valve adjustment, oil change, chain checkup (lube and tension) and a general check all around the bike (for mine, they reset the front wheel, because the axle was WAY too tight - should've been 14ft/lbs of torque, it was tightened to 100ft/lbs + of torque...)

2.) that is not unreasonable for a shop to ask, although a little on the high side...

3.) If you're mechanically inclined, get the shop manual and look over the valve adjustment section... Make sure you have feeler gauges and a torque wrench with all the correct sockets... And then, if you have the time to take off all the fairings and gas tank, and you know what you're doing to remove the valve cover and adjust your valves properly, do it yourself. If you've never done it before, it should take you about 6 hours, quite simply because you should go slow, make notes of how things go back together and make sure you do it right...

If you misaligne a valve you run the risk of either making your bike run like crap, or of BURNING a valve, in which case it's going to be at least $80 in parts alone, a disassembly of the engine heads, and probably about 4 hours of labor at $75/hr at the shop...

Not trying to discourage you from doing, just want you to know what you're getting yourself into.

 

[08ninja250]

I am going to side with roadrunners reply on September 19th.

I left my dealer after the first service was done for less then $90.00 with a copy of the dealers service manual pages with all the items checked off as done as related to the first service.

 

[littlemike]

Well I dropped off my bike this morning for my first service and they told me they charge $75/hour and my bike won't be ready until late tomorrow afternoon !! How long does it take for the first service ? I think I'm going to go buy the service manual before my next schedule maintenance and will do all the work myself.