[gerdawg]

So who here has ever had a good experience with a 600 mile service on a bike yet? I'm starting to think that dealerships in my area are all conspiring to make my riding life miserable when it comes to having my bike serviced.

I just bought a Stryker a few weeks back and had the 600 mile service performed on it this weekend. After getting it back and riding it for a bit, I can say that the bike shifts a lot smoother than it did prior to the service. Before the service first gear would clunk but now it's a lot smoother.

Unfortunately my bad experience from the service is that I had a noticeable vibration and audible noise coming from the bike when going down a hill or letting off the throttle while the bike was in any gear. The noise / vibration was coming from the left side clutch area and after doing some research on here I saw some threads that dealerships were over tightening the belts (or tightening them to spec) and that this experience was happening to others. Based on that I went ahead and pulled off the belt cover and noticed that my belt was in deed riding pretty hard to the left side of the pulleys.

Outside of the posts I found I was still pretty convinced that the issue was related to something else because when I pulled in the clutch the noise went away. It seemed to me like the clutch was semi-disengaging when downshifting as if the cable had been improperly adjusted. I am pretty convinced I left the shop with a partially engaged clutch issue that occurred while decelerating. After readjusting the clutch and dialing the cable back in a little more myself the issue went away completely and immediately.

So now the only thing it seems that I have to do is go back to the dealer and have them readjust the rear tire because I don't believe the belt should be saddled to one side and should ride in the middle. It seems to me that I paid for a service (that on this bike seems to be nothing more than a glorified oil change) that in the end caused me to have to spend more time evaluating issues than what I probably would have if I had just done the service myself.

On my last bike (09 concours) I took the bike into yet another yamaha/kawasaki dealer in the area to have 4K service performed and asked for them to change the drive shaft oil even though it wasn't called for yet. After that service was complete I went to pickup the bike and noticed that they had forgot to tighten the back wheel bolts and that they would literally thread off by hand. Is it me or do other have these same types of horror stories to share? I'd be interested to hear them as I'm starting to get a complex. LOL

 

[Silkentek]

So who here has ever had a good experience with a 600 mile service on a bike yet?

Only when we do it ourselves
We basically perform all of the service for our bikes we can ourselves. We do have a good shop we can take the bikes to for things like the 16k service. It seems most dealerships really want to take you to the cleaners and their 'boys' in the back do not know nearly what they should in order to perform even the most basic tasks well (like checking the belt tension with the gauge held upside down)
Find a reliable independent shop if you don't have time to do it yourself =)

 

[gerdawg]

Sadly, I have the time but I've been working on a buddy's vstar 1100 to get it back in running shape.

Clean the carbs, adjust linkages, replacing clutches, oil, gaskets, checking stator, rectifiers, regulators, plugs, shifters, etc...etc.. ...he needs the help more than I originally thought I did on a new stryker with 600 miles.

In actuality I only used the service because I bought it for another bike that I owned but sold before 600 miles came around. I asked the dealer to honor the service on the Stryker instead of getting a refund and figured it should have been a much easier task for them since there isn't any throttle body syncing involved.

Other than not wanting to adjust valves I could likely do most of the other service work on my own. I figured rather than let the 160 bucks go in the toilet I'd be able to bring this bike to them and have them do the work. I only bought the 600 mile service on the other bike because it had throttle bodies to sync and that would be worth the hour service charge @ 160 since at that time I didn't have a manometer to use, otherwise I probably wouldn't have bothered.

 

[Michael88997]

I had a good experience with my dealership at 600... no problems with my bike after, the only reason I took it there is because they threw in 6 services when I bought it.

 

[Silkentek]

Sadly, I have the time but I've been working on a buddy's vstar 1100 to get it back in running shape.

Clean the carbs, adjust linkages, replacing clutches, oil, gaskets, checking stator, rectifiers, regulators, plugs, shifters, etc...etc.. ...he needs the help more than I originally thought I did on a new stryker with 600 miles.

In actuality I only used the service because I bought it for another bike that I owned but sold before 600 miles came around. I asked the dealer to honor the service on the Stryker instead of getting a refund and figured it should have been a much easier task for them since there isn't any throttle body syncing involved.

Other than not wanting to adjust valves I could likely do most of the other service work on my own. I figured rather than let the 160 bucks go in the toilet I'd be able to bring this bike to them and have them do the work. I only bought the 600 mile service on the other bike because it had throttle bodies to sync and that would be worth the hour service charge @ 160 since at that time I didn't have a manometer to use, otherwise I probably wouldn't have bothered.

I understand not wanting to waste money paid out =) We have just tried to do our best with what we can do, and then we go to the guy we do trust to know what he is doing for the big stuff.
I guess the upshot of all of this is that it pays to educate one's self about your machine, how it should run, how it feels and how it should sound.
I learned this a long time ago being a single mother. Mechanics were always doing their best to take advantage of me being a woman with kids who "didn't know anything about machines".
Well I learned 'em quick... I studied, rebuilt an engine or two with the help of good friends, paid attention to any mechanic willing to take the time to teach me things and asked endless questions and still do.
It's all you can do =) I still cherish the looks I get from some guys when I start telling them how MY bike should run, sound, be adjusted etc Toby gets a kick out of it when I really get on a tear because they try to snow me with bullschlitz.

 

[gerdawg]

I guess the upshot of all of this is that it pays to educate one's self about your machine, how it should run, how it feels and how it should sound.

About this statement I thought the same thing.

I consider myself lucky that I know how the bike felt (and other bikes felt) through experience prior to the service. It's hard to imagine how it would have turned out if someone else had been riding it that was pretty new to bikes. They would have likely worn the clutch down to nothing in no time and when they brought it back to the dealer I can already see the excuses flying of "oh you must not know how to use the clutch correctly, this is a standard wearable part and it isn't covered by warranty" it'll be $1k to fix..

That's all that kept going through my mind as I was fixing the clutch. :tsk:

 

[sscottab]

It is worth looking for a good independent shop locally and ask other riders in the area who is best and another good indication is if they are always busy, but even a busy shop usually will make room for basic service work. Iam one of the lucky ones one of my closest friends owns a sports shop and is considered the best in the area, when he is not out working on the ships he has his shop open, iam a auto tech so we exchange services alot i work on his vehicles he keeps my bikes taken care of. when he is out to sea the dealer i bought a couple bikes from work with me also my 600 miles service was only 56.00 they even let me hang out in the shop when they are doing any work on the bikes and the tech there is also very good.

 

[toby]

It is worth looking for a good independent shop locally and ask other riders in the area who is best and another good indication is if they are always busy, but even a busy shop usually will make room for basic service work. Iam one of the lucky ones one of my closest friends owns a sports shop and is considered the best in the area, when he is not out working on the ships he has his shop open, iam a auto tech so we exchange services alot i work on his vehicles he keeps my bikes taken care of. when he is out to sea the dealer i bought a couple bikes from work with me also my 600 miles service was only 56.00 they even let me hang out in the shop when they are doing any work on the bikes and the tech there is also very good.

Ya, any shop that doesn't have an open door policy/you can watch them, is a big red flag

 

[sscottab]

Ya, any shop that doesn't have an open door policy/you can watch them, is a big red flag

yes i agree, they even let me drill my baffles while they did the service, used the techs tools to do it. great place.

 

[gerdawg]

Ya, any shop that doesn't have an open door policy/you can watch them, is a big red flag

I agree that any shop worth it's price would have an open door policy. Personally I didn't want to stay and rather I ran out to lunch with a friend to grab a quick bite. I had figured if I had to stand over them and watch what's going on, I might as well do it myself.

That also isn't probably something they would have caught until they test rode the bike. I'm guessing that they didn't do this. If I were being cynical though I might go as far as saying some shops do this on purpose knowing you'll be back in for a new clutch soon enough which wouldn't be covered under warranty.

For me so far I'm like 0/5 on the 600 and 4K services on all my bikes for having the bike come back and not need to be brought back or worked on. There are a couple of guys in the area that ride the Stryker that I saw on the forums here so I'll probably be asking one of them who they go to for service.

 

[WOLFStryke]

I agree that any shop worth it's price would have an open door policy. Personally I didn't want to stay and rather I ran out to lunch with a friend to grab a quick bite. I had figured if I had to stand over them and watch what's going on, I might as well do it myself.

That also isn't probably something they would have caught until they test rode the bike. I'm guessing that they didn't do this. If I were being cynical though I might go as far as saying some shops do this on purpose knowing you'll be back in for a new clutch soon enough which wouldn't be covered under warranty.

For me so far I'm like 0/5 on the 600 and 4K services on all my bikes for having the bike come back and not need to be brought back or worked on. There are a couple of guys in the area that ride the Stryker that I saw on the forums here so I'll probably be asking one of them who they go to for service.

Sounds like you went to Blockers, find another place. Your bike will thank you later

 

[gerdawg]

Sounds like you went to Blockers, find another place. Your bike will thank you later

Actually went to Tri-City (didn't want to name drop because **** happens) but Blockers did do the rear tire nuts where they were finger lose when I went to pickup my bike. I've always had a good experience with both in other circumstances just on the "scheduled maintenance...stuff... I always get screwed"... Other warranty issues, etc....no problems at all. I just don't get it...

On that note, I'd go to Scott's powersports out in Coopersburg where I work but they took my friends new Champagna T-Rex (60K+ prebuilt kit car w/kawaski 1400 engine) which had custom paint/wheels/exhaust and was likely worth over 75K+ and "test" rode it into a tree and few neighbors mailboxes. They managed to some how total the bike out while they were only supposed to fix an issue with reverse. :thumb: Needless to say anyone at work that goes there for service get's ragged on.

 

[WOLFStryke]

Believe it or not my buddy brings his Roadstar to Schochs, now Pocono Harley Davidson. They have on of the best Yamaha mechanics in Poconos. He came from Pen Argyl Cycle after they closed.

 

[gerdawg]

Oh there was a shop out in bangor that I used to like that seemed to have reasonable prices and appeared to be trustworthy. I went there yesterday for my friends 1100 vstar and they were out of business. Go figure.

 

[gerdawg]

Believe it or not my buddy brings his Roadstar to Schochs, now Pocono Harley Davidson. They have on of the best Yamaha mechanics in Poconos. He came from Pen Argyl Cycle after they closed.

Ah Pen Argyl Cycle..I believe that's the shop I really liked...then they went out of business. I'll have to check out Schochs..they are always incredibly helpful there anytime I've been in the store. Just never had a Harley so I never thought to take my bike there. Good Idea!

 

[WOLFStryke]

Yea that was Pen Argyl Cycle. They were good, but the good die young

 

[11Stryker]

My dealer tightens belt to specs which I found to be too tight. I like my belt just a tad looser than spec. Also clutch works best on Stryker with just a very minute amount of free play. Other wise bike lerches a little when shifting from neutral in 1st gear.

 

[gerdawg]

My dealer tightens belt to specs which I found to be too tight. I like my belt just a tad looser than spec. Also clutch works best on Stryker with just a very minute amount of free play. Other wise bike lerches a little when shifting from neutral in 1st gear.

Thanks 11. I have mine now where the bike doesn't lerch and I fixed the issue where it's not dragging either on decel. I just had it out for a 2 hour ride and no signs of issues.

I think I'll have to go back to them for the belt because it's no longer centered and it's butted up against the left side of both pulleys. I'd move it myself but I don't have a motorcycle stand anymore and don't want to do it on the side stand. I'll probably either take it back and have them fix it or buy a stand and do it myself to save the hassle.

When you say yours is a tad bit looser than spec do you think that helps with keeping the belt in the center or should that not matter much? Also about how loose do you keep yours?

 

[11Stryker]

Thanks 11. I have mine now where the bike doesn't lerch and I fixed the issue where it's not dragging either on decel. I just had it out for a 2 hour ride and no signs of issues.

I think I'll have to go back to them for the belt because it's no longer centered and it's butted up against the left side of both pulleys. I'd move it myself but I don't have a motorcycle stand anymore and don't want to do it on the side stand. I'll probably either take it back and have them fix it or buy a stand and do it myself to save the hassle.

When you say yours is a tad bit looser than spec do you think that helps with keeping the belt in the center or should that not matter much? Also about how loose do you keep yours?

Hey Gerdawg- Belt should be set to centered if possible and tightness of belt does not matter too much with keeping it centered. I have the guage for checking belt tension, but don't use it. I use my index finger and push up on belt at window and try to get around 1/2" play with the finger pressure I feel comfortable with. Adjusting belt can be done fairly easy on your own if you have a bike jack.

 

[Stryker2012]

No matter how I try, I can never get the belt to sit perfectly in the middle. It's always to the left. As long as it's not wearing and fraying on the side it should be okay.