[12redmars]

I am trying to decide if I want to bring the Stryker in for the first service. My last bike I had, 2012 FZ8, I didn't and the head gasket starting leaking. Its more than just an oil change, they look over the whole bike, it just costs a lot for them to do it. I would like some input from you all if its worth it or not. I typically do all my own work on my bikes. This being my first V twin makes me think I should have the dealer do just the first one. Thoughts please.

 

[beth75kiss]

I did my own, and 150 miles down the road am having no problems so far...

 

[Skwerlee]

I did my own...and 15,000 miles down the road I have zero problems. The first service is super easy. Change your oil/filter, make sure nothing appears obviously loose, check the critical areas like axle nuts, check your blinkers and brake light, check your belt tension with your finger. It's super easy and honestly many dealerships just do the oil change and nothing else and charge you big $$$

 

[BillyD66]

Yes its overpriced but since my dealer didn't charge me freight and assembly on the initial deal I gave them the business. They do go over a lot of stuff and adjust as necessary. You can do all of this yourself but you do need some tools and the like.

My plan is to do the oil changes myself and give them the money for the other services. I want to support them and keep them in business while at the same time saving a little cash on the easy stuff myself...

 

[11Stryker]

My dealer gives a great first service deal so I let them do that, but have done my own since.

 

[Skwerlee]

My dealer gives a great first service deal so I let them do that, but have done my own since.

The ones in the Dallas area wanted $300 or so for the first service...that's crazy!! It is super easy to follow the checklist in the service manual yourself. The only "special tool" I needed was a motorcycle jack so I could get the bike off the ground to manipulate the front wheel to check the steering bearings for looseness.

FYI you can get the service manual in PDF format from this thread

http://www.yamahastarstryker.com/22-general-stryker-discussion/305-stryker-manual.html

 

[mn stryker]

I had the dealer do mine. Negociated $130 and even though that was still more that it was worth, I'd do it again. My bike did run a little better and tighter after I brought it in. If you know your way around bikes and can follow along the service manual you might was to just do it yourself. For me...it was worth the money IMO.

 

[otrp]

When I looked in the service manual and saw what was to be done, it is just a glorified oil change as already stated by others.

I asked my dealer (with whom I have a good relationship with.) He told me to do it myself and save the money. It's basically a safety check and an oil change.

Keep receipts of the oil and filter in case of catastrophic failure.

My two cents

 

[Stryker2012]

Ditto to the above on DIY, if your mechanically inclined.

 

[12redmars]

the dealer wants around $189 for the first service.

 

[Skwerlee]

the dealer wants around $189 for the first service.

That's one pricey oil change!!

 

[strykenshane]

Yeah, did you buy from that dealer? If so, call your salesperson and raises little ****, might save ya a few bucks, when I bought mine I negotiated the 1st service in and a20% discount on future parts and service

 

[burnsey]

I am ready for the first oil change, i have a little under 700 miles on the bike, decided to have the dealer do just the oil change. Bought the oil and filter, service manual, cracked a beer and started to change the oil and realized it was more than a filter and drain bolt. I have race quads and dirt bikes that I work on, but the street bike takes a little more effort on certain things, like the oil change. I agree with some on the posts about the first service is a waste of money. i bought a service manual and can go through the checks, but the oil change requires to do a oil pressure check and that is the pain in the a-- part. The cylinder on the right side requires you to remove the throttle body to access the bolt, check the oil pressure while it runs, means a lot wrenching, do not have time, I will just pay the $ 70.00 fee at the dealer.

 

[alaskanmonte]

I did my 600 mile service my-self. It is just a glorified oil change with safety checks of some other areas. The hardest thing for me was adjusting the belt tension; I couldn't get the tire lined-up perfectly straight. I did eventually get it and now that I've done it, it will go a lot faster next time.

 

[11Stryker]

Check this thread- http://www.yamahastarstryker.com/22...-service-reciept-you-guys-getting-ripped.html

 

[dblshock]

everything sounds solid here at 400 mi. think I'll extend my 1st OCI out to late fall or 1200..

 

[lowriderb]

180 for the lift then you can do any servicing you want later on as well. im all for the diy at the house.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-prof...ockType=G2&PDP_REDIRECT=false&s_tnt=41486:3:0

 

[toby]

everything sounds solid here at 400 mi. think I'll extend my 1st OCI out to late fall or 1200..

1,200 miles before first oil and filter change.:tsk::tsk::tsk: no no no.
It's critical to change the oil and filter at the end of break-in period, 600 miles or so due to metallic material saturating the oil and filter.

And yes, if a shop, dealer or independent, wants more than $100 for 600 mile service something aint right, especially if it's the dealer where you bought it from.
And where in the manual does it say to check oil pressure?
I do mine, all bikes, with a floor jack and blocks of wood.
Floor jack right side under the exhaust pipe mount, jack it up so the back wheel is off the ground and the kick stand and front tire and jack are supporting the bike. Make sure the front tire stays straight. The bike at this point will be leaning a lot.
Place blocks of wood long enough to support both sides of the frame towards the back far enough to get to the drain plug under the bike, then slowly let the jack down as you pull the bike straight up. It should be level with the back tire off the ground just a bit when resting on the blocks.. If you put weight on the back you should be able to move the front wheel and steering freely to check those if you wish.
If you don't have one you can get an oil filter wrench for $10 at Yamaha or at an auto parts store that sale the filters, pretty common filters and. wrench.
When under the bike loosening or tightening the plug or filter it's a good idea to have someone help steady the bike for obvious reasons.
You can check for loose nuts, bolts and screws with metric wrenches, Allan and Philips screws. But assembled properly it's not common to find many loose because small ones they use lock tight and torque the rest.
Lube your cables if you wish, check belt tension, not likely to need adjusting at 600 miles. Check clutch lever play and inspect for any fluid leaks. Did I miss anything? oh ye, check the coolant level in the reservoir under the right side of the bike, it should be at the full line when the bike is cold, get another beer because by now your probably dry.:nod:

 

[mikoloe]

Toby, how are you doing sir? Did it finally warm up a little up there?

 

[burnsey]

oil pressure check?

I bought the Yamaha service manual for the bike and it goes into more detail that the operators manual. Section 3-13, oil change section, step 11 states to check engine oil pressure via the front and rear cylinder oil check bolt. There are 2 bolts that sit on top of the cylinder head that you loosen to see if oil comes out while the motor is running. The second bolt is located behind the air filter and throttle body, which has to be removed to loosen the bolt, then reassembled to start the bike, see if the oil seeps out, then you need to tighten the bolt by removing the throttle assemble again. This is the step that made me deiced to take my bike to the dealer this weekend for the oil change, I want to see if they perform this step or just change the filter and loosen the drain bolt.

Let me know your thoughts on this?