Triumphrat

dumbremindr · 03-11-2008, 09:28 PM

I take it that this check up is the most important....but when I own a motorcycle shop in my next life I will give that check up for free with purchase of any new bike......does $150 sound high for an 08 Thrux
-Ryan

yonder · 03-11-2008, 09:59 PM

I just had mine done last week on my 07 Bonnie. Closer to $180.

CAPTDON · 03-11-2008, 10:00 PM

You can do it yourself!! Check all bolts, chain adjust, leaks, anything unusual & FILL IT WITH A GOOD SYNTHETIC M/C OIL!! & filter. I & many here did it. Not a biggy. Its a $$ maker for thedealer, unless its reasonable & THEY DO what they should!! I have seen some horror stories on the "after 500 check"! Changed oil & filter - thats it! Loose axle nuts, carb boots, you name it! There are a "FEW" dealers that really do the real service. Most charge between $200-300 & give you an oil change! When I bought my bike- the chain was REAL loose. Dealer said will take care of that on prep. 1 week later the wheel almost fell off! They aparently started to tighten the chain & forgot to tighten the axle nuts!! At that point I figured the 500 was on me!! It was. Triumph dearler only- probably OK. Triumph as a secondary bike as in Kaw/ Triumph or ?/ Triumph- do it yourself. Then you will know it was done rite! Why I do all my own work - sans tires- I know it was done rite & saves a few bucks! Maybe your life as well!!

dumbremindr · 03-11-2008, 10:19 PM

I just feel that they should give you that check for buying a brand new bike from them and traveling well over 500 miles overall to do so...

Your stories allmost makes me want to losen something just to see if it is fixed...

BonnevilleBridge · 03-11-2008, 11:24 PM

I just bought a 08 Bonne for my wife last weekend and was suprised to see that a valve check is not required for the 500 mile check up. These bikes must have one great valve train.

Anyway, I plan on doing all maintenance myself. Do you guys put in synthetic at the 500? I was planning on waiting for the engine to break in more (1000 miles or so) before using synthetic.

Thoughts?

mecscc · 03-12-2008, 12:31 AM

Ryan: $150 sounds like about 1.5 hours of labor plus oil and filter at dealer retail. If you don't want to do it yourself and save about 100 dollars or so, I'd say that price is not over the top.

Derby Boy · 03-12-2008, 12:45 AM

As an ex ASE cert. auto mechanic I have seen some real shoddy work coming from dealers lately. I can't complain about my dealer, but I haven't given them the chance. You are right the 500 mi. should be important. It's time to check all the bolts and adjustments, change the break-in oil and filter. Maybe even sync the carbs. I found mine with left pilot 2-3/4 out and right 1 turn out the door from the dealer. If you want to save $$ and get some self gratification, buy a Haynes or Triumph manual and go thru the 500 mi check yourself. Once you start wrenching on it yourself it becomes as fun as riding (almost).

bikingboit · 03-12-2008, 01:44 AM

Hi Ryan

I knew absolutely NOTHING about engines before I bought my bikes, I got a Haynes manual and do all of my own servicing, I think it makes an already great experience, ie motorcycle riding even better.

It isn't rocket surgery.

BTW hello to one and all, I'm new to this forum, great info, has helped me alot.

Cheers
Rob

chawbecker · 03-12-2008, 04:05 AM

Whether it's worth it to you depends on how confident you are in your ability to spot problems, and how much you trust the dealer to spot problems for you, I suppose.

I don't have a ton of confidence, and I really trust my dealer, so I was fine dropping the $170 for the service. I actually only paid about $110 because of a 10% discount and the remainder of a gift card they gave me when I bought the bike.

Anyway, besides the oil change, they/you are supposed to check for abnormal leaks all over the bike, check the brakes and brake fluid, lube the chain, check/adjust chain slack, the clutch cable, the throttle cables, and spoke tension as needed.

For me, it's worth the peace of mind that a professional checked it over, keeping in mind that I think my dealer is competent. If you're not confident in your dealer, maybe it's not worth it to you.

Dale_K · 03-12-2008, 09:36 AM

I'm scheduled to take my Scrambler in on Thursday for the 500 mile service. I feel totally confident I could do it myself but I'm still letting the dealer do it, mainly in an effort to build a good relationship with the dealer's service department. If they need to authorize a big warranty repair early in the bike's life at least they know the first service was done to their standards.

I'll talk with the shop about the kind of documentation they want to see for follow-on minor service, such as oil changes, which I will do myself. My last 2 bikes never saw the dealer again after the 500 mile checkup because nothing major went wrong with them. I hope for the same with the Scrambler.