Service for a long trip

I suspect the answers will be "depends"[1].

I'm doing London->Athens (actually Milos) soon. The 'busa has barely been
ridden since before the dire winter - it's been under cover for most of the
time. It had a full service including tyres when I bought it - around May-ish
last year, but it hasn't done many miles
(1000 perhaps).

I'm going to get a service before I **** off, and I was going to go for my
local shop's health service - the first column on their flyer[2]. They're
trying to get me to go for a Gold Service - an increase of 80 squids.

Looking at the extra items in [2], is it worth springing for?

[1] Or NAHAY, TIUTA?, or "poof - do your own fettling".
[2] http://tinyurl.com/32g4m74
--
TD
2000 GSX1300RX (red and black)
Missing: SOB, Unreliable Italian exotica, cage
- What with the Internet, it doesn't take long to feel like one is an
- expert on any subject these days.

 

"Sorry, the page (or document) you have requested is not available."

 

"Sorry, the page (or document) you have requested is not available."

Just lube the chain, count the wheels, check the oil and ride it.

 

Bugger. Any better now?

--
TD
2000 GSX1300RX (red and black)
Missing: SOB, Unreliable Italian exotica, cage
- What with the Internet, it doesn't take long to feel like one is an
- expert on any subject these days.

 

Yep, and I can't see anything in the Gold service that makes it worth
£80 more.

I'm with TOG on this, but if you're going to go for one of them, just
the Health Service would be more than enough IWHT.

 

As I thought. The tyres have 1-2K on them - another 1800 miles should be
okay. Everything else was in pretty good shape, except the chain - don't
remember but whatever...

--
TD
2000 GSX1300RX (red and black)
Missing: SOB, Unreliable Italian exotica, cage
- What with the Internet, it doesn't take long to feel like one is an
- expert on any subject these days.

 

£99 for kicking the tyres & changing the oil & filter? Another £70 for a
few squirts of WD40 & some tap water? Yep, those would appear to be typical
dealer prices. Surely you have decent independent service bods down your
way who do servicing at sensible prices?

 

I'm always wary of 'fixed price' servicing on bikes. They're
relatively rare deals, and they're expensive because there are so many
variables. Seized fasteners, butchered fasteners where some previous
owner has had a go himself....

And this one is based on capacity, which is utterly daft. So they'll
charge the same to service (say) a 600 Diversion as an R6.

The bike had a service 1000 miles ago. Just ride the damn thing.

 

If I was willing to spring a hundred quid for the basic service I'd
spend the extra eighty to get the chain cleaned and adjusted, the
coolant checked, the brake pads checked and the air filter checked.

 

Mechanic: "Yeah, chain looks OK. Give it a squirt of lube anyway.
Brake pads.... <squint>... yeah, plenty of meat on those. Coolant....
yes, it's there.... Air filter: fukkit, I ain't taking the tank off.
If it was serviced 1000 miles ago, it'll be OK. Eighty quid for five
minutes' work. Cor, I'll get my target bonus this month, easy."

 

Note the "If I was willing to spring a hundred quid for the basic
service".
I'd only do that if I couldn't be bothered with working on the bike at
all.
And if I couldn't be bothered at all I think I'd go with the 180
service rather
than the 100.

 

No time to think at the moment, spread very thin, just want it sorted. Sold
all my tools a couple of years ago, and new to the area so no time to
investigate a good independent.

--
TD
2000 GSX1300RX (red and black)
Missing: SOB, Unreliable Italian exotica, cage
- What with the Internet, it doesn't take long to feel like one is an
- expert on any subject these days.

 

**** that for a game of soldiers..

Buy a new chain & sprocket set & fit it yourself, lube it yourself &
**** off smiling.

 

If I told you I get the equiv of the Platinum service for 150ukp, would
you be upset ?

I'd say they are taking the piss.

 

Get a decent pooter then !

 

<whispers>
They sell tyres on the continent you know ...
</w>

 

For once I agree with Nige.

Don't forget you'll need a chain tool for joining the links.
Ignore those who say you can do it any other away.

There's nothing on the list other than a bit of tyre kicking and
minor items you could do yourself even with no previous
experience. Follow the Haynes or figure it out as you go along.

 

Three out of three, Mister Cee.

Beat me to that one.

 

Fine - I'm now much less paranoid... Chain is tatty but I've never been able
to get the gist of looking at chain and sprockets and seeing wear.

Really appreciated - I don't think that South Herts is too near you though.
If anyone's within spitting distance of Bushey and wants some beer for a
once-over[1], please, let me know.

[1] *sigh*

--
TD
2000 GSX1300RX (red and black)
Missing: SOB, Unreliable Italian exotica, cage
- What with the Internet, it doesn't take long to feel like one is an
- expert on any subject these days.

 

LTSTPRU. Or even TRU.

--
TD
2000 GSX1300RX (red and black)
Missing: SOB, Unreliable Italian exotica, cage
- What with the Internet, it doesn't take long to feel like one is an
- expert on any subject these days.