[Texas Jay]

so I don't want to mess it up.

My question: they say it should be at two months *OR* 600 miles, whichever comes first. Well the two months expired last week, but I've only got 400+ miles on the bike. Should I take it in right now? Or is it okay to wait until I get to 500-600 miles in two or three weeks?

 

[DrBob]

I'd wait until 600 miles if it is only going to be a couple weeks. If it were going to be a couple months, I'd say do the service now and then change the oil again at 600 miles. The time frame is very unimportant, but the break-in miles count. By 600 miles the motor should have shed all the metal it is going to, and anything that is loose or out of adjustment should have popped up. Bring it to the dealer for the first service, and they will change all the fluids, check the valve adjustment, re-torque everything, and repair any minor issues that pop up from assembly. After the 600 mile service, say "goodbye" to the dealer, buy a filter wrech, and do your own services from here on out. I buy oil by the case, and filters by the dozen, along a gallon of gear oil for the shaft drive. I put so many miles on my bikes I change the oil every month at least, so paying the dealer is out of the question. Costs me about $15 to do it myself.
If you are not comfortable with a wrench, you might want to bring it back to the dealer for the 12,000 mile valve adjustment, but other than that there is nothing even a novice can't do themselves on an Intruder.

 

[tlwisner]

My dealer told me that the initial service should be between 600 and 1000 miles. Dr. Bob is right (of course...) that the time elapsed is not really important unless you go some ridiculous amount of time without riding - in which case you should at least change the oil AND filter.

 

[Texas Jay]

Thanks, guys. I think I'll wait a couple weeks, until I get up to 600 miles. It will definitely be before I reach 90 days with the bike.

Dr. Bob: you should consider hosting a TV show on the Speed Channel, just to answer motorcycle questions.

 

[tlwisner]

Dr. Bob: you should consider hosting a TV show on the Speed Channel, just to answer motorcycle questions.

I'd watch it!

 

[DrBob]

Thanks, guys. I think I'll wait a couple weeks, until I get up to 600 miles. It will definitely be before I reach 90 days with the bike.

Dr. Bob: you should consider hosting a TV show on the Speed Channel, just to answer motorcycle questions.

Man, that would be a SWEET gig!!!!
Actually, I don't know all that much about motorcycles...just what I have picked up from nearly 20 years of riding and being too broke to pay someone to fix what I break!
But I do know enough to stay out of discussions I know nothing about and stick to the ones that I know the answers to! :roll:

 

[Ride-or-die]

my gixer goes for a full service on friday, i know its going to be expensive, needs new chain, new sporckets, new clutch springs and thats before the service

 

[skenn158]

The dealer mentioned my first service (C50) was going to run over $300, and a friend said the same thing was quoted for his new Burg 650, wow, that seems high but alas, i'm planning on keeping the Boulevard forever so might as well...

SK

 

[tlwisner]

The dealer mentioned my first service (C50) was going to run over $300, and a friend said the same thing was quoted for his new Burg 650, wow, that seems high but alas, i'm planning on keeping the Boulevard forever so might as well...

SK

That's your dealer making some nice bucks. My dealer charged $50 for the entire first service, and they did adjust the valves too as well as the rest of the service list.

 

[c50tiger]

My first service was also about $50 (US). Surely there's other places in Orlando to price the service?

 

[Texas Jay]

I called my dealer today about the first service and the service manager was drunk! He couldn't put two words together. Unbelievable. Call me "overprotective", but he's not getting his hands on my bike. Too bad - they were going to give me the first servicing for FREE.

I have four Suzuki dealers within an hour of here, so I have others to choose from. I guess I'll ride an hour to the dealer (in Dallas) that has the best service department. Ugh.

 

[inspiron]

Free service or not, I would contact the shop owner or general manager immediately! Allowing a drunk mechanic to work is just screaming for lawsuits! If the shop owner or manager blows you off, then report this to Suzuki and the the Better Business Bureau! This could mean life-or-death for someone who's bike is in the shop!!!

 

[LayinLo]

be vewwy vewwy careful

 

[Texas Jay]

I "interviewed" four different dealers in this area to determine where I will have the bike serviced. Honda/Suzuki North (in Dallas) won. I threw several questions at their service manager and he had good, honest, knowledgeable answers every time. And he was sober.

FWIW, he said the original "break-in" oil should be used for at least 600 miles and preferably for 1,000 miles. He said it would be okay if I went 6 months before the first servicing (as long as I didn't go over 1,000 miles). I won't wait that long, but it's good to know the engine won't seize up if I go 3 or 4 months before the first servicing.

 

[Gixxerdale]

he said the original "break-in" oil should be used for at least 600 miles and preferably for 1,000 miles.

600 miles = 1 good day ride for me normally. But these last two weeks of daily rain are killing me! They say no sun until Wednesday! HEELLLPPPP!!!!! Sorry, didn't mean to hijack this! Just got severe PMS! Parked Motorcycle Syndrom! :-|

 

[Texas Jay]

I wish I could ride that much, but my job is only 9 miles away and I have two small kids. Time with my bike is rare.

Since Christmas, I've put on about 250 miles. That equals about 500 per month and 6,000 per year. Not great, but okay.

 

[Gixxerdale]

I wish I could ride that much, but my job is only 9 miles away and I have two small kids. Time with my bike is rare.

Since Christmas, I've put on about 250 miles. That equals about 500 per month and 6,000 per year. Not great, but okay.

You are riding more than me right now! I blew out my right knee. Old work injury, finally has completely given out. Good old HMO can't even see an Ortho until the 17th! Poor Gixxer is parked indefinitely. :thumbsdo:

 

[Trapper]

I know all about the knee jobs. I've had three operations on mine. Hope you get good drugs.