[lenbabin]

Yesterday I took the bike to the dealer for the 48K Km service (30K miles). Shocked to know that they charge $1700 CAD ($1260 USD) for this. Ouch. Add a new back tire to that and I am over 2 grand CAD. I looks like this is a full-scale checkup - all new fluids, spark plugs and rear belt - but it equals how much I paid for a 6-year extended warranty.

I used to love to wrench but not any more. I might have to go back to it now. Painful.

 

[Randyvan]

I have to believe they gave you an estimate before they started and you committed!?
I have had car services that cost that much so I guess not a huge surprise.
I might have spread it out myself and maybe not.
These toys are not cheap for sure!

 

[lenbabin]

I have to believe they gave you an estimate before they started and you committed!?
I have had car services that cost that much so I guess not a huge surprise.
I might have spread it out myself and maybe not.
These toys are not cheap for sure!

I knew that it would be costly because of all the stuff required. I guess-calculated about $1200 for the whole job. But I sure didn't plan on $2000. The service advisor made sure he showed me the grocery list and the price before I left the bike. He looked like he wanted to offer me a Valium before leaving. Costly toys is right.

 

[Lord Bard Prime]

Well here's to 38k more km after all that!

 

[Micmac]

Two Grand would've been a nice down payment on a new one. My wife had her Beemer automobile in to the stealership the other day for it's 50K service. It was a little more than that US. Then they wanted to do a 1400 dollar front end alignment. I told herI think we can do better than that elsewhere.

 

[cubs24]

Just did my 40,000 mile service. Minus oil change and air filter.
They charged 423.00 for it.
they wanted a hour and a half labor for the oil change and filter. I do that myself.
Rear tire , rear brakes, and 40,000 service was 750.00 total .

 

[NI Bob]

I'm genuinely shocked at what you guys are paying; why not invest in a manual and do it yourself, you could even buy a ramp and tool kit for what some have paid on here. Or just search youtube for numerous videos on servicing jobs.

An oil and filter change is so easy on these bikes, takes about 10 minutes, use same spec non Indian oil and filter and it only costs about £40, no specialist tools or ramp required. The RM even has an oil service reset on the Ride Command so no need for a dealer to do it like other brands.

I changed the front brake pads yesterday, takes 10 minutes a side and cost £22 for the the brake pads (EBC), no specialist tools required, a very simple job, the rears are just as easy.

I also changed the tyres this week, accepted you need a lift for this, removing the front mudguard is the most time consuming job, thereafter the front wheel comes out easily, the rear is even easier to remove, just pull the shock pin and lift the bike, no need to remove exhausts etc. I then take the wheels to an independent to have the tyres fitted.

Regarding the belt, I would tackle this myself too but if no sign of damage at 30k I would continue to run it, I see no reason why it should not go for twice this mileage.

Fork oil I know requires specialist tools to get them apart, but again I would pull the forks myself and take them to the shop.

I accept you pay a lot of money for the these bikes and many want to look after them by the book and if you can afford to do that using a main dealer then that's great, but many like me cannot afford to do that. These are simple bikes to work on for the majority of service and maintenance items and you can save a fortune by doing it yourself. I also appreciate some also worry about warranty, unfortunately for me as there is only one dealer in the country I live (Scotland) the cost to get to the dealer and back just pumps up the expense and at least I know the jobs done right. Of course we are all screwed if digital wrench is required and we have no choice but to bend over and take it at the stealer.

 

[lenbabin]

Just did my 40,000 mile service. Minus oil change and air filter.
They charged 423.00 for it.
they wanted a hour and a half labor for the oil change and filter. I do that myself.
Rear tire , rear brakes, and 40,000 service was 750.00 total .

And have you had to change the drive belt yet? I find that Indian's service schedule on that is pretty short, about half of Harley's.

 

[Jw roadmaster]

I would think the most expensive part of the 30k service would be the service for the front shocks. That's not a job for the typical do it yourself person. I am pretty mechanically inclined, and when I look at the service manual instructions for the shock service, I'm thinking wtf!

 

[MPSSOUTCAN]

Does the belt need to be replaced at 48,000kms, I would think an inspection of the belt prior to would make me decide on replacing it or not. I understand the service manual calls for it , but I'm a believer of if it ain't broke don't fix it. I find it hard to believe a belt would only last 48K🙄

 

[vsteel]

Does the belt need to be replaced at 48,000kms, I would think an inspection of the belt prior to would make me decide on replacing it or not. I understand the service manual calls for it , but I'm a believer of if it ain't broke don't fix it. I find it hard to believe a belt would only last 48K🙄

Lots and lots of people here get WAY longer life out of the belts. Most of the dealerships just take a look at it and if it looks good they say keep running it and will check it again at another service interval. Basically they keep running it until it looks like it might be developing an issue.

 

[Usafle]

My buddy and I changed the tires on my Wife's Bobber. None of his lifts would work with the Indian since there is no frame. So, we ran a strap around the neck of the bike and hung it from the ceiling. Probably the most nerve-wracking tire change...ever. lol

It worked though.

I also changed the tyres this week, accepted you need a lift for this, removing the front mudguard is the most time consuming job, thereafter the front wheel comes out easily, the rear is even easier to remove, just pull the shock pin and lift the bike, no need to remove exhausts etc. I then take the wheels to an independent to have the tyres fitted.

 

[Paparog]

I just had the rear tire changed at my local independent shop, bike had just over 70,000 kms and the belt was fine. No need to replace it, just adjusted it and all was good.

 

[lenbabin]

I would think the most expensive part of the 30k service would be the service for the front shocks. That's not a job for the typical do it yourself person. I am pretty mechanically inclined, and when I look at the service manual instructions for the shock service, I'm thinking wtf!

I'm genuinely shocked at what you guys are paying; why not invest in a manual and do it yourself, you could even buy a ramp and tool kit for what some have paid on here. Or just search youtube for numerous videos on servicing jobs.

An oil and filter change is so easy on these bikes, takes about 10 minutes, use same spec non Indian oil and filter and it only costs about £40, no specialist tools or ramp required. The RM even has an oil service reset on the Ride Command so no need for a dealer to do it like other brands.

I changed the front brake pads yesterday, takes 10 minutes a side and cost £22 for the the brake pads (EBC), no specialist tools required, a very simple job, the rears are just as easy.

I also changed the tyres this week, accepted you need a lift for this, removing the front mudguard is the most time consuming job, thereafter the front wheel comes out easily, the rear is even easier to remove, just pull the shock pin and lift the bike, no need to remove exhausts etc. I then take the wheels to an independent to have the tyres fitted.

Regarding the belt, I would tackle this myself too but if no sign of damage at 30k I would continue to run it, I see no reason why it should not go for twice this mileage.

Fork oil I know requires specialist tools to get them apart, but again I would pull the forks myself and take them to the shop.

I accept you pay a lot of money for the these bikes and many want to look after them by the book and if you can afford to do that using a main dealer then that's great, but many like me cannot afford to do that. These are simple bikes to work on for the majority of service and maintenance items and you can save a fortune by doing it yourself. I also appreciate some also worry about warranty, unfortunately for me as there is only one dealer in the country I live (Scotland) the cost to get to the dealer and back just pumps up the expense and at least I know the jobs done right. Of course we are all screwed if digital wrench is required and we have no choice but to bend over and take it at the stealer.

I agree. But, some are not mechanically inclined and some don't have the place to do it (me). I looked around for a local mech but I get the sense that the bike is so computerized and specialized that I am not sure yer average yob could do it. Even just checking the drive belt tension requires special tools. But, I don't know whether I will do that dance again at the dealer for 96 K km. Have a few years to plan it.

 

[lenbabin]

Lots and lots of people here get WAY longer life out of the belts. Most of the dealerships just take a look at it and if it looks good they say keep running it and will check it again at another service interval. Basically they keep running it until it looks like it might be developing an issue.

It's a betting game. It's less about what you can see on the outside than what you can't see on the inside. The manufacturer knows roughly when the interior chords "could" start breaking down and so they don't take any chances - sells more belts, too. In the end, it could only be a minor safety issue. It could just let you down somewhere and it would only cost you a tow job. Not a big deal unless you were on the Going To The Sun road. On the other hand, as you gun it to get out of the way of the on-coming car, the thing blows and leaves you in its path. As I said - a betting game.

 

[lenbabin]

Does the belt need to be replaced at 48,000kms, I would think an inspection of the belt prior to would make me decide on replacing it or not. I understand the service manual calls for it , but I'm a believer of if it ain't broke don't fix it. I find it hard to believe a belt would only last 48K🙄

The Harley belt goes to 96K. But, it's all about how they are made.

 

[MPSSOUTCAN]

If the OEM belt from Indian is requiring a replacement at 48K, I would seriously be looking at an aftermarket belt with kevlar if and when I have to replace mine

 

[Larry S]

If the OEM belt from Indian is requiring a replacement at 48K, I would seriously be looking at an aftermarket belt with kevlar if and when I have to replace mine

I just wanted to say the original belt is still on my 2014 Chieftain at 353,000 miles. Honest ! Larry

 

[MPSSOUTCAN]

Larry, bang on, sounds like a money grab from Indian if that's the case. Mind you different riding conditions will dictate longevity of the belt, but really 48K🙄

 

[Larry S]

Larry, bang on, sounds like a money grab from Indian if that's the case. Mind you different riding conditions will dictate longevity of the belt, but really 48K🙄

I have never done the recommended service intervals , just let the bike tell me what it needs and it will definitely let you know if it’s neglected ! When driven respectfully, they need very little continuous inspections. This is my fourth bike over the 250,000 mile mark and the others needed very little maintenance either. Indian has always honored what few claims I’ve had and never questioned the higher mileage; I still have one more month before expiration of my extended warranty. Larry