Finally tired of paying for main dealer service

[masherbike]

My 2012 R1200GS is due a service. It has done around 24000 miles so I think it will be a fairly expensive one, ok they are all expensive even the minor ones.
I have paid the main dealer for services since new but I don't think I am getting good value. £400+ to change fluids and filter and checking valve clearances is very high. These bikes are so easy to work on from a service point of view and I am a competent mechanic but I don't want to de-value the bike too much.
First question, does anyone know of a good independent in the Leeds Bradford area and what would I expect to pay?
Do main dealer services really make financial sense in the long run?

 

[AustinW]

I am an incompetent mechanic and I manage to DIY service mine. It's now up to 50,000 miles so I can't be doing it that badly. It really is easy, but do make sure you have the right tools, specifically torx bits and spanners/sockets. Use the money saved to buy a used GS911 and a throttle balancer thingy (on my list and I haven't done it yet but the bike runs just fine).

 

[Rocketman]

Had my 08 for nearly 2 yrs now and have done 20 k in that time bringing the mileage upto 31 k.
The 18k service was the last one done by the stealership ,since then I've done all servicing myself it really is that easy to work on .
For the 24k service I did the alternator belt after watching the utube vid a few times also the valve clearances and throttle bodies.
I fitted wilburs front and back earlier this year because of a shagged front shock which has meant this bike has got to be a keeper for a few yrs after that expense .
So I'm not really bothered about losing a few quid for the lack of dealer service history . Plus I really enjoy doing it

 

[Sunny Jim]

http://www.grahamsmotorcycles.co.uk/

Based at Queensbury - dad and lad business and very good too! As for price - you'd have to call for a quote.

Happily let them sort my 1150 and airhead in the engine dept, recently acquired a TC on an 11 plate and they'll get that too

 

[JJH]

I see some people are worried about devaluing their bikes by self servicing or indapendient. Did you look at prices reciently? Anything over 5 years 60,000 miles forget it. Why spend the xtra? Jjh

 

[Greenman14]

I've used independents for my GS, and previously for my Ducatis and BMW car. In every case I got a better service for less; I got to talk to the person who did the work and see any worn parts that were replaced, and in the case of the car issues the main dealer (Cotswold BMW) couldn't solve were put right. Go for it!

 

[grin factor]

Not many use the dealer near me, too many horror stories of things left loose etc.
If you do it yourself keep the receipts for parts etc and mark the book accordingly.

 

[team duvet]

York

Masher...heard good reports about this guy

http://www.theworkshopyork.com/

York I know , not too far

 

[Sgt Bilco]

You won't devalue the bike and infant, you'll probably increase it if you use the right people!

I use Mikeboy in Melton Mowbray which is a bit of a trot for you but worth the run down in my opinion. He's prepping mine for South America as we speak and wouldn't use anyone else.

 

[Popell]

Could try Adventure bike Warehouse just a short trip over the hills to the dark/wet side!

 

[Bendy toy]

Mikey rebuilt my finals drive fitted a new UJ to the driveshaft and sorted out the worn paralever bearings. All done by Hermes delivery for very reasonable cost.

 

[Skid06]

dealers don't have the infrastructure to cope with good quality servicing, especially during busy periods, to busy doing PDI's, recall work

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

I think Graham's motorcycles in Bradford is an ex BMW main dealer mechanic. It's about 10 minutes from the top of the M606.

 

[Packer]

If I was buying a second hand bike I'd rather buy it from somebody who knows how to care for it himself, has the receipts and has signed the book with date and mileage for his own records. Likely to be loved instead of shoveled through a busy dealer workshop as quickly as possible.

 

[Norfolk Tiger]

You won't devalue the bike and infant, you'll probably increase it if you use the right people!

A bit harsh to call him a small child

 

[JimVonBaden]

If I was buying a second hand bike I'd rather buy it from somebody who knows how to care for it himself, has the receipts and has signed the book with date and mileage for his own records. Likely to be loved instead of shoveled through a busy dealer workshop as quickly as possible.

Jim

 

[Turkish]

+1 Mikeyboy