Servicing costs.

[daviedevs]

Just had my 2024 Versys 1000SE in at the dealersfor its 7500 mile service. Actual mileage 8727. Also had new front pads fitted. Total cost £778.88.

Obviously, due to warranty, had to be done using Kawasaki schedule and recommended parts/oils.

I bought the bike at Clay Cross but unfortunately they have now gone the way of the Dodo, so I emailed Kawasaki UK to confirm warranty length. They confirmed my warranty is 4 years and ends on 5/9/28.

I questioned the cost of servicing and their response was that they expect their dealers to charge £120 an hour for labour and the cost of the 7500 service, without brake pads should be approximately £770! So I got a bit of a bargain, as the dealer charged £82.50 per hour.

On a brighter note Kawasaki did confirm any qualified mechanic can service my bike provided they follow the Kawasaki schedule and parts requirements, and my warranty will still be valid.

Will definitely get some quotes before the 15000 mile service is due.

 

[the woodster]

I have no idea what the supply and fitting of the brake pads cost but if BMW tried to charge me more than £500 for a major service, I'd be cross. I always ask when I arrange the date and it makes sense to phone around, as you say.

I am using an independent soon, for the first time (apart from a one-off during Covid) as the trek to Essex to avoid Stratstone Tunbridge Wells is getting on my wick.

 

[OMG!!]

Perhaps why many bikers choose to do their own maintenance, the skill is the knowledge, I watched mechanics, engineers, technicians, experienced bikers, even "The Old Mechanic" on YouTube these days whenever I can, life long lessons.

 

[DJ123]

I have no idea what the supply and fitting of the brake pads cost but if BMW tried to charge me more than £500 for a major service, I'd be cross. I always ask when I arrange the date and it makes sense to phone around, as you say.

I am using an independent soon, for the first time (apart from a one-off during Covid) as the trek to Essex to avoid Stratstone Tunbridge Wells is getting on my wick.

You can get the cost down by excluding DIY tasks that are easy to do at home, such as changing the final drive oil & brake fluid. Between those 2 you'll easily save £100.

For my 'major' service, they do oil & filter, air filter, spark plugs & check valve clearances plus their visual checks. I do the brake fluid change (if one is needed) and i change the final drive fluid every 6k.

 

[AdrianS]

£120 an hour is a bit steep.
To be fair, it all depends how much work is done in the hour. I would be pissed off if I was paying for someone to just watch oil draining out, and not doing something else while it drains.
Car maintenance has become simpler - bikes seem to have become more complicated and dearer.
I also thought that any vat registered garage could service a car under warranty, if using genuine parts, any warranty is still valid. Bikes did not come under the same arrangement ( it was under some EU ruling I believe).

 

[AdrianS]

You can get the cost down by excluding DIY tasks that are easy to do at home, such as changing the final drive oil & brake fluid. Between those 2 you'll easily save £100.

For my 'major' service, they do oil & filter, air filter, spark plugs & check valve clearances plus their visual checks. I do the brake fluid change (if one is needed) and i change the final drive fluid every 6k.

What service work could you not do on a BMW?
Admittedly, I’ve not had anything newer than my 1150, but there was nothing I couldn’t do myself, including abs brake fluid change.
My modern Triumphs had service lights I couldn’t cancel, software updates if necessary I couldn’t do, and valve clearance checks which were a ball ache to check and adjust.

 

[Oldrat]

As Lind Welwyn Garden City no longer exist, I enquired of Sytner, Stevenage what their hourly rate was.

£169


Needless to say, I went elsewhere

 

[DJ123]

What service work could you not do on a BMW?
Admittedly, I’ve not had anything newer than my 1150, but there was nothing I couldn’t do myself, including abs brake fluid change.
My modern Triumphs had service lights I couldn’t cancel, software updates if necessary I couldn’t do, and valve clearance checks which were a ball ache to check and adjust.

i could do all of it. But, I decide to pay for them to do the 12k service. The total cost is not much more than most independents round my way! Seeing as a do circa 10k a year on it, i do not mind paying a professional to service it and give it a once over for anything else that may need attention. I already do the intermediate (6K) oil & filter service.

 

[daviedevs]

As i said..Kawasaki UK said my 4 year warranty was only valid if Kawasaki schedules are followed. I can do most things but one of the items is plug in a unit to get any fault codes. Not sure how I would do that.

 

[seahorse]

As Lind Welwyn Garden City no longer exist, I enquired of Sytner, Stevenage what their hourly rate was.

£169


Needless to say, I went elsewhere

Did you ever check out the new independent in Stevenage? I keep meaning to as I work there but haven't got round to it. Just for curiosity really as I'm unlikely to use them.

 

[AdrianS]

As Lind Welwyn Garden City no longer exist, I enquired of Sytner, Stevenage what their hourly rate was.

£169


Needless to say, I went elsewhere

My local Triumph and Honda dealer charge £80 per hour.

 

[Oldrat]

Did you ever check out the new independent in Stevenage? I keep meaning to as I work there but haven't got round to it. Just for curiosity really as I'm unlikely to use them.

Yes, I popped in to see them shortly after I posted last time.

I wasn’t that impressed. A small car dealership with no signs of being geared up for bikes at all. Maybe early days, but it did not inspire confidence.

I ended up with Geoff at TekMotive, Welham Green.

Seems to be a very straightforward guy, with an old school messy workshop.
£70 per hour rate.

TBH I’d prefer a more corporate set up, but not at Sytner rates

 

[team duvet]

Heard that the new KLE 500 (TWIN!) 18,000 service is £1,000! (valve check etc)

TD

 

[seahorse]

Yes, I popped in to see them shortly after I posted last time.

I wasn’t that impressed. A small car dealership with no signs of being geared up for bikes at all. Maybe early days, but it did not inspire confidence.

I ended up with Geoff at TekMotive, Welham Green.

Seems to be a very straightforward guy, with an old school messy workshop.
£70 per hour rate.

TBH I’d prefer a more corporate set up, but not at Sytner rates

I remember now suggesting Geoff. Proper old school but straight as a die, I've known him many years.

 

[MacJ]

Had a 12000 mile service on my two year old F900 xr last week. I was quoted £609 but they actually charged £545.
A bargain?
Well not quite as the water pump needs replacing under warranty (Yeh) but the Endurance Chain and sprockets need replacing - not under warranty!
They had very kindly prepared a quote for the chain replacement at £550.
The world's gone mad.

 

[snelly]

I'am opting out of the rat race my new toy is a stick and hoop;£12.50 and i twiddle my own tappets; the only oil i use is neck oil

 

[mikeyboy]

Had a 12000 mile service on my two year old F900 xr last week. I was quoted £609 but they actually charged £545.
A bargain?
Well not quite as the water pump needs replacing under warranty (Yeh) but the Endurance Chain and sprockets need replacing - not under warranty!
They had very kindly prepared a quote for the chain replacement at £550.
The world's gone mad.

£550 for chain / sprockets?

 

[wessie]

Had a 12000 mile service on my two year old F900 xr last week. I was quoted £609 but they actually charged £545.
A bargain?
Well not quite as the water pump needs replacing under warranty (Yeh) but the Endurance Chain and sprockets need replacing - not under warranty!
They had very kindly prepared a quote for the chain replacement at £550.
The world's gone mad.

Endurance chain? 12k? Were you using Sarsons as lube?

 

[theoneandonly]

brake pads at 9k miles ??? really ??? i do 12k / set and i'm in London .
what was done in the service ,vc check ? seems very expensive .

 

[jefformston]

Had a 12000 mile service on my two year old F900 xr last week. I was quoted £609 but they actually charged £545.
A bargain?
Well not quite as the water pump needs replacing under warranty (Yeh) but the Endurance Chain and sprockets need replacing - not under warranty!
They had very kindly prepared a quote for the chain replacement at £550.
The world's gone mad.

Not really ‘Endurance’ then! That seems a little low for a modern chain.