What should be done after first season of riding?

So I got my first season in and racked up nearly 11k miles, but when I asked dealer how much a service would cost they quoted nearly $1,200 w/ parts. I've done motor oil and shaft fluid myself, but have never taken any body panels off. Is there anything else I should do, or any specific service I should have the dealer do?

Do they have a list of services they will do? That seems pretty excessive to me.

It's probably mostly a labor charge, but I totally agree....excessive.

I would recommend that you check the periodic maintenance and adjustment chart in the user's manual - if you follow the chart (I recommend that you do) there is much more to a service than changing the fluids.
According to the chart, the next service is at 12.000 miles, but you might as well do it/have it done now while the bike is hibernating.

Your service manual that you got with the bike will tell you what maintenance is due at specific times and/or mileages. At 11,000 miles you're just shy of needing a third oil change (assuming you've done the other ones at recommended intervals). Spark plugs are recommended to be replaced at 12,000 miles. If your bike is new and it only has 11,000 miles, you aren't due for things like a brake and clutch fluid flush for another year. If you were riding in really dusty conditions I'd open the airbox and check the air filter, but otherwise that doesn't need replaced til 19,000 miles. If you've already changed the final gear oil once, technically it's not due again until 19,000 miles.

In other words, at 11,000 miles, there isn't much that has to be done. Go over the various fasteners on the bike and see if any are loose. Check your spokes and see if any are loose. As a precaution, take some small zip ties and tie the spokes together at every point they cross each other; this keeps a loose spoke from flailing around and doing damage.

I'd check the steering head bearings to make sure there's no play in them; they seem to be one of those areas that sometimes leave the factory or the dealership without being properly tightened. At 11,000 miles, it's pretty early to be concerned with things like wheel bearings and swingarm pivot bearings.

$1200 for what amounts to a 12,000 mile service is insane.

Way too high price quote. Check your spokes with a proper torque wrench, change oil and filter, lube the shift lever pivot, and brake pedal pivot. Also lube the clutch and brake lever pivots ect. Check throttle body sync if you feel the need and have the correct tool. I have the tool and check mine every 4000 miles, and it has never needed enough adjustment to even bother doing really.
Other things may be recommended that the dealer makes you believe the price is warranted, like check fuel lines, brake hoses ect.
Gas puddle on the floor? No------check complete.
They charge for many things they don't even check, because no need as no way in the world need to be checked. Do all your own service if practical.

The mc dealers are really no different than most other businesses. They are evaluating you when you come through the door. If they think you don't know much about service. They gonna hammer you.

Tenman said:

The mc dealers are really no different than most other businesses. They are evaluating you when you come through the door. If they think you don't know much about service. They gonna hammer you.

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I personally turn it around and evaluate the dealer. Just know what service needs to be done and add up the labor and parts cost before you arrive. I'm always within a few bucks of what they charge. I had my first 600 mile service done by the dealer and was very pleased. I got more than what I paid for (20% discount for 1st service). Since I'm laid up right now, I'll most likely do my big service with plugs and AF myself. Different shops have different minimum labor costs. Where I'm at it runs between about 100.00 -140.00 per hour.

$1200 is nuts and even more than I paid for the big service including valves on my Ducati! There is simply not that much a Super Tenere needs at 11,000. With oil and final drive done I’d give it a good check over including coolant level and repeat what you did last year, put another 11,000 miles on it.

RCinNC said:

Your service manual that you got with the bike will tell you what maintenance is due at specific times and/or mileages. At 11,000 miles you're just shy of needing a third oil change (assuming you've done the other ones at recommended intervals). Spark plugs are recommended to be replaced at 12,000 miles. If your bike is new and it only has 11,000 miles, you aren't due for things like a brake and clutch fluid flush for another year. If you were riding in really dusty conditions I'd open the airbox and check the air filter, but otherwise that doesn't need replaced til 19,000 miles. If you've already changed the final gear oil once, technically it's not due again until 19,000 miles.

In other words, at 11,000 miles, there isn't much that has to be done. Go over the various fasteners on the bike and see if any are loose. Check your spokes and see if any are loose. As a precaution, take some small zip ties and tie the spokes together at every point they cross each other; this keeps a loose spoke from flailing around and doing damage.

I'd check the steering head bearings to make sure there's no play in them; they seem to be one of those areas that sometimes leave the factory or the dealership without being properly tightened. At 11,000 miles, it's pretty early to be concerned with things like wheel bearings and swingarm pivot bearings.

$1200 for what amounts to a 12,000 mile service is insane.

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RC gives a very good assessment. It's not un-common for the steering head bearings to be loose and only lightly greased. Worth checking and borrow or buy the special tool. (a couple of versions are available, wrench and socket) There is a two step procedure, so make sure you understand the process before you dive in. It's not difficult. Probably a thread about it on the forum.

All I would add on the spokes is to lightly put the zip ties on. They are there for exactly what Ron said, but if you snug them up it can create stress risers over time/miles. They should be slightly loose to avoid that.

In your region, I'd pull the axles and lightly grease them as well, just to avoid any corrosion over time. You'll thank me the next time you pull a wheel off for a tire change.

While you're at that, take a good look at your brake pads. Depending on riding style, rear pads can go away quickly. A lot of stop and go commuting can be hard on rear pads due to the linked system. You're most likely fine, but it will be good to know for sure.

Might as well pull the shifter linkage and clean/grease the pivot point too. There is a grease groove in the pivot bolt and it tends to dry out and get notchy. Cheap and easy. You'll need some blue Locktite 242 when re-installing it. It has thread sealer on it from the factory, so is a little stiff coming off.

Clean lube the pivot bolts on the clutch and brake levers too. Just good PM.

+1 on the rear brakes. Mine like to wear fast. The originals went about 10,000.

Dpatt711 said:

So I got my first season in and racked up nearly 11k miles, but when I asked dealer how much a service would cost they quoted nearly $1,200 w/ parts. I've done motor oil and shaft fluid myself, but have never taken any body panels off. Is there anything else I should do, or any specific service I should have the dealer do?

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I would wash it after a year. Thats about it.

I forgot to wash mine last week, that makes two years in a row now!

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