New member in UK

[Bmwdumptruck]

Bit of garage time today. Finally got round to fitting the side panel I’d bought a while back, added a genuine yamaha logo. I‘d also bought a piece of DPBM stripe too, but it seems I got the wrong one, when I opened it up it‘s the red stripe off the all black model.

 

[Bmwdumptruck]

Also fitted the givi pannier frames the wife bought me for xmas, and added the grab handles bought off here and brought home from the US by my son-in-law.
I’ll only use a pair of wee 20ltr panniers, unless I happen upon something nicer in time. But these are fine for now should I need extra capacity.

 

[Bmwdumptruck]

Also added the hole cover trims to the givi screen. These were only used on the mk1, but adding the givi airflow screen to a mk2 kind of needs them to cover up all the adjustment holes drilled in the screen. Doesn’t look like these are available new anymore, Fowlers tried to get me them but could only supply one side. These came from a breaker on ebay.

 

[yen_powell]

Also fitted the givi pannier frames the wife bought me for xmas, and added the grab handles bought off here and brought home from the US by my son-in-law.View attachment 87953
I’ll only use a pair of wee 20ltr panniers, unless I happen upon something nicer in time. But these are fine for now should I need extra capacity.
View attachment 87954

My mate got a set of those Givi panniers very cheaply at a classic bike show autojumble. they were white and had Greek police logos on, they had been used in one of the Jason Bourne movies judging by the writing inside. It was only when he got home he realised he had two left handed ones. They still work thankfully.

 

[Bmwdumptruck]

So I popped in the local Yam dealer a few days back to talk about a 6k service. They’re only just up the road in town, about a mile from home. Use to use them 20yrs ago when I had a Thundercat, but always felt they cheated me over a new chain job on the Cat when I buggered it up with Jizer degreaser. So they’re not my favorite place to go.
Anyway, they quoted £235. So a few days later I decided to go with them, rang them to book it in. Did I want a new oil filter? Of course……that’ll be £295. WTF. A few mins later it was £135 for an oil and filter change. And then when I said whatever it needs to satisfy warranty…..£235
But I’m having mega second thoughts. I’m now thinking to just get them to do an oil and filter change. I’ve already done the rearbarke as it was apart to remove the wheel for tyres. I can easliy do the fronts, and do them my way, dealers always leave brakes far to Dry for my liking. Then they moan about how long it took them to free everything off cos ’you use it in wet weather’!!
Or I’ll just buy a genuine service kit from them for £60 and take my chances with what little warranty remains. There will only be about 8 months left once I start using her again in Spring.

 

[pooh and xtine]

ebay for all your service needs:
4l 10w/40 oil £25 or less
Oil filter - Mahle OC575 is £9.09
80w90 gear oil £10 for a litre lasts quite a few final drive changes
Ford DOT4 brake fluid is about £2.50 for .25l or £5 for 0.5l
Drain plug crush washers last years - you don't need to change them.

 

[Squibb]

FMC have always looked after me just fine, super convenient too, but face it they aren't a charity.

Anyway, whatever you decide, make sure you get the spoke torques checked & change the FD lube.

 

[Boris]

I’d buy the service kit, which includes the crush washers for both sump plugs, and do it myself. Would also do as Squibb says and change the FD oil as well.
Not sure how handy you are with home maintenance, but both are very straightforward and easy.

I’m guessing you’re near to the town of Flitwick, which is where my service kits come from via the post.

 

[Bmwdumptruck]

ebay for all your service needs:
4l 10w/40 oil £25 or less
Oil filter - Mahle OC575 is £9.09
80w90 gear oil £10 for a litre lasts quite a few final drive changes
Ford DOT4 brake fluid is about £2.50 for .25l or £5 for 0.5l
Drain plug crush washers last years - you don't need to change them.

Once its out of warranty….absolutely. But I’m torn between doing everything to maintain the warranty, or the minimum that would hopefully still protect me should the worse happen for about 8months till it runs out.

 

[Bmwdumptruck]

I’d buy the service kit, which includes the crush washers for both sump plugs, and do it myself. Would also do as Squibb says and change the FD oil as well.
Not sure how handy you are with home maintenance, but both are very straightforward and easy.

I’m guessing you’re near to the town of Flitwick, which is where my service kits come from via the post.

Dad owned a garage all my childhood, cut my teeth on nuts and bolts. I’m also a Gas Engineer/Plumber by trade. So No issues whatsoever doing it myself. It’s just about keeping the last bit of warranty, just incase. But with the XTs legendary reliability is it a worry worth worrying about?

 

[pooh and xtine]

No, not worth worrying about!

 

[Bmwdumptruck]

Bike went into FMC just down the road from home for it’s 6k service Friday. Come away feeling mega ripped off. Basic oil n filter service…..£248. Even had to pay extra to have a new filter. At least there’ll be no arguments should I need the warranty between now and November. They certainly won’t see it again. I’ll also be investigating the front calipers at the weekend, to check if they’ve greased anything. I’d done the rear myself when the wheel was out for the tyre change, so told them not to bother, which got me Zero discount!! Just riding her to and from had me wishing I could get back out on her again, but I have to wait till the insurance renews next month.
Sorned my FJR too, I’ll be removing my farkles next and sticking her up for sale in the next week or two. The decisions made. I’ll have another but only if I can find a 2013 in Candy Red. My old GS is coming out to play instead for now.

 

[Boris]

I know there are some decent bike and car shops out there, but they seem to be few and far between. I do my absolute utmost to avoid using them. So much business in the UK feels like, rip them off as much as we can on the first visit, don’t care if they don’t come back.

Fully understand the needs when a warranty is in place. It’s a must when still new.

 

[Squibb]

Flitwick Motorcycles are respected Yamaha Solus dealers @Boris , run by ex IoM racer & tuner Steve Linsdell & his family. I've been using them for over 30 years & have no complaints. For some reason, the OP has taken against them; his prerogative of course.

The simple fact is that, if you want the benefit of having a local bike shop, then the folk running the show have to be able to make a living. Buy everything on-line & these guys go out of business. Choices we will all be needing to make over the next few years, as the retail market adapts to a post pandemic World - use it or lose it, as they say.

 

[Bmwdumptruck]

Only ever used two dealerships I felt gave great service for the money. CW bmw in Dorchester and a Honda dealer in Northampton, neither of which are still in business. I believe the honda dealer refused to update their premises and lost its status. They were a bit backstreet, but the one service they did on my CB13 looked well done and wasn’t silly money. CWs just shut down recently when the owner retired.

 

[yoyo]

The local Yamaha dealer in Swansea (also Suzuki) had a Honda presence for years, Honda insisted on them upgrading the premises which they did costing thousands but Honda then insisted they had to have 2 sales staff at all times which they couldn't commit to so they pulled the plug.

I had my services there while the bike was under warranty but far too expensive to carry on with, I just do them myself now.

Sent from my ELE-L29 using Tapatalk

 

[Bmwdumptruck]

Flitwick Motorcycles are respected Yamaha Solus dealers @Boris , run by ex IoM racer & tuner Steve Linsdell & his family. I've been using them for over 30 years & have no complaints. For some reason, the OP has taken against them; his prerogative of course.

The simple fact is that, if you want the benefit of having a local bike shop, then the folk running the show have to be able to make a living. Buy everything on-line & these guys go out of business. Choices we will all be needing to make over the next few years, as the retail market adapts to a post pandemic World - use it or lose it, as they say.

I’ve not really taken against them, I wouldn’t have used them if I had. I think I have every right to not be happy at what a basic service cost and the lack of honesty. I’ve known them for over 20yrs. I use to use them from late 99 when I had a Thundercat. They serviced that 3 or 4 times for me. No real issues back then apart from one additional job they had to do which I believe they conned me on. I had a scotoiler on the Cat, and after one ride I cleaned the bike and used some Jizer to remove the excess chain lube from around the back of the bike, accidentally getting some on the chain. My mistake, but it killed the chain in no time at all. The bike was only 8/9 months old and had only done about 7000 miles. I booked it in for them to replace the chain. The then workshop manager insisted it would need a front sprocket even though it had only done pretty low miles. When I collected it I asked if they’d had to do the sprocket, to which he produced a totally shagged, badly hooked sprocket from under the counter. I was very surprised but accepted it and paid. A few years and Two bikes later I was riding a Blackbird which I took from 7000 to about 40,000 miles, again fitted with a scotoiler. At that mileage, and with a big european trip planned I changed the chain and sprockets. The front sprocket that came off looked new, I could have just swapped the chain. So I absolutely knew then, the sprocket they showed me wasn’t mine, it was the standard one they kept under the counter to use whenever they felt they could get away with it. So yes, I agree, if we want them around to provide a service we do have to support them, but I don’t see why I should support businesses that deliberately con their customers. I’ll only use them when I have too.

 

[Squibb]

As I said, your prerogative @Bmwdumptruck. However, that sprocket saga seems a bit of a stretch TBH - how can you even suggest that 2 years after the event, & now repeat the accusation some 22 years later. I'm no apologist when it comes to poor service, but that really takes the biscuit. We are into shaft drive on here, but most of us will still appreciate that worn/failing chains & sprockets should always be replaced as a set.

Anyway, if you aren't happy, always talk to Steve Linsdell the proprietor. He's a quiet unassuming guy, often seen on the tools himself - you really couldn't find a character less likely to pull a con if you tried.

 

[Longdog Cymru]

The local Yamaha dealer in Swansea (also Suzuki) had a Honda presence for years, Honda insisted on them upgrading the premises which they did costing thousands but Honda then insisted they had to have 2 sales staff at all times which they couldn't commit to so they pulled the plug.

I had my services there while the bike was under warranty but far too expensive to carry on with, I just do them myself now.

Sent from my ELE-L29 using Tapatalk

Yes, I remember that well! Honda insisted on a solus dealership and it cost JT’s a fortune and then Honda pulled the plug!

 

[Bmwdumptruck]

Not being a great lover of the plain matt finish to so much of the bodywork of the late S10’s like mine, I’ve been pondering getting a few bits painted to brighten up the overall look. First would be the front mudguard. This is pretty much definate. I know a local sprayer that did the spoiler on my Pans topbox a few years back. £50 to colour match it to the silver topbox was ok in my book. I‘d guess the front mudguard would be about the same money in the Deep Purplish Blue, maybe a bit more as I believe its a two layer paint.
But do I look at any other bits? I’m debating the front side panels. The removable panels that cover the elctrics on the right and Radiator on the left. I think the left would look ok with the grilles left black, but the right might be too much unless i get him to mask out the central recessed area, just having the blue around the outer areas?? Wifes gonna photoshop some pics with colours on the various areas to get a better idea. lastly I’m also thinking of doing the luggage rack under the pillion, or at least the sides of it, just to add a flash of colour to the rear. Theres also a panel on the lid of the givi top box that can be coloured too. Quite fancy doing that, but it would tie the box to just this bike.