Increase in Dealer Service Charges

[FatboyNH]

F ew weeks ago I made an appt at my local dealer to perform a scheduled tune-up on my bike. I was quoted approx $480.00 for everything (not necessarily a drop in the bucket). I recently dropped it off and was told by the service advisor that the dealer just changed their pricing and now the cost of the tune up was $630.00. My jaw nearly hit the floor. $150.00 more???!!!!

I was ready to ditch the whole thing, but I had taken time off from work to get my bike there, so I told the advisor to only change the fluids and check the clutch and brakes. Total = $150.00. Far cry from the $630.00 they wanted out of me, and the original $480.00 that I was willing to pay.

In this economy, motorcycle sales are down and business in general is slow. There are more bikes then ever before just sitting in the showroom. So you would think the dealer would be looking to create incentives for people to do business with them. And this is their answer? We’ll, at least I know what my answer is. I will look for other reputable shops to service my bike at a reasonable cost, or do it myself.

Is anybody else experiencing a similar increase in service costs from other dealers?

[deuce04]

The dealers around me are typically high on labor charges usually 90$ plus per hour. I do all my own service so its no big deal to me but I understand that alot of people do not. Buy the manual and get er done yourself. One thing I have noticed is the price of parts has risen substantially.

[Ed Y]

Don't understand the term "scheduled tune-up". Do you mean "regularly scheduled maintenance"??????????

You don't say what year/model of bike. Depending on which mileage maintenance it is, it can expensive at the dealer.

Almost all of that maint you can do yourself or if you're not so inclined, look for a good indy shop.

[shovelmike]

If you are mechanically inclined at all you can save a lot of money and trouble by getting a factory service manual. It is about $60, but will soon pay for itself.
Not only do you avoid the expensive labor at the dealer, you also won't need to take off work..you can save those days off for riding!
Do your scheduled maintenance at your leisure, change engine oil one night, tranny when you get the time, primary later. Much easier, and you really get to know your bike.

[YankeeBob]

Which shop?? I'll be sure to stay away from them.

[FatboyNH]

While I appreciate the replies, my question was asked to gather responses on whether other people have had similiar experiences with recent increase in charges for tune-ups, and not whether I change my own oil and getting a service manual to do my own maintenance. I do change my own oil and can do some maintenance on my bike, but do to time constraints, I have elected to have the major tune-ups (20k, 40K, etc) be done by the shop.

[bporcelli]

Originally Posted by YankeeBob

Which shop?? I'll be sure to stay away from them.

One hint...it's the Southern most dealer in NH.