Hellloooo forum peoples!  
It's great to have found this resource.  In fact, this website is probably one of the main reason I purchased my s40.  
It's great to be here!

Now for my story and question.  

I just purchased my bike from a local dealership.  It is an '07 and had 140 miles on it when I bought it.  It had one prior owner.
 
I got a decent deal and according to the service records I asked for, they did an oil\filter change to her along with their 60 point inspection check (wink, wink) when she was traded in to them.  It was backfiring like crazy when I left so I took her back in for them to check out.   They looked it over and ended up saying the nuts from the head pipe were loose and gave it back to me.

I had already read here that these bikes do backfire often, but I took it back in anyway.  I have since put a couple of hundred miles on her.  It still backfires and I'm certain it needs some carb/spark plug/rejet love.  It does have an aftermarket muffler (Jardine) so that may be some of it too.  

I will be coming up on my 600mile checkup soon, and I'm not real confident that the dealership will do more than change my oil/filter with maybe a few common screws to tighten (although they apparently couldn't be bothered to check it out when the old owner traded it in.  ie loose header pipe nuts).
 
Now to the meat and potatoes of it.   Stay with me now!    

They charge $250 to do the routine maintenance called for in the manual.  $250 to change my oil/filter doesn't seem like much of a bargain!    Problem is I have 11 months left on the manufacturer warranty.  As you all know if I don't have the routine maintenance done by them or a certified Suzuki mechanic I will void the warranty that is left on the bike.

I'm not an idiot and have the manual so I can tighten what needs tightening and can certainly change the oil/filter.  I think the next routine maintenance is at 1500 or 2500 miles.  2x routine maintenance in the next few months (my primary mode of transportation).  That's $500! (duh)  

Worst case scenario:  I do the maintenance myself and lose the manufacturer warranty.  It locks up (all the manufacturer warranty covers I think) I have to buy a new engine.  I imagine I could get one for a few hundred to five hundred dollars?

Best case scenario:  I do the maintenance, learn a few things and all is good in 11 months.

Intermediate scenario:  I pay the dealership $500 for the routine maintenance.  Bike locks up or doesn't in the next 11 months and is then fixed or still running same.

What do you guy/gals think?  Thanks all


I promise to never write such a long post again!  

Whenever I have bought anything with a warranty, I asked the service mgr if I could change my own oil. One wanted me to buy his filter with bypass valve (not unreasonable). The others only said to use good quality oil and keep records and receipts, which I do anyway. It couldn't hurt to ask. If you look in the Tech forum at the oil change and other maintainence that $250 will probably make you mad.  Welcome and happy riding.    Boofer

verslagen1 wrote on 09/23/09 at 19:04:49:


IMHO- I have an 05, all I ever did all it was change oil , oil filter, and check the valves clearance. Plug's leaking! What's that? My haven't leak a drop for the last 4 years. Do the routine maintenance and ride and ride. Unless you do a lot of superslab riding, those head bolts will not go anywhere. Save your money and check the torque on nuts and bolts on your bike. Invest in a torque wrench, it will comes in handy in many occassion.

lewi
Checking the valves is easy! I did mine twice and found that only the Exhaust ones need to be adjusted and those valves sit forward of the engine which BTW can be accessed easily. Ka ching $200 saved

Although comical, they are supposed to "check" the valves not adjust.
I suggest you let them "check" the valves and ask them to report on the clearances.  if oh we don't do that then ask them how did they check?  Then ask them if that's what they want on the afidavid?

We'll teach how to adjust the valves when you are ready.

Where do you live? I can get the whole thing done valves and all for a buck twenty five.

Dj12midnit wrote on 09/23/09 at 20:59:11:


buck twenty with valve adjust is reasonable.  2 fitty plus 2 for valves is frickin highway robbery.

I live in NC mate.  Eastern NC.
Thx for the reply.  

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 09/23/09 at 20:49:46:


 yes indeed