Service History

[Red Biker]

Hi All,
Does anyone place any kudos on main dealer service stamps for the 14?

I ask as having had mine for just over a Year now and my only experience with Suzuki has been to drop in and see if they could adjust the angle of my headlight as I just couldn't get it right. On the plus side they were able to squeeze me in as I hadn't made an appointment but on the down side they put the bracket on the wrong way and tried to bend it to accomodate! It cost me £15 and it was only later when a mate saw it and told me it was on the wrong way around kin useless --ts.

I have done some of the simplier maintenance my self, as in change the oil, caliper refurb, new hoses and I paid a local guy to service front forks after I took them off (£100). So knowing what I know now I think if I were ever to buy another 14, I'd be more inclined to go for a 'self maintained' one or at least it would not put me off if there were no 'service History'. I keep my receipts so if I do ever sell (shudders!) I can demonstrate the basics have been done.

When I see full service history on a 14, I now think 'whatever'. At least if you buy from a self maintained version, you get to meet and speak to the 'mechanic' whereas dealer stamps dont mean sh-t to me now.

Ranting Red

[seth]

no i don't like main dealers at all .
they once tried to charge emma for antifreeze/coolant in her 14 (air/oil cooled).
and a friend was charged for 4x spark plugs in a vtr1000 (v twin )
they seam to just go through the motions and charge what they like.
i learned long ago to know my bikes and do everything myself then i know its done and done correctly. 

[Daytona]

A few years ago I bought a new aprilia rsvr,after 500 miles I took in back to the main dealers for a service,,got the book stamped then set of home which was around a 35 mile run,by the time I got home the bike was running terrible.dismounted at my home to find oil all over the rear of the bike and a heavy smell of petrol as well...the result was a split fuel pipe and it had been seriously over filled with engine oil,the reason it was running shite was a oil had blown in to the air box so choking it up..,,,,,,the dealer did say sorry though and loaned me a bike till they sorted it.lol.    Best to do it thee Sen .

[gsxbarmy]

I always do it myself where possible so I know its done and done right - or I find a mechanic who "comes recommended" (reads works for himself) to undertake jobs I can't do.

In my opinion anyway, the 14 is a very easy bike to live with and work on. If you read the workshop manual, some jobs can look frightening but are really quite straight forward - its why we've written some simple "How To's" and the suchlike you can download on this site to help you with.

And the particular nice thing is that even if you are STILL not sure - there's generally an orgster near you that has done the job before who can help you out.

My wife has given up on me at weekends, the number of guys with 14's that have been around my garage getting work done over the years. But hell I enjoy it, and you get to meet people. Its fun!

SO with the 14 - have a go yourself - it really is straightforward, and you have the org to back you up.

As for dealers - wouldn't touch them with a bargepole unless I have to, 'kin waste of space.

[Red Biker]

Spot on Dave, if you'd have told me a year ago I'd refurbished my own brakes changed discs etc I would have laughed
but the 14 is easy in many ways and the org is a massive comfort blanket if you do get in over your head.
All the money saved has been 're invested' so it's win win 👍

Red

[Tony Nitrous]

Hi All,
Does anyone place any kudos on main dealer service stamps for the 14?

On a similar topic....

I have service books stacked up at work for the new vehicles I work with, they come in box's of 90. I have 1000's. Service books have a standard parts number and aren't hard to obtain.

In a previous life I did 20+ years in printing and stationary. Rubber stamps aren't hard to get made either. If I wanted a fictitious one, or a copy of my local bike shop's one made it wouldn't be hard to get.

Id imagine I could produce a dealer stamped full service history for any vehicle I fancied for not a lot of cost or effort.  I'd bet money that's it been done or being done.

If I was paranoid, or serious about a vehicles service history (eg: when buying) I'd be checking up with the actual dealer.

Just worth remembering if dealer stamps are something you value.

[turner]

I only got dealer stamps for first few warranty services, dont trust them, after one so called full check service found susspesion set different on both sides!!!. now got 18 home services in book. (had to add some pages.lol.) just love this bike and the org. 

[Red Biker]

Hi All,
Does anyone place any kudos on main dealer service stamps for the 14?

A good point Tony, I think we natuarally
want to trust so called professionals but I've certainly learned my lesson!
I'll keep all my receipts so I can prove oil changes etc

Red

On a similar topic....

I have service books stacked up at work for the new vehicles I work with, they come in box's of 90. I have 1000's. Service books have a standard parts number and aren't hard to obtain.

In a previous life I did 20+ years in printing and stationary. Rubber stamps aren't hard to get made either. If I wanted a fictitious one, or a copy of my local bike shop's one made it wouldn't be hard to get.

Id imagine I could produce a dealer stamped full service history for any vehicle I fancied for not a lot of cost or effort.  I'd bet money that's it been done or being done.

If I was paranoid, or serious about a vehicles service history (eg: when buying) I'd be checking up with the actual dealer.

Just worth remembering if dealer stamps are something you value.

[Kiwifruit]

Hey Tony.......are you the bloke that's been making the fake Chinese Driving Licenses so they can hire a friggin car here ?? 

[Mick_J]

While the bike is under warranty, I pay a dealer to service it (but I always check it when I get home) after that I do it myself.  Never had anyone say the books not stamped up so it's worth less (except BMW).

[Tony Nitrous]

While the bike is under warranty, I pay a dealer to service it (but I always check it when I get home) after that I do it myself.

I bought a brand new 1200 Bandit when they first came out, I was back a week later fetching some parts when they reminded me the 1st service was free (part of the deal). Shortly after this, I booked it in, the dealers face was a picture when I parked it outside their service bay, a couple of weeks old, Carbon can, Renthal bars, jack up plates on the footage hangers, the battery remounted in the tail and a 60hp NOS nitrous kit with a 2.5lb bottle mounted to the rear peg hanger and 4 foggers threaded into the carb rubbers!

[Mick_J]

While the bike is under warranty, I pay a dealer to service it (but I always check it when I get home) after that I do it myself.

I bought a brand new 1200 Bandit when they first came out, I was back a week later fetching some parts when they reminded me the 1st service was free (part of the deal). Shortly after this, I booked it in, the dealers face was a picture when I parked it outside their service bay, a couple of weeks old, Carbon can, Renthal bars, jack up plates on the footage hangers, the battery remounted in the tail and a 60hp NOS nitrous kit with a 2.5lb bottle mounted to the rear peg hanger and 4 foggers threaded into the carb rubbers!

Excellent  Have you noticed how "free" the first service is, the only exception to that was my MZ, rode it to the dealer, he gave me a loaner and 3 hours later picked up my bike and rode home without paying a penny, all others I have been stiffed for around £60, that's not free.

[Tony Nitrous]

Mine was free, because it wasn't mentioned by either of us, until we sat down to do the paperwork. All figures agreed on, just about to sign on the dotted line and I said... "This will include the first service?"  Dealer says no, I put down the pen and look sad. He says you willing to not buy a bit over a cheap service?, I say and your willing to lose a sale over a service that costs you next to nothing? 

I get my free service.

Playing stupid games.

I dislike car and bike salesmen, but they probably feel the same about me.

[Mrg]

yes ive got a good mec around the corner from me and in the kent area he is well know in the area to not bull shit or over charge you so for me he a good guy and he remeber you and the bike ever time you go in 

[Timothy Spencer]

Bought my 14 from a Suzuki dealer new 11 and a bit years ago. Servicing free for first 2 years but the first service after that I decided it might be good to keep the book stamps running.
On booking the bike in I explained that under no circumstances should they do anything to the brakes. I had just fitted braided lines but had forgotten during the process to fit new front pads. The old pads were fine for a ride to the dealers and back plus a bit more and I already had the new pads at home ready to fit. They were OEM and cost £28 the lot.
Dropped the bike off and repeated the instruction that no work was to be done on the brakes at all.

Picked the bike up later. They tried to charge me £78 to supply and fit new EBC pads. After being told of the error of their ways they offered to deduct the labour and wanted £46 for the EBC pads. I refused and offered them £28 for the pads. They initially refused so I said put the old pads back in then. They then agreed to £28 but now they had me upset. I withdrew the offer and they had to refit the old pads.

That was about 8 years ago. I have never darkened the doors of Redcar Suzuki since and the only mechanic to touch the bike has been me.

Shouldn't have bothered about the stamps in the book anyway as I plan to never sell it. Told 'er indoors that she should bury it with me!