Service intervals, makes and models
Wed, 21/04/2010 - 14:24
Having read the details of the VFR1200F, I set myself the challenge of working out how I could justify the cost of buying the machine new. An hour on Excel later (plugging in sensitivities on pattern of use, current fuel price, tyre lifetime, etc) I came to the conclusion that one of the most compelling aspects of the bike over my current VTEC (03 ABS, 33k, all major work recently done, now purring along nicely) was the 8,000 mile service interval.
However...further reading (here and elsewhere) leads me to think the 1200 isn't necessarily the answer for me. But that 8,000 mile interval looks really attractive! Certainly more attractive than my current 4k interval on the VTEC and the financial pain that came at 32,000 miles (there's a long story there, but another time maybe!).
I was about to start flexing the model on the basis of service intervals and average service costs across other makes and models, but I'm finding it extremely difficult to find the relevant data centrally. The 'Ridden & Rated' guide in today's MCN is great on technical specs, but rarely does this aspect get mentioned. I've decided servicing interval/cost is going to be the 'dealbreaker' criterium next time I buy a bike, but where to look for the info? Does the Rider Power survey include this?
Coming back to the example of the VFR1200, are there any bikes with intervals greater than 8k, or similarly-positioned machines with particularly low servicing costs?
Final comment - this is an excellent site! Well done, Kevin, on creating a fantastically authoratative site (and well done to the contributing members. Intelligent discussion, who would have thought?!)
Wed, 21/04/2010 - 15:51
#2
Re: Service intervals, makes and models
Thanks Kevin - I can certainly appreciate that pulling together the information would be very work intensive. I started doing it myself but soon realised the enormity of what I was attempting! Also compounded, as you say, by manufacturers (thankfully) extending the intervals. Well done to Ducati for its efforts there - 7,500 miles is impressive.
It really is interesting (honestly!) to see how - on a purely economic basis - the intervals and average costs can tip the balance of a new purchase from 'too expensive' to 'justifiable', even with a big ticket machine. The other issue for me in looking at the VFR1200 is 'just what is the average service cost'? This is a question that can be answered with older bikes, but it's just too early post-launch to get a realistic view.
And yes, my 32k VTEC service was a 'horror story', but exacerbated by the actions of the dealer in question. Honda UK stepped in after I escalated the issue and sorted me out - but the episode made me wary of servicing for ever after!
Fri, 23/04/2010 - 11:36
#3
Re: Service intervals, makes and models
talking of servicing does any one get service and mot reminders from there dealers
Thu, 13/05/2010 - 15:50
#4
Re: Service intervals, makes and models
talking of servicing does any one get service and mot reminders from there dealers
Funnily enough, I was asked the very same question when chatting with someone at a Yamaha dealer the other day. Personally, I've never had MOT or service reminders for my bikes, but I do on the car. However, while I do get MOT reminders from Audi, they don't actually send it at the right time of year!
It seems right to now mention that, after doing my sums, I've just chopped the old bike in for an FJR1300. The price on the new bike had been fixed before the 2010 increases, so total cost to change and expected future running costs - based on a model with some history - added up to a deal I simply couldn't ignore.
Sat, 22/05/2010 - 17:08
#5
Re: Service intervals, makes and models
I've just chopped the old bike in for an FJR1300. The price on the new bike had been fixed before the 2010 increases, so total cost to change and expected future running costs - based on a model with some history - added up to a deal I simply couldn't ignore.
This year has been a very good time to get older new Yamahas, ie unregistered 09 and 08 models, as the price increases of 25 per cent or so in the last year have been doing wonders for used values, along with lots of Europeans coming over and buying up our used stocks. I've heard of 08 R1 buyers just about getting their money back after a year and 4000 miles!
Sat, 10/07/2010 - 23:10
#6
Re: Service intervals, makes and models
Kev - Remember Triumph's Rocket 3 Roadster (and maybe earlier R3s) has its first service at 500miles, then 10,000mile service intervals - one benefit of having a huge lazy engine! Triumph triumphs again??
Good point Mike, I think I should be including service intervals in a spec panel at the end of the tests on here. I did used to have links to separate specs pages after every test (there's still one at the end of the Multistrada test) but I noticed they weren't being read much, although they take ages to put together. So now I'm going to add a more brief, basic specs list on the same page as the report, at the end, and will include service intervals. This won't be the whole story of course as costs can still vary enormously, but it does help.
Surprisingly Honda has only recently increased its service intervals from a low 4,000 miles pretty much across its bike range. Meanwhile Ducati has been extending it for several years and working hard to bring down the costs, which used to be excessive - the MTS1200 is now 7,500 miles. But I don't know of any bikes with more than 8,000 mile intervals, most are 6,000 miles, alternating minor (oil and filters) with major (valve clearances etc).
I've heard a few horror stories about pre- and post-VTEC servicing costs by the way...
There's no single place you can find servicing information about bikes that I know of, unless someone can point us that way. Maybe there's a foreign bike site that does it? I'd love to have something like that on here, but it would be too work-intensive for me to do. I think the best you can hope for is informed anecdotal evidence, or dealer observations.
Thanks for the website comments and yes, breath of fresh air isn't it when you can read interesting stuff in forums!