Bike service history
Discussion
On the look out for my first bike and noticed a few only been serviced like twice on a bike at 5 years old . But the bikes have only done 3 and 5k miles . Would you buy a bike with only a few service stamps or would you be wanting it to be serviced every year regardless of mileage??
Thanks
Thanks
Almost all are like this.
First of unless some odd brand / engine I can’t get info about yes I would buy such a bike and just service straight away.
Also a lot of motorcycle owners service / look after it themselves.
The other night I did oil , oil filter, air filter a good check round took some parts of to clean old gunk / oil from and adjusted the chain.
The fact I don’t have a metal box around me protecting me means I want my bike as right as possible, also as everything is quite easy to get at once fairings and fuel tanks are off it’s not a massive job.
First of unless some odd brand / engine I can’t get info about yes I would buy such a bike and just service straight away.
Also a lot of motorcycle owners service / look after it themselves.
The other night I did oil , oil filter, air filter a good check round took some parts of to clean old gunk / oil from and adjusted the chain.
The fact I don’t have a metal box around me protecting me means I want my bike as right as possible, also as everything is quite easy to get at once fairings and fuel tanks are off it’s not a massive job.
I just required about a bike with full service history. One in 2006, one in 2007 and one in 2008. Nothing else in the last 10 years/12000 miles. It was thanks but no thanks, especially as it was top dollar too. I’d expect a oil change at least every other year even if it was doing next to no miles.
I wouldn’t worry too much, maybe bring it up and try and knock some off the price.
Just bought a 3 year old street triple with a similar situation. 5k miles on the clock, first two services done on time then the current owner had it for two years but didn’t service it as they only did about 2k miles on it.
Technically at 2 year or 6k miles the brake fluid and coolant should have been changed but that doesn’t bother me too much.
Did an oil change myself for 40 quid all in then will take it to a garage later for the other bits.
Just bought a 3 year old street triple with a similar situation. 5k miles on the clock, first two services done on time then the current owner had it for two years but didn’t service it as they only did about 2k miles on it.
Technically at 2 year or 6k miles the brake fluid and coolant should have been changed but that doesn’t bother me too much.
Did an oil change myself for 40 quid all in then will take it to a garage later for the other bits.
I've just found out the same. Must've spoken to over 10 different sellers and not one had full history (unlike their adverts).
One at strong money at a dealer hadn't been serviced since 2012 but they will do an oil change at point of sale..
I get that it's only done 3k since then but its still pretty bad.
Mate of mine just said they're just not like cars, most bike don't get serviced at dealers like cars do.
One at strong money at a dealer hadn't been serviced since 2012 but they will do an oil change at point of sale..
I get that it's only done 3k since then but its still pretty bad.
Mate of mine just said they're just not like cars, most bike don't get serviced at dealers like cars do.
I service all my bikes myself, however I keep a little notepad and write down the data/mileage and whatever I did or changed, more for my reference as anyone else, helpful to know what size shims are in which location when one is out of spec and needs changing. I also write in the service book when I do the timed services. So I'm not a shop but I can write in the book.
I'd buy a motorbike on condition/owner vibe.
The blackbird I bought didn't have anything in the book for 10 years! But the bike was in top shape and very well looked after clearly, so no issue.
I'd buy a motorbike on condition/owner vibe.
The blackbird I bought didn't have anything in the book for 10 years! But the bike was in top shape and very well looked after clearly, so no issue.
2wheelsjimmy said:
I service all my bikes myself, however I keep a little notepad and write down the data/mileage and whatever I did or changed, more for my reference as anyone else, helpful to know what size shims are in which location when one is out of spec and needs changing. I also write in the service book when I do the timed services. So I'm not a shop but I can write in the book.
I'd buy a motorbike on condition/owner vibe.
The blackbird I bought didn't have anything in the book for 10 years! But the bike was in top shape and very well looked after clearly, so no issue.
This, to the op a new bike will have the standard 2 services (stamp in book) for warranty, from then onward 90% of bikes will have been home serviced. I'd buy a motorbike on condition/owner vibe.
The blackbird I bought didn't have anything in the book for 10 years! But the bike was in top shape and very well looked after clearly, so no issue.
It's more of a pain in the arse dropping a bike off, hanging about, than it is servicing it yourself.
As above I print off all ebay/shop receipts, put them in a folder, date, mileage for every item, even ones I wont sell as it feels nice. I'm not the greatest mechanic but some of the services I've seen from dealers are crap, remember its likely to be the apprentice doing these.
t should be OKI should have been more organised with my current bike - if I ever come to sell it, I will only be able to show that it has had one dealer service at 600 miles.
Since then I've serviced it myself every 3000 miles, so about 2/3 a year, although I didn't make a record so a buyer would have to take my word for it.
I think you can usually tell if a seller knows their way around a bike. It's always a gamble though.
Since then I've serviced it myself every 3000 miles, so about 2/3 a year, although I didn't make a record so a buyer would have to take my word for it.
I think you can usually tell if a seller knows their way around a bike. It's always a gamble though.
scorcher said:
I’d expect a oil change at least every other year even if it was doing next to no miles.
why's that?mine are done on mileage unless it's been 4+ years since they've been serviced. they get looked after - started every now and then, ridden up and down the drive to keep the brakes working nicely, i let them heat up until the fan cuts in, then they go back in on a battery optimiser.
the bikes that get ridden regularly will be done on mileage, currently meaning the K1300S is going to be serviced every 12 weeks or so. yikes!
As others have said. If you're only a little unsure and the price is right buy it, have a full service and go from there.
I have my K1300R looked after by a bike mechanic who does private work at "home". I write in the book what was done, parts used, milegae and date etc thats all. I could get the dealer stamp i suppose but A - if some one were to check it wouldn't be on their system and B - the mileage it'll be on when i get rid of it it's not really worth the effort. It does go to the dealer at lunch time to have the service light/warning thing reset.
If it weren't for my mate i'd service the bit I could my self and anything else have done by a local garage that I'd hoefullya relationship with rather then a dealer.
I have my K1300R looked after by a bike mechanic who does private work at "home". I write in the book what was done, parts used, milegae and date etc thats all. I could get the dealer stamp i suppose but A - if some one were to check it wouldn't be on their system and B - the mileage it'll be on when i get rid of it it's not really worth the effort. It does go to the dealer at lunch time to have the service light/warning thing reset.
If it weren't for my mate i'd service the bit I could my self and anything else have done by a local garage that I'd hoefullya relationship with rather then a dealer.
With most bikes, particularly if they're a little older. Its 100% about condition.
I don't see much value in a dealer stamp when a bike has done 500miles in a year. I want to work try and work out if its been thrashed from cold, not kept away from the salt (or not very well prepared and cleaned for the bad weather) etc etc....
I don't see much value in a dealer stamp when a bike has done 500miles in a year. I want to work try and work out if its been thrashed from cold, not kept away from the salt (or not very well prepared and cleaned for the bad weather) etc etc....
PTF said:
scorcher said:
I’d expect a oil change at least every other year even if it was doing next to no miles.
why's that?mine are done on mileage unless it's been 4+ years since they've been serviced. they get looked after - started every now and then, ridden up and down the drive to keep the brakes working nicely, i let them heat up until the fan cuts in, then they go back in on a battery optimiser.
the bikes that get ridden regularly will be done on mileage, currently meaning the K1300S is going to be serviced every 12 weeks or so. yikes!
I'm not sure that it makes too much difference if you're doing low miles but seeing as though it only costs about 40 quid and takes me 20 mins to do I dont see why you wouldn't.
I personally am one for Service History. However, it doesnt have to be dealer stamps, just have "receipts". If you service the bike yourself, keep the receipts for the oils and filters.
I do some of my own servicing on my older bikes and usually take some pictures, and keep all the invoices in a file. Most people know the big ticket items (valve clearances, belts etc) so I make sure I have history of those.
I will not buy a bike I cannot tell has been looked after, and I'm confident and happy anyone buying one of mine would be more than impressed with the history.
I do some of my own servicing on my older bikes and usually take some pictures, and keep all the invoices in a file. Most people know the big ticket items (valve clearances, belts etc) so I make sure I have history of those.
I will not buy a bike I cannot tell has been looked after, and I'm confident and happy anyone buying one of mine would be more than impressed with the history.
As said, when bikes get a few years past that warranty period, most owners do it themselves, doing an oil change for example on a bike is so easy compared to a car which may involve a ramp etc so why pay a dealer best part of £100 for it and inconvenience yourself?
I try where ever possible to service the bikes as much as I can myself, keep the receipts , take pictures of the work ive done and add a comment to that, every time ive sold my bikes, the new owners value this above a dealer stamp ive found.
The older classic stuff, I keep receipts & take pictures of everything and put it on a CD(or three...) This one the chap who rebuilt my engine knocked up for me too, bit more time consuming but its much better IMHO
I try where ever possible to service the bikes as much as I can myself, keep the receipts , take pictures of the work ive done and add a comment to that, every time ive sold my bikes, the new owners value this above a dealer stamp ive found.
The older classic stuff, I keep receipts & take pictures of everything and put it on a CD(or three...) This one the chap who rebuilt my engine knocked up for me too, bit more time consuming but its much better IMHO
Issue is even if you do find a bike with a stamped up service book the chances of it having had little more than oil changes at the dealer are extremely unlikely.
Both my previous R1's had FSH... yet the brake fluid looked like piss, the coolant had never been changed and the suspension linkages had never been touched... all stuff supposed to be done every 2-4 years...
Both my previous R1's had FSH... yet the brake fluid looked like piss, the coolant had never been changed and the suspension linkages had never been touched... all stuff supposed to be done every 2-4 years...
Mr OCD said:
Issue is even if you do find a bike with a stamped up service book the chances of it having had little more than oil changes at the dealer are extremely unlikely.
Both my previous R1's had FSH... yet the brake fluid looked like piss, the coolant had never been changed and the suspension linkages had never been touched... all stuff supposed to be done every 2-4 years...
Ive felt this way about service history on anything, just because someone stamps a book means nothing, sure everyone does oil and air, but I have doubts on other. Both my previous R1's had FSH... yet the brake fluid looked like piss, the coolant had never been changed and the suspension linkages had never been touched... all stuff supposed to be done every 2-4 years...
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