.....and the chain was so tight I am surprised it didn't snap on my way home!

Maybe a few mm slack when on the centre stand, but resting on its wheels I reckon it was so tight it might even have been restricting the suspension from moving.

A bit disappointing to say the least and makes me wonder about everything else. I think I will spend some time rechecking things myself tomorrow.

Is the full dealer service record really worth paying for?

__________________

http://www.freewebs.com/my2wheels/

Not really. Your bike might be worth a bit more at resale, or perhaps make it more attractive to a potential buyer, but you'll never get your money back on the servicing costs.

I never took mine back to the dealer after the free 600 mile service due to the fact it was so badly PDI'd on delivery when I first got it. Missing valve caps, chain too slack, loose fasteners, poorly adjusted clutch, under-inflated tyres and the front sprocket cover fell of while riding it home!

__________________

Tamworth Yamaha did that to mine at the 6k service, it was practically humming under tension on the way home, where I wound a couple of full turns out of the adjusters. I went elsewhere for the 12k and 18k services. They were useless in various other ways. Then the warranty ran out. It hasn't been back to a dealer since.

I did have a fair amount of work done under warranty, and while they *should* do warranty work regardless of the service history, it removes one way they can try and wriggle out of it. So it was probably worth it for that, but as far as the servicing itself goes, if you're even half way competent with the spanners you can probably do a better job yourself.

It's worth pointing out that 'resale value' doesn't enter into my thinking. I've abused my bike enough that if I was going to sell it, the lack of service history would be the least of my problems

__________________
I spent a lot of money on travel and racing motorcycles - the rest I just squandered.

XT660Z - Commuter, Adventurer...Racer?

www.dashmoto.net

Other bikes >> MT-03 / CG125BR-J / ER-6F
Departed >> ZXR400L3 / EC300 / DR-Z400E / DR800S / GPZ500S / GS400

I got my 6,000 service done at the Yam dealer where I bought my bike.

Was not happy with the following:


Brake fluid not topped up.
Chain adjusted too tight.
Wheels not removed (spindles dry as a bone)
Cush drive rubbers totally perished


A point in the service manual says "Lubricate all moving parts" ... well this was clearly not done.
In fact, it seems all they did was replace the oil filter and engine oil and charge me �168 for the privilege.

It's not going back there.

__________________
Bike: 2013 XT660Z, TKC70 tyres

Mods:
Barkbusters, Scottoiler, DIY Tail Mod, DNA Stage 3, Power Commander V & O2 Eliminator, Exan X-Black Stainless exhaust, Tool tube, Ohlins linear front fork springs, Nitron rear shock, JT front and Supersprox rear sprockets, D.I.D. VX 520 chain, Adventure Spec bashplate, DIY USB Outlet, DIY chain guide, Kev's Throttle mod

http://www.facebook.com/onemooseonemotorbike

i've never been happy with any service....at any garage...on any bike ive owed. Thats why now i do (nearly) everything to my bikes myself.

the last time i had my Fazer tyres changed at a yam dealer they scratched my bloody black rims!

I had my valve clearances checked on my fazer and the dickhead mechanics mate scratched the **** out the frame where it meets the head tube (trying to undo the tank bolt).

I thought it was just me thinking that a dealer is ripping me off with i.e. 4k service (mainly oil + filter change etc) at �165 !!!

Awaiting my bike back from the dealer after some warranty work...I'll be back and will keep you posted with my thoughts.

Once my bike is out of warranty (I think end of September) I will not take it back to any garage for servicing etc. (unless something serious I cant manage myself)

I bought mine from a stealership outside London (Bucks), cos I thought it'd be cheaper but still they charged me �250 for the second service.
I only did this there because as someone's mentioned before I have a number of issues with the bike under warranty(rear disc buckled, front brake light coming on way too late, bike engine stopping on clutch engagement and lastly, stiffness in the steering).
Bike was over a grand cheaper to buy though from them.
BTW Nick, depending on where you are in London, I know of a good/reliable guy near me in Sunbury

Wow what a sad story, I did not think that they were that bad!!! I have always bought my bikes from Alf England in the Midlands and their service is not cheap but they have never let me down. They have 4 excellent mechanics and they too are bikers and seem to know what they are doing. I now do my own servicing and enjoy it as well as learning more about the bike.

__________________
(Now sold on, sob) 2011 Blue XT660X with gold wheels, was 26,500 km.
Engine mods: K&N Stage 1 filter, DNA Stage 2 filter, snorkel removed, Kev fuel mod fitted.
Plus: smoked Puig screen, Yam aluminium sump guard, Yamaha / Acerbis handguards, Givi Trekker aluminium side cases, Leo Vince X3 cans plus Kev front fork mod and Fender Xtender. Just fitted Michelin Road Pilot 3 tyres.

SOLD the XTX for a Super Ten 1200. And just bought a Raptor 700 so staying on here for some tips....

Dealers in Sydney aren't much chop either. Do it yourself ... I've been doing my own servicing with not much more than what's in the tool roll for the last 16000 kms.

Satisfying and you know it's done right.