V7 servicing, did I just get hosed?

[John Ulrich]

Learning moment here.  Ask questions about what is going to be done and how much will be charged before making the appointment. Challenge those answers at that time or after you have gone home and thought it over.  When you drop the bike off and toss the keys on the counter the clock starts ticking.  If they find something they need to call you for approval. 
I counsel the people at the office often. They drop the key's on the service counter and accept what they are told is needed.  1/2 of their bill is fluff .... $50.00 wiper blades, $150 per spark plug installed, etc     

[56Pan]

It is like a high maintenance girlfriend.  Very expensive and you get screwed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh9ZZgDqzAg

[Kev m]

I counsel the people at the office often. They drop the key's on the service counter and accept what they are told is needed.  1/2 of their bill is fluff .... $50.00 wiper blades, $150 per spark plug installed, etc  

Not for nothing, but wiper blades are easily $30-40 bucks a set even at NAPA these days, add $10 labor if you're not installing them yourself and $50 isn't actually unreasonable.

The Dodge Hemi V8 is a dual plug head, meaning 16 plugs, some of which require a contortionist. I'm told those who pay to have them installed pay AT LEAST an hour of labor (often more) on top of plug cost (couple of bucks per plug), so $150 would likely be reasonable or a bargain.

I'm not saying $500 is reasonable for plugs and a three fluid change on a Guzzi, but things are more expensive than us cheap, diy Guzzisti usually make them out to be.

[oldbike54]

Yep , hosed .

  Dusty

[redrider90]

Yep , hosed .

  Dusty

Agreed Major hose job.  What spark plugs do not last longer than a set of tires.

[sign216]

He didn't get hosed.  It's all a part of owning an Italian motorcycle from a minor marque (but once a major brand!).

However, it's a really easy bike to service.  I can show you some links to do it all yourself.

[Cam3512]

He didn't get hosed.  It's all a part of owning an Italian motorcycle from a minor marque (but once a major brand!).

However, it's a really easy bike to service.  I can show you some links to do it all yourself.

It's no different then getting hosed by a $100-120/hr
Harley dealer.  Minor marque has nothing to do with it.  Dealerships make more money on service than they do sales. 

Learn to do your own basic maintenance, you (and your wallet) will be better for it.

[oldbike54]

He didn't get hosed.  It's all a part of owning an Italian motorcycle from a minor marque (but once a major brand!).

However, it's a really easy bike to service.  I can show you some links to do it all yourself.

How does that justify a hosing  ???

  Dusty

[LowRyter]

how do you reset MAINT ? 

[Vasco DG]

On the small locks? By pushing a button on the dash and turning the key on and off.

[arveno]

Alright, so my dash on my 2013 V7 starts flashing MAINT when I first turn my bike on a little after 3000 miles so I ride over to the MG dealership and the shop guy says that it's time for my 3000 mile service, they change my oil, spark plugs, transmission oil, and final drive oil. I pick up my bike the next day $500 poorer and ride home. I download the service manual for my bike and find out it doesn't have a 3000 mile service interval! It has the 1000 km break in service, and then service intervals every 10,000 km after that. Why did my dash show MAINT? Is there a new update that does include servicing every 5000 km? Or did the dealership just do extra work for the sake of extra work?

To me seems that's a lot of money BUT i do not think you got hosed , i believe that nowadays thats what you will pay regardless the brand/dealer

Would you mind share with us the "breakdown" of the bill ?
Oils price, filter , plugs , labor hourly rate ... it should be all explained.

I agreed that plugs at 3k is not necessary , but did you ask them to explain ?

[ClassicV7]

To reset MAINT warning: With the ignition off, press and hold down the left "A" button, turn the ignition on, then off, and then release the button.

[rocker59]

To reset MAINT warning: With the ignition off, press and hold down the left "A" button, turn the ignition on, then off, and then release the button.

Thanks!   ;-T

[MMRanch]

Ok , how do you reset the Maintenance light on a single instrument dash with no buttons ?   

[blu guzz]

That 10w60 oil ain't cheap.  I bought mine online and with shipping, still about $50.  New England and NYC are very expensive places to live.  The rent is outrageous (the small 2000 sq. ft. garage that may rent for $1500-2000 where I live in the midwest will be $8,000-10,000 in NYC), because the cost of living is so high, wages must be higher, and oh, yeah, at the end of the day, the dealer would like to put a little money in his IRA.  Not everyone wants to do their own maintenance and if you don't you have to pay someone for the privilege.  This is a hobby and if you don't self maintain your (pick your toy).... it is expensive.  On my just purchased v85, I had the dealer throw in the first service as part of the sale, and when I got it back, although I didn't have to pay it, the invoice was $270.  That is in one of the lowest cost areas of the country.  He has 2 mechanics to pay, 2 counterpeople, cost to inventory about 40 bikes and rent and electric to pay from that.  Oh, there is also himself if there is any left.
With all of this said, it is reasonable before turning over the keys to ask what they are going to do and if the answer does not jibe with the manual, question it.  Maybe in their experience, it has been a good idea to do some of the extra stuff.  For example, it is far harder on bikes that only run is urban places, in car manuals there are often 2 service intervals depending on the majority of your driving and the hard use one is twice as often for fluids.  After consideration, you might then ask them to stick to the book recommendation.  One other thing, were these the first new plugs on your 6 year old bike?  Was the break in service done 5 years ago?  If so, I am not surprised that they changed everything.
Good luck in the future and if you really don't want to do your own work, then simply inform your self before your next visit.

[Kev m]

Uhhhhh BlueG - you're answering an almost 5 year old post.

Ok , how do you reset the Maintenance light on a single instrument dash with no buttons ?   

You don't.

You need the dealer PADS or we have to hope GuzziDiag offers us a solution eventually.

[Rough Edge racing]

 Cover the maintenance light with black tape, change your own oil.. but I do understand not everyone wants to do it or has a place to do it..The dealers have high overhead and charge for it...Was the OP hosed? Yes he was but that's the way it often goes...

[blu guzz]

Mea culpa Kev.  However, if it were a current post, I would stand by everything I said and the part about the rent and cost of living is definitely true now as it was then.  I also stand by "educate yourself".    Thanks for pointing that out however it is a good reason not to ever take yourself too seriously.

[Kev m]

Mea culpa Kev.  However, if it were a current post, I would stand by everything I said and the part about the rent and cost of living is definitely true now as it was then.  I also stand by "educate yourself".    Thanks for pointing that out however it is a good reason not to ever take yourself too seriously.

All true.... I just wanted to point out the OP probably made up his mind by now. 

[blu guzz]

Why did someone drag up an ancient post like this?

[MMRanch]

Do a Google search on resetting the oil change "check engine light" , and see what pops up ...

[Kev m]

Do a Google search on resetting the oil change "check engine light" , and see what pops up ...

?!?

[baby_lamb_bear]

Why did someone drag up an ancient post like this?

This 

[guzzisteve]

You need a Emoticon(is that the word) w/a big stick hitting your dash!!!! Use a ball bat and knock it to the neighbors yard..