2021 V7 850 self service?

[Bee]

Hi all, having very recently bought a Centenario I am trying to read up as much as I can about owning them. The bikes been out about 6 months or so hasn’t it? So I’m curious about how many of you have actually been back to the dealer for that first service vs doing it yourself?  Do you just ignore that spanner warning light? Do you not worry about any warranty work or niggles that might need fixing if you service it yourself? Would appreciate some feedback.

[Dirk_S]

I don't own the new V7 850, but I don't think your question is really specific to that particular model, so...

Depending on your skill and comfort levels, I'd recommend having the dealer do the scheduled maintenance service until the bike's out of warranty. A lot of warranties require that the machine be serviced by an official source, and the manufacturers will assumedly take advantage of that note. That said, there are certainly some things that you can easily do yourself. I would check with your dealer, tell them you'd like to save a couple $$ and do a couple of the things yourself, and have them do the stuff you're not comfortable with. Giving them a heads up will ensure they're OK signing your service into the system as having been done.

MG doesn't make perfect bikes, and the bike is a newer model with newer components, so I'd be extra inclined to protect my financial bottom and keep them responsible for fixing something on their end, should that arise.

[Kev m]

I only bought that BS about the first service ONCE - in 1993 after purchasing my first ever new motorcycle.

I have never been back to a dealer for a first service since... or just about anything else other than the wife's Ducati. I make her pay for valve adjustments/belts etc. on that.

[Dirk_S]

I only bought that BS about the first service ONCE - in 1993 after purchasing my first ever new motorcycle.

I have never been back to a dealer for a first service since... or just about anything else other than the wife's Ducati. I make her pay for valve adjustments/belts etc. on that.

Have you had to deal with any warranty issues?

[Kev m]

Have you had to deal with any warranty issues?

YUPPERS....

I can think of at least 5 of my bikes that had warranty repairs, some even after the warranty expired covered as courtesy repairs.

But I will admit that nothing in the current fleet ever needed one during the warranty period. The only actual repair (not maintenance) the current fleet has ever required was the V7 Stone overcharging regulator.

[Kiwi_Roy]

When my V7III was coming up for first service I asked the same question, Kev M convinced me to do it.
I did purchase a kit from the dealer with all the consumables so I knew exactly what to use.
Theres a lot of parts in the kit that don't really need to be changed out, some rubber seals etc. but I have those for down the road.
A tip, when you are draining the oil, leave the fill plug in place, it slows the draining down and lessens the mess, once draining open the fill plug.
You will need a measure of some sort to replace the gearbox oil, there's no way of seeing how full it is.

[egschade]

I elected to have the dealer (Jim Hamlin in CT) do my first service at the Guzzi national rally in NH. First time I every had dealer service on the bike. While the bill was a little eye watering Jim's team went above and beyond the minimum oil change and valve check. They went over the entire bike, changed the trans and gearbox (rear end) oils, and updated my CPU with the latest software.

Going forward I'll do the remaining services myself, buying OEM parts, taking pictures and keeping receipts as service evidence should there be a warranty claim down the road.

[Kev m]

To be clear, my disdain is NOT for dealers or for people who chose to have their bike serviced.

My disdain is for the perpetration (EDIT - ooopps I guess perpetuation was what I was reaching for there) of the myth that NOT having the first one done at a dealer will void the warranty. It doesn't and it can't in the US, that's covered quite extensively in the federal Magnuson-Moss warranty act.

THAT SAID, the dealer is your first line of defense when it comes to dealing with the OEM and can have sway on warranty coverage if there is pushback from the OEM. So developing a positive relationship with them is not a bad idea (whether that is fair purchase price, having some service done there, buying parts and accessories etc, that's up to you).

And certainly if you are nervous and unfamiliar with the bike a dealer tech MIGHT catch something you wouldn't* (though it is my professional experience that far too many just punch the clock and wouldn't be looking that hard so you really have to vet the dealer).

[Dirk_S]

To be clear, my disdain is NOT for dealers or for people who chose to have their bike serviced.

My disdain is for the perpetration of the myth that NOT having the first one done at a dealer will void the warranty. It doesn't and it can't in the US, that's covered quite extensively in the federal Magnuson-Moss warranty act.

Thanks for dropping that note. Social media could use more factual references rather than generalized opinions.

[Bee]

I appreciate the replies. This is a genuine conundrum for me and I expect every owner of a new Guzzi, whether it be a V85, V7 or V9 must have had to give this some thought and decide one way or the other. I like to be optimistic that there are good dealers and very good mechanics out there, not just bad ones. After a few days of mulling it over I think I am going to have the first one done by the dealer that sold me the bike. Their online reviews are positive, yes it’s going to cost me more but on balance it will give me piece of mind, they have access to all the latest software updates and should anything need replacing or fixing (especially in the first two years) I believe/hope they would be more inclined to.

[Moparnut72]

I think a lot of it depends on the dealership. I took my Harley in for the first service which was checked over head to toe. I was running some mildly modified pipes but took them off and put the stockers back on so I wouldn't create any warranty issues. I couldn't get one bolt back in due to an alignment issue. I left it out for the few miles I would be traveling. It was in a very obscure place. When I got home there was a new bolt in the empty hole. I was impressed. But the dealership sold to a new owner. I had to go back for a recall and while it was there I asked them to rebalance the rear wheel. I was told the front wasn't off by too much which was still the factory tire and the rear had just been changed and I wanted it to be checked because I had a vibration. Was something else anyway. Good dealerships can be hard to find. My local dealership sucks but the tech is good or was if he is still there.
kk

[twowheeladdict]

If you have a good report with the selling dealer you should have no issue doing your own service and using them for warranty work. 

If the dealer is an ass, it won't matter whether you have them perform service or not, they will question any warranty claim because it more hassle for them than just having the customer pay through the nose. 

[Kiwi_Roy]

I note that you are in England so the effect of doing your own on warrantees may be different than Nth America. I wonder if your dealer would let you witness/help the service if you made out you were interested.
One of the deciding factors for me the dealer is about half an hour away and I had no way of dropping the bike off and getting back home without a $50 taxi ride, (they want the bike stone cold for doing the tappets - overnight stay)

[Nick]

I picked my Centenario the second week of August (in Italy) and had the first service, 1,500 Km, done by the dealer, http://www.torrierimoto.it/  the third week of September. The charge was approx. 170 Euro for that first service. I also had them change the fluids in the trans and rear.
In Italy they seem to prefer having the dealers perform the first service, especially since there may be updates for it (ECU, maps).