600 mile service

[DJP]

For instance, in the UK, service must be done by a factory authorized agent to keep the warranty in effect...

Well that's what the dealers want you to think. In reality, you just have to be able to show that the servicing has been done to the required standard. Although, to avoid arguments, I usually get my bikes dealer serviced while they're still under warranty.

That said, here in the UK the 600 mile service is "Free" - to the extent that you only pay for the oil & filter. Mine cost £35 (about $65 US).

Oh yeah - we get 2 years warranty as well.

[Red01]

Just going by what other Brits have said on the board... something along the line of "factory authorized service" - and here in the States, only a dealer would be factory authorized.  OTOH, our laws forbid factories from mandating factory authorized services to keep up a warranty unless the factory provides it free.

[DJP]

our laws forbid factories from mandating factory authorized services to keep up a warranty unless the factory provides it free.

Same here - it comes under the EU anti-competition laws. It didn't used to be so - hence some people's confusion.

However, to keep up the warranty, what is required is a service to factory standards - ie using genuine (or factory approved) parts & materials.

It's the old story - the law changed years ago but the stealers still try to tell people that the bike can only be serviced by them.

[Red01]

Cool!    for the update! 

Makes me wonder then why EU markets get a 2 year warranty out of Suzuki when the US only gets 1. 

[DJP]

Hmmm,,, I'm not sure on that one!

A few years back, the standard warranty on most vehicles over here was 1 year. These days, most vehicles come with 2 or 3 years warranty (and 5 or 7 year warranties are becoming quite common). Whether longer warranties are now an EU requirement I don't know.

That said, US prices for most things do seem to be considerably cheaper than here.

For example, my Bandit 1250 cost £5,500 out of the door - that's about $9,800. Most US prices that I've seen are considerably cheaper than that - which may go some way to explaining the differences in warranty and service costs.

[Dmaxhall]

According to the Service Manual that I have for the GSF1250/S/A/SA, Page 0B-5, a inspection is required at the 1000km (600 mile) service. 

Valve Clearance Inspection and Adjustment
B718H10206006
Inspect valve clearance
Initially at 1 000 km (600 miles, 2 months) and every
12 000 km (7 500 miles, 24 months) thereafter.
Inspection
Valve clearance adjustment must be checked and
adjusted, a) at the time of periodic inspection, b) when
the valve mechanism is serviced, and c) when the
camshafts are removed for servicing.

This statement contradicts the Scheduled Maintenance chart on Page 0B-1. 

It pays to check to manual text rather than rely on the service chart.


You decide for yourself. 

[cruisinfool]

Hello Everyone,
I have the US. owners manual and it is for the GSF1250S so I don't have the same manual as DMAXHALL does and I can only go by what mine says and my dealer showed me the one they go by and its the same as our US. manual.Now it states in the manual to follow the recommended inspection and adjustments on the chart,and I know for sure that most shops unless requested will not physically check the valves,but they will probably charge you for it.I've owned a lot of bikes and many new ones and most shops will only do what they can get away with unless.I hate to sound pessimistic,but thats just from my experience.My dealer said they would not check the valves unless I was willing to pay for it.I haven't heard of valves being tight on an adjustment since the 80's.Maybe it was the metals they were using in valve seats or soft shims or cams . Some of you guys may know more about that than I do.I only worked on Mack,Cummins Caterpillars and Internationals,all heavy stuff. Just thoughts on the subject. I will gladly stand corrected if you know something I don't,take care,John

[TommyV]

Thanks for the insight John. 

[Red01]

I haven't heard of valves being tight on an adjustment since the 80's.
Maybe it was the metals they were using in valve seats or soft shims or cams.

Actually, it was fairly common for the 600 & 1200 air/oil cooled Bandits to have one or more valves a little tight on the 600 mile service - and again at the 7500 mile service.  After that, they're usually settled down and stay in range until wear on the cam lobes or rocker arms causes them to become loose instead of tight... but then this is an engine family that was designed in the mid-1980's... and being air-cooled is probably a factor.

[Rick]

Here's a clip of the text in post #35 above as taken from the PDF service manual available on this site. Are you guys doing the 600 mile valve adjustment or skipping it? This book says adjustment intervals of 7500 miles. What's the common knowledge about this engine? What are you guys finding when you check the valves?

[Bandit1250]

You guys are talking about 1200's and this is supposed to be a 1250 forum. 

Just for the record, the 1250 only calls for adjustments every 14,000 miles.

[Rick]

You guys are talking about 1200's and this is supposed to be a 1250 forum. 

Just for the record, the 1250 only calls for adjustments every 14,000 miles.

Actually, that is taken right from the GSF1250/S/A/SA K7 service manual available on this site. I asked the question because in that book they go into great detail about doing the 600 mile valve adjustment. It's confusing because it also shows this chart which seems to indicate that the first valve adjustment is at 14,500 miles. Where are you getting the information about 14,000 miles?:

[Bandit1250]

You guys are talking about 1200's and this is supposed to be a 1250 forum. 

Just for the record, the 1250 only calls for adjustments every 14,000 miles.

Actually, that is taken right from the GSF1250/S/A/SA K7 service manual available on this site. I asked the question because in that book they go into great detail about doing the 600 mile valve adjustment. It's confusing because it also shows this chart which seems to indicate that the first valve adjustment is at 14,500 miles. Where are you getting the information about 14,000 miles?:

14,000 or 14,500 I knew it was right around there.
I was told by the dealer every 14,500 that was one of the things I asked when I considered the bike as I ride about 12,000 miles a year and I didn't want to doing valve adjustments every few months. The 1250 manual that comes with the bike says 14,500 also, that's what I'm going to do.  On most bikes after the first adjustment you can go 20,000 miles or so before it needs another anyway.

[mi1lertm]

I had my valves inspected at 16,000 miles and they were spot on.  Throtal body sink was another story, it was way off.  Most other B1250 guys that I have spoken to had no valve issues as well up to 20K miles.  Your call but the B1250 is a low stress motor and is not very hard on the valves.

Mark

[ippo]

Here in Finland valves inspect every 24000 km.