focushere - 2008-05-08 7:45 AM I did my own, consisted of oil change (AMSOIL) and filter. Checked the tire pressure and checked to make sure nothing was rattled loose. I don't think the dealer does anymore than that.

Wow, none of you take in consideration that you dealer can be your friend in time of need. Sorry to those who have bad dealers, but I would find someone who would give it the once over Victory touch when doing the services. at least during the warranty period. I don't mind paying the extra for the labor because my dealer really does take care of me and the rest.

I'll compare this to my recent state inspection, at the jeep dealer for my jeep. It got rejected for brakes in which the service manager had the courtesy to call me and tell me nonchalantly that it needed the new brakes for a mere $970.00. I asked, for what. Well, a wheel cylinder was leaking on the rear, and you can't replace just one without the other. Of course the shoes needed to be replaced because of the leak. And of course, the drums looked too worned to be turned so they should be replaced. Oh, by the way the fronts pads where worn and needed to be replaced as well. My mind figured at most $300.00 worth of parts leaving $670 for labor. I told him to slap a reject sticker on and I'll do the job myself because I wouldn't pay them $600.00 for something I well capable of doing. The final results of this fandango is that it cost me about $150.00 for total replacement of the parts mentioned and two afternoon of my own time. Keep in mind, the book value for labor is based off of median time frame, so be it if the assigned mechanic is skilled enough to complete in a faster time frame. I would rather have them charge the flat fee if they exceed the time, then to have them charge me by the actual hour worked and they take their time to milk me of a few extra dollars.

But, I don't have the relationship with my car dealer as I do my Victory dealer. I can call the folk at my Victory dealer friends, and they have no problem whether I do my own oil change or if they do it, and I've had a few "freebies" because of that relationship. I think in the long run it will pay off immensely, especially in the time of need on my part. Perhaps a different approach and mindset may get more, as it is easier to get something with honey, then with vinegar. Just my half of four cents. 

varyder - 2008-05-08 9:40 AM back to the point, I believe my tab for the 500 mile was just over $200.00.

I don't make sense most of the time, made a correction to the previous post...

MangoMike - 2008-05-08 11:51 AM Just bought my Vision last Saturday. One of my questions was the cost of service. The owner told me that the most expensive service was 12K when they change the fork oil and that would be a little over $300. After reading this post I called him to make sure I understood what he'd said. He told me that the 500 mile service might hit $200 with adjusting the belt, changing oil, etc. I told him what I was reading and he said "anyone paying over $300 for a 500 service is getting gouged". FWIW Mike

Wow! I missed the 12k fork oil change in the book, I'm clicking up to that now at 11,700+ on the clock. It's a shame to change only being 6 months old. Discussing my services with the dealer once I noted that 2,5k for an oil change is excessive in my opinion since on the Wing I went 5 - 8k using SCAMSOIL. His reply was that the 2.5k was basically in line with seasonal rider since a lot of riders only put on about that much every year. However, given that, I think the V-twin needs it because of it's make up compared to the honda water-cooled flat 6 cyl. I don't use no oil between changes, but it has a hint of fuel smell to it after about 2.5k and it's a little dark, much like the honda would be at 5k. So since I'm poised to be pushing 100k after 4 years I think the oil investment every 2.5k is will worth it.