Alternatives to Dealer Service

[solman]

Hopefully this posting will not raise the ire of any forum members!! I also hope this is the right spot for this posting.

I live in Northern Colorado and wonder if anyone out there is familiar with someone doing reliable service (for a K1100LT, in particular) other than the local dealer. I called to schedule service (12000 mile) and nearly dropped my jaw when given the price. I realize people will tell me that any BMW owner should be aware that parts and service for their rides have/will always be pricey. But :doh!! If there is an alternative, I'll be more than happy to entertain that option. If any suggestions are made that are not established shops, than I would appreciate being able to call for "references" and hope that no one would be offended. Thanks in advance for anyone's assitance.

-solman in FC

[R100RS]

Welcome, solman!

Unfortunately, I can't offer any help on the LT. If it was an airhead I could offer some assistance. My local service shop is my garage. I like the local dealer and have spent plenty there on parts, but I haven't had anybody else service my bike in many years.

While mostly unrelated, I would recommend you come and visit with the Twisted Shaft. We meet the third Monday of the month (right around the corner!) at the County Cork at 7:00pm...

Twisted Shaft Motorcycle Club (http://www.twistedshaft.net)

[riderR1150GSAdv]

HI! :wave Welcome to the forum!! :D

You're not the only one with a dislocated jaw :jawdrop when finding out about the LT maintenace price. Fortunately the LT doesn't need a whole lot of work done, but getting at things is timeconsuming. That is why it is about $600 to $700 to do the 12 K
Having said that, if you can wrench a little, the 12K service is relatively easy to do. If you need more info, go and visit the www.BMWLT.net site and you will find out so much info about the bike that you can do all the work yourself.
I have an 05 LT and did the 12K myself. I did all the work except the computer stuff which the dealer did for free :D (I gave the wrench a few $$$ for :beer ).
All told I spent about $ 100,= on parts and oil and 8 hrs of bonding with the bike. :bliss
The only thing I will have the dealer do is part of the annual work which includes the brake system and clutch fluid change. I have limitations :doh and the brake system is it. One air bubble and... :cry

[Hodag]

I do alot of my own stuff on my LT, then every few years I bring it in for them to give it a good once over. its going in this week for a check up, and to fix my leaking front master cyclinder. I figure its a good balance between paying out the nose, and worrying about missing something.

[BklynPete]

i've been very fortunate, i found an ex bmw shop mechanic that works on my bike. his shop rate is half that of the dealers and he picks up my bike and brings it back to my house :thumb he's the only one that has touched my bike in the last four years. he also down't mind it that i have tires and parts shipped directly to him and he just charges me labor to install the items.

pete

[BradfordBenn]

Hopefully this posting will not raise the ire of any forum members!! I also hope this is the right spot for this posting.

No worries Solman, you done good on your first post.

Lots of people wrench on their own bikes, it is a great way to get to know your bike and it saves money. The saying go, the cheapest part of a BMW motorcycle is the rider.

There are lots of people around who can help you out with the information, but I would agree that the best way to find someone to help you with maintenance is to join your local club.

Me, I do just enough to feel confident, but for the services I take the RT to a non-BMW shop, the mechanic was the mechanic at the BMW dealer before they closed.

[SheRidesABeemer]

Wow you have a K11 with only 12K on it!

Change the oil yourself, add some gas and go riding...scheduled maintenance is for sissys when you are out of warrenty. :clap

I bought my K11LT 5 year and 40K miles ago it's never seen a dealer for scheduled maintenance. I have a nice independent mechanic. I can suggest you contact your nearest club, see if they have a newsletter, maybe an independent mechanic has an ad in it or just go to a local club event and ask around. Local is the way to go for this problem.

Good luck,
Gail

[solman]

I appreciate all the great feedback.

:bow

Silly me. :banghead Immediately after posting my initial message it occured to me that I should try the shop that my old Yamaha XV920RH liked so well. They have indeed worked on many K bikes and will charge 1/3 of what I was quoted by der dealer. Happy Days!!

As for the suggestions to check out the local clubs, I will indeed take advantage of that as time allows (kids almost out of the house, ya know). Seems like there can be alot of value added there.

Thanks again,
solman