First Service - Dealer Overbooked - Warrenty Issue?

[Croatoan]

I called my dealer to schedule my first service and he said the closest he could get me in was the 25th, which is almost two weeks away. I did call quite a bit ahead of time. (I am speaking with the owner to see if he can get me in sooner.)

I have already 250 miles on the bike and I use it everyday since it is my only means of transportation.

I was wondering how, or if, the warranty might be effected if I keep riding it a lot before I get it serviced.

(Sending this to GB as well.)

[djelliott]

You'll be fine. I wouldn't worry.

[Lostmycage]

During break-in the piston rings scrape up against the cylinder sleeve until enough of the material is worn away to create a seamless seal between the two surfaces. The bits that are ground down end up in the oil, which will settle into the bottom of the engine casing. Those bit, if left unchecked, can get into the bearings in the crank and grind the surfaces down like wetsanding.

The bikes are assembled in Taiwan and boxed up and set over this way. The dealer preps the carb, puts mirrors on and does a once over (albeit a pretty thorough on usually) but that long trip from Taiwan in the box can rattle things loose. The first service is supposed to include a checking of torque settings, bearing play and alignment.

If you want to push the first service, just be aware of those two factors. The people of the forum aren't the ones that will be putting any warranty claims on your bike should it fail. This is something you need to discuss with your dealer. Neglect isn't covered under warranty, especially where 1st service is concerned.

Two weeks out for a first service in April is pretty good. This is the part of the year where dealers are inundated with people who need carb rebuilds, general and/or restorative maintenance from winter neglect, as well as looky-loos who aren't really wanting to buy, but still have to have the complete attention of the shop personnel (while others come in for an oil filter and have to wait for a half hour so that someone is free... not that I've ever been there...). Two weeks is doing pretty good. If you can't get an earlier date, I'd stop joyriding and limit it to just the necessary trips until that first service.

If you're mechanically inclined, you can do the oil change yourself which will let you ride it, but I'd still take it in for the other checks. We've got some handy how-to's in the tech library and FAQ section.

[Croatoan]

Yeah, LostMyCage. I think I will do the oil change myself at least. I was just thinking that they would not know if I changed the oil anyway.

But jeez, why do scoots seem so sensitive to break in stuff and cars are not? Makes me so paranoid. [BRAIN OFF]

[Vic]

Yeah, LostMyCage. I think I will do the oil change myself at least. I was just thinking that they would not know if I changed the oil anyway.

But jeez, why do scoots seem so sensitive to break in stuff and cars are not? Makes me so paranoid. [BRAIN OFF]

Think about the size of the engines we are talking about here and how hard that tiny little thing has to work!

-v

[Lostmycage]

I believe car engines get a factory break-in that includes at least an initial ring seating and oil change out before the odometer starts ticking. That can be done on the engine assembly line. It's not cost effective for bikes to go through that as well.

Truthfully, they're not *that* sensitive. These are actually tough little engines. Your dealer is still the one that would handle any claims and make any determinations of neglect, so you should still run the plan by your dealer.

If you change the oil, you should be fine. Just let your dealer know your plan. Just stick to dino (non synthetic) while it breaks in. As long as you make sure that you have the right weight, filter and volume, then all should be well. An extra oil flush definitely won't hurt your engine, should they change it again when they do the service. However, it could take 3 weeks to get an oil filter this time of year, so it might not be the perfect solution after all.

Welcome to scooters!

[Cheshire]

Yup.

Most of the shops up here are flooded with riders blinking in the sun, wanting their oil changed, their bike de-winterized. If you can't get ahold of a filter, let me know. I've got a spare I can overnight ya.

I found that when I started doing my own oil changes, it's handy to have 1 or 2 more than I currently need. Not that I'm worried about my shop being out of them, but I'm scatterbrained and keep wanting to change my oil when they're closed. Never fails, I realize I forgot something on one of the two days they're closed.

*edit* That reminds me: I need to swing by and pick up a crush washer before they close this afternoon. Gear oil's about due.

[bluebuddygirl]

Yeah, LostMyCage. I think I will do the oil change myself at least. I was just thinking that they would not know if I changed the oil anyway.

But jeez, why do scoots seem so sensitive to break in stuff and cars are not? Makes me so paranoid. [BRAIN OFF]

Unless you are going to go over about 800 miles in that time, I wouldn't, unless you are sure about what to look for in the oil. In the first service the first oil change is important in telling of any signs of possible break-in problems. That first service is the only one that the dealer has to do. Break in period for cars is important too, just most people don't pay attention to it.

[Croatoan]

Yeah, LostMyCage. I think I will do the oil change myself at least. I was just thinking that they would not know if I changed the oil anyway.

But jeez, why do scoots seem so sensitive to break in stuff and cars are not? Makes me so paranoid. [BRAIN OFF]

Unless you are going to go over about 800 miles in that time, I wouldn't, unless you are sure about what to look for in the oil. In the first service the first oil change is important in telling of any signs of possible break-in problems. That first service is the only one that the dealer has to do. Break in period for cars is important too, just most people don't pay attention to it.

Yeah, good point. Thanks. I got an email from GB and they said if the milage is reasonable it would not affect the warranty. But it is going in tomorrow anyway so all ias good.

[gearhead]

right when we bought r0sa's buddy from the dealer, we rode it home 2 up on the highway like we stole it. 700 miles later, it went to the dealer for the first service. Her buddy 125cc is still as fast as ever

[bpatrick5]

Bought our Buddy 150 and 50 new and was told the first service is at 500 miles by the dealer. If you have a 125, it could be different. Otherwise, I'm not sure why yours would be 250 and mine would be 500 miles. Regional thing, maybe.

[bluebuddygirl]

Bought our Buddy 150 and 50 new and was told the first service is at 500 miles by the dealer. If you have a 125, it could be different. Otherwise, I'm not sure why yours would be 250 and mine would be 500 miles. Regional thing, maybe.

If you go by the manual the first service is right around 200 miles, but most dealers know better and recommend doing it later.

[PIStaker]

I scheduled my first service at 250 miles. By the time the appointment rolled around (because Scooterworks was backed up in the service department) I clocked 800 miles on the OD.
I too felt concerned, but the guys at Scooterworks shrugged it off, and told me not to worry.
2 years and 5K miles later, I am not worried about it.