Self Service Question

[Mike2411]

Hey everyone, I posted on the "General Chat" my recent experience with my Triumph dealer...it wasn't good!

I'd like to know if anyone here has worked on their own bike (routine services, valves, etc...) and if there have been any issues from Triumph when trying to get something covered under warranty knowing that the work/service on the bike was done by the owner? Is it possible to do your own service and maintain your warranty coverage or does servicing your own bike kill the warranty?

[atrophy]

Doing your own work does not void the warranty.  Be sure you keep a copy of your receipts for the oil and filters you buy.  Keep service records.
I have not and will not do the valves.  Changing the oil and filter is easy.  You will find instructions on this forum.   You might consider a dealer tool so you can reset the service reminder and do some diagnostics.  You can buy a shop manual from triumph but most of the things you need to know are documented on this forum.
Many of us have experienced shoddy dealer service.  I have also experience it with other brands, not just Triumph dealers.  There are also good dealers out there.
Good luck!

[Coconut]

Different States and different Countries have different Laws,
so you should check what applies where you live,
but generally speaking providing the person doing the work is competent,
and uses parts off at least an equivalent standard to OEM,
then the Warranty cannot be voided.

Of all the motorcycle manufacturers out there,
Triumph have demonstrated their willingness to help,
often with issues that occur outside the Warranty period,
but generally for Bikes that their Dealers have maintained.

I don't know what Triumph's attitude would be
to a self maintained Bike outside of the Warranty period   

Some folks say, "You spent all that cash on a premium motorcycle,
why skimp on the cost of maintaining it ?"

Others with the knowledge and skill to carry out maintenance themselves
derive a certain amount of satisfaction in doing so, as well as saving cash.

As stated by others the "DealerTool" device is a useful and recommended tool,
but cannot perform all of the functions of the full Triumph Dealers equipment.
( *Other devices may be available !  ).

The money you would save doing your own first 10,000 mile service would probably pay
for a DealerTool AND a Service Manual, but you should also be aware that by NOT using
a Triumph Dealer you could miss out any Service Bulletin updates etc. 

Maybe take a look at the Service Schedule and decide whether you feel competent
to carry out the 10,000 mile scheduled items, then leave the 20,000 service to the Dealer,
which will also get you any Service Bulletin updates etc 

( NOTE : There are errors in the Triumph published documentation,
which have been corrected in the Version produced for the Forum here :
Servicing Data, Reference Info. & DTC ( Fault ) Codes - Scroll down to the end
of the first Post to find the downloadable "Word" format Service Schedule ).

A list of those errors can be found here : Audio, and Service Handbooks + Service Manual errata

Cheers 

[atrophy]

I agree with Coconut with the exception that I had to inform the dealer about the audio software update and eventually show him how to do it.  I also had to inform the dealer about TSB  154. (Two dealers actually)  I learned about it on this forum.  Consider this forum your first Triumph tool.

Again, it's not just Triumph dealers, I had explain to my BMW dealer that there was a recall on a brake line that was too short and could shear causing brake failure and a crash.   It seemed important to me.   

[Mike2411]

Thank you, guys, for the info. I hear what you're saying and would prefer to have the dealer work on it but not sure I can trust my current source ! Also, I have searched the internet for local Triumph service providers and have found none (when I say "local" I mean within a 30-mile radius). That doesn't mean I can't ride up to Santa Barbara and take it to the Ducati dealer, they used to sell Triumph and have Triumph certified mechanics. There's also Simi Valley and Westlake. Simi Valley and Westlake are close to an hour trip one-way, no big deal, but does make it difficult when it's an all-day service!

Regarding the intervals, I had the 10k mile completed already (that was my first bad experience with my current service dept.). I am at 13,200 miles and will be taking it in for the 20k mile service but have to figure out who to take it to. It's really a bummer when you have a "home" to take your bike to and then things change for the worse and you're forced to start all over again ! I'm hoping to get some good support from my current shop in fixing this issue but my hopes aren't too high at this point. Even if they do fix things I'm not sure I could trust them to do anymore on my beautiful, $24k+ bike! That bike is my main transpo and I take really good care of it, I expect them to take even BETTER care of it! I'm in a tough place right now with this whole service provider issue !

[NavyDad]

I guess I was lucky to have a good dealer about 50 miles away. Although I did all of my own maintenance I maintained a good relationship with them and bought many of the needed items from them. They gave me a 10% discount on any purchases for a year when I bought my Trophy. There are good dealerships out there. I kept accurate records of what I worked on with dates, mileage, and receipts.

[AZBob]

If you have the means, time, space, tools, skill, and motivation to do it yourself, you'll be much better off.

In the United States, the Magnasuon-Moss Warranty Act (also, here) forbids OEM's from specifying that you must take your vehicle to them for maintenance service (warranty work may be limited to to the OEM according to the OEM's warranty terms) and further specifies that as long as you, or whomever you hire to do the work follows the OEM's procedures and uses parts equivalent to the OEM's specifications, your warranty cannot be denied for lack of maintenance. Since this is a federal law, that applies to any manufacturer selling vehicles amongst the many states, it covers everyone regardless of the state in which they live. (incidentally, it also applies to things other than vehicles, such as vacuum cleaners, washing machines, stoves, etc. -- anything over $15.00).

It behooves the person doing the maintenance to retain good records of the work completed in case there is ever a question about it.

[Mike2411]

Thanks, guys!

NavyDad, did I read somewhere, recently, that you got rid of your Trophy...or am I seeing things now ?

Mike