First Service On Motorcycle

[Retired TSgt]

I have a T120 2022 model year. I purchased it in Jan 23, and hit 600 miles a couple months ago. I have parked it because it has to have its first service. I have to go almost 200 miles to get the service. I am retired from the military, so probably have to let it sit until I can get it over for the first service. The economy has killed my retired money. What is the first service and why does it cost so much? I am thinking I should have purchased a Japanese motorcycle the service is not so much money. Do I have to have the first service? is there something else I can do?

 

[DoorPosition]

Welcome to the world of Triumph Ownership. IIRC my 1st service was about $200. Right now every Triumph outfit in my immediate AO is complete shyte so by recommendation I take my bike 2.5 hours to the only reputable one I know of. I typically trailer it with a Uhaul rental- about 30 bucks, and ride it back home. Your initial servicing should only take 2-3 hours so if you should be able to get same day service.

Unless your lucky enough to live near a Triumph dealer with both high service QC and HR QC, you'll be in the same boat as MANY of us. I didn't think this would all be such a commitment going into things but I've just learned to accept it. The T120 is one of the finest bikes on the road in it's class(not as cool as my Speed Twin though ). It's worth it. Call the dealer you intend on using and establish a rapport with their service dept.

Other than that, all I can say is- Suck it up and drive on, Sarge.

 

[solomon]

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetriumphforum.com%2F&source_ve_path=MTY0OTksMjg2NjQsMTY0NTA2&feature=emb_share&v=4pPHf5qaFG4


Might invalid a warranty through if going it alone.

 

[mrmvolz]

Yes I have heard this, if a dealer does not do the first service.. We don’t have a shop near us either, ours closed up :-/

 

[DoorPosition]

For me, maintaining my warranty was important, esp. after I ran into 2 issues w/in the first couple months after purchase. If you wrench on your bike during this period you risk violating your warranty.

 

[shanered6]

This is one of the reasons I will never buy another new triumph ,, I always buy 2 to 3 year old low milage bikes and do all my own servicing .
Ive just done my 2019 tiger 800 xca and ive bought the HealTec service reset tool so im good to go , but if your bikes new and you want to keep the warranty triumph servicing is the only way .

 

[solomon]

Yes I have heard this, if a dealer does not do the first service.. We don’t have a shop near us either, ours closed up :-/

So they expect you to travel great distance, potentially staying overnight, hiring a trailer, etc ?
It's basically an oil change and nut tightening job, I think.
Think I'd keep evidence of shop closing, receipts for oil and anything else, then video doing the job, getting in odometer and putting a newspaper (dated) in view
Messing up anything would definitely, rightly, void warranty. But if something unrelated went kaput, can't see Triumph would have a leg to stand on.

 

[Rocky]

This isn't going to help at all, but when I bought my 2014 Honda, the owner's manual clearly says you can do the first service yourself. I did it and mostly followed the record-keeping as Solomon explained.
Nine years later, the bike runs like a top and has never needed anything except fresh oil, new tires and the usual service items.
When I bought my '06 Bonneville I took it back to the dealer for first service and in the last 17 years has never needed anything except as above.

This is a tough call considering the problems DoorPosition had with his bike.

 

[mrmvolz]

Yes, our bikes are older now they are 2015, although that’s a BMW, and then our two T1 20s are year 16 and you’re 17 so luckily for us our dealer was still open at that point now we’re just doing as much as we can ourselves. We purchased the manuals and my husband is pretty handy thank goodness the biggest thing is like I hate to do tires so we’re gonna take it somewhere to get new shoes on my bike soon.

 

[solomon]

hate to do tires

Tried that on my weedy 1972 rims. Still, my narrow shoulders weren't strong enough, and my thin frame not heavy enough. Have alloy rims too, so risk of damaging them using tyre levers.

But, hardly costed anything the fitting, had mine done at a (mainly car) tyre shop, ordered the tyres through them online in advance.

 

[Rocky]

I change the tires myself and balance them on my two vintage bikes. I have stainless steel rims, so I use rim protectors and tire levers.
If the hub will allow this gadget to pass through, it's a cinch to push that last bit of the tire over the edge of the rim.

 

[Vector]

Do the service yourself, it does not void the warranty just keep receipts.

 

[solomon]

I change the tires myself and balance them on my two vintage bikes. I have stainless steel rims, so I use rim protectors and tire levers.
If the hub will allow this gadget to pass through, it's a cinch to push that last bit of the tire over the edge of the rim.

View attachment 55068

What's that magical thing? Got a link?

I removed tyres. Had to resort to a hacksaw. ᕙ⁠(⁠☉⁠ਊ⁠☉⁠)⁠ᕗ

 

[Rocky]

No link. Google - No-Pinch Baja Tool.
The old tire has to come off with levers, but putting the new tire on is so easy. Use a bit of soapy water or a tire lube too so it will slide easier., but it works fine without it.
The tool was intended for off-roaders if they have to patch a tube or change a tire. There are videos showing it in action.

 

[solomon]

No link. Google - No-Pinch Baja Tool.
The old tire has to come off with levers, but putting the new tire on is so easy. Use a bit of soapy water or a tire lube too so it will slide easier., but it works fine without it.
The tool was intended for off-roaders if they have to patch a tube or change a tire. There are videos showing it in action.

Just googled. Hell's bells. It's around £200 in UK. I'd never recoup any saved money.

Tyre fitting is free at my local tyre shop, and tyres not really much more than buying somewhere else

 

[shanered6]

Ye i do my own tyres and ballancing , but i raced enduro and one of the elements on a two day event is a timed tyre change for day two .

 

[DoorPosition]

BTW- In the US, if you live near a Cycle Gear they'll mount your tires for 25 bucks each. You have to buy the tires from them and you have change out the actual wheels yourself.

Just passing that along.

 

[Vector]

Tires are one of the few items I pay to have done.

 

[triumph900]

Do the service yourself, it does not void the warranty just keep receipts.

Yep. Buy the oil and filter, read the manual, do the service, it's very simple. Save the receipts and take a picture of the parts before starting. Only issue is the wrench on the lcd display but you have that reset next time you're at dealer.
Or....trade it for a Honda......

 

[Alocke54]

I have a T120 2022 model year. I purchased it in Jan 23, and hit 600 miles a couple months ago. I have parked it because it has to have its first service. I have to go almost 200 miles to get the service. I am retired from the military, so probably have to let it sit until I can get it over for the first service. The economy has killed my retired money. What is the first service and why does it cost so much? I am thinking I should have purchased a Japanese motorcycle the service is not so much money. Do I have to have the first service? is there something else I can do?

I too am retired (USAF) and do all my own servicing. I’ve had HD’s and from new done all the servicing due to cost and my dealer said as long as I kept records, it would be ok to do the servicing myself. I bought the shop manual, watch YouTube videos, and do it all. The only job on the T120 that looks to be a pesky job is the fork oil change. Good luck.