Hello everyone, First off... This is a killer forum. Can't imagine owing this bike and not having all of this info available. Many thanks to all involved. I do have a question. How important is it to have the first service performed at the dealer??? They want $230 for it. Seems too much for an oil change and having all the bolts tightened, fluids checked, etc.. Am I missing something here? Also, should I wait to do the first oil change at 600 miles? Thanks,

Steve

 

Hey Steve and welcome to the greatest KLX site out there period. I changed oil after the first 20 miles. Then 100, then 200, then at 400 and then at 800. I am spacing it out a little more as time goes on. Probably every 800 - 1000 miles will probably do it. I did the break in from the Mototune site, but you should change it soon, the first couple of oil changes as I am learning will have the most friction wear debris in it. I wonder if Todd can post more information about the controversial break-in methods of the engine. But be warned the issue of the manufacturer's recommended break-in and the Mototune site is a world apart, and will probably start a posting war here, (well at least some interesting discussions)

deej

 

Steve,

It is NOT mandatory to have the first service, or any service, performed at the dealership. However, to keep you warranty in place, you need to keep records, good records, or when all the services were performed. A file with purchase receipts for oil, filters and other consummables along with pictures of the speedometer taken with a camera that will date/time stamp the pictures is always a good thing to have.

As Deej mentioned, early oil changes are a good thing to do. However, I do believe in the first one being as soon as you get the bike home. I like to run the bike nice and easy, keep it from loading or revving high on the way home. Then when I get there, drain the oil, change the oil filter and go riding.

My reasoning for this is that there is more seating in the first 20 to 30 minutes of the engine's operation then in the next several hundred miles. That seating causes lots of metallic particles to be suspended in the oil when you're riding. Why not get it out and get some fresh and clean oil in it's place.

Get yourself some decent tools - torque wrenches, sockets (I recommend 1/4 drive for most of the work), screwdrivers etc and a shop manual. Hey, if they can read - I am assuming this as you are geing charged up to $100 an hour for their abilities - you should be able to read the same information and do the same adjustments. Except for one small item - when you work on your bike, you are very interested in the well-being and safety of the person riding it. Are the techs are the dealership?

Hope this all helps and you join in here and participate.

When do you get it? I'd ask what color, but I already know that! [sm=groupwave.gif]

 

Thanks Deej and Marty. This is a great forum thanks to folks like you.

Steve

 

Steve,

I just noticed you are from Tampa! Not too far from me in central Florida. I'm over in Lake County just south of the sandpile known as The Ocala National Forest! Want to ride sometime? I know the forest trails pretty well!

 

I have been down to Lake Wales and loved that place. We stayed there with my wifes grandparents and had a blast, I went to Vero Beach, Bok Sanctuary, Disney world with the kids, plus the fishing down there is unbelievable. There are lakes every 15 minutes you travel down the road in Central Florida. I was fishing by a stream that fed the Lake were were staying by and I look 5 feet beside me and there is this monstor Alligator just laying there under some shrubbery, kinda scared me at 1st and I slowly moved away, as I was doing this the alligator must have gotten spooked and flew off into the water. It must have been at least 8-10 ft long, so then I jumped in the water to wrestle it like Steve Erwin, just to see what I was made of.

 

Marty, Heck yea, I'd love to ride w/u sometime. I've got 2 sons that would like to join in if thats ok. they r 14 and 16 and have klx125l and suzuki ltz250 quad. let me know. i actually live in brandon, almost plant city so i think its not too far from u

steve