3000 mile oil change just a bit early

[dltang]

Well, I had a decision to make today. I am at 2500 miles on my Spyder which means I will probably be in Valcourt when I get to my 3000 mile mark. Anyway, I decided to get my oil change before the trip instead of going over by that many miles. We were going to do it ourselves but time is getting very precious as we come down to the wire. So up to the dealership I drove to be there when they opened, in hopes that they would squeeze me in. The guys were great. They took it in and I was the first service of the morning. They loved my paint job. I was only charged $67.44 for the job, not bad. That included the new oil filter, not sure about the O ring and I didn't think to ask. I did ask about the oil though. They use Spectro Blue in all their high performance engines. Mike, the owner swears by it. I figure I am still under warranty as I had my work done at the dealership, so for those that think you have to use BRP oil, I guess we don't. Now, other than some more packing I am just about ready to roll.

 

[Derwin]

I was only charged $67.44 for the job...

Wow! It costs that much for an oil change? Heck, I get angry when I can't find a $21.95 oil-change deal for my car, including the filter! Why does it cost so much for the Spyder oil change?

Derwin

 

[dltang]

Wow! It costs that much for an oil change? Heck, I get angry when I can't find a $21.95 oil-change deal for my car, including the filter! Why does it cost so much for the Spyder oil change?

Derwin

Call me crazy, but I didn't think that was too bad. Sure we could have done it a lot cheaper ourselves, but we didn't have the time and I didn't feel like digging in there again. So I guess ultimately I paid for convenience.

 

[Derwin]

Oh. I thought maybe that was a normal charge for an oil change on the Spyder, and it may be. I have no idea. I guess I'll find out when I get mine!

Derwin

 

[SPYMAN]

Call me crazy, but I didn't think that was too bad. Sure we could have done it a lot cheaper ourselves, but we didn't have the time and I didn't feel like digging in there again. So I guess ultimately I paid for convenience.

Some times convenience is like the commercal "Priceless".

That sounds pretty good to me my dealer says they charge 1 hour shop time plus parts & oil "Shop rate $96.00 per hour"

I plan to do my own also but when time is tight you gotta do what you gotta do...

:bigthumbsup: SPYMAN :bigthumbsup:

 

[Derwin]

I guess my question is.....how much is the oil for the Spyder, and how much is the filter?

There have been many times when I was in a bind for time, and I just took my car to the closest place, no matter what the cost. And I was thankful to get the service. My vehicles never needed "oil changes", though. They ate oil like I eat pizza! I was one of those idiots that would run a car until the car spoke to me and said...."hey, fella....I need some oil!" Well, my car never really said it in those many words, I would just hear a bunch of knocking! That was my hint that I was low on oil! ;D

Derwin

 

[daddydarko]

I took my Spyder in yesterday for the 3k oil change and to replace the rear break pad (squeal). They charged me 2 hours of shop time ($145) and covered the cost of the pad under warranty.

I've spent $150 on worse things.

 

[bjt]

Wow! It costs that much for an oil change? Heck, I get angry when I can't find a $21.95 oil-change deal for my car, including the filter! Why does it cost so much for the Spyder oil change?

Derwin

One thing is that a $21.95 oil change is with conventional motor oil and a generic oil filter. The Spyder takes synthetic motor oil and a BRP oil filter. Go to one of the $21.95 oil change places and get their upgrade / name brand oil filter and synthetic oil and it will be at least $50 and maybe more like $70. My previous car was a Cadillac CTS, which required 6 quarts of synthetic motor oil, and $80 is what I paid at a cheap drive through oil change place.

 

[bjt]

My vehicles never needed "oil changes", though. They ate oil like I eat pizza! I was one of those idiots that would run a car until the car spoke to me and said...."hey, fella....I need some oil!" Well, my car never really said it in those many words, I would just hear a bunch of knocking! That was my hint that I was low on oil! ;D

Derwin

:yikes: :yikes: :yikes:

This makes me feel sad for your Spyder.... ;D

 

[Derwin]

:yikes: :yikes: :yikes:

This makes me feel sad for your Spyder.... ;D

Don't worry! I did that when I was young and foolish. Now I'm a bit older........and still foolish! ;D But, seriously, When I get my Spyder, it will be treated like royalty. Heck, I'll treat my Spyder as if it were a woman....maybe even better! ;D

On second thought.....that wasn't a very good statement, was it? :redfaced:

 

[barb36jack31]

You will have $50 in oil, $15 in filter, $8 in O ring and washers. That's $73 before labor. The Spyder is an expensive little lady to maintain. My Honda Shadow Trike was about $4 for oil, $2.5 for filter and I never needed to change the
drain plug washer. Also the change interval was 5000 miles. Before everyone screams at me, I had that trike for about 4 years and over 40K miles on her when I sold. It never used a drop of oil. I think a 3000 mi. interval and the upper end cost of BRP parts is just a part of the "dealer retirement program" . No way it needs to cost like it does.

Jack H.

 

[dltang]

You will have $50 in oil, $15 in filter, $8 in O ring and washers. That's $73 before labor. The Spyder is an expensive little lady to maintain. My Honda Shadow Trike was about $4 for oil, $2.5 for filter and I never needed to change the
drain plug washer. Also the change interval was 5000 miles. Before everyone screams at me, I had that trike for about 4 years and over 40K miles on her when I sold. It never used a drop of oil. I think a 3000 mi. interval and the upper end cost of BRP parts is just a part of the "dealer retirement program" . No way it needs to cost like it does.

Jack H.

My dealer uses Spectro Blue for the oil, my four quarts were only $22.00. He swears by the stuff. That saves a little bit. He is very good, not on the "BRP Retirement Plan" LOL

 

[NancysToy]

You will have $50 in oil, $15 in filter, $8 in O ring and washers. That's $73 before labor. The Spyder is an expensive little lady to maintain. My Honda Shadow Trike was about $4 for oil, $2.5 for filter and I never needed to change the
drain plug washer. Also the change interval was 5000 miles. Before everyone screams at me, I had that trike for about 4 years and over 40K miles on her when I sold. It never used a drop of oil. I think a 3000 mi. interval and the upper end cost of BRP parts is just a part of the "dealer retirement program" . No way it needs to cost like it does.

Jack H.

I think most of the Spyder dealers took lessons from the BMW dealers. Between the costs of the oil and filters there, you are in deep before you add the labor, too. At least my Beemer doesn't take four quarts of an odd viscosity oil.

I was a bit peeved about the 3,000 mile interval, too, compared to 6,000 for my BMWs. Then I realized that this machine has a wet clutch, and a common transmission oil supply. I would be very uncomfortable going farther under those circumstances, no matter how good the oil filtration. Even at these prices, the more frequent changes are cheap insurance.
-Scotty

 

[barb36jack31]

I have been riding Japanese equipment for years with plain old Castrol oil and 5000 mi. change intervals. These were wet clutch machines and never gave me a bit of trouble. I just have an uneasy feeling that I am being taken to the cleaners!

On the other hand, after paying 15K for a machine, maybe I shoultn't flinch at paying $85 for an oil change.

But I do.

Jack H.

 

[Star Cruiser]

I have been riding Japanese equipment for years with plain old Castrol oil and 5000 mi. change intervals. These were wet clutch machines and never gave me a bit of trouble. I just have an uneasy feeling that I am being taken to the cleaners!

I will probably change the oil myself. I wonder how easy it is? I change my own oil/filter in the car and also did it on my V-Star, routinely. I usually change the oil after the FIRST 200miles after break-in. Then at the recommended frequency