Servicing Dilemma

There are some good independent motorcycle workshops who should be able to turn that annoying spanner off for you. For example Paradise Garage in Downham Market used to do it for me some years ago before I got Dealertool. I do my own servicing but use Paradise Garage for tyre changes and MOT's. Highly recommended garage by the way for anyone local (they deal with both bikes and cars with a dedicated motorcycle mechanic who has an extensive knowledge of Triumphs).

 

Yes, you could well be right that late models are now out of reach for independents so it would need a phone call first to confirm if they are up to date with the latest technology. I now have a 25 plate Speed Twin so it looks like I might also have a problem when I come to do my first annual service.

 

If I recall correctly doesn't the post 23 bikes have an extra pin on the OBD jackplug or a different layout/number?

I'm pretty sure I read that somewhere and it's causing a lot of headaches apparently.

It all brings me back to the eternal question; Are new bikes better?

 

My 2024 Scrambler 1200 has also flumoxed Dealer Tool. It worked fine on my previous Street Scramblers (2020 + 2022) so I bought a new vin key for the 1200 as they were "fairly sure" it would work and reset the service reminder bit it does not.
I bought the 1200 in March 24 so it has passed the annual milestone but I reset the date on the clocks so it still thinks it's 2024. I've also done my own servicing for years and intend to carry on doing so. It's a chance you take with the warranty. I'm at around 7500m so I guess the reminder will appear at 10k so I'll just ignore it if no one has come up with a fix to reset it.
I think the lockdown of the ECU's is part of the the Euro 5 emissions bollocks.

 

The problem here is the servicing schedule will be handing them a warranty excuse on a plate, let me explain.

The wife's Skoda Octavia when new was "serviced" ( oil and filter change) at a local small garage. I bought the parts from the main dealer and kept the receipt alleviating one line of excuses.
The garage put it on their diagnostic tool which speaks via the internet, the servicing marker is then updated against the vin number and mileage plus obviously the date.

Hopefully no cop outs are created by the above and the stupid exorbitant servicing prices are avoided.

 

I don't believe there's anything new here regarding warranties and dealer servicing. All the new bikes I've ever bought have stated in the maintenance schedule that servicing must be done by an "authorised" (Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki etc..ect..) dealer. New bikes now come with 2yr warranties of course so I guess you're tied in for an extra year compared to the days of 1yr warranties.
I had warped front discs replaced by Yamaha on my FZR1000 in 1992 at 14months old and out of warranty but that was regarded as a safety issue so they were obviously covering their own a*ses.

 

Just get the dealer to do a basic service and get a reset then carry out all the other works needed yourself

 

They are too wise for that and will want to do the "package"

 

The OBD plug is now 6 pin for new models (was 16 pin). The likes of Dealertool do an adapter but everything cannot still be accessed for some new models. Are new bikes better? In my opinion NO! If it gets to the point where owner servicing is totally locked out then Triumph and me will be parting company and I will probably get a Royal Enfield. If I am not allowed to service my own bike then I won't be riding it. Triumph service technicians are just doing a job (some competently, some not) but for me there is also passion involved when I do my own servicing.

 

@TRIPLE X agreed. You've part answered one of my questions, which is whether or not this is now an industry wide thing or something peculiar to Triumph. All academic to me as I can't afford new or nearly new bikes, but it does smack of forcing the customer, by fair means or foul, into going to the main dealer. Borderline market manipulation, on the face of it....

 

I doubt it as there would have to be a warning of such in the owner's handbook for legal reasons. If the servicing lark stops at just a warning light on the dash then I can live with that, maybe but if the manufacturers start using limp modes and/or some sort of performance limiting algorithm to "persuade" owners to book a dealer service then my days of buying new bikes will end.

 

I did a quick search and found the following. It confirms what my understanding is. But I’m no lawyer


In the UK, motorcycle manufacturers cannot:

• Force owners to use authorised dealers: Manufacturers cannot require owners to have their vehicles serviced only by authorised dealers.
• Restrict access to technical information: Manufacturers must provide technical information, diagnostic tools, and spare parts to independent repair shops, allowing them to service and repair vehicles.

However, manufacturers can:

• Specify servicing requirements: Manufacturers can specify the servicing requirements for their vehicles, including the recommended maintenance schedule and the use of specific parts or materials.
• Require warranty servicing to be done by authorised dealers: If a vehicle is still under warranty, the manufacturer may require that servicing be done by an authorised dealer to maintain the warranty.

Overall, in the UK, consumers have the right to choose who services their motorcycle, and independent repair shops are allowed to access technical information and tools to perform servicing and repairs.

 

I agree with you on the points you have brought up but I have noticed through the years in my experience a lot of suppliers/ manufacturers will allow a VAT registered business to carry out warranty work and servicing without affecting the warranty as long as genuine parts and service intervals are followed as stipulated by manufacturer

 

From an owner's manual.....

"Special tools, knowledge and training are required in order to correctly carry out the maintenance items listed in the scheduled maintenance chart. Only an authorised Triumph dealer will have this knowledge and equipment.
Incorrect or neglected maintenance can lead to a dangerous riding condition. Always have an authorised Triumph dealer carry out the scheduled maintenance of this motorcycle."

A bit of a fib regarding the knowledge and equipment but nowhere in the schedule can I see the word "must" used in relation to dealer only servicing which IMO leaves the door open to independent dealer servicing but not DIY, wether you use OEM spares or not.

 

Never had any problem servicing my bikes. i informed Bulldog Triumph of my wishes and they said fine. All they asked would i use there oil filters which in my eyes was very acceptable. But these day i just prefer to let them do it all and don't mind paying.

 

I don't think you read my reply properly I did mention VAT registered not DIY if the business is VAT registered it has more accreditation than a back street mechanic with a few tools this is why maybe only on second hand machinery with not an actual factory fresh warranty but a good warranty worth the paper it is written on will this be acceptable in case of any come back recalls or something later on that could impact on the bike or car not being maintained to a schedule recognized by the manufacturer and affecting its value and condition

 

Yes, I did read your reply but my post wasn't in reply to yours specifically, just giving my interpretation of the servicing requirements, being a DIY'er for many years.