[josephdphillips]

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Bob W wrote:

All I am trying to say is you do not need to spend too much money to enjoy riding.

Like others on this board I, too, am a little taken aback by the maintenance costs of riding my '09 Wing. I just got back from Wingstuff for my 12k service -- almost $400 and they tell me I need new tires already -- another $500. Geez! I've had my 2001 Tacoma for 7 years and have only spent $1,000 in all that time on maintenance -- new tires, struts, oil changes, fuel injection cleaning.

Anyway, this won't stop me from enjoying my GL1800 but I am now interested in lowering my maintenance costs, where possible.

You said you got helmets online and that you're a big guy. Me too. My helmet is a XXXL and fits OK, but I am looking for a second one, maybe a shorty. What do you recommend?

Also, what do you think of car tires on an 1800? They're certainly cheaper and last longer, plus I'm no speed demon anyway. What do you think?

 

[josephdphillips]

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Geezerglider wrote:

If you've gotten 12000 miles out of a set of tires (especially the ones from the factory), you've done well. As for routine maintence, I take care of that myself, and IMHO the book schedule is way overboard on most things.

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind. Where can I learn how to change my oil and filter, at least? Is the synthetic oil really $10/qt.?

 

[josephdphillips]

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TitaniumWing wrote

Buy your tires on line, or find a good price on line and have a dealer match it. The Motorcycle Superstore was selling Stones for a little over300, free shipping, I printed it and a local dealer matched it. I take the wheels in and pay to have them mounted as I'm not in to that struggle, but by removing them from the bike, that saves alot of labor. Get a service manual and do most of the service work yourself. Oil & filter changes are very easy, as are a lot of other items - maybe take it in for the valves at 30,000, but you should be able to do the rest.

Thanks. That's good advice. Now I just have to find the service manual.

 

[josephdphillips]

imported post

Thanks for the tips, Bob. There's only so much service I can do, since I have no garage. I'll try changing my own oil at the next interval. For now the high cost of tires is keeping me from riding my Wing every day, as I was. Anyway, thanks again.