I encourage riders to do their own work, if they are able. If you have the tools, or are willing to get them, and have the time, the benefits go well beyond cost savings.
Honestly, I find that most owners will do a better job than the dealerships. Not always, of course. There are very good dealerships out there that take pride in doing it right. But there are some who don't see customers, they just see dollar signs. I think they give the industry a bad reputation, creating (quite understandably), skeptical, even cynical customers.
We had a gentleman come to the shop with his own oil. No problem, we'll put any suitable liquid into the appropriate location. You are not required to purchase the products we carry. However, in this case, he had purchased an automotive oil that was not designed for a wet clutch.
We informed him, as gently as we could, that we would not put that lubricant in his Spyder, explaining the reason. But he was certain that we were just trying to force our more expensive Amsoil on him.
He got pretty upset, insisting that it was his motorcycle and we should be willing to fulfill his wishes. I was at a loss as to how we might resolve the impasse. Finally, I asked him if he might be able to use his phone and Google the oil he'd purchased to confirm my statements. Then I left him alone in the waiting area. After a bit, he came out, a little sheepishly, apologizing (which was not necessary). And thanking my crew for keeping him from making the mistake.
I told him that he was more than welcome to go just down the street to our nearby Advance Auto store and purchase an appropriate lubricant if he didn't want to go with the Amsoil we provide. But he declined, saying that he now wanted to use whatever we recommended. And all went well from that point on.
We enjoy our customers. And why not? Every interaction is an opportunity to enjoy life and the human experience. Why waste it?
Doing your own work gets you familiar with the machine, increases your confidence and ability to do your own troubleshooting, and there can be a great sense of accomplishment with the gain of knowledge in the doing of it.
Still, it's not for everyone. There are some that we feel like saying, 'Please! Step away from the toolbox!
There should be no feeling of shame in acknowledging realistic limitations and having someone else do the work. There isn't anyone who can do all things well. Many of us are fortunate if we find just one thing that we excel at.
The bottom line is to enjoy the ride. That takes on many and various forms, depending on the individual. But I think we would all agree that few things in life can compare to riding through a sweeping, tree lined curve, on a beautiful day, on a machine that feels just right. Especially if you have someone to share it with. Knowing that moment will live with you forever, and that it can be repeated.
