maint costs

[atypical1]

Yeah, this is a generic question but what are the service intervals and costs for services for Aprilia's? I do two services a year on the Duc. 6k runs around $500 and the 12k runs $1k. Are your costs on par or cheaper than that?

[MisterSmooth]

Yo.

I just had the 6K service done (well, about a month ago).  $251.94 with tax and tip.  

Can't tell you about the 12K service until about October.  

[Sign Guy]

You should see a VERY big drop in your maint. costs. I do everything up to checking the valves on mine (easy if you have any mechanical aptitude). My total money spent for at an Aprilia dealer for bench time is $375.00. The bike just clicked over 26K. Even if you take it in for every oil change you'll still have lots of extra coin for consumables. You can get anything you need from AF1 Racing.

[atypical1]

 

[miles]

James, are you thinking about a Tuono?  Decided that fairings might be overrated?

[atypical1]

We will see. With a baby on the way I need something that costs me less than the Duc does for upkeep. I do love me a Tuono  

But I like the Speed Triple too. But, I gotta sell the Multi first so no real rush.

[miles]

Aaack!  Parenthood setting in!  

[atypical1]

Yeah  

But, it's not like I am giving up riding or anything crazy like that!

[miles]

Nor should you.  You'll definitely need some outlet once the kid comes along.

[miles]

We will see. With a baby on the way I need something that costs me less than the Duc does for upkeep. I do love me a Tuono  

But I like the Speed Triple too. But, I gotta sell the Multi first so no real rush.

You could trade your Multi for an FZ6...  that'd have lower maintenance costs.  Just a thought that popped into my head, that's all.

[MisterSmooth]

Yo, James, something to consider if you buy a Tuono is to have the dealer throw in the first service with the cost of the bike.

When I bought my Tuono, Moto International here in Seattle included the first service (it's only about $150, but even so) and a suspension setup session with their Aprilia whiz.

Nice thing about that is that for the first 6,000 miles you really don't have any costs but tires.  




Unless you stick a nail in your OEM Metzeler Rennsport rear about two weeks into ownership.  That was an unfortunate twist of fate that contributed to my status as a small, bitter man.

[Innocent Criminal]

You could trade your Multi for an FZ6...  that'd have lower maintenance costs.  Just a thought that popped into my head, that's all.

Hey, somewhat new parent (2yo and 2month old) as well as new Aprilia owner (falco).  Don't sell any bike until you have the next one because life will be so hectic you may end up bikeless and you will need a bike for stress relief.  Trust me.

As was mentioned the FZ6 is a good bike, being quick and economical, and very low maint.  The valves go over 20k between checks.

I also happen to have one for sale.  The FZ6 is the perfect bike for me in every way, except that it isn't a bike that I lust after.  I just never connected with it and didn't want to sit in the garage and enjoy a post ride beer while staring at it.

Good luck with the baby and your search for the next bike.  

[MisterSmooth]

...The FZ6 is the perfect bike for me in every way, except that it isn't a bike that I lust after.  I just never connected with it and didn't want to sit in the garage and enjoy a post ride beer while staring at it.

Man, those are honest and perceptive words.  That's really it, isn't it?  Any bike that I buy and ride has to be a bike I take a backward lustful glance at as I walk through the door at the office.

[atypical1]

That's the thing. I really love the Multi. It handles like it is on rails and it always brings a smile to my face. I don't get that from any of the Japanese offerings...thus, Aprilia.

james

[thatguy]

My '04 Tuono has 52K on it.I do all my own maintenance and haven't spent any $$$ out of ordinary maintenance costs.Haven't spent a dime on shims yet.Oil/filter every 4K with synthetic.Lemme see here.............plugs every 10K,tires 4-9K depending,chain #1 @ 14K-#2 @ 27K and still going (soon),upgraded battery @37K,brake pads @40K 'cause I wanted to try out something different.That's about it other than unnecessary items I added.I've adjusted/lubed things along the way when time allows and it has sat for the past couple weeks while other things got in the way of fixing a cam cover leak(you are supposed to replace the gaskets every time but these are the originals     ) and clean up some winter details.I'll go out and start it up and maybe ride it a bit today or tomorrow just 'cause.All in all the best bike I've ever owned and that's not a short list.

[OnlyVees]

I'll put my .02 in. I just had a major service done on my 03 Tuono, cost about $850. But, a lot of work was done- Oil/filter w/ Motul 300V, new rocker cover gaskets, valves adjusted, (2 intake valves were actually out of adjustment) 4 new spark plugs, O2/idle adjusted and a new drive chain. It would have been about $100-150 less, but since they did adjust 2 valves, the cams had to come out.
The flip side is I am still in love with the bike after owning it for 12 months. I also have a little one, she just turned three. Keep your bike. I only get to ride a few times every week, but it keeps me sane.

[atadaskew]

 I do two services a year on the Duc. 6k runs around $500 and the 12k runs $1k.

I'm guessing it's a dealership that's charging you those crazy prices?  Ask around if anyone knows of a good indie shop in your area.  The dood I go to in Signal Hill is half the price of the dealers, with much better work. I pay $700 for a service that the dealers want $1200. This is for my St4s (4V, liquid cooled). Air cooled 2 valve would be a lot less.

[atypical1]

Those are dealer costs. I take my bike to GP who does outstanding work not just on my bike but also provide me support when something big goes wrong with the bike and I need Ducati help. For example, when I was at Pahrump for Star Motorcycle School the nut for the flywheel managed to come off. This messed with my timing causing lots of internal damage (intake and exhaust valves were bent). The bike is out of warranty but as I am a good customer they went to bat for me and got Ducati to pay for the repair. I am not sure I would have gotten that service had I used an independent shop. I just had my warped gas tank repaired under warranty too. So, I am shaky about going to an independent shop yet.

[miles]

+1 on GP.  Everybody I know who uses them is very happy about their customer service, and as a result willing to pay the higher price they charge.  Sometimes it's just worth it.

[OnlyVees]

I just had my warped gas tank repaired under warranty too

Pinched fuel tank vent?

[atypical1]

Pinched fuel tank vent?

No, the tank warped for some other reason. There is speculation that it has to do with the gas formula here in the 'States but I don't know that for sure. The tank is plastic.

[BizJetGuy]

No, the tank warped for some other reason. There is speculation that it has to do with the gas formula here in the 'States but I don't know that for sure. The tank is plastic.

What color is the tank?  There is a theory that dark, plastic tanks don't handle direct sunlight and hot environs as well as their more reflective brethren.

[atypical1]

Red. Thing's only two years old though and lives in a garage.

[BizJetGuy]

Red. Thing's only two years old though and lives in a garage.

Gotcha...

Several Futura's have had a similar issue and a common thread seems to be the black or blue models that have most of the tank warpage.

Sorry to continue the thread jack.

[ksann]

James, Rebel 250. Lower your costs, and you would look great on it.



ken

[miles]

James, Rebel 250. Lower your costs, and you would look great like a circus bear on it.



ken

Fixed that for you.

[atypical1]

James, Rebel 250. Lower your costs, and you would look great on it.



ken

Yeah, I'll get one when you do....

[ktmmiker]

Aprilia's with the Rotax vtwin are among the cheapest performance  bikes to maintain of any, never mind Italian bikes.  Plus, they don't break.
Unless their revved hard ala Mille , Tuono, Falco, Valve check isn't even spec'ed by dealer until 12k and as has been posted, many don't ever seem to need adjusting.

Now the new Aprilia built motors, that seems a different story.