First service at Vines..... any tips?

[Lightrunner]

The bike (R1100S) is going in for it's 6000 mile service at Vines in Guildford. I'm not nearly confident enough to start doing things myself.

Is there anything anyone can suggest I look at / check before / after it's been in. I know that it can be an idea to mark replaceable items before it goes in as it allows you to know that they've been replaced but is there anything else that I should be looking at?

I also need to get a new front tyre. Currently got a 010 front and back, the back's only done 1500 miles and given the weather we've had and me getting to know the bike still looks new. I'd been interested in putting a M6 on the front or is it a bad idea to mix makes of tyre? (I'll not be getting the tyre from Vines - probably go to Guildford Tyres if I can find where they moved to)

I konw this question has been asked before and the responses seem to come back that it was a bad idea and not recommended followed by a list of different combinations that some of you have tried with no ill effects.

Cheers
Andy

[maisytooz]

Guildford tyres are now in Chilworth

[julian]

The service isn't that much - about £180?
OTOH it is a lot for a basic lube, safety check, oil, filter plug change.
Gets expensive when bits like brake pads need replacing.
Worth it for peace of mind if you are still under waranty though.

I do all the S servicing myself but get the dealer to service my KTM because it is still under waranty. It needs servicing every 3k miles at £200 a time = £600/year. I'll do it myself once the 2 year warranty expires.

[RiceBurner]

Stick with the 010's. If you get on with them (I personally don't) there's no reason to change them just cos it's a bit wet and cold.

I've currently got a M1 Sportec on the front of my Rockster and I LOVE it - even in nearly icy conditions it's very good! It seems to be lasting a long time too!

oh - say hi to the guys at Vines from me.... they like me. (probably something to do with having bought 3 bikes in the space of 6 months in 2004. )

[Lightrunner]

cheers for the advice.... I was planning to get it serviced for a while and then look to take it on, at least for the minor ones. Makes sense to leave it with them at least while it's under warranty.

I'm not changing the tyre cause it's wet and cold, it's more to do with the fact that it's old and worn.
I used 010 - 020 on my Bandit for years and was quite happy but I've not had the same happy feeling from the tyres on this bike. I don't know if it's just because I started off with brand new rear and a nearly knackered front or because I just don't like the 010 on the front. From what people have said some of them seem to be getting better distance out of the M6 while still getting good performance. That's why I'd be interested in trying a different tyre - providing mixing manufacturers isn't a drastically bad idea - hence the original question.

I'll pass on your best wishes to Carl and the gang though

[adamski49]

... and was quite happy but I've not had the same happy feeling from the tyres on this bike. I don't know if it's just because I started off with brand new rear and a nearly knackered front or because I just don't like the 010 on the front.

Probably a lot to do with the worn front - they steer a bit strange when worn. I find it starts wandering a bit and extra work is required to hold the line you were aiming for... all adds to the excitement

Also, are you running the right tyre pressures? 010's should be 2.5 bar (36 psi) Front / 2.9 bar (42 psi) Rear as opposed to the BM recommended pressures of 2.2 bar F / 2.5 bar R. They steer a whole lot better when inflated... I should know, I ran a set at BM pressures

As front tyres are relatively cheap I'd get an 010 to match the nearly new rear. It should be a revelation.

HTH

Adam

[Lightrunner]

Ah... I'll have to check the pressures.

How you describe the steering wandering is spot on. I've had a few curious moment that have shaken my confidence a bit. The bike just not responded the way I expected her to. I was worried that I wasn't going to get on with the R but I'll see how I go after the tyre change.