Comments on: Being green, the real cost http://thelondonbiker.com/blog/2010/02/being-green-the-real-cost/ Matthew Cashmore, a Part-time International Adventurer. Sun, 06 May 2012 03:06:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Patrick http://thelondonbiker.com/blog/2010/02/being-green-the-real-cost/#comment-209 Patrick Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:34:59 +0000 http://www.thelondonbiker.com/blog/?p=437#comment-209 Nice work with the home servicing Matthew! That's something anyone should be able to do though - qualified mechanic or not- if anything it helps in keep an eye on the bike in general. There's a time factor involved of course however I think you've got it spot on with leaving the major stuff to a workshop and taking care of the minor things yourself. Obviously it depends on the complexity of the machine but even changing filters and plugs saves a packet on the servicing. Nice work with the home servicing Matthew! That’s something anyone should be able to do though – qualified mechanic or not- if anything it helps in keep an eye on the bike in general.

There’s a time factor involved of course however I think you’ve got it spot on with leaving the major stuff to a workshop and taking care of the minor things yourself.

Obviously it depends on the complexity of the machine but even changing filters and plugs saves a packet on the servicing.

]]> By: mattcashmore http://thelondonbiker.com/blog/2010/02/being-green-the-real-cost/#comment-208 mattcashmore Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:33:28 +0000 http://www.thelondonbiker.com/blog/?p=437#comment-208 Very good point there sir and one I've considered - I have the XT660 - so a nice 6k interval - but I'm only putting in two garage services (major) per year as the minor services I do myself, that's the joy of being a qualified mechanic. In theory I could also do (and used to on the CBF) the major services, but I'm trying to be realistic and having 2 services in the bag money wise seems sensible. So that's 4 services per year, 2 major, 2 minor allowing for 24k per year - which I think should be enough. m Very good point there sir and one I’ve considered – I have the XT660 – so a nice 6k interval – but I’m only putting in two garage services (major) per year as the minor services I do myself, that’s the joy of being a qualified mechanic. In theory I could also do (and used to on the CBF) the major services, but I’m trying to be realistic and having 2 services in the bag money wise seems sensible.

So that’s 4 services per year, 2 major, 2 minor allowing for 24k per year – which I think should be enough.

m

]]> By: AndyI http://thelondonbiker.com/blog/2010/02/being-green-the-real-cost/#comment-207 AndyI Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:08:45 +0000 http://www.thelondonbiker.com/blog/?p=437#comment-207 Not sure what bike you're using, but surprised you've budgeted only 2 services a year when you're going from Bucks to London. As you know, I'm in St Albans, only just outside London and I do 12k a year - or 3 services. I'm on a Honda which has the pretty standard 4k service interval for bikes. You may have a Yamaha, Triumph or BMW in which case you're lucky with 6k intervals. I guess another thing to bear in mind is that every 16k (or so, depending on bike), you've got the valve clearance service which generally costs between 350-800 (i.e. significantly more). Of course, it's always better to commute by bike anyway! Not sure what bike you’re using, but surprised you’ve budgeted only 2 services a year when you’re going from Bucks to London.

As you know, I’m in St Albans, only just outside London and I do 12k a year – or 3 services. I’m on a Honda which has the pretty standard 4k service interval for bikes. You may have a Yamaha, Triumph or BMW in which case you’re lucky with 6k intervals.

I guess another thing to bear in mind is that every 16k (or so, depending on bike), you’ve got the valve clearance service which generally costs between 350-800 (i.e. significantly more).

Of course, it’s always better to commute by bike anyway!

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