How Often Should You Service a Motorbike?
Over the past few months, we have looked at the servicing of your car and servicing of your van. What happens when you need your motorbike serviced though and is it any different?
The frequency with when you need to service may be the same but what makes up the service is likely different. Here, we look at how often you should service your motorbike so that when you decide to make your motorbike finance purchase you know exactly what to keep an eye on.
Types of motorbike service
As with the car and van servicing there are a couple of different types of service that help keep your motorbike roadworthy. It is commonly suggested that a service takes place on a motorbike every 2500-4000 miles or every 6 months. However, there is nothing wrong with booking one in sooner if you feel there may be something wrong with your bike.
Points to consider for servicing your motorbike
Some things to consider when deciding whether your bike needs a service are:
- How often it is used
- How fast you ride it!
- The CC of the bike
- Its previous history and current status
- Its condition-did you buy it new or used?
Interim motorbike service
Just like with a car or a van, an interim service allows a mechanic to carry out important checks that allow your bike to hit the road. By staying on top of the service history, you can increase the lifespan of the bike and avoid increased costs in the future.
Included in an interim motorbike service
Some garages differ but commonly you will find the following checked on an interim service.
- Pistons
- Cables
- Levers
- Headlights
- Wheel bearings
- Tyre pressure
- Chain function
- Brake calipers
- Pivots
Along with these, an oil change and an oil filter change will most likely take place too. A road test will also be carried out and you may find the battery and exhaust inspected as well.
The price of the interim service can vary per garage, and many will charge based on the CC of the bike. A motorbike under 250CC may cost up to £100 whereas a bike up to 1000CC might cost around £150.
Full motorbike service
The full service is much more in depth and will normally take place every 12 months. If at any time you believe there to be a problem with your bike in between scheduled services, you should contact your garage for them to give it an inspection. Along with all the items checked during an interim service, a full service will also have the following checked or installed:
- Fuel hose
- Suspension
- Spark plugs
- Air filter
- Steering
- All fastenings
- Front forks
- Throttle and clutch
The list of items checked on a full service is not exhaustive and some garages will be more stringent than others. We advise you ask what is in included prior to booking.
The costs of a full service will vary on the CC of the motorbike but as a guide you can expect to pay up to £130 for a bike under 250cc and about £200 for a bike over 1000CC. These prices are guides though and some people have paid considerably more for their motorbike to be serviced.
Major motorbike service
At some garages, a major service is offered. This covers a full service plus a few extras. A major service will almost certainly help when an MOT comes around as many of the potential issues would have been picked up and fixed. Often included in major services are removing and cleaning brake calipers and flushing the hydraulic system.
The costs associated with a major service again vary depending on the CC of the motorbike. Expect to pay between £150-£200 for a smaller bike and £250-£300 for a more powerful motorbike.
Motorbike service costs
As mentioned earlier, all services vary in cost dependent on engine size. As a guide, you can expect to pay the following for a service.
| Engine Size | Interim Service | Full Service | Major Service |
| Up to 250CC | £100 | £130 | £150 |
| 250-600CC | £130 | £160 | £200 |
| Up to 1000CC | £150 | £200 | £250 |
*Please note these prices are all approximate and will vary per garage
Once your service is complete, there may be several faults picked up by the mechanic. Depending on their severity will determine the cost. A common misconception is that a service includes the repairs. It doesn’t. Bear this in mind when booking your service as a total bill can soon add up.
Helpful hints
The costs associated with a service can soon add up but by keeping an eye on a few small things, you can avoid a large bill when that service is due:
- Log your service history so you know when the next one is due. Maybe log it on your phone!
- Keep an eye on your mileage – a service is recommended every 2500-4000 miles or 6 months, whichever is sooner. Watching that milometer will give you a good idea of when to take your bike in.
- Shop around. The prices we have shown here are not promised and will vary between garages. You can also find out what each garage includes in their service programmes.
- Using a manufacturer authorised dealer isn’t a requirement but will help when it comes to selling as a potential buyer will see a full dealer history.
If you are looking to secure motorbike finance, our experts at Euphoria Finance can guide you in the right way to getting you the bike you want. Every motorbike that we supply passes stringent tests so you can ride away safely the moment you purchase.
So, whether it is used motorbike finance you are looking for or perhaps you have been turned down for finance before, the Euphoria finance team can get you on the road in no time. Contact us today for a free quote
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