How to Service Your Bike on a Budget

Servicing doesn’t have to cost the Earth, even if you want to do it well. As well as attempting DIY servicing, there are various ways to keep your servicing costs low without jeopardising the condition of your bike. 

Let’s get into how. 

Choose the Right Garage

While it’s often tempting just to go to the nearest garage to you, that’s not always the best course of action. If sticking to a budget is your top priority, it’s a good idea to shop around. Independent dealers can sometimes be cheaper than main dealers, for example.

Seek out garages with loyalty cards, discounts, or low labour costs, but check for a good reputation, too, with the help of online reviews.  

Bundle Jobs to Save on Labour Costs

Often, when you get your bike serviced, a huge part of the price is made up of labour costs. In order to reduce how much you have to pay in labour, try and bundle the jobs you need doing all at once. That way, even though you’ll have to pay for the parts and other aspects of the job, you’ll only have to cover labour costs. 

It’s also worth asking about fixed-price servicing packages. Some garages offer discounts for full services compared to booking each job separately.

Buy Your Own Parts (If Possible)

Now, bear in mind that not every garage allows this. But, some mechanics allow you to buy your own parts and bring them in for the mechanic to use, meaning you’ll only have to pay labour costs, cutting down the price significantly. 

You can supply your own oil, filters, and pads, just as long as you run this by the garage in advance. You’ll save up to 50% by buying directly because the garage will put further costs on top of the cost of the part. Check online retailers for the best prices. 

Keep on Top of Regular Servicing

By keeping on top of regular servicing, you can actually save money in the long run. Sure, small repairs do cost money, but spending a little can save you a lot later on. By keeping on top of small repairs, you can keep your bike in better condition for longer, which will reduce the amount you’ll need to spend on bigger issues or even prevent these issues from coming up in the first place. 

Attempt DIY Servicing for Easy Tasks

Now, we’re not suggesting that all bike servicing can be done at home - most of it should be left to the pros. But there are some simple tasks you can attempt at home if you’re practically minded, saving the money you’d spend at a garage on labour costs.

Easy DIY jobs you can do to save money include oil and filter changes, chain cleaning and adjustment, air filter cleaning, spark plug inspection, and coolant and brake fluid top-ups. If you’re not 100% on what you’re doing, YouTube has some handy tutorials aimed at a range of bike models. 

Avoid Unnecessary Work

Although it sounds obvious to avoid paying for unnecessary work, some garages will encourage you to pay for things you don’t really need by suggesting extra work during a service. 

If they suggest extra work during a service, ask them to explain why it’s needed and whether it can wait, especially if you’re hoping to work to a budget. For example, a slightly worn tyre might not need changing right away if you’re not planning long rides.

It’s always a good idea to acquaint yourself with what is really expected at each service with an online checklist, so you don’t end up getting more than you need. 

Buy a High-Quality Bike

The obvious way to save money on costs in the long run is to start by buying a high-quality bike. By purchasing a new or used bike from a reputable online provider like BigMoto, you can enjoy peace of mind that your bike will be sold in the condition as described. 

Not only does BigMoto sell new bikes, but the used bikes are also heavily vetted and inspected by our team to ensure they’re in good nick. 

Time It Smartly

Planning ahead can help you avoid peak pricing when it comes to servicing costs. For example, avoiding summer is a good idea because workshop prices tend to be highest during high demand. 

Garages are quieter midweek, so booking services during this time can also make your servicing cheaper, as can booking your bike in for a look before it fails, not waiting until you urgently need repairs. 
Servicing your bike doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. By following these tips and investing in a good bike to begin with from BigMoto, you can keep your servicing costs to a minimum without jeopardising the condition of your bike.