Regardless of the manufacturing quality, all motorcycles break down at some point.

Just like your car, motorcycles require regularly scheduled maintenance like oil and fluid changes. Also, motorcycles require major scheduled maintenance.

Sometimes, you’ll hop on your cruiser or sport bike and the thing just won’t start.

Now, here’s an important tip. In most cases, it’s perfectly OK to take your bike to your local motorcycle mechanic to get most minor repairs and some major repairs accomplished. In many cases, a local mechanic can do the same work faster and cheaper than a motorcycle dealer while achieving the same result.

Here’s the great thing that local mechanics can do that most dealers will not. Local mechanics often will let you hang out and watch them repair your bike. In many situations, they will explain to you exactly what they think the problem is, tell you what needs to happen to repair the mishap, and allow you to watch them work.

This is a huge benefit and an important part of riding motorcycles. Even if you have no intention of doing any motorcycle repairs yourself (like me) it’s important to understand the nuances of motorcycle repair. If you ever have to go to the dealer unexpectedly or utilize another mechanic in a pinch, you are not completely at the mercy of whatever they tell you.

However, your motorcycle dealer should definitely be part of your motorcycle repair team. Major repairs should be done by certified dealers who can also provide service guarantees. That way, your motorcycle investment is protected.

Remember, an informed biker is the best biker. Next time you go to see your mechanic for scheduled maintenance, take a few hours, hang out in the shop, and ask lots of questions. Knowledge is power.

I also went to the motorcycle dealer from time to time too. Not that I didn’t trust my guys, I just needed to make sure my bike was getting the best care possible. No mechanic is beyond a second opinion.

Now that I own a Harley, I plan on utilizing my local Harley Davidson dealer much more in the overall maintenance of my bike. This will add to my motorcycle maintenance costs but in the long run, it will be worth it. I plan on owning my Harley for a long time and it is worth the added expense.

I’m not saying that anyone should give up their local mechanic. Many of these guys are experts at maintaining motorcycles. It’s just that motorcycle dealers offer some benefits that smaller mechanics cannot.

Here’s why the motorcycle dealer can be your friend.

Experience: Certified motorcycle dealers only utilize mechanics that have passed rigorous tests proving their proficiency. You can rest assured that only an expert will touch your bike.

Knowledge: By working on a limited range of bikes, dealer mechanics accumulate specific knowledge that smaller mechanics may not have about upgrades, maintenance, and specific problems.

Access to Parts: With a dealer, you’ll never have to worry about them using sub-standard parts to make an extra buck or two.

Access to other motorcycle owners: Even going to the dealership to hang out is a good idea. You’ll be able to talk to other bike owners who can share their knowledge and experiences with you.

Guarantees: Smaller dealers may not honor their work and may not offer the level of guarantees that larger dealers can. As repairs can be very expensive, it’s important to protect your investment.