Maintenance....new owner

[TheBestJY]

I am new to the  world of motorcycles but have landed myself an '04 monster 620. It has about 11,800 miles it and am curious as to the maintenance. I called around and the local shop said i should do the belts and valves (oil too but i did that myself) for around $750.

Which brings me to my question, how critical is that maintenance? Could i throw on 500- 1000 miles on it and just do the maintenance at the beginning of next season?

[captinRob]

first off welcome to two wheels, and to dmf, well you are close to the 12000 mile service and just as you should with a car you should do with a motorcycle doing routine maintenance will save you money in the long run. the valves are due for adjustment every 6K miles and the belts ever 12k or 2 years what ever comes first, if your handy with wrench, those things are not to hard to do your self. if I was you I would do the belts and the valve adjustment, the price might hurt now but it will keep you happy in the long run. 

ride safe

[Ddan]

The spec on belts is 12,000 miles or 2 years, if you don't have records of when they were changed then you should do that now.  A broken belt will cost you at least bent valves while new ones are around $100 and a few hours time.  The valves can wait.

[seevtsaab]

The spec on belts is 12,000 miles or 2 years, if you don't have records of when they were changed then you should do that now.  A broken belt will cost you at least bent valves while new ones are around $100 and a few hours time.  The valves can wait.

What he said.
You can probably beat the $100 price for belts thru sponsors here, they are easy to change and tension, one tip is to immobilize the cam pulleys
(single outer pulleys) - I use longer screws in place of the short ones you might find in the belt housing. Good luck and safe riding.

[TheBestJY]

Thanks guys it looks like i should definitely get the belts done promptly before i put too much more stress on them given i don't know their condition.

The valves on the other hand; can they wait?