Everything You Should Know About Extended Service Plans
Extended service plans are a mystery to many, but they don’t have to be. We went straight to the source and learned all we could.
Are you planning on buying a new Harley this spring? Extended warranties and service contracts are two of those “add on” purchases that your dealer finance guy will no doubt offer to you.
Let’s face it, at that point in the process, you’ve already picked your bike out, you know what it’s going to cost you. As the finance guy drones on and on, you’re probably going to be looking wistfully out the window, wanting to get out and ride as soon as possible.
However, it may be worth paying attention to his spiel. I recently had a chance to chat with Wally Klock from Discount ESP. They offer discounted extended service plans for your motorcycle, and he explained to me, in great detail, exactly what they do and why one might be a good buy for you.
H-D Forums: What are the benefits of an extended service plan for a motorcycle owner?
Wally Klock: “The biggest benefit of purchasing an extended service plan is peace of mind. Having the knowledge that no matter where you are in the country, that any major mechanical or electrical breakdown will be taken care of, down to the tow to the shop, is huge. If you are traveling, and the breakdown causes you to be down more than a day, you are reimbursed for expenses such as lodging, rentals, and meals.”
That sounds really useful for a touring rider, who rides tens of thousands of miles a year. How about a rider who only puts on a few hundred miles a year? I live in the snowy Northeast, where we only have a few solid months of motorcycling each year. How would their plans differ, if at all?
“Not to overstate the obvious, but someone that tends to put on more miles will definitely reap more benefits from an extended service plan than someone that is a more casual rider. That being said, in my experience in the dealership, I have seen where non-use can cause some costly failures that may not occur when the bike is ridden regularly.
“I guess what I’m saying, is with a complex mechanical machine like today’s motorcycles, you never quite know if a major costly repair could be right around the corner.”
That’s a great point. So, what sort of things are typically covered — and what is typically not covered?
“For Discount ESP, all of our extended service plans are designed to cover basically any mechanical or electrical issue that would normally be covered under your factory warranty. The exceptions to our plans are minimal and are limited to wear items and routine maintenance such as brake pads, tires, belts, hoses, spark plugs, clutch discs, light bulbs, and oil and filters, for example.”
What pitfalls and fine print should you look out for when shopping for coverage?
“The main thing I would ask myself when shopping for a plan is: ‘How well does this plan cover my motorcycle and how I ride it?’ Make sure the plan doesn’t exclude any major components of your bike, such as engine control computers or other electrical equipment. Also make sure common failures such as inner primary seal leaks, or cam chain tensioners are covered. Pay attention to any mileage restrictions.
‘With a complex mechanical machine like today’s motorcycles, you never quite know if a major costly repair could be right around the corner.’
“Also, if you are someone that likes to customize your motorcycle, make sure that your coverage isn’t affected by that. Many plans will only cover you if your motorcycle is stock or nearly stock. We understand riders want to make their bike their own, so we make sure our customers are still covered, even with performance engine upgrades or non-EPA compliant components installed.”
Off the top of my head, I can’t imagine anyone who leaves their bike stock. I’ve got a project bike myself — are there any year or mileage restrictions?
“Yes, there is a model year restriction. We can only offer coverage on motorcycles 2000 model year or newer, and with less than 75,000 miles.”
That’s great news. I never in a million years would have thought this coverage was available for my 36,000-mile 2000 Sportster. Awesome!
Photos: Unsplash
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