Would like help/advice
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
I would not buy the warranty.
Harley and the dealers profit well from these warranties...
how they do it is by knowing that for the five years following your standard 2 year warranty period they know that it is very unlikely for you to actually need 1859 dollars worth of work that would be covered under the warranty!
Yes there are a few out there who do benefit from the warranty but by and large most do not...
also if financing you get to pay interest on that money as well...
The house always wins.
Harley and the dealers profit well from these warranties...
how they do it is by knowing that for the five years following your standard 2 year warranty period they know that it is very unlikely for you to actually need 1859 dollars worth of work that would be covered under the warranty!
Yes there are a few out there who do benefit from the warranty but by and large most do not...
also if financing you get to pay interest on that money as well...
The house always wins.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,722
Likes: 7
As Rounder says, it's a gamble. Like any other insurance, they are going to take in more money than they pay out. My dealer didn't push it and I didn't ask for it. My philosophy on extended warranties is to never buy them on anything - TV's, appliances, cars, bike, etc. Sooner or later, something is going to bite me. But chances are, I'll still come out ahead in the long run all things considered.
Also, if you intend on modifying your bike like most of us do, be sure the dealer doesn't have a problem, from a warranty perspective, with you doing the work yourself or having someone other than them do it. If they are just going to cop out on the warranty later on if they find something was done by someone other than them, what good is it? I've heard of dealers trying to trap people in by telling them they can add on certain parts, such as pipes, etc. as long as the dealer does the install. Otherwise, they won't stand behind it. I would run, not walk, from such a dealer.
Also, if you intend on modifying your bike like most of us do, be sure the dealer doesn't have a problem, from a warranty perspective, with you doing the work yourself or having someone other than them do it. If they are just going to cop out on the warranty later on if they find something was done by someone other than them, what good is it? I've heard of dealers trying to trap people in by telling them they can add on certain parts, such as pipes, etc. as long as the dealer does the install. Otherwise, they won't stand behind it. I would run, not walk, from such a dealer.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
I got my FXDLI for $1000 below MSRP back in 2006. You should be able to get at least that in today's market. As for the warranty......I have had 3 on various vehicles & boats. Never recouped the $$ on any of them. $1,800.00 will cover a lot of maintenence & repairs after your 2 year complete warranty expires.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 3
From: Sasser, GA
Dang, I never knew Alabama had such low sales tax, and I only live an hour or so from the state line. It's 7% here (S.W. GA). I agree that you should be able to do a little better than retail, even if it's just a store credit. They run $1,000 merch. credit specials here regularly.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 615
Likes: 4
From: Hugoton, Kansas
definitely do some shopping around, check with other dealers, when I bought my sporty 2 years ago I got the deal i wanted by letting my "home" dealer know what id found elsewhere. im on a fat bob now, did the same thing and got a good price out the door. take your time, the right deal will come.
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Mobile, Alabama
Thanks for all the replies so far. I have the "fever" but I am not in a hurry. It usually takes me 2-3 months to get the deal I want on a new truck, so I'll apply the same principals. I'll be sure and ask about the store credits, see if they will throw in a few complimentary services, free extended warranty, etc... I'll make 'em work hard for my cash 
Thanks again,
Rob
Thanks again,
Rob
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,722
Likes: 7
Thanks for all the replies so far. I have the "fever" but I am not in a hurry. It usually takes me 2-3 months to get the deal I want on a new truck, so I'll apply the same principals. I'll be sure and ask about the store credits, see if they will throw in a few complimentary services, free extended warranty, etc... I'll make 'em work hard for my cash
Thanks again,
Rob
Thanks again,
Rob
I don't know about the dealers down there but all of the ones up here post their specials on their websites. Find the sites, save them, and check them periodically to see if they have any offers out there.
I bought from a dealer in late 06 that didn't charge extra fees and crap but they didn't offer any incentives either. They told me they normally do business that way vs. jacking up the costs with fees so they could "give" you something back as an incentive. 2 months later they were advertising a free extended warranty (not 5 years), free first service, and $500 worth of in store credit with the purchase of a new bike - go figure.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post