Hello everyone. I've been monitoring the forums since picking up my Street Bob a month or so ago. I greatly enjoy the content and advice. I had been planning to introduce myself on a lighter note, but here goes.

I dropped my bike off at the local HD dealer on Saturday for the required 1k check-up, which was scheduled for Monday morning. My bike had 850 miles. This was in preparation for a 10 day vacation to begin Friday, during which I was planning to ride my bike the entire time.

As most places experienced here on the east coast, we received alot of rain. Well on Monday afternoon I found out the HD dealer had been flooded. At that time I was told no bikes were damaged, but they needed a day or two to clean-up their shop. Worried for sure, but somewhat relieved no bikes were impacted. After a follow-up call on Tuesday and Wednesday, I finally was able to talk with the service manager and found out that bikes were in-fact damaged. Later that day I found out mine was impacted, water up to the bottom of the AC. There was no trace of water in the engine/tranny fluids, but they were going to pull and re-pack the axles just to be sure. Thursday they work on it and later in the day I inquire, hoping to pick it up. All was done I was told, they just needed to perform the test ride - that would be done Friday morning. This morning rolls around and I inquire whether I could pick-up. I was told the tech. was about to perform the ride. He had been delayed, for he had to pull the electronics, check them out and re-grease the connections. About 30 mins later, I get the dreaded call that the damage was worse than expected - they had found water in the transmission and more time was required to flush, etc.

Since my vacation had already been delayed, at this point I ask for the store manager. I explain the above and inquire about insurance options on their policy's behalf. I explain this was practically a brand new bike with 850 miles, $~1200 work of installed cosmetic accessories and that I wasn't going to settle for a rebuilt bike, which sure, might run great for a year, but down the road, what else could be wrong. The only way I would feel comfortable was truly knowing once and for all the extent of my damage and in having the warranty extended on their behalf. He declined to discuss the later option, so at that point I asked for no further work to be done until I could obtain advice from my insurance agent, attorney and/or folks like you.

HD has been nothing but first class in all my years of association. Yes, the dealer is working with me as you can read above, but I don't feel like they are putting themselves in my shoes in this situation. This was a brand new bike, on which I've spent many hours installing accessories. All before my planned vacation, which is now ruined. Of course we haven't even discussed the cost of the work done thus far, so I have no clue if they are covering or instead charging me (of course I'll cover the 1k service as were my initial intentions).

My question to you all is, have any of you been in a similar situation? If so, any advice you'd give a guy like me? I'm now working with my insurance agent to uncover how they can help. They have been very very helpful in the past 2hrs of working with them. Based upon the above week of uncertainly, I don't feel confident in the extent of the damage - every time I think I find out the scope of damage, it gets worse.

One closing, positive note - the V&H Big Shots Stgd pipes, PCIII and SE A/C were all still here at my house, to be installed today, on my first day of vacation. Luckily they weren’t damaged!

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the dealer has insurance i think they owe u an new bike ..but i dont think it will be that easy i am sure they dont want to make a claim so u might have to make the calls yourself to find out what u need to do. water in the transmission and engine is not good and u will have nothing but problems in the future . flushing a trans will not work the the glue on the clutches will dissolve in water . i think u need to call your insurance company and lawyer like u stated also ask them for there insurance company's phone # i would not settle for an extended warranty it was in the dealers hands at the time this making it there responsibility to make sure your bike is safe and protected. make sure u keep a log of all the calls,times,dates, names of who u talk to and whats said.

 

I dunno jack, but would seem to me that THEIR insurance should cover everything. THEY were responsible for it while at THEIR premises. If it were me, I'd do all I could to press whomever (lawyers/insurance agents/dealer) fo a BRAND NEW scoot. Then I would fall on the floor and kick and scream if they gave me any $hit about it...

 

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don't mean to laugh -- this is a bad situation for MRM and even worse because it's ruined his vacation -- but the visual of a grown man doing this cracked me up!

 

Gotta agree. Your bike it now eligible for a flood salvage title. Have their insurance company deal with it.

 

Don't take the bike back and do what all these guys have said and demand a new scoot! You are not going have a motorcycle during your vacation, and maybe even longer than that! I know that sucks, but sh*t happens, as long as you become satisfied like you were before this happened.

 

yup. salvage title it is. i would have THEM buy me a new bike. get a lawyer involved as others have stated.

 

What state are you in..? Penn..? What does your State Attorney General Office classify as flood damaged..? I would think it would be classified as a total loss, based on the amount of time the motorcycle sat unrecovered in the flood waters... I wouldn't suggest having your policy covering it... Their business is covered by insurance, they'll try to minimize their loss by doing what their doing... letting you off cheaply.... Nice dealer or not, money is the reason their in business their not out to make friends... Stick to your guns you want a new bike...
Warranty promises are great until you break down somewhere where it doesn't do you any good.. Go Get Them...

 

Settle for nothing less than a new bike including the work you have already done. Good luck, but be prepared for a fight.

 

You can bet the Stealer called his insurance company right away to file a claim for all his losses as well and you can bet he won't settle for repaired tools that got damaged for instance. They owe you a new bike with the mods you had on it! Their insurance company may have been there the first day or so and taken pics which may be something you could get your hands on so you could see first hand what it looked like. I wouldn't take the bike off there premises unless it came with a life time warranty. good luck either way! mojo