Extended Warranties
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 815
From: Middle America
I can't remember where I originally read/heard this, but new Harleys are traded in at an average of 4 years (I traded my '15 XL1200X after 2 years). I didn't buy the ESP with my 48, but I did with my FLS, and I bought a 4 year. I'm pretty sure I'll have a Slim at least that long, and if I do trade it in, it'll prob be for a Deluxe.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,469
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
Yeah, based on what I've been reading about their problems, not surprised it didn't last.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
actually, they offered a 3 year esp on top of their 2 year warranty. not a true 5 year warranty.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,032
From: Carlsbad, CA
Extended warranties like insurance, are a bet against the company. The premiums are developed by statisticians and reliability engineers that develop the premium costs based upon historical data. And the premiums ensure the company comes out significantly ahead.
When you buy an insurance policy or extended warranty, you are betting the company you will have more claim$ than their well paid professionals predicted. On the average...you lose.
When you buy an insurance policy or extended warranty, you are betting the company you will have more claim$ than their well paid professionals predicted. On the average...you lose.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 673
From: Rolla
Extended warranties are just like gambling, with the warrantee company being the casino. You are betting the item is going to fail before the warrantee expires. The company is betting it's going to last. Your betting odds are not in your favor, just like a casino. The companies have data they use to weight the odds in their favor. That's how those insurance companies make millions, just like casinos.
I call them a crap shoot. If you've ever played craps, you'll understand the concept.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,469
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
Extended warranties like insurance, are a bet against the company. The premiums are developed by statisticians and reliability engineers that develop the premium costs based upon historical data. And the premiums ensure the company comes out significantly ahead.
When you buy an insurance policy or extended warranty, you are betting the company you will have more claim$ than their well paid professionals predicted. On the average...you lose.
When you buy an insurance policy or extended warranty, you are betting the company you will have more claim$ than their well paid professionals predicted. On the average...you lose.
If you only ride an "average" number of miles per year, you have a 50-50 chance of not saving any money on your ESP vs just paying the repair costs out of your pocket.
If you ride 1,000 miles a year you're just throwing money down the toilet.
If you ride 25,000 miles per year, you've got a pretty good chance of coming out ahead. If you replace the steering head bearing in the third year of ownership, you just became a winner.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 5,220
From: Michigan
If you don't put a lot of miles on your bike, chances are you will not likely need the ESP. However, if you do ride a lot, I personally think it's a good insurance policy.
I opted for the 7 year + tire and wheel ESP on my '13 CVO Ultra.
So far, all I've needed is a voltage regulator. which took less than an hour to repair and cost me $50 and I was on my way.
Without the ESP this would have been over $250, which I could have handled.
However, if I had lost an engine or a transmission, two or three GRAND is a little more to come up with on a trip unless you have a major credit card (which of course I do) or a pocket full of money!
The best time to get the ESP is when you buy your bike (or soon afterwards) as the price can increase in time.
I opted for the 7 year + tire and wheel ESP on my '13 CVO Ultra.
So far, all I've needed is a voltage regulator. which took less than an hour to repair and cost me $50 and I was on my way.
Without the ESP this would have been over $250, which I could have handled.
However, if I had lost an engine or a transmission, two or three GRAND is a little more to come up with on a trip unless you have a major credit card (which of course I do) or a pocket full of money!
The best time to get the ESP is when you buy your bike (or soon afterwards) as the price can increase in time.