Global Maintenance Records Database Needed
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 156
Likes: 81
From: Ocala Florida
Global Maintenance Records Database Needed
I want to be honest and upfront here, the biggest complaint I have are these independent dealers, if I have work on my motorcycle done at dealer A and then go to dealer B and they cant tell me what was done to my motorcycle???
When I go to my local dealer the big sign out front says Harley Davidson, not Joe Bobs bike shop. I rode BMW motorcycles for 30 years and all the dealers service records are connected by global computer system based on the vehicle VIN number.
This is 2019 and not 1932 and there is no excuse why when these dealers who choose to sell the Harley brand, shouldnt be linked by a corporate computer system so their customers can feel at ease knowing if I have an issue in a different state, I know they can access my maintenance records for warranty work.
I have let the Harley corporate folks know how I feel and I think a lot of it goes on deaf ears. The problem with ignoring this is that a lot of new younger folks are now starting to look at and are buying into the Harley brand and they are used to how Honda and the other manufacturers are doing things and are not going to accept the current system. Just my two cents worth.
When I go to my local dealer the big sign out front says Harley Davidson, not Joe Bobs bike shop. I rode BMW motorcycles for 30 years and all the dealers service records are connected by global computer system based on the vehicle VIN number.
This is 2019 and not 1932 and there is no excuse why when these dealers who choose to sell the Harley brand, shouldnt be linked by a corporate computer system so their customers can feel at ease knowing if I have an issue in a different state, I know they can access my maintenance records for warranty work.
I have let the Harley corporate folks know how I feel and I think a lot of it goes on deaf ears. The problem with ignoring this is that a lot of new younger folks are now starting to look at and are buying into the Harley brand and they are used to how Honda and the other manufacturers are doing things and are not going to accept the current system. Just my two cents worth.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 156
Likes: 81
From: Ocala Florida
They should have been able to type the VIN number in at the service desk and showed any repairs or maintenance that had been performed at ANY Harley dealer, you should not have to call anyone.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,065
Likes: 5,320
Its not just about a warranty issue, my friend wanted to buy a used one from a local dealer and asked if they had the maintenance records for the bike and the dealer said the bike came from out of state and you would have to call the local dealer there and find out what was done to the bike, if anything was?
They should have been able to type the VIN number in at the service desk and showed any repairs or maintenance that had been performed at ANY Harley dealer, you should not have to call anyone.
They should have been able to type the VIN number in at the service desk and showed any repairs or maintenance that had been performed at ANY Harley dealer, you should not have to call anyone.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 156
Likes: 81
From: Ocala Florida
Well, I'm not doubting what your friend told you and I have no first-hand experience, but I have to believe there is a way to check dealer maintenance records on the MoCo's database. How else is a dealer going to know if an out-of-state bike is under warranty or not? Surely, they don't call the local dealer to find out.
But, as far a regular and routine maintenance such as oil changes, I have had to call the local dealer where the bike was originally serviced. Back to my original point. This is just what myself and many of my other Harley friends have experienced.
I just bought a 2016 Tri Glide from my local dealer and asked if there was any factory warranty left and being their wasnt any, I had to buy the Harley ESP extended warranty plan. But they couldnt tell me if the bike had had any routine service done, I had to call the dealer in Florida where the bike came from and they told me it had just had a 10k service and I was all set.
I shouldnt have had to call anyone, that should have showed up at my local dealers service department when they typed in the VIN? But the only thing they can see is if any recalls are due and if the bike is under the factory warranty or an ESP plan, back to my original post.
Last edited by bakron1; Apr 27, 2019 at 09:22 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,065
Likes: 5,320
Yeah, sorry, I misread your original post. I can't think of any reason that should prevent dealer service records from being available in a global database. Like you said, it's 2019 not 1932. Just more evidence of how much the MoCo is behind the times.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 156
Likes: 81
From: Ocala Florida
Yeah, hopefully they will make some future changes and it will become a non issue. Time will tell.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2018
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From: Ft. Wayne IN
Just my view but tracking all maintenance done by dealers is BS when you consider that MANY do their own maintenance or use indy shops. How is a dealer maintenance database going to track that? This is why I record all maintenance work in the owner's manual. I also keep a spreadsheet on my computer of work done. Buy one of my bikes and you will get my maintenance, modification and repair records for it.
Even if there were a universal HD service record database, the dealers would have to use it. When a local dealer did the 1000 mile service on my 2017 XL1200T in Oct-2017, they did not record the service in my manual. I made them do it. They messed up and used the wrong gasket on the primary chain inspection cover. Oil leaked and they had to come 30 miles to pick up the bike. They never recorded that repair in their records, either. If they don't keep their own records or use the owner's manual, how can we expect them to use some central registry database?
After the above leak issue, I got a service manual and did my own maintenance. Don't trust dealers to do it right or record it correctly.
Even if there were a universal HD service record database, the dealers would have to use it. When a local dealer did the 1000 mile service on my 2017 XL1200T in Oct-2017, they did not record the service in my manual. I made them do it. They messed up and used the wrong gasket on the primary chain inspection cover. Oil leaked and they had to come 30 miles to pick up the bike. They never recorded that repair in their records, either. If they don't keep their own records or use the owner's manual, how can we expect them to use some central registry database?
After the above leak issue, I got a service manual and did my own maintenance. Don't trust dealers to do it right or record it correctly.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
I have a three ring binder that I record all maintenance, repairs, service work and accessories in. I record all this along with any comments and personal notes. I also record all my fuel usage and know what I get on trips and around town. When I sell a bike, all this info goes with it. I do all my own service, but I have had couple things done by dealers, which also get recorded into my binder.
I went on a trip a couple weeks ago and suffered a flat tire. I have all my tire service done by Discount Tire here locally. I went to another Discount Tire and they had access to my tire records and brought them up..... I'm sure there are other dealers/service centers/repair shops that can do the same. You would almost think HD could do the same thing.
I went on a trip a couple weeks ago and suffered a flat tire. I have all my tire service done by Discount Tire here locally. I went to another Discount Tire and they had access to my tire records and brought them up..... I'm sure there are other dealers/service centers/repair shops that can do the same. You would almost think HD could do the same thing.