1000 mile service warranty question.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 459
From: Here and now
I have owned several new bikes, cars, trucks, boats. I have never had the dealer (or anyone else) do the first service. I've had an engine replaced under warranty and other warranty work done and the question of who did the first service or if it even had been done has never come up.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 1,465
From: Charleston, SC
Here's a thought: Have your indy change the OIL, TRansmission Fluid, and the Primary Fluid. When you get back from the trip, take it to the dealer and request the 1000 mile service, telling them you have had the fluids changed, and show them the receipts for the fluids.
The 1000 mile service is for the Dealer to catch the tightening of fasteners that the Factory didn't do correctly, or any other sloppy work that was done at the factory, or things that are defective in materials. Let the dealer do their thing, and you bite the bullet on this outlay of money because it will save you a hassle later about anything warranty related.
Is it really necessary? YES. However, it should have been done by the dealer at SETUP, in my opinion, so that other than changing fluids, there shouldn't be anything else to do. MY reasoning is that they let me ride a bike for 1000 miles that didn't have "critical fasteners tightened?" WHY? Wouldn't that be jeopardizing my life?
The real reason for this service is nothing but lining the pockets of the local dealer, AND covering Harley's Corporate AZZ for things that should have been done right at the factory. And they are actually asking you to PAY FOR IT! This is the first step in indoctrinating you into the Harley Owner Experience with Maintenance, where they get you used to paying for THEIR screw-ups. Get used to it. You'll see a lot of it during your years of ownership. Most accept it as the expense of being a Harley owner. Some do not.
The 1000 mile service is for the Dealer to catch the tightening of fasteners that the Factory didn't do correctly, or any other sloppy work that was done at the factory, or things that are defective in materials. Let the dealer do their thing, and you bite the bullet on this outlay of money because it will save you a hassle later about anything warranty related.
Is it really necessary? YES. However, it should have been done by the dealer at SETUP, in my opinion, so that other than changing fluids, there shouldn't be anything else to do. MY reasoning is that they let me ride a bike for 1000 miles that didn't have "critical fasteners tightened?" WHY? Wouldn't that be jeopardizing my life?
The real reason for this service is nothing but lining the pockets of the local dealer, AND covering Harley's Corporate AZZ for things that should have been done right at the factory. And they are actually asking you to PAY FOR IT! This is the first step in indoctrinating you into the Harley Owner Experience with Maintenance, where they get you used to paying for THEIR screw-ups. Get used to it. You'll see a lot of it during your years of ownership. Most accept it as the expense of being a Harley owner. Some do not.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 903
From: South Florida (Ft Myers area)
Just had the "New Bike" speech fm my dealer & they states service can be done (1) at a HD dealer, or (2) by a "licensed" HD tech. If #2, need to have the tech enter info in Owner's Manual w/ their ID# & keep receipts.
Not telling what's right/wrong...simply relaying what I was just told this past Monday when I signed for the 2020 Heritage.
Not telling what's right/wrong...simply relaying what I was just told this past Monday when I signed for the 2020 Heritage.
Federal law — specifically, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975, title 15, chapter 50, section 2301-2312 — prohibits a dealer to deny warranty service or imply that warranty service will be voided if servicing or repairs are not performed at the dealership.
Do I have to use the dealer for repairs and maintenance to keep my warranty in effect?
No. An independent mechanic, a retail chain shop, or even you yourself can do routine maintenance and repairs on your vehicle. In fact, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which is enforced by the FTC, makes it illegal for manufacturers or dealers to claim that your warranty is void or to deny coverage under your warranty simply because someone other than the dealer did the work. The manufacturer or dealer can, however, require consumers to use select repair facilities if the repair services are provided to consumers free of charge under the warranty.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 978
Likes: 423
From: UK
Got me thinking. I've been lucky to buy a number of new bikes. All have had this post run-in service. We just accept it. Doesn't happen with cars anymore. Are bikes that much more fragile? My last bike, a Kawasaki z900rs was 3750 service intervals, 5,000 is bad enough. My enfield is 3,000 miles. Porsche 911 (I don't own one) is 24,000 miles, or 2 years. A high performance vehicle. Are bikes really that much more stressed? Possibly because the tech is so old fashioned (air cooling, chain / belt drive). More likely because we have been conditioned to accept it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 14,262
Likes: 15,531
From: Tulsa
As long as the lubricants and materials meet manufacturer's specifications, anyone can do the service. If a future failure is caused by an improperly performed service or repair though, you may end up on the hook if/when they figure it out.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 442
Likes: 110
From: San Jose, CA
By law MoCo service does not have to be performed by the dealership. You can do it yourself if you like. Just keep the receipts and document (include pictures) if you find an issue. HD must honor warranty if you follow their maintenance schedule detail.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 10,035
Likes: 10,766
From: SE Michigan
if the fecal matter were to hit the electrical oscillating device....and you were faced with a huge claim
would you rather be bringing that to HD having had one of their authorized dealers do all of the work, or would you want to have to prove that the work was done with receipts and journal entries?
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 938
From: Ohio
Got me thinking. I've been lucky to buy a number of new bikes. All have had this post run-in service. We just accept it. Doesn't happen with cars anymore. Are bikes that much more fragile? My last bike, a Kawasaki z900rs was 3750 service intervals, 5,000 is bad enough. My enfield is 3,000 miles. Porsche 911 (I don't own one) is 24,000 miles, or 2 years. A high performance vehicle. Are bikes really that much more stressed? Possibly because the tech is so old fashioned (air cooling, chain / belt drive). More likely because we have been conditioned to accept it.
