I'm in the process of buying a new bike and I was debating getting the extended warranty. I like the idea of riding care free for4 years. Then it dawned on me that the bike comes with a2 year warranty. So I would be paying $1200 for 2 additional years.What convinced me to forget the extended was when I was getting a parts quote. If I installed the extra tour pack lights myself I was told it would void the electrical part of the warranty. If anybody besides the dealership does any work on the bike does that void the warranty.

 

This is an old song and dance with some dealers...ask them if they've ever heard of the the Magnuson-Moss Act...the Act passed by Congress says basically that you or anyone else can work or perform service on your bike without voiding a warranty...only if the work or service you or someone else does is proven to be the direct cause of a problem can they have a valid issue. In other words, you install a light bar, and later have an electrical issue unrelated to the light bar installation...you have a valid warranty claim...

 

As far as I know, any work done to the bike under the warranty period must be done by an authorized H-D dealer or mechanic. If some outside mechanic messes something up, Harley will not be responsible for it. If your dealership service department has a good rep you're better off letting them wrench it. I'm one of the lucky ones. My dealer's service department is great. Every warranty issue I've had over the past two years (and they have not beenseriousissues) has been taken care of with courtesy, competence, and no questions asked.
As for extended warranties, I never bother with them. Of course it pays dividends if something big goes south after 24 months. Whatever helps you sleep better.

 

Here you go...this is from the Tech forum here at HDF.


Magnusson-Moss Act

If a dealer refuses a warrantee claim because he claims that you have made modifications to your bike and that system is not where the problem lies, you should print this out and take him or her a copy. Only those systems that are directly affected by your modifications are affected.

This is a 1975 United States Federal Law which deals with consumer warranty coverage. It defines responsibilities for both the buyer and the seller of all consumer goods costing more than $25. A portion of this law applies to aftermarket parts and modifications and how it affects your vehicle warranty.

For our purposes the law basically states that you have a right to use aftermarket, non-OEM parts on your vehicle and still retain the factory warranty. However, if there is a failure and the manufacturer can show that the failure was caused by the aftermarket part, they can deny coverage.

The important thing is that your dealer cannot VOID your entire warranty just because the part is on the vehicle. There have been cases where a dealer would tell a customer that their new vehicle had no warranty because it had an aftermarket exhaust or other part. Granted, the exhaust or other part is not covered, however the rest of the vehicle is still under the normal warranty.

Under Magnusson-Moss Act a dealer must prove, not just vocalize, that aftermarket equipment caused the need for repairs before they can deny warranty coverage. If they cannot prove such claim-or offer an explanation- it is your legal right to demand compliance with the warranty. The Federal Trade Commission (202.326.3128) administers the Magnusson-Moss Act and monitors compliance with warranty law.

In large cities, there are always other dealers you can do business with. It's a good idea to find out about the most cooperative performance-oriented dealer available to you by checking with clubs, local groups, etc.

If you live in smaller communities, make sure that an uncooperative dealer knows that they are giving you plenty of reason to take you business elsewhere.

If you should have to do that, write the "manufacturer" to tell them that their dealer's activities have caused you to buy from another car company!



The bottom line is to talk to your dealer and get their feeling about aftermarket mods. Some dealers are more prone to be ok with it than others. Your option is to find a dealer that will work with you and not against you for their profit.

Here's a link that will explain it in further detail http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/...s/warranty.htm

 

My dealer didn't even bother trying to sell the extended warranty. Said there is too much hassle with it. Now I know they make a good $ in selling these things.

 

just don't pull a trailer. It will void warrantry!

 

All that is pure profit for the dealer as the extended warranty companieswill find any reason possible not to cover the repair. We deal with this extended warraty companies all the time in our dealers those ******** never want to cover anything for the customers it is the biggest hassle.

 

I'd like to know how this lie keeps it's life! Anyone can do work on their scoot or have someone else do it other than the dealer. If there is a problem later on directly resulting from the work done then of course it is not covered under mfg. warranty. That only makes sense. But if you wrench on your bike and do it properly and there will be no claim to even worry about and if something goes bad unrelated to that work you're still covered. You wouldn't believe how many Harley owners I know that swear you must have all work done by the dealer, maintenance included, or lose the warranty. If a dealer even inferred that to me I would spit on his shoe and go elsewhere.

 

That applies to the OEM warranty, but I'm not sure it applies to add on, extended "warranties" since they're essentially insurance policies, not a warranty.

Anyone know about that one?

 

If a dealer ever tells you that you have to have an authorized dealer work on the bike while it's under warranty, run...don't walk to your secretary of state's office. The crap they'll give that dealership will make you a happy man. Ray