Extended Service Plan
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Extended Service Plan
So I just ordered my 2012 Fat Bob and I originally included the 5 year extended service plan. I still have time to change it, and looking at how it adds an extra thousand bucks to the price, am not thinking that I need that much coverage. So you guys that have bought new bikes what do you think do I need the extra coverage or is the standard 2 year enough? What did you guys do?
If you plan on keeping the bike longer than 2 years, and not planning on doing any radical engine upgrades....then it may be worth it. No way to know for sure, it is like insurance, you may need it, you may not.
I had an extended warranty on my RK and the engine went at the 3 year mark...extended warranty paid for a new one...only cost me $50
Oh, and the more miles you ride, the more likely you will find it useful.
I had an extended warranty on my RK and the engine went at the 3 year mark...extended warranty paid for a new one...only cost me $50
Oh, and the more miles you ride, the more likely you will find it useful.
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DKCustomProducts.com
DKCustomProducts.com
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,523
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
You'd better call and verify or look at your service plan, and make sure you have 7 years total coverage if you plan on keeping it. I didn't know it initially, they marketed it to me as though it was 7 years of total coverage, but it wasn't, it was five years of coverage with the first two being overlapped by the standard 2 year factory warranty. And by the way, I just cancelled mine. The only thing I ever used mine for was to replace two fairing brackets that had broken, and I could have done it out of pocket for 20 bucks more than my deductable was anyway.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 4
From: From Illinois; Currently Belgium
You will get mixed reviews on this one. It's a little like car insurance but it isn't. I'm repeating my comment from earlier this week: Vehicle insurance is fairly cheap and it protects you from a high probability situation which usually has a high cost. Extended service plans are expensive and protect you from a low probability and low cost situation.
If I didn't know how to do any wrenching I'd probably go with the ESP. I do most of my own work. I just did my SE Compensator two days ago. That's the first dime I spent on my FLHX in 4 years. I'd probably be willing to do a complete rebuild on my own as well.
This is how and ESP works: Lets say there are 100,000 1200 sportsters sold in the U.S. this year. You take all 100,000 of them and add up the total cost of all repairs needed over 5 years, then divide that by 100,000. That number is the level of risk you're taking by not buying the ESP. Analysts have determined you only take around a $150 risk. The facts are that you over pay and the salesman pockets over 50% of the ESP premium in commission. Just remember if you're in the small percentage the worst case is you'd have to come out of pocket on a major repair paying HD their inflated labor charges.
Also, keep in mind that the forums have put all the bad news out in the open. This has been good and bad. Good that we can identify common problems and share resolutions. the bad is it shakes your confidence in your own bike, because all you hear are the few that are having problems. You're not going to see threads were millions of bikers are posting that they don't have any problems. That'd be just boring. Bad news gets our attention.
If I didn't know how to do any wrenching I'd probably go with the ESP. I do most of my own work. I just did my SE Compensator two days ago. That's the first dime I spent on my FLHX in 4 years. I'd probably be willing to do a complete rebuild on my own as well.
This is how and ESP works: Lets say there are 100,000 1200 sportsters sold in the U.S. this year. You take all 100,000 of them and add up the total cost of all repairs needed over 5 years, then divide that by 100,000. That number is the level of risk you're taking by not buying the ESP. Analysts have determined you only take around a $150 risk. The facts are that you over pay and the salesman pockets over 50% of the ESP premium in commission. Just remember if you're in the small percentage the worst case is you'd have to come out of pocket on a major repair paying HD their inflated labor charges.
Also, keep in mind that the forums have put all the bad news out in the open. This has been good and bad. Good that we can identify common problems and share resolutions. the bad is it shakes your confidence in your own bike, because all you hear are the few that are having problems. You're not going to see threads were millions of bikers are posting that they don't have any problems. That'd be just boring. Bad news gets our attention.
Last edited by garand; Mar 13, 2011 at 03:07 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
I bought the seven yr. for my old Road Glide.
With all the ESP warranty work done to it,I got my money back and a little more.I averaged 14000 miles a year.
I would say it 's good to have if your going to ride the bike alot.If its going to be a garage queen,then no.
With all the ESP warranty work done to it,I got my money back and a little more.I averaged 14000 miles a year.
I would say it 's good to have if your going to ride the bike alot.If its going to be a garage queen,then no.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,809
Likes: 201
From: Wisconsin
I bought the 7 total year ESP on my '05 Ultra and never used it. It only had 26,000 miles on it. I like to do my own work and can find a lot of info on this forum and the service manual.
On my new bike I was debating on getting it or not. After reading some of the threads here, came to the conclusion that it's not worth it for me. I just don't put on enough miles. It is another insurance plan.
On my new bike I was debating on getting it or not. After reading some of the threads here, came to the conclusion that it's not worth it for me. I just don't put on enough miles. It is another insurance plan.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 39,851
Likes: 2,121
From: Central, Ca.
I never bought an extended warranty on any vehicle, so far so good, be my luck though, my 2 years is up this month.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
From: SE WI
Extended warranty plan, no.
Extended maintenance plan, depends on how much you ride.
Extended maintenance plan, depends on how much you ride.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: The little state of Delaware
You'll have to ride a lot of miles to reap any benefits, (then again you really don't want to
. I passed on mine. coming up on just one year now and am having a 107" done, dealer say's they'll cover it (their dealership) since there doing the work, what else could you ask for. It's insurance, have you ever come out ahead?
. I passed on mine. coming up on just one year now and am having a 107" done, dealer say's they'll cover it (their dealership) since there doing the work, what else could you ask for. It's insurance, have you ever come out ahead?
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 460
Likes: 5
From: Springfield, Louisiana
I got the 2 year maintenance only plan on my bike. They only offer it once, and that's at the time of sale. One thing that sucks about it is that any aftermarket parts you buy must be installed by HD in order not to void your warranty. I guess it's still better safe than sorry.