Prepaid Maint. BS
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 164
Likes: 1
From: milltown, nj
RE: Prepaid Maint. BS
I have the service plan but it came free with the bike and 103 kit. The strange thing about my dealer is that they are pretty good mechanics and if you go to one of the dealer events you can meet them and they take care of you. However, the service writers are terrible. They can't tell the difference between my 06 Road King and my 400 suzi dirk bike.....
The one thing that they all do is try to get you with extras... Last service eveything was fine, then they called me in the back... My compensator nut was loose, since they built the motor I told then to tighten it again and this time use locktite (red). They did an then tried to charge me for it.
I like to work on my own bikes but lately I haven't had time for it. I ride to work sometimes and weekends. Working 60 hours or so a week cuts into my maintaince schedule. Bottom line here, if you have the dealer work on your bike (or anythign for that matter) you need to make sure you know what they are doing exactly and insist on them doing it perfect. If your dealer can't do that then find another dealer. I travel 40 minutes to a good dealer when a there is one about 10 minutes from my house.
The one thing that they all do is try to get you with extras... Last service eveything was fine, then they called me in the back... My compensator nut was loose, since they built the motor I told then to tighten it again and this time use locktite (red). They did an then tried to charge me for it.
I like to work on my own bikes but lately I haven't had time for it. I ride to work sometimes and weekends. Working 60 hours or so a week cuts into my maintaince schedule. Bottom line here, if you have the dealer work on your bike (or anythign for that matter) you need to make sure you know what they are doing exactly and insist on them doing it perfect. If your dealer can't do that then find another dealer. I travel 40 minutes to a good dealer when a there is one about 10 minutes from my house.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Slidell, LA
RE: Prepaid Maint. BS
ORIGINAL: ditch_dgr
I take exception to your statementspeople make about why someone would use the pre-paid maintenance plan.I think you need to realize that there may be more reasons than a lack of ability or an excess of money that would drive someone to get the service plan.
I have the service plan on my Ultra and for me it is truly worth it. I bought the bike as a mode of transportation more than anything else. I ride it everyday. I don't feel like working on it. My dealer is absolutely fantastic, I drop it off on the way home from work, they do it the next day, I either pick it up at lunch or get it after work. I schedule it with the tech I want to work on it, not some "monkey" in the back. In fact I don't believe my dealership has any "monkeys in the back" I have never talked to anyone has anything but great things to say about them. I get priority service and the bike is on the 2500 mile schedule instead of the 5000 mile schedule.
As for ability, I have a racecar that I need to take care of during the week in between races. I can change a motor in 1.5 hours or less, change the front springs, swaybar, and shocks in about 15 minutes (including checking camber and toe), make a decision about what to do with tire pressure in the distance from turn two to pit road. I think I am capable of changing the friggin' oil in a motorcycle, I just choose not to do so.
I bought the lifetime plan and at my current rate it will be paid off next summer or early fall. I don't have to worry about getting rid of the oil, cleaning up the mess, or taking that dang oil filter off.
So, I ask that before you rush to judgment consider that there may be real reasons people do what they do. By the way I also own a Softail Deuce that the wife rides, it doesn't get ridden enough to make it cost effective to do the service plan, I do that one myself.
I take exception to your statementspeople make about why someone would use the pre-paid maintenance plan.I think you need to realize that there may be more reasons than a lack of ability or an excess of money that would drive someone to get the service plan.
I have the service plan on my Ultra and for me it is truly worth it. I bought the bike as a mode of transportation more than anything else. I ride it everyday. I don't feel like working on it. My dealer is absolutely fantastic, I drop it off on the way home from work, they do it the next day, I either pick it up at lunch or get it after work. I schedule it with the tech I want to work on it, not some "monkey" in the back. In fact I don't believe my dealership has any "monkeys in the back" I have never talked to anyone has anything but great things to say about them. I get priority service and the bike is on the 2500 mile schedule instead of the 5000 mile schedule.
As for ability, I have a racecar that I need to take care of during the week in between races. I can change a motor in 1.5 hours or less, change the front springs, swaybar, and shocks in about 15 minutes (including checking camber and toe), make a decision about what to do with tire pressure in the distance from turn two to pit road. I think I am capable of changing the friggin' oil in a motorcycle, I just choose not to do so.
I bought the lifetime plan and at my current rate it will be paid off next summer or early fall. I don't have to worry about getting rid of the oil, cleaning up the mess, or taking that dang oil filter off.
So, I ask that before you rush to judgment consider that there may be real reasons people do what they do. By the way I also own a Softail Deuce that the wife rides, it doesn't get ridden enough to make it cost effective to do the service plan, I do that one myself.
So, until I can confirm that I can trust these clowns, I'll just have to make time to do my own servicing.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Prepaid Maint. BS
Repeat after me: "All the dealer wants is money". The one thing I did right when I bought my bike was not to fall for the extended warrranty. I have a 19 month old bike. It is at an independent, because the turds at the dealerships tell me that it runs right. Why pay as much as 3 large to have idiots lie to you? Harley Davidson dealers sell motorcycles. They rarely fix anything other than standard service issues. In my opinion, they are useless. Bank that money, earn some interest, and shop for a good independent. You WILL be happier. You WILL be treated better, and as a result, you will be happier.
Just my .02. I am sure that there may be a dealer or two here and there that are reasonable. I have not found one in Maryland and Virginia, and I no longer care to try and look. I found 3 independents in ONE afternoon. Hmmmm....
Just my .02. I am sure that there may be a dealer or two here and there that are reasonable. I have not found one in Maryland and Virginia, and I no longer care to try and look. I found 3 independents in ONE afternoon. Hmmmm....
Banned
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,301
Likes: 4
From:
RE: Prepaid Maint. BS
Personally unless you're traveling constantly or a total nimcompoop
the prepaid is a waste of time and money.
I do all my own general maintenance and G/F's too.
Warranty only goes to dealer.
the prepaid is a waste of time and money.
I do all my own general maintenance and G/F's too.
Warranty only goes to dealer.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
RE: Prepaid Maint. BS
All,
I bought my 2006 RKC and opted for the prepaid maintenance. I like to wrench all my vehicles and have added all my genuine Harley and aftermarket items myself. I weighed the options of the parts that are replaced further down the line and figured the $800 I paid for the plan were well worth it. The fact that I get "prioritized" is great. I can actually wait for the bike it is so quick, I've had the first 2 services performed and I have been in and out with the bike washed in less than 2 hours.
My 2 cents....
I bought my 2006 RKC and opted for the prepaid maintenance. I like to wrench all my vehicles and have added all my genuine Harley and aftermarket items myself. I weighed the options of the parts that are replaced further down the line and figured the $800 I paid for the plan were well worth it. The fact that I get "prioritized" is great. I can actually wait for the bike it is so quick, I've had the first 2 services performed and I have been in and out with the bike washed in less than 2 hours.
My 2 cents....
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ABQJ
General Harley Davidson Chat
42
Jun 11, 2006 03:17 AM
Ram
General Harley Davidson Chat
21
Oct 4, 2005 05:43 PM
