Will self-service void warranty?
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 922
Likes: 898
From: Upstate NY
But they can't, legally, deny a claim just because you do your own maintenance... They can be as skeptical as they want, but the warranty denial better say/list/document how some improper service caused the problem... Thier reason cannot be, "because the customer does his own service"...
(So......shop there, spend money there and kiss their ***. Im not saying I support the whole thing, but thats how the game is played. If you want better customer service, go buy a Honda.) (PS- this is one of the reasons why I rarely go to dealerships)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,156
Likes: 11,247
From: San Diego, CA
Its really a very grey area. They will never say denied 'because you did your own service'....they will just say 'damage caused by owner' and its up to you to then fight it. Unless its a BLATANT fault like flaking chrome or a massive oil leak.....they can find a way to make you at fault for missing scheduled maintenance. Even if you have your own records, you cant prove you did it correctly. You want to know how to keep your warranty? Dont be a dick. Its that simple. If you, as a customer, walked up to my service desk acting all sorts of agitated and cocky, talking about how 'this better be covered,' and 'I know how this **** works, I do all my own maintenance...' then I can 100% guarantee its going to be an uphill battle. However, if you have a good relationship with your dealer, buy some stuff from him time to time and are civil, you have a much better chance.
(So......shop there, spend money there and kiss their ***. Im not saying I support the whole thing, but thats how the game is played. If you want better customer service, go buy a Honda.) (PS- this is one of the reasons why I rarely go to dealerships)
(So......shop there, spend money there and kiss their ***. Im not saying I support the whole thing, but thats how the game is played. If you want better customer service, go buy a Honda.) (PS- this is one of the reasons why I rarely go to dealerships)
I am certainly not advocating being a dick to anyone about anything... not sure where that got into the discussion... I certainly didn't suggest it...
I'm saying if you want to maintain your own bike, follow the service check lists, keep good records, use any brand fluid that meets OEM spec you want, and by law the MoCo is obligated to honor their warranty...
But yes, if I do my own maintenance & properly document it, I expect a dealership to do their part... If they require someone to kiss their a$$ for them to process a proper warranty claim, then they are the ones being a dick, and part of the reason many of us avoid dealerships...
Obviously they can deny anything, for whatever reason they want..... But if they're going to play the "this guy doesn't use us for his service, so we aren't going to process this warranty claim" game... That's out of my control.... I can't control the integrity of a dealership... It is illegal to play that game, and there is legal recourse if one should so choose... But dealerships get away with that arrogance because the legal recourse is often more of a hassle than just dealing with the issue yourself...
The only guarantee is, I will take my business elsewhere..... so those arrogant dealers will win the battle, but lose the war... very shortsighted of them...
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 205
Likes: 58
From: Washington, IL
Concerning service manuals, I am wondering if they have gone to a couple of different manuals; one for non-HD mechanics and one for the dealer guys, Or maybe there's a more detailed series of manuals for their own mechanics? I have a manual for a 2010 Ultra Classic and now a '17 Limited. I think they are pretty similar and sufficiently detailed most of the time, but it does seem like now and then that the '17 manual is not quite as good. I would not be at all surprised for HD to come up with some way to satisfy the customer while still leaving them in the dark somewhat and steering them towards having a dealer service the bike for more things. At the same time their mechanics have to have all the details. I don't know really - just reading the comments from guys who have a long history of the manuals and what they say makes me wonder.
I do as much as possible myself which includes every 5,000 mile scheduled maintenance. I keep records and receipts. I also have a very good rapport with the dealership I bought from (2 bikes now). I put about 15,000/yr on it and take very good care of it and they know that and they know also that I am very capable with whatever it is I do. I buy stuff from them; I have them do work that is more extensive than I have the equipment, time or tools for and they take good care of me too and have expressed their gratitude for my business and customer relationship. I am always very cordial with them and never get mad even when a mistake has been made; we all make them sometimes. They have done me some huge favors too over the years. So 10 1/2 years, 2 full size touring bikes, 140,000+ miles and some give & take from each of us has produced pretty good results. You catch more things with honey than vinegar. But I know certainly there are some just plain bad dealer and service reps out there too which are impossible to deal with.
I do as much as possible myself which includes every 5,000 mile scheduled maintenance. I keep records and receipts. I also have a very good rapport with the dealership I bought from (2 bikes now). I put about 15,000/yr on it and take very good care of it and they know that and they know also that I am very capable with whatever it is I do. I buy stuff from them; I have them do work that is more extensive than I have the equipment, time or tools for and they take good care of me too and have expressed their gratitude for my business and customer relationship. I am always very cordial with them and never get mad even when a mistake has been made; we all make them sometimes. They have done me some huge favors too over the years. So 10 1/2 years, 2 full size touring bikes, 140,000+ miles and some give & take from each of us has produced pretty good results. You catch more things with honey than vinegar. But I know certainly there are some just plain bad dealer and service reps out there too which are impossible to deal with.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 922
Likes: 898
From: Upstate NY
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,156
Likes: 11,247
From: San Diego, CA
I don't have to "storm out" of anywhere... I just vote with my wallet and my patronage... Things change, businesses change, and needs change.... I try never to burn a bridge..
And I suspect most businesses would rather have 6 guys waiting to pay to use their services than only 5 ... but there are exceptions to every rule...
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 922
Likes: 898
From: Upstate NY
You always add an element of high emotion in your posts... to me at least, this isn't an emotional thing... it's just deciding where I want to spend my money..
I don't have to "storm out" of anywhere... I just vote with my wallet and my patronage... Things change, businesses change, and needs change.... I try never to burn a bridge..
And I suspect most businesses would rather have 6 guys waiting to pay to use their services than only 5 ... but there are exceptions to every rule...
I don't have to "storm out" of anywhere... I just vote with my wallet and my patronage... Things change, businesses change, and needs change.... I try never to burn a bridge..
And I suspect most businesses would rather have 6 guys waiting to pay to use their services than only 5 ... but there are exceptions to every rule...
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 534
Likes: 321
From: Tampa FL
I have always done my own service on every vehicle I've owned. This is the first new bike I have ever bought, always had more than 1000 miles on them when I got them. I have a very good relationship with the dealer I bought it from. I figure I spent ~$20K on the bike, I want it to last, dealer said I should let them do the 1000 miles service as it is much more than a 3 hole drain and fill. I watched John Maxwell's 1000 mile service on a 18+ softail and think this is a correct way to go, for me. A worthwhile investment of $350, in my opinion.
Also highly likely that with the exception of a warranty repair, the dealer will never see the bike again. I think a lot has to do with the dealership itself. This might not apply across the board.
Also highly likely that with the exception of a warranty repair, the dealer will never see the bike again. I think a lot has to do with the dealership itself. This might not apply across the board.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,894
Likes: 1,908
From: East Coast, USA
The discussion here is if doing your own work will void your warranty. The point Im making is that the dealer needs very little reason to deny your warranty claim if he wasn't the one performing the maintenance. Like it or not, that's how the cookie crumbles. Do I think its ethically correct? Hell no. Sadly, its how the game is played.
Defective starter, fuel pump, blown out LED lights, etc, not seeing how performing your own maintenance would effect any of these issues.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 922
Likes: 898
From: Upstate NY
There are all types of items that can potentially fail on a motorcycle that are covered under a warranty. For instance, let's say someone has a problem with their heated hand grips. What does that warranty issue have to do with someone performing their own maintenance? Seems like a cut-and-dry issue whether the heated grips work or not. How would a dealer deny this particular warranty issue?
Defective starter, fuel pump, blown out LED lights, etc, not seeing how performing your own maintenance would effect any of these issues.
Defective starter, fuel pump, blown out LED lights, etc, not seeing how performing your own maintenance would effect any of these issues.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,894
Likes: 1,908
From: East Coast, USA
Opps...... must have missed that. Sorry.
Anyways, maybe I've been lucky in that my warranty requests/repairs have only been electrical, body or recall related.
Anyways, maybe I've been lucky in that my warranty requests/repairs have only been electrical, body or recall related.