Warranty vs modifications
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6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Warranty vs modifications
I am new to the flhr/twin cam, but I am learning a bunch from this site. One question I have is warranty on a new bike.What can you or can you not change!! There seems to be a grey area here, even from dealer to dealer.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 412
Likes: 1
RE: Warranty vs modifications
I agree that it is a grey area from dealer to dealer and probably even within the same dealer. I would try to talk to the head service guy at the dealership that you are dealing with and pose your question to him. That person will have the final say on any warranty issues if there is some type of dispute. What I found is that if the dealer did the installation of parts performance or otherwise it would be covered, but if installed by you it would not be covered. I doubt that you would be able to get anything in writing, but that may be worth a shot also.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,236
Likes: 95
From: lancaster, pa
RE: Warranty vs modifications
My experience so far is asking about maintnence and stage l,my dealer said "save your reciepts"... "dont tell and we wont ask" and
when I had stage I done dealer said"you can bring your own parts but we must install,download,sert..ect and youONLY lose top end of engine(jugs/heads)warrenty"..."diy eng mod and warrenty is void"
when I had stage I done dealer said"you can bring your own parts but we must install,download,sert..ect and youONLY lose top end of engine(jugs/heads)warrenty"..."diy eng mod and warrenty is void"
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 714
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From:
RE: Warranty vs modifications
F-Em All...[8D] Do what you want to the bike and be responsible for the mods you make. Dealers are IDIOTS. They play the game of IF WE DO IT, thenit`s OK
That way they get you to spend money with them...If they can`t prove a modification caused the failure, then they can`t void your warranty.
The MoCo and dealers have everyone whipped into believing there brand of B/S.
I bought 2 new bikes. An 07 FLHX and08 FLHTCU.
Both have been modded by me. My FLHX has SE-A/C, RHTD`s, RedShift 575S cams and a DTT/WEGO IID system.
The FLHTCU has a SE-A/C with SE Slip-On`s and a SERT.The bikes run very good and have no problems.
If my bike breaks because of something I did, then I`ll fix it. If it`s not related to anything my mods have caused then the dealer will fix it. If they can`t prove it, then they will be forced to repair it.Dealer`s are programming riders/buyers into believing they arethe only entity that can add mods without voiding the factory warranty and that's total B/S.
That way they get you to spend money with them...If they can`t prove a modification caused the failure, then they can`t void your warranty.
The MoCo and dealers have everyone whipped into believing there brand of B/S.
I bought 2 new bikes. An 07 FLHX and08 FLHTCU.
Both have been modded by me. My FLHX has SE-A/C, RHTD`s, RedShift 575S cams and a DTT/WEGO IID system.
The FLHTCU has a SE-A/C with SE Slip-On`s and a SERT.The bikes run very good and have no problems.
If my bike breaks because of something I did, then I`ll fix it. If it`s not related to anything my mods have caused then the dealer will fix it. If they can`t prove it, then they will be forced to repair it.Dealer`s are programming riders/buyers into believing they arethe only entity that can add mods without voiding the factory warranty and that's total B/S.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 837
From: KMHT KFMY
RE: Warranty vs modifications
under the manguson moss law, they have to prove the modifications caused the failure
a big sucker air cleaner on your bike can't be used to void the warranty when the transmission grenades, but if there was a hole in your piston because the bike ran lean they could claim it is related to the failure.
a big sucker air cleaner on your bike can't be used to void the warranty when the transmission grenades, but if there was a hole in your piston because the bike ran lean they could claim it is related to the failure.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 3
From: Slidell, Louisiana
RE: Warranty vs modifications
You are phucked if you do and phucked if you do and that is the way it is. The service center will tell you that any mods can void warrenty. Your dealer will tell you they want the money for the repair job so they don't really give a **** about your mods as long as they are not extreme so go figure.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,301
Likes: 4
From:
RE: Warranty vs modifications
When I bought my 06, I did stage one (download and A/C ) same day and mufflers.
Per HD's catalog the a/c and stage one become covered under the basic warranty. But mufflers are different brand and aren't.
But per the Moss -Magnuson Act (google it) if any aftermarket parts are added and the bike then fails, the Factory (HD MOCO) must prove those added parts caused the failure. If not they must make the repairs under warranty. That can be a long and tiring process and most people just give up and fix it themselves or pay the dealer to do it, and the moco wins again.
Same thing if the dealer INSISTS that all maintenance must be done by dealer and ONLY HD parts and fluids must be used to maintain the warranty in effect.
If they make that claim get it in writing (you won't) then the dealer must provide all parts and labor for that maintenance for free.
Per HD's catalog the a/c and stage one become covered under the basic warranty. But mufflers are different brand and aren't.
But per the Moss -Magnuson Act (google it) if any aftermarket parts are added and the bike then fails, the Factory (HD MOCO) must prove those added parts caused the failure. If not they must make the repairs under warranty. That can be a long and tiring process and most people just give up and fix it themselves or pay the dealer to do it, and the moco wins again.
Same thing if the dealer INSISTS that all maintenance must be done by dealer and ONLY HD parts and fluids must be used to maintain the warranty in effect.
If they make that claim get it in writing (you won't) then the dealer must provide all parts and labor for that maintenance for free.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,391
Likes: 10
From:
RE: Warranty vs modifications
Take a look at this. http://www.dynosources.com/dept.asp?d_id=203&l1=203It states that the dealer has to prove a specific modification caused a reason for the warranty to be used. If the dealer tells you different, get them to put it in writing, then you have some ammunition for your lawyer, IMO. 
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 3
From: Behind you
RE: Warranty vs modifications
ORIGINAL: stu07hd
I agree that it is a grey area from dealer to dealer and probably even within the same dealer. I would try to talk to the head service guy at the dealership that you are dealing with and pose your question to him. That person will have the final say on any warranty issues if there is some type of dispute. What I found is that if the dealer did the installation of parts performance or otherwise it would be covered, but if installed by you it would not be covered. I doubt that you would be able to get anything in writing, but that may be worth a shot also.
I agree that it is a grey area from dealer to dealer and probably even within the same dealer. I would try to talk to the head service guy at the dealership that you are dealing with and pose your question to him. That person will have the final say on any warranty issues if there is some type of dispute. What I found is that if the dealer did the installation of parts performance or otherwise it would be covered, but if installed by you it would not be covered. I doubt that you would be able to get anything in writing, but that may be worth a shot also.
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