Dealer made me think
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 70
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From: California
Dealer made me think
So I went to one of the dealers I don't normally go to that's around me and got answers I really wasn't expecting. I was in to look at new head pipes for my '11 FLHX that I have rinehart slip-ons on already. He recommended the V&H true duals. I'm OK with that and he gives me the price of them which is high but it's a dealer and I understand that too. Then he tells me I'm going to need a fuel management system. I already knew that too but I played along and said ok what do you suggest. He gave me a pamphlet for Terry Components TV-3. I havent heard of it before but he did tell me that I would still have to get the HD Stage 1 download. and then he said if you do this you are going to void any kind of warranty that you might have on the bike because you have messed with the ecm. I then asked about about something like the Screamin Eagle tuner? I have an extended service plan and I know that any HD branded parts get incorporated into my warranty He said and I quote, "Harley doesnt make something radical enough to support that kind of an upgrade!" I am kind of in shock at this point so I tell him thanks and go outside. He comes all the way outside to "give me a heads up," that if I ever have any warranty issues with the motor I have to take off the rineharts slip ons and put on my stock HD slip ons because I don't have an upgraded air filter and the stage 1 download.
Sorry about being long winded but now comes my questions. Is he right about any of this? I thought that for the m to void my warranty they would have to prove that whatever I put on caused the problem. I know if can be a pain in the @$$ to get warranty work done but can a new header system and fuel management system void the whole thing? Is it true that the SERT or SEPST or whatever its called isnt radical enough to handle a header pipe? And can having slip ons without a new air cleaner and HD download allow them to decline warranty work?
Sorry about being long winded but now comes my questions. Is he right about any of this? I thought that for the m to void my warranty they would have to prove that whatever I put on caused the problem. I know if can be a pain in the @$$ to get warranty work done but can a new header system and fuel management system void the whole thing? Is it true that the SERT or SEPST or whatever its called isnt radical enough to handle a header pipe? And can having slip ons without a new air cleaner and HD download allow them to decline warranty work?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
I don't know the answers. I've never been in your situation but my feeling is how can messing with the ECM void out the entire warranty you have on the bike? Now if there were an ECM issue down the line I could understand that may not be covered, but for example, let's say a brake caliper develops a leak - how could they deny to repair that under warranty. I think there needs to be a direct correlation between the mods and the failure to deny a warranty claim. And there are laws to that effect.
I think a lot of these guys making these claims about voided warranties are misinformed. And a lot of it has to do with the policies of the dealership management being flowed down through the employees whether right or wrong. Dealerships are individually owned companies and like anything else some play better than others.
I think a lot of these guys making these claims about voided warranties are misinformed. And a lot of it has to do with the policies of the dealership management being flowed down through the employees whether right or wrong. Dealerships are individually owned companies and like anything else some play better than others.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 60
From: Greer, South Carolina
I have a '10 Street Glide. I wanted the new style V&H Pro Pipe, and a Stage 1. Dealer said, "fine but you'll need a SERT (screamin' eagle race tuner) and a dyno after the installation". "Okay", I said, "but what about warranty". "It will still be under warranty", they told me. So I said, "do it". I can't remember exact price, but was about $1,400 with 3 hours on the dyno. His labor rate is $60/hour (or was last July - Brandt's H-D Wabash, IN).
I don't know a thing about California emission laws or what those California dealers have to abide by, but I'd surely run from that dude. And if they're all like him, head for Arizona or Nevada. If you can't get around the emissions laws, suck it up and ride.
My $0.02
I don't know a thing about California emission laws or what those California dealers have to abide by, but I'd surely run from that dude. And if they're all like him, head for Arizona or Nevada. If you can't get around the emissions laws, suck it up and ride.
My $0.02
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
Here's the answer to all of your questions: NO. Now then, never go back to those Bozo's again. Find another dealer that doesn't assume you're stupid. There are also many independent shops that will steer you in the right direction.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 417
Likes: 6
From: Fargo ND
Find a new dealer. Mine will bend over backwards to help with issues. Warranty work doesn't pay the dealer as well as customer work does. Anybody who talks the way that guy does will never sell me a t shirt let alone a bike. The tts tuner that I am using now was the sert two years ago contract was up so the two companies parted ways so the new sept with a good tuner will handle whatever mods you can throw at it.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 311
Likes: 1
From: Bardstown, Kentucky
I had Rinehart true duals,screamin eagle air filter and power com. on my 08 Roadglide that I bought at the dealer where I bought my Roadglide.Never had any warranty issues,and I had a couple of problems that the dealer had to address.No problems with the dealer honnoring the warranty.I guess it's up to the dealer.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
first, just running slip ons without a free flowing air cleaner does not require a hd stage 1 download, or a fuel management system. if you change both out, then yes, you will need it.
secondly, it is a waste of money to do the download and then bypass it by using the fuel management.
third, they can not void your entire warranty for that (see magnuson-moss warranty act).
fourth, run! very quickly away from that dealer. that sounds like one of them that troll through there parking lot looking for vin #s to flag in their computer to avoid doing any warranty work.
secondly, it is a waste of money to do the download and then bypass it by using the fuel management.
third, they can not void your entire warranty for that (see magnuson-moss warranty act).
fourth, run! very quickly away from that dealer. that sounds like one of them that troll through there parking lot looking for vin #s to flag in their computer to avoid doing any warranty work.
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Banned
Joined: Apr 2008
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He is selling you a line of BS. The HD SESPT will work with what you want to do, so will a Power Commander V.If all you are doing is pipes and mufflers, you maybe can get by with a V&H fuel pak. But future mods require more tuning so the Power Commander is a great choice because Jamie will tune it for you forever.
Mark
Mark
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From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey