Modifiacations vs warrenty
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 401
Likes: 22
From: Lebanon, Pa
Modifiacations vs warrenty
I was recently looking at adding VH power duals, a Thundermax with auto-tune and a stage 1 breather kit.
The bike is a 2011 Road King with an extended warranty. I already have the screamin eagleŽ fatshotz on the bike and that does not void the warranty, but also now doing the above will void any warranty on the bike
Just wondering what the thought is on modifications vs warranty
The bike is a 2011 Road King with an extended warranty. I already have the screamin eagleŽ fatshotz on the bike and that does not void the warranty, but also now doing the above will void any warranty on the bike
Just wondering what the thought is on modifications vs warranty
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,782
From: Western South Dakota
Depends on the dealer actually..
Most though are professionally ethical.
My dealer works with after-market parts all the time and is not upset by after market stuff, and only gets a little tweeked if they don't know your A/M stuff.
As far as it affecting your warranty, it would have to be proven that what ever A/M stuff you put on was the cause/reason why it caused what ever it was that failed, but then again, I've heard that there are some dealers that will not work on your bike w/A/M stuff on it too.
You really can't expect them to know about your product unless they installed it or at least sell it. That's one of the down falls of buying A/M stuff, but we all do it so, it is what it is..
Most though are professionally ethical.
My dealer works with after-market parts all the time and is not upset by after market stuff, and only gets a little tweeked if they don't know your A/M stuff.
As far as it affecting your warranty, it would have to be proven that what ever A/M stuff you put on was the cause/reason why it caused what ever it was that failed, but then again, I've heard that there are some dealers that will not work on your bike w/A/M stuff on it too.
You really can't expect them to know about your product unless they installed it or at least sell it. That's one of the down falls of buying A/M stuff, but we all do it so, it is what it is..
Yup, kinda like what Lion said. Dealers tend to feel more warm/fuzzy if they do the install themselves. The local dealers in my area are cool about A/M stuff but they can't gaurantee what a dealer might say if you're out traveling and an incident arises. I think your biggest issue is the Thundermax as doesn't that totally replace your stock ECU? I think you'd be SOL in the event of a upper end catastrophy but would seem those chances are slim. It certainly wouldn't void out your whole service plan. Chances we all seem to take .....
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 401
Likes: 22
From: Lebanon, Pa
My dealer works with A/M products but seem to go with the line if it is after market it may void warranty. They were even stating that some of the screamin eagle products can void the warranty
Seems to me I would be in the position of having to prove it did not cause the issue rather than them proving it did.
I would have the dealer do the install of all of it
Seems to me I would be in the position of having to prove it did not cause the issue rather than them proving it did.
I would have the dealer do the install of all of it
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,782
From: Western South Dakota
Yup, kinda like what Lion said. Dealers tend to feel more warm/fuzzy if they do the install themselves. The local dealers in my area are cool about A/M stuff but they can't gaurantee what a dealer might say if you're out traveling and an incident arises. I think your biggest issue is the Thundermax as doesn't that totally replace your stock ECU? I think you'd be SOL in the event of a upper end catastrophy but would seem those chances are slim. It certainly wouldn't void out your whole service plan. Chances we all seem to take .....
Unofficial HDF Chaplain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,160
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From: san diego
might have an issue with the thundermax. changing the ecm gives them a huge door to walk thru. remember, almost all warr issues have to be approved by the factory reps. if the rep sees an aftermarket ecm, it will be a done deal right there. possibly the dealer will warr some issues unrelated but the ecm protects the motor/driveline in many ways, (rpm limiting, fuel mixture, temp control, ect) so any failure of motor can be pointed right back at the ecm, (whether or not that was the problem!) and give the factory the right to refuse coverage. it might not happen, but you should be prepared for the worst case scenario.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Spokane, WA.
My dealer installed my V&H exhaust, ( i just have factory 2 yr warr.) and no issue with
that. I stayed with HD cams which they installed at purchase, and went HD tuner to keep it simple and retain factory warranty.
For what it's worth- I went with a tmax on my 07 fatboy. No one could tune it locally, and i never felt it was ever really dialed in- I should have just stayed with the SERT that I bought for it and would not have had to mess around with it.
that. I stayed with HD cams which they installed at purchase, and went HD tuner to keep it simple and retain factory warranty.
For what it's worth- I went with a tmax on my 07 fatboy. No one could tune it locally, and i never felt it was ever really dialed in- I should have just stayed with the SERT that I bought for it and would not have had to mess around with it.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Lebanon, Pa
Well my dealer said that even certain HD parts would void the warranty.
They did say something like an exhaust probably would not void the warranty but anything in the catalog with the crossed checked flags would void the warranty
They did say something like an exhaust probably would not void the warranty but anything in the catalog with the crossed checked flags would void the warranty
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 1
From: Superior, WI
Yeah, you are kinda at the mercy of your dealer on mods bro. I also agree that the TMax will give the MOCO all the reason in the world to refuse payment.
As I understand it (and I may very well be wrong), the independent dealer agrees to and conducts the work. They then send the bill to MOCO HQ and they (the dealer) get reimbursed. However if the MOCO doesn't approve, the dealer takes the hit.
I believe this is what causes such disparity. Some dealers eating the bill too often for management to swallow and the tighten the valve on what they will accept, hoping that increases their chances of getting reimbursed.
I would also assume they will probably put HD parts back on if it's an aftermarket part that fails.
That's how I understand it, but I'm not a lawyer or a dealer owner. I'm sure they are sworn to secrecy in some ritual where they are baptized in Syn-3 or something though.....
As I understand it (and I may very well be wrong), the independent dealer agrees to and conducts the work. They then send the bill to MOCO HQ and they (the dealer) get reimbursed. However if the MOCO doesn't approve, the dealer takes the hit.
I believe this is what causes such disparity. Some dealers eating the bill too often for management to swallow and the tighten the valve on what they will accept, hoping that increases their chances of getting reimbursed.
I would also assume they will probably put HD parts back on if it's an aftermarket part that fails.
That's how I understand it, but I'm not a lawyer or a dealer owner. I'm sure they are sworn to secrecy in some ritual where they are baptized in Syn-3 or something though.....
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
----------------
Factory warranty:
defeating the rev limiter voids warranty
reprogramming or bypassing the factory engine control module voids warranty.
dealers may cover warranty type issues if they installed the parts, but that is on them, they cannot modify the H-D factory warranty. the dealer is not H-D
( I have a Pal who is a major dealer sales mgr, they sometimes eat a warranty problem -or tell the guy to get out of the shop if he is an ***- usually in these cases something stupid has been done to the bike- like showing up with the remains of the burn out contest all over the bike and a smoked clutch)
The Nightsticks are warranty compliant and were designed to be so, with EPA emissions compliance for 2010 and up bikes---- because they have the cat in the header.
what the OP is suggesting is a real departure from that.
---------------
OP has an extended warranty he is concerned about- he has a contract with a 3rd party which will State the conditions of coverage and that will have the true answers.
neither harley or the dealer are involved in this, it depends which company he has the extended warranty contract with.
In many cases, the 3rd party warranty companies have strict requirements on mods, most of which will void the coverage.
all the answers are in the contract
-------------------------
Many of us do mods which void the factory warranty, I save my stock pipes, air cleaner so i can restore to a stock condition if there were a problem in the warranty period.
Some riders have had their mods logged into a database if they go in for service and the dealer notes obvious mods like a tuner, supercharger etc.
----------
and before someone starts yelling about their congressional rights, Magnuson Moss warranty act does not apply to 3rd party contracts. and internet interpretations of MMWA are often in error
Mike
Factory warranty:
defeating the rev limiter voids warranty
reprogramming or bypassing the factory engine control module voids warranty.
dealers may cover warranty type issues if they installed the parts, but that is on them, they cannot modify the H-D factory warranty. the dealer is not H-D
( I have a Pal who is a major dealer sales mgr, they sometimes eat a warranty problem -or tell the guy to get out of the shop if he is an ***- usually in these cases something stupid has been done to the bike- like showing up with the remains of the burn out contest all over the bike and a smoked clutch)
The Nightsticks are warranty compliant and were designed to be so, with EPA emissions compliance for 2010 and up bikes---- because they have the cat in the header.
what the OP is suggesting is a real departure from that.
---------------
OP has an extended warranty he is concerned about- he has a contract with a 3rd party which will State the conditions of coverage and that will have the true answers.
neither harley or the dealer are involved in this, it depends which company he has the extended warranty contract with.
In many cases, the 3rd party warranty companies have strict requirements on mods, most of which will void the coverage.
all the answers are in the contract
-------------------------
Many of us do mods which void the factory warranty, I save my stock pipes, air cleaner so i can restore to a stock condition if there were a problem in the warranty period.
Some riders have had their mods logged into a database if they go in for service and the dealer notes obvious mods like a tuner, supercharger etc.
----------
and before someone starts yelling about their congressional rights, Magnuson Moss warranty act does not apply to 3rd party contracts. and internet interpretations of MMWA are often in error
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Feb 23, 2012 at 11:49 AM.
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