So I'm gonna pull the trigger on a 2012 RK and I'm contemplating the extended warranty and possibly the VIP plan. My problem is I just don't know if I'll need them. Lately with most of my big purchases (plasma TV, snow thrower) I ended up using the extended plan so I'm not sure what to do. I keep being asked how many miles a year do I ride but that hard question for me to answer. Reason being is that my only bike for the last 20 years has been a 1973 Triumph Bonneville 750 so going on long distance excursions has always made me paranoid. I have no problem wrenching so I do plan on doing at least the oil changes on my own. Any ideas?

 

i got the 7 year warranty and at 5 years and 73,000 miles my motor blew,,,got a reman motor for 50 deductable...I would do it again,,,,took 6 weeks though,way to slow

 

I've never bought it nor have never had the use for it and I'm on my 4th Harley.

 

I bought the warranty against my better judgement with full intention of going to Sturgis 2012 and cancelling after I got home(2500 miles). I knew I would be doing several things to void it after 5000 miles. the first thing I got grief on was the dealer putting on my tires before delivery. I cancelled ext war, before delivery(nov 10,2011) and have not saw my money credited yet. the tire warranty was a big factor, but I have never in my life had a tire issue and did want to go to the trouble to intentionally flatten tires just to get my use of it. the cost of 3 years warranty makes 7 of my payments. one dealer flat told me a hitch voided warranty, I'm sure engine work and pro-charger will also.

 

All my mods voided any warrantee!!! (But the bike is cool!)

 

Well you'r gonna get an earfull on this one. Decidedly two camps of thought on this subject....one for it and one against it. My two year factory warranty runs out next month and I am getting ready to pull the trigger on an Extended Warranty. Here is my reasoning for doing so:

1) I am keeping the bike for atleast the next 5 years;
2) I am averaging 15K miles a year in use of the bike;
3) the bike is stock and will remain so;
4) evidence of poor reliability over an extended timeframe (>5yrs) on certain engine and drivetrain components on today's Harleys
5) I dont wrench on my bike beyond basic maintenance services;
6) Cost of service, parts, and labor keep increasing;
7) Convenience of the warranty and benefits that come with the warranty.

I have also found out the following in my personal research:

1) not all Harley Dealers offer the same MoCo blessed extended warranty (CNA);
2) pricing is all over the map;
3) Dealers WILL discount the cost of the extended warranty plan;
4) An Extended Warranty is NOT THE SAME AS EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN
5) You dont have to buy when you buy your bike but you do have to buy it BEFORE your factory warranty expires;
6) Not all MODS will void the warranty.

Some will tell you the Extended Warranty saved them a fortune while others will say they have never needed it. I think it is purely a numbers game in that the MORE you use/ride your bike (ie wear and tear) the MORE you MAY need it.

I purposely decided to forgo the extended warranty at time of bike purchase rather deciding to allow the factory warranty to protect me the first 24 months. I figured infant mortality would occur in that timeframe if it was going to occur at all. Now with two years on the bike and 25K miles on the odometer and recognizing all I listed above, I am purchasing an additional 5 years of warranty (insurance). If I break even over that 5 years I will not be complaining. If I have NO warranty claims in that coming 5 years I will ALSO not be complaining. My luck is the type that if I dont buy the extended warranty my engine or drivetrain will grenade the day after the factory warranty expires. Just my two cents on this. Flame away

 

good thinking,I also got two top ends out of an old fxr i bought used from harley with a three year warranty

 

I believe you just answered the question yourself - I'd say it's not necessary...

 

I "never" purchase an extended warranty or maintenance plans on any vehicle. I honestly think they are nothing but a money maker for the dealership. If the price of either was half way reasonable I may go with them, but the prices they quote are usually pretty high.

- Extended warranty: The extended warranty plans are pretty much a gamble. Sure if something “major” does go wrong it could pay for itself, but what are the odds? How long are you going to keep your bike, a lot of folks buy new ever 2 or 3 years (factory warranty = 2 years)? I look at it this way; once the factory warranty runs out and something goes wrong I’ll deal with the cost then and not give them my cash up front to pay for something later. BL, Most financial savvy folks will tell you to stay away from extended warranties.

- Maintenance plans: If you have a manual, a few tools and a little common sense why would you pay for a plan? When I bought the Limited (used) they wanted something over $2k for a couple year plan, I can buy a lot of oil & filters for that… Think about it; what are they actually doing when you bring it in for the basic (5K, 10K) service, changing the fluids/filter and looking at the bike (so they say). When you hit certain interval like 20K, 50K you may need to perform a few additional tasks (spark plugs, fork oil change, etc.) but when that time comes and you can’t do it yourself, have someone help you or take it to the stealership then. Again, why pay for a service up front, especially if you can do it yourself.

Also... if you are buying a new bike ask them to throw in something, such as a 2 year maintenance plan as part of the deal. You may be surprised on the outcome...

 

Have you ever ridden a tempermental vintage British motorcycle? If so you might understand my reluctance for the long trips. You just can't run down to the local speed shop looking for a Lucas stator anymore. Perhaps I would be throwing 5k or more a year on a new bike that's reliable.