I am getting a decent deal on a 2012 Fat Boy. But, it is being sold by a non-HD dealer.

I called the local HD dealer to find out what they think about the deal. They said that it sounds reasonable. But, warned me that if I buy it from a non-HD dealer, I will not be able to renew the HD warranty when the warranty expires next year.

This is going to be my first bike. So not sure if warranty should be a deal breaker. Kindly advice.

 

I believe you can purchase an extended warranty firectly from Hd, I might be wrong but I would look into this.

Also, the owner should have a transferable warranty, you might want top call HD corporate or talk to a few dealers, etc..

It seems to me on a band new bike there are ways to warranty.

I know I had a chance to extend my warranty after I bought in 04.
Persoannly I dont much care about the warranty.

If you are saving a lot of money on the purchase, then that savings might be what you spend on repairs that come.
If you are saving maybe 2k$ overall on the bike vs a new one, buy the new oneif you are saving over 3k$ then I might take my chances.

How many miles on the bike?
Why is he selling it?
Why not tell him due to the lack of warranty I can offer you $xyz and make an even lower offer?
explain to him there are too many unknonws to spend the money liek this and have zero coverage.

I buy used now after buying one brand new.
The only warranty stuff I ever used wasnt even warranty, it was the first service free, and 20% discount in the store for 3 months after the purchase, etc..

Some guys tell stories of brand new bikes blowing engines and stuff, etc... so that is up to you.

Remember a couple of bucks isnt everything.
Piece of mind can be worth something.

If you not saving a lot of money on the 12 maybe just keep looking and buy one with a warranty if thats important to you.
I dont know the numbers you are working with so it is hard for me to help you make a decision.

Lump

where I would be suspicious is where the factory warranty?
Why isnt it in effect and transferable?
Why is this person selling 212 so soon?How c are you getting the bike for?
ARe you paying cash?
How much more for you to buy a fat boy brand new or an 012 left over at a dealer where you can get the waranty?
All this info plays into yrou decision process.


Lump

 

First, congrats on your first bike.

Second, when you called the local HD dealer, did you expect them to tell you "go for it, it's a great deal, buy a bike from someone else than us"?

Third, what the dealer told you is BS. The mfg warranty expires 2 years after 1st delivery and you can't renew it, regardless who you buy the bike from, dealer or private party or whatever.
What you can do, before the mfg warranty expires, is to purchase an Extended Service Plan (ESP). It's not an extension of the mfg warranty, it's a Service contract.
It's sold by HD (HD dealers) but it's underwritten by CNA. It covers pretty much the same as the mfg warranty with some exclusions but also with some additions. For example, the ESP covers your hotel costs for 48hrs if your bike needs repairs far from home. It can also cover wheels and tires (this is optional). Each claim has a $50 deductible (not for tires and wheels) and repairs/replacement have to be approved by the MoCo before a HD dealer can work on the bike.
The ESP can be renewed as long as the bike has been covered without interruption, is less than 10yo and has less than 75,000 miles at the time of renewal.

Search for Harley ESP for more details, or ask a HD dealer to give you a brochure.

Hope this helps.

 

I'm selling my bike & my local HD dealer told me that if whoever buys it uses HD financing, that he would be able to offer the warranty to the buyer. In fact he gave me several of his business cards to give to interested people.
Call Scott Birdsong @ Steel Horse HD (804)-639-1737 for further info.

 

hypothetically lets say the owner blew his break in and is concerned about leaks or noises and he wants out to start over and not void his warranty, so he decides to sell and get a new one, I would find out all you can on each subject, ask ask ask all the questions you can.

Lump

 

Frnchbiker has it right, I thought so but wasnt 100%, the extended service contract will protect you so look at what that costs vs the savings you are getting from buying this bike, and find out what it covers vs the factory warranty.

That way if it is the same cost to get extended coverage from the dealer as it would be to pay that up front for a new or left over dealer bike and get the two year I would go that route.
Lump

 

I know I'm right. <wink>
I have an ESP Plan for my bike, active until Sep 2013 and I have the contract right in front of me. LOL
It was purchased by the original owner of the bike when he bought the bike new, and it's a 5-year plan. It's fully transferrable, can be cancelled anytime (with a refund) and can be extended following the guidelines I mentioned earlier.

 

So to the OP I would say do this.
Add the cost of buying the extended service plan to the cost of the bike you want to buy.
If it is equal to what you can get the bike from the dealer for or even close, say within 1k$ personally I would go with the dealer and get a left over 2012 or a new 2013 and take the warranty that comes with it.

You can still purchase an extended one as French said, but I am saying if by the time you pay for the bike and add in the coverage you need to buy is within 1,000 of just going new from the dealer then I would buy it from the dealer.

Also makes me nervous to hear he is selling an 012 cheap, when he could trade it in and do pretty good with it on his own

Anyway a lot to think about but some simple math should answer your question.

Lump

 

guys, the op said in the first post, when the warranty expires next year. so there is still factory warranty left.

also, frenchbiker, you mention cancelling with refund, but if you cancel your esp, your refund is prorated. even if you cancel during the factory warranty period, your refund would be prorated from day 1. so if you buy the esp right away, you lose a little money if you cancel. conversely, if you wait until the factory warranty is close to expire, you pay a little more for the esp.

 

Guys thanks for all the insights. To give you more context. I am in Canada. Here an organization called Deely owns HD. They are very controlling. So it is possible that the HD dealer was right that I cannot buy warranty after the Hd warranty expires.

This fat boy was picked up by the non-hd dealer in an auction from Florida. The milage on the bike is around 7,000 miles. All inclusive the price is approximately $5000 less than a new fat boy