big papa AZ: It is not the dealer that denies or approves the claim it is HD.

Most dealers work to get approval. They want the $.

You sue HD. HD would not spend more for attorneys than the claim would cost.

In court they have the burden of proof you just sit there.

Lets do an example. The main shaft bearing goes out in your still in warranty bike. You used Bel Ray trans fluid. HD denies the claim as you didn't use Formula plus. I must note now that that would never happen.

You pay for the repair and file a small claims against HD. HD must show up with attorneys even in small claims court. They must bring expert testimony that Belray is the cause of the failure. That would never happen because HD has never and never will deny any claim based on not using their product. Because they and their legal staff know the law.

By the way courts are loaded with lawsuits daily across this country by folks that stand up for their beliefs.

 

It's easy. Just tell the tech/service guy you are using HD oils. Dare HD to prove it otherwise.

Through the warranty period, every engine oil in the world = Syn3, no matter what you're actually using.
Every trans/primary oil in the world = Formula+.

Because all oil in the world pretty much looks and tastes the same. Unless it's purple. That stuff must taste like Barney (bad word).

Art of War stuff. Avoiding a battle to win the War. Much easier than playing lawyer in my opinion.

 

Mid Ohio Harley

 

I got the same speech when I just bought my 16 road king from century in medina Oh. They ripped right down the list stating that Harley won't accept maintenance records kept by the individual or indy to maintain the factory warranty on the bike and went as far as to say only HD slipon's were the only acceptable exhaust mod to keep the warranty on any engine/drivetrain components.

I had a difficult trade situation that led me to buy new but I won't again. Just like I picked up my 2010 in June used. There are too many garage queens out there that have already taken the depreciation hit. I love the bikes but despise the MoCo

 

thats one issue right there. when you look at that bottle of oil from hd, they don't put any specs on the bottle, other than syn3 which puts the 20-50 on it. but otherwise, not much info there.

 

I go to dealer for my 20k service, they fill all three holes with Syn3 as usual.

1k later I go same dealer and tell them I am changing the clutch cable and need trans oil.
Parts guy hands me a bottle of Red Line and says “this is what most of the guys in the shop use.”

 

Any dealer can do your warranty work, I had a dealer in Arkansas handle a warranty issue when I was on the road one time. A good dealer will go above and beyond. Had to take my wifes 6 year old CVO to the dealership for an insurance estimate, paid my fee when I dropped the bike off. Even though it did not have any warranty on it, I didn't buy it from them, and I bought my bike from the dealer across town they checked for and handled 2 recalls while they had it.

I loved the sales experience with one dealer but I can't stand their service department.

I talked to the shop that handled my wifes estimate I had to have a trouble code checked on the new 16, they did it under warranty, and documented it even though I bought the bike In another state.

I asked about self servicing the bike he said print and fill out my check list at each service interval, keep my receipts for supplies, and use quality fluids designed for motorcycles and it was no problem they could handle a warranty claim and never had an issue with one getting denied.

IMHO if you have another dealer you might want to take it to them, don't buy the scare tactics.

 

The only "spec" that H-D branded oil has is that it's the cheapest oil they can buy and have put in their bottles.
Every now and then Harley puts the oil contract out for bid....Lowest bidder wins.
Anyone that thinks for one minute that Harley has anything to do with oil "specs" is a fool!

I run Valvoline Racing Oil in all of my motorcycles and I have been running it since the early 70's.
The Harley dealers in my area used to sell Valvoline as an alternative to the cheap crap that they market.

With the advent of the "boutique" dealerships and the influx of RUB's and other assorted idiots into the world of Harley, they have been able to convince all of the dunces that hang around the dealership to experience the "lifestyle" and fake "brotherhood" that their oils and the other junk that they stick their name on are somehow "better" or "special".

It's laughable!

 

I guess I voided my warranty at the 1k service , TBH I have never had a dealer or service writer ask for subservience records

 

well darn, I tried for two years for them to void my warranty. My bike has had Amsoil in all three holes since the very first oil change. I wonder if its inferior. LOL. Plus the FM head pipe, mufflers, intake and power vision. Too bad my warranty is already expired.