Should I buy more Warranty?

[jc1300]

So they say...Money can't buy happiness....but it can buy a warranty...And when ya consider what we all have into the Trikes by now....peace of mind baby....peace of mind

[ultrafxr]

FYI-for all you HD RIDERS out there that truely ride their bikes/trikes, I highly recommend the extended warr. plans

that are available.

As a long time (50 yrs. +) rider I am VERY disappointed with

the MoCo's current departure of RELABILITY (?) and LONGIVITY

of their machines! It appears they are leaning more and more towards the THROW AWAY motor after xxx miles!

I currently have 91 thou. + miles on my trike and it's had a complete rebuild (on warr., tks) and they will NOT let me re-new my ext. warr. because of HIGH MILEAGE......WHAT!!!

We love our Harley's but I firmly believe Harley may be paving the way for their own DEMISE.

Yup, if you have over 75k on the clock you cannot renew the H-D branded ESP. But with the ESPs offered by Boardtracker (https://www.discountesp.com/) there is no such mileage limit. That was the case when I checked a year or so back about my 2007 before I sold it. I think that is still accurate but confirm with Jim or Kathy.

Agree with your statement about Harley motors not holding up. My first Harley was an EVO sporty for a year before the Twin Cams came out and I bought an Ultra. So most all my Harley experience has been with the TCs and now the M8 motors. TC experience has not been good at all. I think those of us who really rack up the miles are in the definite minority of Harley riders many of who don't put even a thousand miles a year on their bikes. So the moco decides to pay our claims while in warranty vs really building a bullet proof motor which would cost them more than the warranty claims. Just my opinion and no proof but it makes sense to me.

[PosseRider]

Not sure about " not holding up" . Have several ( rider for over 60+ yrs.) HD's over 75,000 & one over 105,000 miles. That said. I bought the ESP when I purchased the 16. Why? Because the radio alone is over 2K to replace & already had 1 replaced on my 15 Ultra Low. I got the ESP with tire & wheel replacement at a great price as part of the deal. There are ESP's that have both.

[vito]

Hello,

I received a card that the Warranty on my 2016 Triglide is running out.

I talked to my Dealer and learned I can buy more warranty ...

What would you do? Thanks for any and all replies.

Should you go to Vegas? Either way is a gamble. Statistically, it'd be cheaper to not buy because prices are predicated on average cost per bike plus cost and profit, just like the win/lose ratio for a one-armed bandit. OTOH, the piece of mind may well be worth it. That depends on your personal finances and risk tolerance. Flip a coin.

[Peter A.]

Just as an aside, my 1988 (EVO bought new) has 274 thou. currently on the clock, rebuilt, of coarse, but still orig. engine.

[graygoat]

I bought the ESP in the deal when I bought the Tri. Haven't needed it yet but peace of mind is worth it to me.

[Burnerboy]

I'm a Goldwing guy, but I myself purchased an extended warrantee for my bike....it has paid itself off, three time over....Once you spend the first $$ amount for coverage, your soon going to forget that you actually spent that money....Three year(s) later, Man o'man your going to be glad you did, cause we all know something BAD an EXPENSIVE is going to happen, and you walk away with a zero bill and a (s)mile on you face...

Ronnie

[1dn5up]

As stated above, pease if mind. Used mine twice, reverse motor and bad rear shock. Cost me $100 for $2k worth of work. So far I’m ahead $500 with 4 yrs to go. I also figured that I can beat this thing as intended and not worry about breakage. There not as simple as the evo’s and previous carbed motors.

[Fozworth]

I'm a Goldwing guy, but I myself purchased an extended warrantee for my bike....it has paid itself off, three time over....Once you spend the first $$ amount for coverage, your soon going to forget that you actually spent that money....Three year(s) later, Man o'man your going to be glad you did, cause we all know something BAD an EXPENSIVE is going to happen, and you walk away with a zero bill and a (s)mile on you face...

Ronnie

Thanks for posting Ronnie,

As a former Goldwing owner myself I tend to think of them as "indestructible mechanical marvels". lol

[Jack Klarich]

ESP saved my 07 Streetbob

The engine blew up with 28k miles

I paid 50 dollars for a New engine Thanks HD

[DK Custom Products]

Being a high mileage rider, a warranty for me is a no-brainer. (excluding carbed bikes and Sportys)

I've worked with Jim at Boardtracker on my last 4 extended warranties, starting about 10 years ago.

He has the "non-HD" ESP that is much less expensive. (I have never used the non-HD brand, but, I've only heard good reports from folks that have it)

He has the HD brand ESP at a discount also, but you must be at their dealership, in person, to be able to buy it.

I would give him a call...you may get one of his assistants, but they are very helpful. He has built a well-deserved reputation for being the place to get an ESP.

Everyone of my ESP's have MORE than paid for themselves.

Kevin

[ISP-FL]

Okay, now it makes sense. I sent an email to that dealership (just north of Rockford IL) to ask about getting an extended warranty. The only thing they replied with was "we will add you to our mailing list" and "someone will contact you soon". They never did of course.

I had a Cornerstone warranty through a small motorcycle dealer a couple years ago. I bought a 2013 Ultra from them and got a 3 year warranty for $1,200. I never used it and got a refund of almost $600.00 about half way through when I got my TG. What was interesting was the dealer only paid $800 for the warranty that he sold to me for $1,200. When it came time for my refund he had to kick in a good chunk of his profit.

Cornerstone is a huge warranty company.

[Jack Klarich]

My understanding of an ESP after your original warranty runs out is

Take your bike to your dealer, pay 50 inspection fee and go from there

May be worth checking into

[Snickers1948]

I went to the “First Extended” site and then the BBB website. Many, many, many complaints and problems with the company. Warranty work dragged out several weeks, denial of parts coverage, rude agents, etc, etc, etc,. (Automobile policies).

Not one one report on motorcycle claim or coverage so I would be cautious about purchasing without checking history.

Paying a little more to have HD extended warranty just MIGHT be a blessing if problems arise!

[ultrafxr]

I went to the “First Extended” site and then the BBB website. Many, many, many complaints and problems with the company. Warranty work dragged out several weeks, denial of parts coverage, rude agents, etc, etc, etc,. (Automobile policies).

Not one one report on motorcycle claim or coverage so I would be cautious about purchasing without checking history.

Paying a little more to have HD extended warranty just MIGHT be a blessing if problems arise!

I too saw that information and had a lengthy discussion about it with Kathy Arquette of discountesp.com As I stated previously she told me Jim Palmer went to First Extended about a year ago so he could sell ESPs in Florida and California - two huge markets where for whatever reason?? Cornerstone could not.

Kathy told me they have had no problems at all reported to them about First Extended. And she said they (Boardtracker / discountesp.com) could apply pressure if needed to resolve a claim. They do have some clout. And in reading some of the complaints I honestly do not think they are valid. Some folks do not bother to get the pre-authorization, have the repairs done and them complain without giving the ESP company a chance to investigate. After all you wouldn't let someone have access to your bank account without verifying that the payment was legit. Others complain about no approval or payment for things that are clearly listed as not being covered.

In any case discountesp.com can still offer the contract from Cornerstone everywhere but Florida or California. That's the way I plan to go on the mechanical. Have the Cornerstone wheel & tire now.

No connection with these folks but they've been straight with me. Everyone has to make their own decision and good luck with whatever that is.

[Jack Klarich]

Im betting we will always see some one complaing about warranrty work

That said IMO and experiances MOST warranty work is NOT a big problem

UNTIL NOW

With the EPA hating HD and all

Changes to the M8 from 17 on are going to be a bit different from whet I have read so far

Time will tell I guess

[GARYD]

Being a high mileage rider, a warranty for me is a no-brainer. (excluding carbed bikes and Sportys)

I've worked with Jim at Boardtracker on my last 4 extended warranties, starting about 10 years ago.

He has the "non-HD" ESP that is much less expensive. (I have never used the non-HD brand, but, I've only heard good reports from folks that have it)

He has the HD brand ESP at a discount also, but you must be at their dealership, in person, to be able to buy it.

I would give him a call...you may get one of his assistants, but they are very helpful. He has built a well-deserved reputation for being the place to get an ESP.

Everyone of my ESP's have MORE than paid for themselves.

Kevin

+1 what Kevin said.

I've had 2 TG's with the ESP and both paid for themselves. I'm on the 2nd ESP on my present bike. I ride a lot. TG's have more strain put on them the a 2 wheeler. I wouldn't buy a warrantee from anyone other then the mfg. - PERIOD. I've had my bikes repaired all over the US and Canada = NO PROBLEMS

I even bought the prepaid service contract = saves me over $500 over the cost of paying at the recommended services.

If you;

1. Ride a lot

2. Are not a mechanic

3. Want piece of mind

4. Can afford it

BUY IT!!

[ultrafxr]

+1 what Kevin said.

I've had 2 TG's with the ESP and both paid for themselves. I'm on the 2nd ESP on my present bike. I ride a lot. TG's have more strain put on them the a 2 wheeler. I wouldn't buy a warrantee from anyone other then the mfg. - PERIOD. I've had my bikes repaired all over the US and Canada = NO PROBLEMS

I even bought the prepaid service contract = saves me over $500 over the cost of paying at the recommended services.

If you;

1. Ride a lot

2. Are not a mechanic

3. Want piece of mind

4. Can afford it

BUY IT!!

Good points all and I've had numerous repairs done on various bikes all covered by the H-D branded ESP and never had any problem other than a very long inspection and approval process a couple years ago on a major engine failure. But the H-D branded ESP is not actually backed by H-D. It is a contract with and administered by CNA Insurance Co. Once out of the factory warranty and into the ESP coverage it is CNA who must authorize the repair and it is CNA who sends field inspectors out to review certain claims.

Certainly can't go wrong with the H-D branded ESP but I feel pretty comfortable with the Cornerstone ESP from Boardtracker / discountesp.com as they've been selling it for several years and many of my CVO friends have it and have had not problems.

[GARYD]

When I lost my water pump in Canada last summer - on my way home I stopped at the H-D dealer on Sunday in Niagara Falls

(only dealer to have one) they put it in plus another sensor with no one coming out to inspect it first. Left the same day - 5 hours after closing.

Not one person ever came out to inspect any of my warranty claims before getting an authorization.... that I know of.

It may be CNA or some other company - I don't care. All I know is it's printed on official H-D literature and filled in on H-D paperwork so, for me, it's a H-D warranty. I'll let them fight it out. I have a H-D pamphlet that lists EVERY item that's covered and what's NOT covered. I have never seen another warranty that detailed before.

[427dave]

I bought the extended warranty from the dealer. I purchased 5 years after my 1 year Harley warranty was expiring. There was quite a bit work done during the warranty period, replacing the reverse motor twice. The sad thing about this is 3 months after the warranty had expired my engine blew up. No warranty any more. That cost $7000 outta pocket. Course the dealer made me a ridiculous offer to trade it in on a new trike. The cheapest was to replace the engine, which I did with a SE 120 ST So no matter what you do, there is no easy answer.