Not so much a problem more of a question about Honda and its Warranty

[JaysGone]

Not so much a problem more of a question about Honda and its Warranty

When I bought my trike 2+ years ago. It had an extra or 4th year on the OEM warranty. As bought by the original owner.
The warranty would have expired this Monday the 20th.
I had the opportunity to add an additional as new bike warranty through Honda.
So I did.
For $900 and change a little over a thousand with taxes I added 3 more years for a total of 7 years.

Now this is the question part.
We all know that adding a trike kit voids Hondas warranty.
But also as in the past a lot but not all dealers don't care and honor the warranty regardless.
Their attitude is don't ask don't tell. They just want to get paid for the work from Honda.
How many if any of you folks have had Honda refuse to honor or repair the motorcycle portion of your trikes??
I know Im taking a gamble here but the Manager of my local dealership assured me this wont be an issue with them.

My trike has been 100% trouble free on the Honda end, going 20K miles so far.
But I do or have had on a few occasions the mystery non proven till it breaks the transmission, "Ghost" shift.
In my case in 4th accelerating and it has popped back into 3rd a few times over the 2 years Ive owned it.
Bend the fork, break the transmission its a $3500 repair job.
Im not going to be happy if it does happen and I have to foot the bill.
That is/was my main reasoning to pay for the extension.
Other things could go wrong too. Like having a fear that reverse is going to crap out on me at some point too. I do depend on it a lot with my bad legs so its in constant use.

So what do you folks think??
Did I just toss a grand down the drain??:Shrug:

 

[FRR]

Re: Not so much a problem more of a question about Honda and its Warranty

I don't know if this is helpful or not but I've owned 9 Wings and never needed any type of repair except for a stator problem in my 84. They are essentially worry free.....Let's put it this way,, had 9 Wings and never needed an extended warranty. Had 7 Harleys and ALL of them needed something that it would have helped if I had an extended warranty on them,, and three of them I did.

Most of the guys I know in the local GWRRA chapter never have purchased extended warranty and never were sorry they didn't. Guess it depends how much of a chance one wants to take. Did you say it costs $3500.00 to repair a tranny? That is really some labor charge.

 

[JaysGone]

Re: Not so much a problem more of a question about Honda and its Warranty

Yes that was an estimated "what if" worst case I was given by a Honda service manager.
Bent fork and cracked transmission gears or case.
I don't feel I need it truthfully but just another bit of insurance.
Ive wasted money on extended warranties before with cars maybe it will be this time too.
I hope in a way it is.
I use the trike daily its my main transportation.
Plus its the easiest way to get Roadside Assistance for a trike/motorcycle in my area.
That I have needed in the past.
Last flat on my bike total was over $300 with the bike being picked up.

 

[FRR]

Re: Not so much a problem more of a question about Honda and its Warranty

Yes that was an estimated "what if" worst case I was given by a Honda service manager.
Bent fork and cracked transmission gears or case.
I don't feel I need it truthfully but just another bit of insurance.
Ive wasted money on extended warranties before with cars maybe it will be this time too.
I hope in a way it is.
I use the trike daily its my main transportation.
Plus its the easiest way to get Roadside Assistance for a trike/motorcycle in my area.
That I have needed in the past.
Last flat on my bike total was over $300 with the bike being picked up.

My AAA with the Level II coverage includes my trike along with my cars. Only had to use it once and that was for a car I was in. Some of the guys on this site have a Harley and a Wing Trike and maybe they will offer there opinion also.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Re: Not so much a problem more of a question about Honda and its Warranty

There are many threads/posts on this subject here and elsewhere! One manufacturer used to have a statement on their web sight explaining adding their conversion would void the warranty.
If your dealer is going to cover the bike, even though triked:
1. Get it in writting!
2. Never ride further away from that dealer than you want to have you trike towed back.
The problem seems to be, of late, when claims are filed on drive train failures, factory reps are showing up to review the bikes and the failed parts.
On the other hand, there are many Honda dealers that do conversions and I'm sure Honda knows this but, there seems to be no problems w/warranty claims at those dealerships:Shrug:

 

[Lucky]

Re: Not so much a problem more of a question about Honda and its Warranty

IMO is it all depends on the dealer. MAMA HONDA has no way of know it is a trike us the dealer tells her. RIDE SAFE

 

[msocko3]

Re: Not so much a problem more of a question about Honda and its Warranty

My AAA with the Level II coverage includes my trike along with my cars. Only had to use it once and that was for a car I was in. Some of the guys on this site have a Harley and a Wing Trike and maybe they will offer there opinion also.

:Agree: On the AAA, I have it for the truck and the bike & trike.

 

[Solidbob]

Re: Not so much a problem more of a question about Honda and its Warranty

Have had AAA Premier for 26 years, covers everything that has wheels, further towing mileage, specify tow vehicle IE: Roll-back if its a bike or trike, the most distance used was in Wyoming and the closest dealer was in Idaho, it took three roll-backs to finally get one that made it to my location, and made it to the dealer in Idaho Springs with 1 hour prior to close. Took two days for repair and parts ordered next day.... was not done correctly as it happened again before we got out of Arizona..... Damn Bagger HD..... still have it but it finally came home in the back of a U-Haul Cube Van.... was cheaper than fixing it at an off-bread dealer who saw $$$$$$ signs.... fixed it myself when I got home!!!

But have used AAA enough to pay for it a number of times.... even on my neighbors Tahoe when he locked the keys inside..... its nice to go to Dinner on friends.....

As we travel a lot its a mileage thing with us.... make sure it covers your towing mileage......epper:

Haven't had to use it on the RV yet !!!!

 

[JaysGone]

Re: Not so much a problem more of a question about Honda and its Warranty

I used to have AAA and it didn't cover the bikes.
I used it once in 15 years. Dead car battery.
I might look into it again.
My car is 17 years old after all.

 

[FRR]

Re: Not so much a problem more of a question about Honda and its Warranty

Jay, AAA Basic does not cover bikes or trikes but AAA Plus does and instead of covering a tow for 3 miles it covers up to 100. Premier is even better but more costly. I friend of mine had basic, needed a tow and it cost him a bundle since every mile over 3 was $3.00 a mile. Bummer. At least that is how the coverage works here in good old Southern Ohio.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Re: Not so much a problem more of a question about Honda and its Warranty

IMO is it all depends on the dealer. MAMA HONDA has no way of know it is a trike us the dealer tells her. RIDE SAFE

So, you don't think some one at Mother Honda doesn't peruse these forums:xzqxz:

 

[JaysGone]

Re: Not so much a problem more of a question about Honda and its Warranty

Jay, AAA Basic does not cover bikes or trikes but AAA Plus does and instead of covering a tow for 3 miles it covers up to 100. Premier is even better but more costly. I friend of mine had basic, needed a tow and it cost him a bundle since every mile over 3 was $3.00 a mile. Bummer. At least that is how the coverage works here in good old Southern Ohio.

I looked up the local rates for my area after reading some of the posts here.
When I had AAA last was about 8 years ago while my mom was still alive to cover her.
It was the basic. So no bikes back then.
I let my auto renewal lapse when I moved and didn't tell them of my address change.
Since I ride more then drive.
At the time they didn't offer bike coverage here. Its never occurred to me to take another look at AAA.
It might be worth it to me to look into the middle level plan.
I only go local, once in awhile 50 miles or more from home.
Since I use my trike to commute to work. Flat bed serve would be nice, but now I have that with Honda so?? AAA maybe.
Distance trips for me are by car.
And as I said before my car is far from perfect being 17 years old. LOL......NOT:AGGHH:. I don't trust it much anymore except for local drives.

 

[Pegasus1300]

Re: Not so much a problem more of a question about Honda and its Warranty

Remember there is also roadside assistance as part of your AMA membership, which every rider should have IMHO as a support to our biggest and most vocal rights advocate

 

[rmrc51]

Re: Not so much a problem more of a question about Honda and its Warranty

The dealer I use in Central Virginia honors the bike's warranty after a trike conversion regardless of the make of the trike kit. They even do trike conversions for MotorTrike. I have a Roadsmith and have had servicing done with no questions asked.

 

[JaysGone]

Re: Not so much a problem more of a question about Honda and its Warranty

Bad news and more bad news.
Honda refused the extension on my warranty.
It turns out that you have a choice of extending the warranty at the time of purchase only. Be it one year or 4 years for the total of 7 years...............dang it..
Since mine only had the one year extension.
They now consider it a used bike and will not honor nor add to the existing warranty.
To me I can see how they come to this conclusion. Of course I don't agree but that's irrelevant as I don't have a leg to stand on.
So no additional time from Honda.

As to other after market companies the usual rub.
They want to inspect the bike.
If they see its a trike...........A no go at any cost.
So Im now warranty less and not a happy camper.
Im just hoping that the bike lives up to its past reputation and is a 250000 mile motor as I think I like it enough to keep it.
Looks like regular maintenances is in my future.
An additional note of good fortune for me, bad for the dealer that's been doing work for me.
Motor Trike now has a dealer only 30 minutes from me.
Broward Motorsports.:clapping:

Sorry guys at Cowel Motorsports in Lake Placid who have gone above and beyond for me.
The 3+ hour ride each way to see you guys.
Aint gonna happen no more. So you all can keep the $23 credit I have with you and my thanks.

 

[JaysGone]

Re: Not so much a problem more of a question about Honda and its Warranty

Since I no longer have any coverage from Honda.
I joined the AMA today.
Please tell me its not a waste of money guys.
Since I hardly use my car. I figured Id rather support a bike organization.
Rather then joining AAA.
I hope I did the right thing.ThumbUp

 

[harlin]

Re: Not so much a problem more of a question about Honda and its Warranty

The dealer I use in Central Virginia honors the bike's warranty after a trike conversion regardless of the make of the trike kit. They even do trike conversions for MotorTrike. I have a Roadsmith and have had servicing done with no questions asked.

I'm east of you,Gloucester,investigating replacement of a CSC cobra. would like to know the dealer you reference..... Sorry for any procedural goofs ...first post to a forum !

 

[John Luciano]

Re: Not so much a problem more of a question about Honda and its Warranty

I think your dealer saved you $900. Put it in the bank. In 3 years take a nice vacation.

 

[JaysGone]

Re: Not so much a problem more of a question about Honda and its Warranty

I think your dealer saved you $900. Put it in the bank. In 3 years take a nice vacation.

Its going towards an emergency bike repair fund.
Ill add a few hundred every year.
I might need it sooner.
Yesterday getting on the highway. Im in 3rd gear accelerating about 4K rpm.... shift to 4th. Bike shifted back to 3rd then into 5th.
All in one big bang in a fraction of a second.
Jerked me around a bit.
Go figure. Today all is back to normal.
With this bike when shifting. 1st 2nd 3rd all have a nice firm clunk to the shift change.
4th and 5th, almost no clunk or feeling in the shift peg to speak of. And that's all the time.
Makes me think this is why the previous owner canned the machine.
This has happened to me in one form or another maybe 3 or 4 times in 2 years and 12k miles.
As we all know. Honda doesn't admit a "ghost shift" problem exists. As you cant do it on demand.
You just end up with a junked transmission. Maybe a 3K+$$ repair bill for a new transmission.
Who knows what if its just a bent shift fork replaced. If your lucky.
The PO paid cash for the trike new. Sold it to a rich mans toy store in Austin 2 years later while still very much under warranty.
He had to have taken a big bath by doing that.
Its just one of those things that makes one go .........................Hymmmmmmm:xzqxz: