Should I buy more Warranty?

[rhino 2]

Kevin, That is chilling news and an indication that Harley has chosen to stay in line with their consent decree and keep their dealers in line in terms of mods that would affect the EPA mandates. I for one do not want to have my Harley-sourced ESP contract for my 2017 TGU voided for a powertrain that has yet to prove its long-term reliability. Additionally, it seems that some of the mods people have been attempting on the M8 engines are proving to be going in the opposite direction that was intended and with few anecdotal reports are experiencing some decreased performance and smooth running.



Bob

Yep.....Some mistakenly think a louder exhaust, And a louder air cleaner equal more horsepower....Usually its just the opposite....:xzqxz:

 

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin, That is chilling news and an indication that Harley has chosen to stay in line with their consent decree and keep their dealers in line in terms of mods that would affect the EPA mandates. I for one do not want to have my Harley-sourced ESP contract for my 2017 TGU voided for a powertrain that has yet to prove its long-term reliability. Additionally, it seems that some of the mods people have been attempting on the M8 engines are proving to be going in the opposite direction that was intended and with few anecdotal reports are experiencing some decreased performance and smooth running.

Bob

Yep, typical...one arm of the Fed. Gov. doing something that is opposite of another arm.

Important thing for folks reading...this is only on 2017-up models...earlier year models this does not apply.

I am unaware of what others are doing that is reducing performance (but it does not surprise me).

All the things we are doing with M8's are giving a nice boost, and all of them are easily reversible, so there are no warranty implications.

Here's a chart of a nice power gain on a M8 Freewheeler-

The above is with no change to the tune, and the factory tune with the above A/C was still NOT too lean.

Here's another, with an adjusted tune (which is reversible, should a warranty claim need to be made)

Kevin

 

[Fozworth]

Thanks to all

Well, I had to make a decision on whether to buy an extended service contract or not since my time is up. I also had to decide if a third party contract would be trustworthy.

After reading everyone's thoughts and concerns I decided:

1. Yes, I need an extended service contract because I hear from too many folks talk about catastrophic break downs of both engines and transmissions with not many miles and no aggressive riding styles.

2. I found I can pay half the cost of a contract from sellers on-line but do I have the courage to trust a contract other than a HD from my dealer who will have to look me in the eye to tell me "it's not covered". Today I chose HD.

3. My cost with tax for an extra 5 years beyond the original 2 years turned out to be 2700.00 rounded off.

This is not a happy purchase. Due to HD potential lack of quality I feel mugged, not happy.

I can't even totally feel good like I can sleep at night knowing my Trike is covered. Why, because the Cat is removed and HD used a SE tuner after removing the Cat for me. So, I may have just purchased a few sheets of paper for $2,700.00. (My dealer told me it should be OK but didn't sound very confident).

Thanks again for all your help. I need to go throw up now.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Well, I had to make a decision on whether to buy an extended service contract or not since my time is up. I also had to decide if a third party contract would be trustworthy.

After reading everyone's thoughts and concerns I decided:

1. Yes, I need an extended service contract because I hear from too many folks talk about catastrophic break downs of both engines and transmissions with not many miles and no aggressive riding styles.

2. I found I can pay half the cost of a contract from sellers on-line but do I have the courage to trust a contract other than a HD from my dealer who will have to look me in the eye to tell me "it's not covered". Today I chose HD.

3. My cost with tax for an extra 5 years beyond the original 2 years turned out to be 2700.00 rounded off.

This is not a happy purchase. Due to HD potential lack of quality I feel mugged, not happy.

I can't even totally feel good like I can sleep at night knowing my Trike is covered. Why, because the Cat is removed and HD used a SE tuner after removing the Cat for me. So, I may have just purchased a few sheets of paper for $2,700.00. (My dealer told me it should be OK but didn't sound very confident).

Thanks again for all your help. I need to go throw up now.

Yeah, the cost of the extended warranties hurt...but once you accept that it is part of the purchase price...actually calculate it in in your purchasing decision, then it just becomes part of the cost of the purchase.

You will not have any warranty issues with your 2016...it is only on the 2017 & later than they could ding you for the cat removal.

And even for the 2017 & up, if you had a major warranty issue... put it back to stock before taking it in.

Kevin

 

[hogcowboy]

Yeah, the cost of the extended warranties hurt...but once you accept that it is part of the purchase price...actually calculate it in in your purchasing decision, then it just becomes part of the cost of the purchase.

You will not have any warranty issues with your 2016...it is only on the 2017 & later than they could ding you for the cat removal.

And even for the 2017 & up, if you had a major warranty issue... put it back to stock before taking it in.

Kevin

That's if you can. If your ECM gets trashed in the process you might not be able to put everything back or you'll have trail marks that show what you did. It's all iffy and really depends on the dealer. Of course I could be all wet too.:Shrug::Shrug::Shrug::xzqxz::xzqxz::xzqxz:

 

[rhino 2]

That's if you can. If your ECM gets trashed in the process you might not be able to put everything back or you'll have trail marks that show what you did. It's all iffy and really depends on the dealer. Of course I could be all wet too.:Shrug::Shrug::Shrug::xzqxz::xzqxz::xzqxz:

I keep on hearing if something blows up just put it back to stock....And that might work if it blew up on your driveway.... Hypothetically speaking...

You are on Vacation in Moose Leg Corners Iowa, And you forgot to bring along your Snap-on tool chest and the extra stock parts/pipes... Or you had the dealer install the offending part because you didn't have the wherewithal to do it your self......Therein lies the conundrum...:gah:My opinion if anyone is worried about the warrteny, just leave the Trike stock, Or just change what you want, And why worry...Been there a few times Myself when i tried to out think the engineers...

 

[DK Custom Products]

That's if you can. If your ECM gets trashed in the process you might not be able to put everything back or you'll have trail marks that show what you did. It's all iffy and really depends on the dealer. Of course I could be all wet too.:Shrug::Shrug::Shrug::xzqxz::xzqxz::xzqxz:

Using a Power Vision will not trash the ECM, Nor will it leave trail marks showing what you did use a PV. There are other tuners that will, but not the PV when used with a tune that came from DK, FM or DJ.

I keep on hearing if something blows up just put it back to stock....And that might work if it blew up on your driveway.... Hypothetically speaking...

You are on Vacation in Moose Leg Corners Iowa, And you forgot to bring along your Snap-on tool chest and the extra stock parts/pipes... Or you had the dealer install the offending part because you didn't have the wherewithal to do it your self......Therein lies the conundrum...:gah:My opinion if anyone is worried about the warrteny, just leave the Trike stock, Or just change what you want, And why worry...Been there a few times Myself when i tried to out think the engineers...

See post #77 above. It is not that big of a hassle to undo a Stage I, even in Moose Leg Corners, Iowa.

Does not require more tools than can be carried in a small bag.

I am very concerned about my warranty (I use it a lot...hahaha), BUT, I am not going to ride 50k or 100k miles on a bike that is choked down (stock condition) compromising my riding enjoyment for 1000-2000 hours.

I'd rather have my bike set up how I want, for maximum enjoyment while riding it.

If I have to (which has never occurred) spend a few hours putting it back to stock in exchange for that...it's worth it to me.

But I certainly understand those who this would not be worth it for.

Kevin

 

[Jack Klarich]

I don't have anything that cannot be undone in an hour liker Kevin said carrying a few tools

I have a copy of the stock HD tune also

I kind of do not buy that HD is going to check every ECM before work can be authorized, This to me does not make sense UNLESS they see a tuner device out in the open still hooked up

 

[rhino 2]

I don't have anything that cannot be undone in an hour liker Kevin said carrying a few tools

I have a copy of the stock HD tune also

I kind of do not buy that HD is going to check every ECM before work can be authorized, This to me does not make sense UNLESS they see a tuner device out in the open still hooked up

Thats you, And a few others,,But not everyone can...:Shrug:

Nobodies saying that they check every ECM, At least i'm not....But pull into Moose Leg with a piston hanging out, And you can bet Rocko the head wench at Moose Leg Harley....Isn't going to do a thing till a Harley factory rep pokes around a little...

I will leave this thread in peace.........

''So from where the Sun now stands' I will post on this subject no more forever...:cxtv:

Six Two Charlie .....Out......

 

[DK Custom Products]

I don't have anything that cannot be undone in an hour liker Kevin said carrying a few tools

I have a copy of the stock HD tune also

I kind of do not buy that HD is going to check every ECM before work can be authorized, This to me does not make sense UNLESS they see a tuner device out in the open still hooked up

Unfortunately, on 2017 and later models the dealership is required to hook up the digital tech to each bike that comes in for service. Whether they do it or not is another matter.

Thats you, And a few others,,But not everyone can...:Shrug:

Nobodies saying that they check every ECM, At least i'm not....But pull into Moose Leg with a piston hanging out, And you can bet Rocko the head wench at Moose Leg Harley....Isn't going to do a thing till a Harley factory rep pokes around a little...

I will leave this thread in peace.........

''So from where the Sun now stands' I will post on this subject no more forever...:cxtv:

Six Two Charlie .....Out......

No offense was meant.

Those that don't work on their own bikes would have a bit more of a challenge while traveling if a problem occurred that required warranty work. They would have to find an indie shop to do the couple hours work for them.

I also understand that there are many that are perfectly happy with factory performance...in which case there is no need to change anything.

For those that do want better performance, it just seems a waste to compromise their entire riding experience because of the rare chance that they would need power-train warranty work while traveling.

Kevin

 

[Freewheeling Ron]

Re-flashing the ecm and changing the air cleaner back are pretty easy, but the trailer hitch uninstall would be another issue for me if I were on the road. I had to put my Freewheeler on wheel ramps and loosen the exhaust pipes to remove and replace the frame bolts with longer ones and then reassemble. With my latest "old guy" issue, Essential Tremors, it was fun trying to get the bolts/nuts installed at the rear above the pipes. Took me a day just to do that.

I was reading some threads on the cost to rebuild an engine. Seems like it was $3,500 to $4,500 for a complete rebuild (twin cam). I'm not sure how accurate the costs estimates are, but if an extended warranty is $2,700 and you could still be denied warranty if a dealer doesn't like what you've done, seems like it isn't risking a lot to go forward without the extended warranty.

 

[Gorilla]

Just FYI a rebuild with a new long block for a 2015 CVO 110 is $6,000. My neighbor just got that price to have hers done at Space Coast Harley. It appears she spun a bearing with 25k on her Street Glide CVO. No extended Warrantee

 

[Jack Klarich]

Just FYI a rebuild with a new long block for a 2015 CVO 110 is $6,000. My neighbor just got that price to have hers done at Space Coast Harley. It appears she spun a bearing with 25k on her Street Glide CVO. No extended Warrantee

You can bet the M8 will be more

 

[DK Custom Products]

It's the electrical stuff that I've used my warranty on more than anything else.

After the my first TG engine top end got replaced under warranty for heat damage, we got the heat figured out, and I've had zero power train issues since then. (over one hundred thousand miles)

I've had several reverse motors replaced, a stereo head unit, several control paks....never had the infotainment go out...but if it did, that is around $2000.

Kevin

 

[Fozworth]

Re-flashing the ecm and changing the air cleaner back are pretty easy, but the trailer hitch uninstall would be another issue for me if I were on the road. I had to put my Freewheeler on wheel ramps and loosen the exhaust pipes to remove and replace the frame bolts with longer ones and then reassemble. With my latest "old guy" issue, Essential Tremors, it was fun trying to get the bolts/nuts installed at the rear above the pipes. Took me a day just to do that.

I was reading some threads on the cost to rebuild an engine. Seems like it was $3,500 to $4,500 for a complete rebuild (twin cam). I'm not sure how accurate the costs estimates are, but if an extended warranty is $2,700 and you could still be denied warranty if a dealer doesn't like what you've done, seems like it isn't risking a lot to go forward without the extended warranty.

Thanks for your thoughts Ron. I've already purchased the contract. I guess though in theory I could get a rebuilt engine every year for the next 5 years from the contract. That assumes they don't find a way to deny my claim.

 

[Fozworth]

Just FYI a rebuild with a new long block for a 2015 CVO 110 is $6,000. My neighbor just got that price to have hers done at Space Coast Harley. It appears she spun a bearing with 25k on her Street Glide CVO. No extended Warrantee

Reports like this are what convinced me that being without a service contract on my Harley would be financial suicide.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Reports like this are what convinced me that being without a service contract on my Harley would be financial suicide.

When my Streetbob blew up I had 50 dollars out of pocket with ESP

The next day a guy brought in 1 with less miles than mine but NO ESP

It cost at 5k when said and done for him

 

[ultrafxr]

It gets expensive really quickly when you are talking about rebuilds or replacements for the Harley motors. I sure hope the M8s hold up better than the 110" TCs. I had four failures on TC 110s - two each on two different bikes. And no, I don't abuse them just ride them very normally and harley above 75 mph or 4k rpm. Lifters and cam bearings are the culprits.

 

[Jack Klarich]

It gets expensive really quickly when you are talking about rebuilds or replacements for the Harley motors. I sure hope the M8s hold up better than the 110" TCs. I had four failures on TC 110s - two each on two different bikes. And no, I don't abuse them just ride them very normally and harley above 75 mph or 4k rpm. Lifters and cam bearings are the culprits.

Other cheap I dunno what HD was thinking with the poor lifter block and lifters design for the TC

I have seen many 110s suffer rear head gasket failures also

Dont get me going on the poor at best cam chains

 

[hogcowboy]

It's the electrical stuff that I've used my warranty on more than anything else.



After the my first TG engine top end got replaced under warranty for heat damage, we got the heat figured out, and I've had zero power train issues since then. (over one hundred thousand miles)

I've had several reverse motors replaced, a stereo head unit, several control paks....never had the infotainment go out...but if it did, that is around $2000.

Kevin

That's where 90% of my issues have been with Harley and Indian. Todays bike just have way too much dependent of electrical parts are working together. You don't just up an add any electrical doodad to my Indian or you might start throwing error codes or worse. But I do agree with flashing the ECM so the machine can actually do what it was designed to do. The EPA is killing us in that area. But there have been warranty claims denied because a tune flash was different than stock. So it is an issue on the Indian side and I can see Harley doing the same at some point if not already. I do see there side of it. The brains of these new machines is much different than the days of points and condensers. And with the power they have, leaving them stock they are still more powerful than bikes of the 60's. But this whole thread will be like an oil thread. There is no one answer for everyone. So with that, that's my take on the whole thing.

 

[MikeyTX]

I keep on hearing if something blows up just put it back to stock....And that might work if it blew up on your driveway.... Hypothetically speaking...

You are on Vacation in Moose Leg Corners Iowa, And you forgot to bring along your Snap-on tool chest and the extra stock parts/pipes... Or you had the dealer install the offending part because you didn't have the wherewithal to do it your self......Therein lies the conundrum...:gah:My opinion if anyone is worried about the warrteny, just leave the Trike stock, Or just change what you want, And why worry...Been there a few times Myself when i tried to out think the engineers...

xactly why my tri is stock w the exception of Harley tuner and cam. That way if something lets go, it is all H-D inside and out.

 

[Jack Klarich]

I just looked back on my last 7 new Harleys

All had Extended Warranties

All warranties were used saving me a lot of money and worries

1 complete engine clocked in @ a bit over 4,500.00

 

[MikeyTX]

Got good lottery #'s ?