Should I buy more Warranty?

[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.

 

[520fd]

One of the local HD dealership are offering Life time warranty's. With a purchase of a New and Used bike's. Reiman's HD out of Kewanee, Illinois. Go figure. Would be nice if every dealer would offer that.:clapping:

 

[Freewheeling Ron]

Kind of amazing reading through this thread. I'm new to Harleys. But none of my newer Triumphs, Suzuki have ever had any warranty work (2009 to 2013 bikes). I have many classic Hondas, 1965 to 1990 that are still all original, no rebuilds and run great. I don't know of any other manufacturers that have thousands dollars plus failures like described here. I bought my 2015 Freewheeler used with only 264 miles on it but it was already 2 years old. It currently has about 3,300 miles on it. Does anyone know if I can get a Cornerstone esp after factory warranty is out? I have DK stage one and a trailer hitch.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Ron, I dunno about the hitch

Harley frowns on them

If you are still under factory warranty, ditch the hitch for now

Talk to your selling dealer

Most dealers now thru HD can for a 50 dollar inspection fee qualify you for a HD ESP

 

[ISP-FL]

One of the local HD dealership are offering Life time warranty's. With a purchase of a New and Used bike's. Reiman's HD out of Kewanee, Illinois. Go figure. Would be nice if every dealer would offer that.:clapping:

We visit the Peoria area most summers to visit family in the area. My son will drive 70 miles to have any Harley work done at Reiman's HD instead of using two closer local dealers. I didn't know about them offering the life time warranty, but they have certainly built up a reputation for being a honest and well equipped service dealership.

 

[PosseRider]

Read the fine print on that warranty. One I looked at said ALL service had to be done at HD shop. That will get pricey.

 

[trikeman]

Read the fine print on that warranty. One I looked at said ALL service had to be done at HD shop. That will get pricey.

From what I’ve heard, it’s pricey with or without a warranty. A warranty is basically insurance to help cover those pricey repairs.

 

[PosseRider]

From what I’ve heard, it’s pricey with or without a warranty. A warranty is basically insurance to help cover those pricey repairs.

Not if you do your own service work

 

[trikeman]

Not if you do your own service work

Then you don’t need a warranty. I’m guessing warranty will require work or service and parts be done by HD certified technician. Course I’ve guessed wrong many times.

 

[hogcowboy]

Then you don’t need a warranty. I’m guessing warranty will require work or service and parts be done by HD certified technician. Course I’ve guessed wrong many times.

Service not at all. And some warranty work you can do but just need to take the bad parts back after they, if they can, see what the problem is and agree you can do that work as well. Service you just need to keep receipts or proof of purchase and good documentation for warranty work that you don't want to do. Like potentially a complete engine swap which could happen.

 

[paws]

Not if you do your own service work

What about failing OEM parts... like a radio...?

 

[MikeyTX]

Read the fine print on that warranty. One I looked at said ALL service had to be done at HD shop. That will get pricey.

That's what is usually the norm.

 

[ultrafxr]

Then you don’t need a warranty. I’m guessing warranty will require work or service and parts be done by HD certified technician. Course I’ve guessed wrong many times.

Independent shops can get set up to perform repairs covered by the H-D sponsored service contract as well as those from Cornerstone, First Extended, etc. Does not have to be a Harley dealer but not having a good independent nearby I always take my bike(s) to the dealer for repairs covered by the service contract.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Last year I had HD extended warranty work done at an Independent Shop in the Memphis area. Cycle Therapy.

They did over $1500 worth of warranty work to the Softail...my cost $50, same as it would have been at a HD Dealership.

They did just under $500 on the Tri-Glide, again, my cost $50, same as a HD Dealership.

Last time I took it in to them, they were not so great...I think they were overly busy, and not particularly familiar with Tri-Glides and just didn't want to mess with it. After 10 days of it just sitting there I picked it up and took it to the HD Dealership.

Kevin

 

[Freewheeling Ron]

Are the warranty companies ok with modifications like a DK stage one and a Power Vision tuner?

 

[MikeyTX]

you should know by now that if they can find a reason to deny a claim on a modified power train, it's gonna happen

 

[Jack Klarich]

Are the warranty companies ok with modifications like a DK stage one and a Power Vision tuner?

I would bet not, since HD got clobbered so hard by the EPA

My guess is not many will be willing to stick their necks out until HD gets a handle on this

 

[MikeyTX]

Exactly why I responded as I did.

 

[Freewheeling Ron]

Thanks guys. Since I already have the mods and trike is out of factory warranty, I'll just save the warranty money, pull the trailer and see what happens. Everything seems to be going well so far.

 

[MikeyTX]

I never heard of being able to buy an extended coverage once the bike is out of the factory coverage

 

[Jack Klarich]

I never heard of being able to buy an extended coverage once the bike is out of the factory coverage

Some dealers are offering it with a 50.00 inspection fee and a mileage limit Here in Jax FLA Adamecs HD offers it You may shop around on line