| Author | Message | ||
     Joojoo |
Hi crew, Ill be taking delivery of my new XB12S soon and I have the option of purchasing an extended warranty for the machine. For an additional 5 years coverage (so a total of 7 years warranty), the price will be around 1900.00 Canadian. It covers pretty much everything besides general maintenance stuff. It seems like a good deal. What would you do? Buy it, or save the dough and bank on the reliability of the machine? Thanks, Jack | ||
| M1combat |
Well, I think it means you won't be able to modify it for 7 years, but if you decide to sell it in 5 years, you have a VERY good selling point. I think it would depend on whether or not you wish to make any modifications to it. edited by m1combat on December 12, 2003 | ||
| Spiderman |
Before any one else does, Don't run Battle Trax LOL Just Kidding. OK now for the real answer. It depends on your mechanical skill and what you plan on doin to the bike. If you keep it stock an don;t wanna work on it, I say go for it. If you like to tinker an wanna add tons of goodies I say stick with the standard 2 years. I know when I get my 12R I will be gettin ton's O' Warranty manly cause it is secondary bike an I plan on keepin it stock. | ||
| Kcfirebolt |
This will be a neat discussion. I bought the extended warranty, because I bought my XB in May 2002. I did not know what teething problems to expect from a first year model. However, so far I really haven't needed it (16k miles) and after reading the brochure post purchase, I got the feeling that it really did not cover much short of some catastrophic engine failure. If I had it to do over again today, I probably would not buy the warranty, especially since you guys get a two year warranty (my XB only got one year). Two years ago, Buell did not have the best reputation for reliability, so that was weighing heavily on my mind. I think it is pretty clear now that the XBs are very reliable. Speak up guys. To warranty or not to warranty. That is the question. | ||
| Reepicheep |
The warranty is only as good as your dealer. And even then, the dealer will hold most of the cards, and have a LOT of control. I have 2 dealers within 20 miles of my house. I have learned the hard way not to deal with either when possible. The nearest good dealer (F&S Buell in Dayton) is about 70 miles away. One of the bad ones, when seeing a leaky rocker box gasket on a Cyclone with 3500 miles, in early May, told me the first appointment they could make for repairing it was in July, and that they would have to keep the bike for a week to do it. No thanks... half the summer in down time for a 2 hour job. I might feel different if DaveS, Bubba, Spidey, or Modesto Buell was my "local dealer". In that case it is probably money well spent. edited by reepicheep on December 12, 2003 | ||
| Dave |
Personally I think the XB build quality is up there and an extended warranty would be money down the drain. Either way, you should have till your 23rd month before you buy the H-D/Buell extended warranty? On my tuber...I was exstatic when the 12 month warranty ran out. I couldn't mess it up any worse than what I was experiencing from the "professionals". And if you follow some of the rumor here... If ya change the tires for other than OEM, they will void your warranty completely.  hahahaha DAve | ||
| Nevco1 |
I concur with Spidey's "Real Answer" and especially like his CYA note.  | ||
| Mikej |
Yep, comes down to what you plan to do to the bike, how mechanical you are, and what your local dealership status is. If you plan to modify the bike, if you're fairly competant mechanically, and if your local dealership sucks tiks from hound dogs then I'd say blow off the warranty. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
And if you follow some of the rumor here... If ya change the tires for other than OEM, they will void your warranty completely. Wow I hadn't heard that one...switches to Pilots as fast as he can... | ||
| Joojoo |
Im gonna keep that bike stock, just lower the thing, which should not void out the warranty. I dunno, its a hard call. My dealership is GREAT. Awesome group of people that really know Buell. They run a Buell race sponsorship, and really love the product. As far as waiting until the 23rd month, the price goes up significantly if I wait to buy the extended warranty. Jack | ||
| Mikej |
"Im gonna keep that bike stock, just lower the thing..." You just answered your own question. If it isn't sold by Buell as a factory lowering kit and installed by a certified Buell dealership staffed by service technicians (like mechanics only different) trained at a specific school, then lowering your bike could very easily be a warranty voiding issue. Maybe I'm jaded, maybe not, but if it isn't in the Buell accessory book then it isn't approved, and if it says "for race use only" then it kills any warranty. And if the price goes up significantly by waiting then that smells of a pressure sales tactic and I'd personally pass on it. But I'm me and you're you so do what works for you. | ||
| 99buellx1 |
The warranty is available in other time increments if 7 years seems too much. I bought it, only used it a couple times, it was worth it. Craig | ||
| Buckinfubba |
I am not gonna say a thing except this...its not really gonna get ya seven years...but 5 read real close when the extended warranty begins. other than that do what makes you comfortable... Maybe I come from the otherside of this being a tech. I have seen the extended warranty company not cover stuff I thought was covered. Kinda like a auto extended warranty. oh well I wasn't go say anything. but I will say this I am a foolish idiot and have never purchased an extended warranty for anything. sometimes I shoulda sometimes it didn't need to | ||
| Nevco1 |
DAve...Tires are OK. I got that from the top. It is the Corbin saddle and Napoleon mirrors that get you in trouble. Just kidding. | ||
| Dave |
hahaha Exactly Bill  ...don't forget the the non H-D oil voiding all warranty as well (Just Picking!!) DAve | ||
| Dcmortalcoil |
"Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act" governs warranties. It's a Federal law. There are many websites that discuss this topic. The biggest teeth this act provides is that breaching warranty is a violation of federal law; it allows consumers to recover court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. I'm sure Buell dealers are well aware of this Act. If not, inform them. Maybe then your warranty issues might go away. | ||
| Nevco1 |
Hey, DAve...Thanks for not busting my stones. Am off my soap box for now. We actually agree on the subject, I was just playing Devil's Advocate to prompt a response (that never came) from above. LOL Lyle...I see you are an attorney. Think you will understand this. The worst 45 minutes of my life was spent having to give a 45 minute lecture on the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act at a national sales meeting in 1977. Had to turn the sound system up to "10" just to be heard over the snoring. LOL | ||
| Mikej |
Not to mention the probable fact that most consumers can't afford the same level of legal talent that the Corp can and can't afford the time off work to fight the battle regardless of recovery fees. That, in my opinion, is what the Corp and Warranty people bank on. That, also in my opinion, is what leads to class action lawsuits. Lyle, are you, perhaps, aware of any legal types looking to take a case on stat (no win no pay)? If so look around the site a bit and you'll find plenty of small issues and small battles and small fires that need some legal attending to. And this in no way should reflect on the people in East Troy designing and building the bikes. I'm talking about pre-sale promises and after-sale customer services and broken promises. edited by mikej on December 12, 2003 | ||
| Nevco1 |
Mike...all the M-M Act actually did was force the manufacturers into boiler plate "Limited Warranties." The terms "Warranty" and "Guarantee" virtually went away by merit of the increased liability exposure. Furthermore, it placed emphasis on strict liability which in turn strengthened the manufacturers position (in court) concerning modifications to their product, application, method of installation and actual vs intended use. In essence, the Act gave additional protection (and liability) to the consumer, the manufacturer and everyone in between. Made sense back when America made products for Americans, but doesn't mean a thing on direct imports unless an American company gets stuck holding the bag. In today's economy, that means Home Depot, Wal Mart, etc just eat it when one of their direct imports fail now that the Asian companies cut out the American manufacturers that put them in business. | ||
| Nevco1 |
Addendum: Is also the reason why Menard's (an Upper Midwestern Home Center Chain) is a real pain to deal with if you want to return an item for any reason. | ||
| Mikej |
I was just going to mention that (and it isn't just Mendards), all items needing repair or replacement under a warranty issue (aka: didn't work when it came out of the box) is supposed to be sent back to the manufacturer. There are some goodwill exchanges made if you have your original receipt and return it within a week or so and take it to the customer service desk and don't cuss or yell at the clerk, sometimes. Again, most people don't have the time or patience to deal with an overseas company that doesn't speak the same language. Basically it's a game of staying in business long enough without running out of customers who vow to never return before you change the corporate name and image and start manufacturing something else. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
You know alot of us are poking fun at the Buell warrenty but honestly I have only heard of very rare times when Buell didn't come through on a warrenty issue. And those rare moments came down to straight out customer abuse, like for instance...One guy with a head bearing problem...he was trick riding it and mashed the bearings from repeated wheelies, things like that. Or the guy that wanted his "cracked" rim replaced. Course it cracked you moron you blew the tire doing burnouts... | ||
| Nevco1 |
MikeJ...go to Home Depot and peek into the shipping/receiving area. The big huge cage is the Return to Vendor (RTV) area and is checked by every American vendor with a return policy at least once a month. (Incidentally, I don't know if Menards stores even have one. They don't allow anyone back there. Is a very vendor unfriendly environment. Don't ever get caught writing down prices or anything like that in a Menards store. You will get the bums rush so quick it will make your head swim.) The import stuff directly imported by the retailer is usually "field destroy" and reports are accumulated by the home office for negotiating a credit off their next container purchase. Both the Funds and Title to the goods transfer the second it leaves the dock, well before the ship is underway. Bottom line is if the offshore manufacturer even senses you are shopping their competition, you are left holding the bag. Same applies if the return rate is too high. Wouldn't work for an American manufacturing/marketing company but seems to work just fine for others. So forget your classes in Business Ethics in an international economy. New school is "do it till you get caught and then lie your way out of it." More specifically, if I ever hear "I am Chinese Citizen...You can't touch me" one more time (you can imagine the look of panic and choppy accent), I am going to...Grrr, never mind. | ||
| Nevco1 |
JooJoo...Concerning the extended warranty. If you plan on keeping the bike seven years and in (relatively) stock form, I would buy it. Just make sure you know what is and is not covered, especially before you go making any modifications. Also, is the extended warranty transferable in the event you sell the bike? I saw this implied in a few posts but don't recall you saying this particular one was. | ||
| Dynarider |
The warranty is only as good as your dealer. And even then, the dealer will hold most of the cards, and have a LOT of control. I have 2 dealers within 20 miles of my house. I have learned the hard way not to deal with either when possible. Best post so far. And extended warranties on anything ar just about useless. Ask the honest salesmen out there, they will tell you that all they are is 100% pure dealer profit. If the product is well made as they claim..and this goes for anything, TV's DVD players, bikes, etc...then why sell these extended warranties? Plus they are so full of hidden hoops you have to jump thru. Save your money & dont buy the extended. If the bike lasts you for 2 years with no major breakdowns, then I wouldnt worry about any future years. And Mike, I know when we bought the X1 that the extended warranty could be purchased within a month or 2 for X amount of $$, but if we waited towards the end of the warranty period to purchase it the price skyrocketed. | ||
| Kaese |
I have to agree with Bubba and Dyna, I never get the extended warranty on anything. Any form of insurance can be looked at from this prospective, it is basically a bet against the dealer that something will go wrong and they have to fix/replace. You have a 2 year warranty included and anything that is seriously wrong with your bike will surface during that 2 years. The only warranty extension I seriously considered was on the tires. But I procrastinated and racked up to many miles to make it worth the trouble. Looking back, I am glad I didn’t spring for it. Spent that $$ on performance mods instead. I’m not rough on tires anyway and can get at least 7-9K miles out of them. | ||
| Court |
The extended warranty is sold BY the dealers (as a HUGE mark up item) and is a 3rd party insurer. A claim is handled through the insurer, you get a check from them and pay the dealer, the dealer is uninvolved. The 3rd party insurers are at the used car salesmen level on my list based on my experience with them while at Buell. ("why do you want to know what we cover...our policies are confidential" Given the reliability of the XB and Buell's track record of coming through, I'd forego the extended warranty. And STILL in the end . . . SHOP FOR THE DEALER. Your entire experience can be made great or poor by the dealer in the picture. | ||
| Buckinfubba |
thats exactly what I was trying to say but didn't know how to express it thanks court...your a linguist mofo!!! i friggin ain't... oh well it don't make no nevermind no how anyways... hows that a quaddrupple negative.... | ||
| Chainsaw |
I bought the EW on my 01 Sportster. Money back guarantee. If I don't use the EW, I send in this little certificate in May of '05, I get a check back for $799. I call this a win-win situation. I bought the +4 year EW on the Firebolt for $799 because it was a brand new line of bikes (June '02), and it might have a glitch or two. (no money back guarantee) If I were buying an '04, I would not get the EW. A large part of that is due to my new found confidence working on my own bikes, and the overall reliability of the machines. | ||
| Dcmortalcoil |
Mikej, Lyle, are you, perhaps, aware of any legal types looking to take a case on stat (no win no pay)? If so look around the site a bit and you'll find plenty of small issues and small battles and small fires that need some legal attending to. I'm not a litigator. And I only specialize in intellectual property, namely patents & trademarks. Unfortunately, not many lawyers take on cases on the contingency basis. | ||
| Dynarider |
I bought the EW on my 01 Sportster. Money back guarantee. If I don't use the EW, I send in this little certificate in May of '05, I get a check back for $799. I call this a win-win situation. Ask MikeJ about that deal  | ||
| Chainsaw |
Dyna: I've got all my receipts, service dates, mileage etc. documented. C.Y.A.! | ||
| Darthane |
Ditto what Chainsaw said. I bought the 4 year on my Firebolt because they were a completely new model. Looking back now, I probably didn't need it (wasn't that expensive, though, so water under the bridge). The engine on this thing is fricking bulletproof, and anything else that goes wrong I'd just fix myself anyways. Besides, I've got a race kit, POOF! No more warranty! LOL | ||
| Mikej |
Chainsaw, You might want to verify that, the part about sending in the certificate at the end of the period. I'll check the fine print on my end once I finish finding the paperwork. I was told there were specific procedures to follow, and waiting until the end of the warranty period to send in the certificate/coupon was not one of them. I hope you're right for your sake. | ||
| Chainsaw |
 | ||
| Chainsaw |
looks like fill in the blank, add stamp, wait for money. | ||
| Mikej |
Wish they had that when I got my "money back guarantee" warranty. |
