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[SDCVO]

Ask yourself this question:

If they don't charge me for the coverage and I don't pay a deductible, how do they make enough money to stay in business?

If the dealership is paying them to participate in this program, what is their incentive to do so?  Do they jack up the maintenance prices enough to cover their costs, or jack up the price of the vehicle?

There is no such thing as a free lunch folks.  You are either paying for this through high maintenance charges, or in the purchase price of the bike.  And considering all the high cost engine failures Harley has been having for many years now, this company has to be making some serious profits in order to be able to pay for those repairs.  There is much more that needs to be known about how this thing actually works.

Jerry

Spot On!

[Heatwave]

So why all the shade thrown at dealership service? I get it... its cheaper to do it yourself but is it really THAT much cheaper in the long run? Of course this depends on trusting the techs that work on your bike. But I have no problem with a reputable dealership service tech working on my bike.

I just had all the fluids (oil, primary, transmission) changed on my bike. New oil filter. Clutch cleaned. The brake fluid was flushed and changed under HD's brake recall (no charge). The tech noticed several screws had fallen out of one of the saddlebag hinges and replaced/tightened them with loctite. Cleaned my K&N air filter with detergent and reoiled it.

Oils were all replaced with Syn3. New gaskets where needed. Bike was inspected to check for leaking shocks, worn brake pads/rotors or any other failures/leaks.

It took 3 hrs while I relaxed with a cup of coffee, looked at new bikes etc.

Could I have done it myself... of course.

The cost for the service (winter rates) was $220. Seems pretty fair from my perspective and the bike is ready for the 2019 riding season. The dealerships get alot of crap but when you have a good one, its worth supporting them. Someday you might REALLY need them and you'll be glad you have a good working relationship.

So if the worst about the warranty-for-life is having to use your dealership for service, it doesn't seem like that terrible of a deal if you have a good working relationship with your dealer.

[skratch]

well, situations vary greatly.  in my case, my 'local' dealer (60 miles one way) charges $400 for a service.  no winter rate here in la.  the amount of miles I ride, that's 2 services per year for $800.  I do my own services, and with my choice of oils I can do both services for less than $100.

so I've had my bike for 6 years, that's $4800 in services vs $600.  to answer your question, yes, it is THAT much cheaper in the long run.

no disrespect intended to those who choose to let the dealers perform the service.  I just can't afford it.

[FLSTFI Dave]

I do pre paid maintenance with my dealer.  Saves me a lot going that route, and I do not have to do my own.  Service charges vary depending on which service it is, but average 400 dollars each.

So pre paid at 1100 for 3 years is a good deal for me.  This year I will have the 500, 5000, 10,000 and 15,000 at least maybe the 20,000 also. 

Then the second year 25,000, 30,000, 35,000 and 40,000.

So at the two year mark its brought my cost down to under 125 a service.  At 3 years I am well under 100 a service.

They do the work, and wash my bike.  I have a couple beers at the dealership restaurant and a cigar. 

[CVOStreetglide]

Here’s what seems to be coming on the sale/trade side.   

Recently, I purposely took a late model touring bike to the dealer to either sell or consign.

We haggled a little butcI had done my homework so we quickly settled on a cash purchase price.

BUT before they would complete the deal, they took the bike into the service shop and hooked up the digital tech. The mechanic said they were validating that the ECU hadn’t been changed by any non Harley products.

They opened both front and rear brake resevoirs looking for old DOT4 fluid and checked for the proper operation of the ABS System, miked the pads and rotors and checked the tread wear indicators and pressure on the tires and checked the oil, tranny and clutch fluids.

Then after a acceptable test ride they closed the deal.