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[johnbv]

I stopped at a Harley Dealer and they still have a leftover, never titled, 2012 Softail Deluxe at a greatly reduced price, I was told that Harley would not provide the original factory warranty because it was too old. I think the guy I talked to was misinformed, anyone have information or experience on this ? Thanks !!

[owl893]

No experience, but this is from my purchase agreement:

"The duration of this limited warranty is twenty four months, measured from the date of initial purchase and delivery from an authorized Harley Davidson dealer. Your dealer will submit an electronic Sales and Warranty Registration form to initiate your warranty. Any unexpired portion of this limited warranty will be transferred to subsequent owners, upon the resale of the motorcycle/sidecar during the warranty period."

IMO it should be covered, unless............ have they disclosed EVERYTHING? Damaged, flooded, etc.  What would void a warranty on a NEW bike?  I remember seeing some chatter about a bunch of bikes that "survived" hurricane Sandy that were new, but no longer covered. 

OWL

[Tractor Bubba]

It is possible the manufacturer has a limit on the warranty based upon the "total, maximum months from date of shipment and/or manufacture" - and that may not be spelled out in the customer warranty statement. Having been in a similar, unrelated industry for over 30 years, I've worked for companies with such "limitations"...and saw it come into play during the recent "economic downturn" when there were instances of unsold, new inventory "growing whiskers" and having the factory get all "technical" about such "fine print" with regards to maximum warranty from ship date. Usually, the dealer "honored the published warranty" and the domestic (U.S.) subsidiary or distributor assisted with "goodwill" (while the factory sat with their thumb up their...nose...and quoted policy. But the customer that purchased the aged unit (at significant discount) was kept whole.

I can't speak to the Motor Company or your selling dealer - but I'd check if I where in such an opportunity. And...GET IT IN WRITING.

[DaBigNuttedMan]

Some times with cars a brand new untitled car that grew wiskers can get a "in service date" and rack up a few miles as a loaner or parade/display or whatever. We recently almost took a 2014 Charger with 785 miles on it, was never titled so your the first owner [new car?] however the warranty had started on the in service date a few months earlier.  For me the discount wasn't big enough, figured those miles on a muscle model were spanked on, it's last years model so nada/ blue book is lower, insurance replacement value lower etc etc .  Whats on the odometer of this leftover ?

[grc]

^^^
What he said.  If you are actually interested in that 2012 model, DO NOT take a dealership employee's word for anything.  Get the VIN and call H-D corporate to check the warranty status yourself.  There are several ways the warranty may have been started even if there was no previous retail sale.  Some dealers, especially in the auto business, often reported to the manufacturer that vehicles had been sold when in fact they had not, just to collect the holdback money or other incentives.  The manufacturer can tell you if that particular VIN has already been placed in service, for whatever reason, and the in-service date is when the warranty started whether the bike was ever titled or not.  The manufacturer can also clear up any misconceptions about the bike being too old to have a warranty.  I think you'll find that is bogus, unless like I said before the dealer submitted paperwork to place it in service previously.

Buyer Beware is always good advice.

Jerry

[johnbv]

I agree Jerry, " Buyer Beware is always good advice". I wonder if I provide the MOCO the Vin of the 2012 if they would actually put the information in writing ? If we move closer to a deal on the bike, I will definitely get ahold of the MOCO and ask them about the warranty BEFORE we do the deal.

One funny comment from the Dealer person, and by the way, this particular dealer is really one of the good ones, been in business for over 50 years and has never gone to the "Designer" Dealerships that H-D wants all of them to go to, but, when I asked the guy about the warranty, he said, what the heck does the bike need a warranty for, its brand new, what could go wrong with a brand new bike ? 

I laughed and thought to myself, buddy, when a bike is brand new, that's when a buyer needs the warranty the most !! But I resisted comment, didn't want to make him feel bad, he is the owners Son and I want him to make us a good deal on the bike, providing it is covered with the full factory 2 year, unlimited mileage warranty.

Thanks to all for your comments.

[J-Carr]

If a dealer seriously said that to me I would run, not walk, as far away as possible.  That's the equivalent of the "cream puff" comment of yore from a used car dealer with a cigar hanging out of his mouth.

I hope that he was kidding around with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek, otherwise that 50 year old dealer isn't going to be around when he takes over from dear old mom and dad.

If you determine there is no warranty, you would still have the option of an ESP.  They can be added to any bike <10 years old that isn't considered a salvage bike (flood, crashed and rebuilt etc.).  The only hold back is mileage and that's obviously no concern.  See if you can get them to sweeten the deal and throw it in as part of the cost.  Note that an ESP isn't the same as a warranty so make sure you read the fine print and the exclusions in the contract before you sign the deal.

[charles05663]

I was in Barnett's HD in El Paso a couple of years ago and they had an new older model V-Rod setting on the showroom floor.  I asked about the bike and he told me that due to the age of the bike, HD's manufactures warranty has expired and it would not be covered.  Of course, he still wanted above MSRP for the bike.

 

[johnbv]

Well, the verdict is in on the warranty question on the brand new 2012 Softail Deluxe that I found. I took the advice of calling the MOCO myself, what a challenge that is, once I got thru the phone maze, I finally ended up with a very matter of fact CSR who admittedly wasn't very nice, especially considering  that I told her that I was considering buying a Harley, she really didn't care, but anyway, she thought she had me when asked for the VIN, which I had, Deluxe has no factory warranty and she didn't really care to tell me why, just that it doesn't. So, why would anyone buy a new Harley with no warranty ? The price they quoted me was excellent, do I take the risk ? Why would anyone take the risk ?

[owl893]

The only way I would do it is, if you can buy an Extended Service Policy (ESP).  If this dealer or another will sell you one, and the price plus the ESP, are still a good deal, then it is far less risky. 

OWL

[Lone Rider]

How much are they discounting it by?

[20 gauge]

If you are serious about purchasing, upon completing negotiations and agreeing upon an outright price, tell the sales rep that you expect an ESP at no cost. See where it goes from there.

[grc]

Funny how I can buy a leftover car that has never been placed in service even after a couple model years have gone by and still get the factory warranty.  I guess Harley has found another way to go against the grain and screw people over.

Anyhow, if it were me I would check what a 2012 in excellent condition was going for on the used bike market and pay no more than that.  There is no added value to it being supposedly "new" if it's being sold "as is".  You can find similar bikes that have barely been ridden in the used market.  As for the ESP thing, tell them you want them to pay for at least a two year plan to compensate for the lack of a warranty.

JMHO - Jerry

[johnbv]

The deal is, a brand new, never titled, 2 mile, 2012, FLSTN, Softail Deluxe, Ember Red, with ABS and Security, $15K plus state sales tax !!!! No Warranty, sold as is. Comments or thoughts ?

[J-Carr]

Dealer is selling one with <2k miles for 15,500 in Quantico on eBay.  Flame paint job, not sure if that was a custom paint shop tin set or not.  Private seller as one with <5k miles for 12,000 on ebay with backrests and sissy bar.  I'd say 15k for this bike as is where is is a fair but not especially outstanding deal.  You could probably find a better used deal somewhere and I'm sure you can find a worse deal from many a dealer.  I wouldn't expect to flip it for a profit but if you want a virgin bike without paying a new bike price it might be worth it.

P.S. KBB on an excellent condition 2012 FLSTN is 14,905 for Central PA area.