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[hdctss]

I have had two head gasket failures in about 500 miles with a total of 5600 miles on my bike.  I was considering the extended warranty plan.  My dealer, perhaps rightly so, suggested I keep the money in my pocket.  His reasoning is that since the motor company is aware of the cylinder problems with my bike they will continue to repair it at no cost since I am the original owner.  I know that when the base gaskets went bad on my '89 FXSTC the motor company fixed it at no cost to me under the goodwill? policy.  What do you guys think?

[hogasm]

I have had two head gasket failures in about 500 miles with a total of 5600 miles on my bike.  I was considering the extended warranty plan.  My dealer, perhaps rightly so, suggested I keep the money in my pocket.  His reasoning is that since the motor company is aware of the cylinder problems with my bike they will continue to repair it at no cost since I am the original owner.  I know that when the base gaskets went bad on my '89 FXSTC the motor company fixed it at no cost to me under the goodwill? policy.  What do you guys think?

If your dealer puts into writing that the MOCO is going to cover your motor for 7 years, and you are leaving your motor stock then you might not need it, but I would not be without it.

I can tell you from experience that the MOCO did not stand behind the chrome peeling from my 04 SEEG. I had over 50 chrome related warranty items replaced, and at the end of 2 years they would not cover anymore.

[skreminegul07]

I have had two head gasket failures in about 500 miles with a total of 5600 miles on my bike.  I was considering the extended warranty plan.  My dealer, perhaps rightly so, suggested I keep the money in my pocket.  His reasoning is that since the motor company is aware of the cylinder problems with my bike they will continue to repair it at no cost since I am the original owner.  I know that when the base gaskets went bad on my '89 FXSTC the motor company fixed it at no cost to me under the goodwill? policy.  What do you guys think?

What Problem?  They have not once admitted anything.  Even the dealers say that there is no problem.  It won't get any better after the warranty runs out.  And then HD might keep changing gaskets, but what if you need a liner, rings, etc.
Get the extended warranrty.

[Midnight Rider]

I don't own a 110 motor, BUT, if I planned on keeping the bike for more than 2 years, and did not plan on any out of pocket engine modifications other than the usual stuff like pipes, A/C, Tune, I would absolutely have an extended warranty.  Even if you have a great relationship with your dealer, and have every confidence that they will "take care of you", dealers can go under, personnel can change quickly, and where will you be then?  Unless the MOCO put in writing that they will continue to fix the motor, including anything crankshaft related...not just cylinders/liners/head gaskets...I would not trust a dealer to continue eating labor and parts on the repair of a 110.  At some point, the MOCO is going to say "Too Bad, it's out of warranty", and will not cover the dealer expenses.

Of course, you always have the option of spending a few thousand dollars (5-6K) and having the engine completely re-done by a competent engine builder, or if you have the ability, do it yourself.  The extended warranty would put about 1300 bucks in your pocket towards that (hopefully) more permanent fix.

Unless something happens to bring this problem to a very public issue (major magazine articles, HD making public statements about acknowledging the problem, etc), I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw the Fat Bastard down in Daytona...

JMHO...

[grc]

I have had two head gasket failures in about 500 miles with a total of 5600 miles on my bike.  I was considering the extended warranty plan.  My dealer, perhaps rightly so, suggested I keep the money in my pocket.  His reasoning is that since the motor company is aware of the cylinder problems with my bike they will continue to repair it at no cost since I am the original owner.  I know that when the base gaskets went bad on my '89 FXSTC the motor company fixed it at no cost to me under the goodwill? policy.  What do you guys think?

Several comments.  First, I'm amazed that a dealer would suggest that you not purchase the ESP.  The dealer's commission on those things is a fairly significant chunk of change.  Second, I'm not so sure I would assume that just because the MoCo made goodwill policy adjustments back in the 90's that the current mismanagement would do so if you have a problem in the future.  It appears that with the current crew just getting them to honor the warranty isn't necessarily an automatic thing.  

Normally an ESP is not highly recommended, since the vast majority of people lose money on them (don't just take my word for it, check Consumer Reports and other consumer publications).  However, in light of the many known issues with the Twin Cams in general and the CVO 110 in particular, I believe this may be one of those situations where it would be prudent to spend the extra cash.  See if your dealer (the one who recommended you not buy the ESP) will sell it to you for his cost, or at least at a decent discount.  Of course, this is assuming that you intend to keep the bike more than two years and you intend to keep it stock.

Jerry

[ccr]

Yes

Chrome not covered after two years as stated above.

But I got a rebuilt engine - $6200
two starters
four sets of heated grips
husband got new radio - that he intended to replace but the "new stock" radio- cd player works so well he didn't need to.
Broken motor mounts replaced

There might be more but the above list should be enough to quell fear at having some small insurance plan.  In my opinion at least. 

Good luck - you may never need it.  But then ............. wouldn't want to need it and not have it.  Isn't that what insurance is - a gambling game?

[RioGlide]

My opinion is generally to insure real disasters or catastrophes - ie, house fire, health, life, auto liability, etc.  The stuff that if you have an "event" you have a major financial problem on your hands.  To me, motorcycle breakdowns just don't fall into that category.

I've had no problems on my 110" yet, but I assume it's just a matter of time.  If I'm within the 2 years, I'll let HD worry about the costs.  After that, if I have the bike & I have a problem, I'll simply remove the 110", turn it into a bar table stand and put an S&S into the frame, using what I would have spent on the extended warranty as a sort of down payment towards the replacement engine.

For Ultras, I can see some more logic to the extended warranty (assuming they're the same price as for non-Ultras) given the extra electronics and gadgets which my Road King doesn't have.

I would NOT count on HD to make fixes post-warranty, however.  They run a business, not a charity.  If there is a benefit to the MoCo for doing so that outweighs the cost of making repairs to bikes outside the term of the warranty, then they will do so.  But it's a slim chance IMHO.

Just my nickel's worth (inflation, ya know)

[RedDevil]

In my opinion, the extended service contract, including the tire/wheel road hazzard warranty, is worth the extra money.  I personally would rather pay $50 to have my engine rebuilt then use the 1800 I saved by not buying the service contract as a down payment to fix the motor.  Plus, on the ultra, there is a lot of electronics that can go bad, that would cost a small fortune to replace it.  You can call Chicago HD and get a pretty good discount through them.  You don't have to buy the extended service contract through your selling dealership.   JMHO.

     

[tompen]

I am not typically a service contract person. I did buy it on this bike because I plan on keeping it for at least the 7 years. It didn't seem all that expensive compared to the price of the bike. I don't know ?

[SPIDERMAN]

My answer to this question would be based on the reputation your dealership has for providing coverage under the  ESP. I've read some pretty sorry stories from folks on this site about excuse after excuse after excuse from certain dealerships.

B B

[grc]

My answer to this question would be based on the reputation your dealership has for providing coverage under the  ESP. I've read some pretty sorry stories from folks on this site about excuse after excuse after excuse from certain dealerships.

B B

Exactly.  That's why I mention keeping the bike stock; once you modify it you basically have a crap shoot.  Some dealers will honor the ESP anyway, while others will haul out the fine print and tell you "Sorry, your modifications have voided the coverage for that".  And if you bother to read the fine print ahead of time, you will find that they reserve the right to deny coverage for lots of reasons.  Since this is not a manufacturer's warranty, it doesn't fall under the provisions of the Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act, and since it isn't an insurance policy it doesn't fall under the state insurance regulations either.  Buyer Beware is still the best advice.

Jerry

[Capo]

I have and recommend it-dirt cheap insurance for $50 deductable covering the drive train-i don't believe in the tire and wheel thing since in my years riding I would have never used it. It is a negotiable price item also.

[RedDevil]

I have and recommend it-dirt cheap insurance for $50 deductable covering the drive train-i don't believe in the tire and wheel thing since in my years riding I would have never used it. It is a negotiable price item also.

Capo,
I envy you.  I, fortunately, got the wheel and tire coverage with my extended service contract, and I've already had to use it to replace a rear tire that got a nail in it.  Didn't cost me a dime to have it replaced.  If I had of gotten it with my 02 Ultra, it would have saved me the cost of replacing both rear (nail) and front (screw) tires.  Those two repairs would have paid for the coverage.  My tires seem to have magnets in them and I'm always picking up something. 

     

[harleytimes]

Get the Extended Warrantee.  With all the "extras" that the Screaming Eagles come with such as cruise control, electronic fuel indicator, leaking head gaskets (all of which I have had to replace which would have cost more than the cost of the Extended Warrantee) it will pay for itself.  Modifying the engine/exhaust, cams... can impact the warrantee but there is still a boat load of things that can fail....especially if you plan to really ride.

[VAZHOG]

I have had two head gasket failures in about 500 miles with a total of 5600 miles on my bike.  I was considering the extended warranty plan.  My dealer, perhaps rightly so, suggested I keep the money in my pocket.  His reasoning is that since the motor company is aware of the cylinder problems with my bike they will continue to repair it at no cost since I am the original owner.  I know that when the base gaskets went bad on my '89 FXSTC the motor company fixed it at no cost to me under the goodwill? policy.  What do you guys think?

If you have a 110 Motor Buy IT because after the warranty runs out they won't remember a thing