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[T-Roy]

A few weeks ago I was at the Stealership and showed them I had chrome peeling off of my grips and shift linkage. They took pictures and ordered the parts to be replaced, since the bike is 1.75 years old, under warranty....or so I thought. I got a call telling me the parts were in right before Christmas. So on the way home from my parents I stopped at the Hammond Louisiana Harley shop to have them replaced. That is when the service manager proceeded to tell me that I had to make a choice between replacing either the shift linkage, the left grip, or the right grip under warranty because the warranty only covers one piece of chrome one time under the 2 year factory warranty. I could not believe my ears!!! I the asked what about my ESP and was told that ESP did not cover anything cosmetic. I had the shifter linkage replaced under warranty and they had the nerve to ask if I wanted to pay for the grips to have them replaced. I scoffed and told her that I would be buying quality aftermarket grips and They nor Harley would get a red cent from me for any part or accessory ever again unless there was absolutely no other alternative.

I really really hope Indian Motorcycles continues to do well because someone needs to give these Harley butholes some serious competition.

[CVOStreetglide]

A few weeks ago I was at the Stealership and showed them I had chrome peeling off of my grips and shift linkage. They took pictures and ordered the parts to be replaced, since the bike is 1.75 years old, under warranty....or so I thought. I got a call telling me the parts were in right before Christmas. So on the way home from my parents I stopped at the Hammond Louisiana Harley shop to have them replaced. That is when the service manager proceeded to tell me that I had to make a choice between replacing either the shift linkage, the left grip, or the right grip under warranty because the warranty only covers one piece of chrome one time under the 2 year factory warranty. I could not believe my ears!!! I the asked what about my ESP and was told that ESP did not cover anything cosmetic. I had the shifter linkage replaced under warranty and they had the nerve to ask if I wanted to pay for the grips to have them replaced. I scoffed and told her that I would be buying quality aftermarket grips and They nor Harley would get a red cent from me for any part or accessory ever again unless there was absolutely no other alternative.

I really really hope Indian Motorcycles continues to do well because someone needs to give these Harley butholes some serious competition.

I want to see the 1 piece of chrome 1 time in the written warranty. Your new bike is covered  front to back for two years except for tires, clutch plates and other wearables. 

Sp, ask them to show you where it says that in writing AND call Harley Customer Service to open a claim.  Be sure to do the written evaluation on your visit. 

[grc]

They've tried to pull that same crap on a lot of other folks living near the ocean, claiming the chrome defects were caused by the salt air or similar rubbish.  I believe the "one piece of chrome" thing was supposed to be presented as a goodwill adjustment, not a warranty repair.  Regardless, it's pure BS.  One guy had this same thing blown up his posterior by a dealership in Atlanta last year.  Last time I looked Atlanta isn't all that close to the ocean.

Harley has had plenty of problems with lousy chrome plating for many years now, and they will try anything they can to avoid paying claims.  I'd recommend fighting them in small claims court if corporate won't listen to reason and take care of all the defective chrome.  Many small claims court judges aren't terribly sympathetic to manufacturers trying to evade their warranty responsibilities.

Jerry

[charles05663]

I was told the same BS when I had issues with my mirrors which was problem on the 2009 SERG.

 

[tweeter13]

I really am surprised they actually said that to someone.  It cracks me up.  I would for sure make a claim with Harley customer service I bet you get your grips repaired. 

Which to me seems like a complete waste of a persons time to have to do something like this but it is what it is.   
 
Not sure where you live how hard it is to do a small claims against a manufacture for a warranty issue.  But you may need to talk to a lawyer.  You might be able to find one to give you some free advice before spending any money before your warranty runs out.

I would also take some pictures for your records and date them as well so it is noted.  I would not trust the dealer to keep track of the ones they took. 

I hope you get this taken care of.  But on a side note there are some really cool aftermarket grips out there you will most likley find you will like even more than the factory ones any how.  So it depends on how much time you want to spend on this and what you feel your time is worth.
Just another thought

Todd. 

[mark]

If that's the warranty policy, then it has to be in writing somewhere.  Ask to see the "one chrome replacement" warranty policy.  I bet it can't be produced.  Hammond HD and Baton Rouge HD (same owner) has spiraled down the toilet with the new owners.  BTW, Harley chrome plating has sucked for years.   I've had the same problem... your bike sits in the garage and the chrome peels.  Your vehicle sits in the driveway and the chrome looks the same as the day you bought the car.

[JQCVO]

Bottom line is that this is unacceptable. I would not take no for an answer. A warranty is a warranty - period. If you are unsuccessful with this dealer try another one.
I had some defective chrome pieces on my bike early on, and the dealer replaced the stuff no questions asked.
You need to be like a dog on a bone. Don't back down.

[sadunbar]

They've tried to pull that same crap on a lot of other folks living near the ocean, claiming the chrome defects were caused by the salt air or similar rubbish.  I believe the "one piece of chrome" thing was supposed to be presented as a goodwill adjustment, not a warranty repair.  Regardless, it's pure BS.  One guy had this same thing blown up his posterior by a dealership in Atlanta last year.  Last time I looked Atlanta isn't all that close to the ocean.

Harley has had plenty of problems with lousy chrome plating for many years now, and they will try anything they can to avoid paying claims.  I'd recommend fighting them in small claims court if corporate won't listen to reason and take care of all the defective chrome.  Many small claims court judges aren't terribly sympathetic to manufacturers trying to evade their warranty responsibilities.

Jerry

My both of my 2004 SEEGs had chrome issues while each was within the factory warranty period...  Both wheels, the rider and passenger floorboards.  With my first one, all were replaced without discussion or question.  With my second one, the wheels were replaced without question, but I got some similar static about the floorboards.  Same b.s. story about the warranty, that since the wheels were replaced the floorboards were not covered...  I asked if the warranty had changed from my first SEEG and my second SEEG.  They said they were just being nice about the first SEEG and had not been obligated to replace the floorboards.  So I asked them to continue being nice and to show me in writing in my warranty where it stated this policy.  Of course they could not show it to me.  So I went and found the dealership GM who I knew well (and who knew how many bikes I had purchased from them - not that this should effect application of the warranty).  The matter was cleared up quickly.  All the bad chrome was covered under warranty and was replaced.  The service manager's story was this was the policy at the previous dealership he worked at and assumed it was the same at this dealership.  Note he said "policy".....

[FLSTFI Dave]

Call customer service.  That I do not believe is policy.

Had several pieces of chrome replaced on my 09 SERG, the front rim, grips, mirror, and a couple others.

[T-Roy]

I have pretty much decided to get some aftermarket aluminum grips from choppers inc and get rid of the Harley chrome plated plastic junk. But I am gonna call customer service anyway and complain because this is absolute bullcrap.

[JQCVO]

You paid a lot of money for that chrome. Don't give in!

[casbar]

Had my slipstream left grip replaced under warranty a couple of months ago. There is a problem with them, a few have had the same issue. Nobody mentioned that I could only have one piece replaced, in fact they offered to do both grips as they come in pairs. I am in the UK though

[Ridgerunr]

If the factory pays for warranty (2 yr.) claims, I wonder why a dealer would squawk about honoring the warranty. I realize the factory allows only so much labor time, but this isn't a motor rebuild, it's a simple grip change. Guess some dealers haven't figured out how a little goodwill goes a long way. 

[T-Roy]

Even though I am upset with the dealer for not telling me this bullcrap when they first took their pictures and ordered the parts. Heck if the service writer would have had the parts in stock he would have changed them that day, it was a Sunday so the service manager was not there.

I am actually more upset with Mother Harley than the dealer. I believe the root of the problem is that probably Mother Harley is denying simple warranty claims after receiving defective parts back and forcing their dealers to either pay for it out of their pocket or call their customer to pay after the fact. Why else would multiple dealers be doing this? Even though I feel that my local dealer is far from the best around and have not been pleased with them for some time now, the root of this issue lies with Mother Harley.

Even though I am going with the aluminum grips with bullets in the ends of them to match my other bullet accessories I will call Mother Harley to voice my disappointment.

[sadunbar]

 I believe the root of the problem is that probably Mother Harley is denying simple warranty claims after receiving defective parts back and forcing their dealers to either pay for it out of their pocket or call their customer to pay after the fact. 

I agree the root of the issue is the MOCO throwing the cost of some chrome warranty claims back at the dealers, causing the dealers to make up their own rules and stories.  Bottom line is the warranty does not spell out any of the restrictions some dealers claim - and the issue should remain between the dealers and the MOCO.