Warranties

[Grumpy KTM]

I need advice on whether I should fork out an additional $750.00 plus to increase my warranty from 6months - 2 years? Ouch!!! I don't put on many miles, but I am worried about some of the issues that I hear some people are havingwith the motors. I have to act soon!! I just want to know if it is a scam, hassle getting warranty work done, or if it is plainly worthit in the long run? I have always gone a little overboard with warranties and never ended up using the dam things. Any experiences in this matter would be appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

 

[Strongleftleg]

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I've never had a bike warranty longer than 6 months, and I've never had any warranty work done, so I can't really speak from experience. However, isn't it mainly the 2008 model 450/530 exc that had motor issues? I thought in 2009 they updated the seal to prevent engine and tranny oil from mixing as well as new and improved piston rings, etc.

good luck either way,

Aaron

 

[Floored]

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I know of a 2008 530 that someone owes just over $4000.00 because it blew up. Hopefully it's only that year, but.........

I'm also not sure how well it was maintained either.

 

[shevthump914]

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Ok people this is only my OPINION!!!! so this is not personal nor am I calling anyone else wrong on this warranty DEAL......If you dont take care of your bike ...then get warranty...or if like metioned the SPECIFIC MODEL is known to have issues.Now personally I think the 09 ktm 450/530 exc 's are fine ...just keep up the maintenance.I think you will be fine and dandy without the extended warranty.Most of the time if the machine has FACTORY issues it will happen during break in .Just my take here ...oh an ya i have been on bikes since I was 5 , and have owned over 30 + bikes during which i have never EVER had warranty on any of them . Paul

 

[Grumpy KTM]

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I have never had warranty on any of my other bikes. They were all motocross versions though. Had no troubles at all. Took care of them, etc. I guess I have been looking at ktmtalk and have had a case of fear factor starting to embed itself into my mind. My warranty is up in Febuary and there was a screw up onthe warrantyduration from the dealer. My paperwork saysone year. Keep in mind there are hundreds of these bikes out there now. One has to keep reminding himself that the vast majorityof people are not having thetroubles as some have had.

There has been many reports that I have read pertaining to the automobile industry that say you are wasting money on extended warranties.I'm justa little nervous as this KTM is new to me. I noticed that it seems these exotic brands seem to wait for you to have troubles verses informing you that there is a problem/or there is a potenialproblemthrough a warranty recall notice. Maybe they are all like that??

I will just stick to the original warranty. The money would be betterserved going towards enrolling myself into Motorcycle Mechanics training for the more technical stuff.

Mike

 

[franhoser]

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Grumpy KTM wrote:

The money would be betterserved going towards enrolling myself into Motorcycle Mechanics training for the more technical stuff.

You hit the nail on the head here with the above statment. BCIT offers a great afterhours MC/small engine course.

 

[tomcycle]

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I too wonder about extended warranties

My company we sell a service plan, and I see the vast majority of systems just working year after year, but every so often someone needs a big repair, usually it because of old technology and the old stuff is no longer available and we have to do a major upgrade. These people are very happy with the service plan.

I have purchased extended warranties for my bikes in the past and never used them, they go on to the new owners. I make sure my wife buys extended warranties on her stuff, I usually too busy fixing my junk.

Keep the oil clean and don't submerge the bike in a creek and take your chances. Most of the work on repairs is re and re the engine and trany so if you can do the grunt work yourself you can let the professionals do the important stuff

Tough Decision

Tom

 

[Guest]

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There was a study done on extended warranties not too long ago & I think it was something like less than 1 in 10 were ever used. Of the 10% that were ever used I do remember TV's being the most frequent culprit.

Honestly if I was buying a big GS that had ESA/ABS/CAN/ESC/TPC/bla/bla I might consider it. Actually, I think I'd avoid all those options so no I don't think I would buy one for any of my bikes :dude:

Maybe a dealer will chime in & parlay the *cough* benefits of extended service plans...

 

[triplenickel]

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Definite no IMO, as an ex service manager at a large boat, sled and ATV dealership I don't think they're worth the paper they're printed on. They're expensive, come with deductables usually, too many exclusions on coverage etc....As for the idea of it being analternative for proper maintenance that doesn't work either. If you pop a motor, you will likely have to prove you did your maintenance via reciepts, and a log. Barring a catastrophic failure which they'll try real hard to get out of paying forthe $750 should cover most any repair costs pretty easily. I can't remember the last bike (in 26 yrs riding) that I had a "warrantable" repair on that was over $750.

 

[bigmac]

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I agree with most everyone here, extended warranties are almost never used. They are a huge money maker for the dealer. But , if you are not mechanically inclined, it could be expensive. Really expensive!!. I have worked for GM as a tech for almost 30 yrs & have seen it all. When I bought my 04 Tahoe a couple of years ago, I bought a warranty. Did I use it?=you bet. Almost $2000 in repairs. Paid for itself & I got paid for doing the work!!! Vehicles these days have soooooo many electronics on board that, if you have a failure, it can be very expensive. For what I have seen with KTM, alot of their repairs can be very expensive. The only offset is if you can do your own repair, & just pay for the part. Alot of people can't or will not do this. So... if if you are not inclined to repair you're own bike, perhaps a warranty is the way to go. Peace of mind:hb:

Just some thoughts

 

[North]

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My 1200GS had the 3 year BMW warranty and it was great. It's the stock warranty, you don't pay extra for it , but of course the cost is built into the price of the Bike. Anyways, it was great and it did give me piece of mind.

WhenI brought the Bike in for service, they fixed things under warranty without me even asking. :tup:

 

[bajaman]

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Grumpy KTM wrote:

I need advice on whether I should fork out an additional $750.00 plus to increase my warranty from 6months - 2 years? Ouch!!! I don't put on many miles, but I am worried about some of the issues that I hear some people are havingwith the motors. I have to act soon!! I just want to know if it is a scam, hassle getting warranty work done, or if it is plainly worthit in the long run? I have always gone a little overboard with warranties and never ended up using the dam things. Any experiences in this matter would be appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

Shoulda bought a DRZ:clap:...you won't need that extended warranty..:Stir:Stir

Cheers "Penguin":hb:

 

[old trials guy]

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bajaman wrote:

Shoulda bought a DRZ:clap:...you won't need that extended warranty..:Stir:Stir

If you are only going half as fast they should last twice as long:Stir:Stir:Stir

otg

 

[Grumpy KTM]

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Thanks everyone for their experiences on warranties. I see there some funny people on this site.....right Penquin? As I said before, I will stick to the 6 month warranty. If I could go by kilometers it would of been easy (6monthsor 10,000 kms). In someways, I will feel better when it is off warranty. I don't want to touch anything right now because they may saythewarranty is void.I was trying to see if there was a obvious case to go with the extended warranty. I'm capable of tearing the bike down to do most repairs. I've had bike/snowmobile motors etc,apart and back together before,... if I was modifying for racing, servicing or plainly bored. I'm more worried about the family cat loosing one of my parts on the work bench.
:gaah:


There is likely some true inthe Penquindig...dig. I will have the last laugh someday though, when he pulls up on a KTM or BMW or Husaberg or Husky.:Stir
:hb:

Cheers Mike

 

[bajaman]

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old trials guy wrote:

bajaman wrote:

Shoulda bought a DRZ:clap:...you won't need that extended warranty..:Stir:Stir

If you are only going half as fast they should last twice as long:Stir:Stir:Stir

otg

OUCH....:shock:

 

[mint400]

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I'd have to agree go six months if the bike is a mature design (ie not the first two years of it's model...) get familiar with the machine by riding it lots for the first six months, find the quirks and assembly f ups early... I suspect warranty work is usually arguable err I mean "pain in a**" any way with dirtbike dealers and distributors making the final judgement...

Regarding warranty issues, the early DRZs I think had a cam chain tensioner that failed. I have used the warranty on my drz to get a new battery and charging system inspect... they sold me a junker batt that "sorta" worked a bit... my buddy got a new bike less plastic due to a forgotten "first" oil filter.

Yes ther are design and assembly "quirks"... but $750 could pay for most any repair except maybe a rebuild after six months... Ktms seem like totally awesome wicked tough bikes...

As far as flat screen tv's however.... get some extra warranty as they are not a mature technology. The race is on to get thinner with hotter hd chips for the least money... baaad combination.