Advice(please) needed regarding Kawasaki Warranty

[motogirl]

Hello,

My husband just bought a 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic. He's put about 700 miles on it so far, and it seems to be running great.

He's wondering what you all think about the Kawasaki Good Times Protection Plan. The bike comes with a 1 year warranty. The Protection Plan is $407 for 24 months, $517 for 36 months, and $627 for 48 months. It's transferrable when he sells the bike.

What do you think? Just a way for Kawasaki to make some extra $$? Or do repairs covered under protection plans like this tend to cost so much that the cost of the plan pays for itself???

Any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks,

~Janet

[Sev]

Generally speaking, if something is going to go wrong it will do so withing the normal warranty. I've yet to buy an extended warranty for mine, and I doubt that I will, I don't see much point to it.

[MrGompers]

I think those prices are way too high I also think extended warranties are a rip off.

The only good thing I can see here is having an extended warranty would make it easier to resell. But, if you don't plan on reselling it doesn't matter plus you won't necessarily get your money back.

[bok]

i guess it would depend on what is covered and how much riding he is going to do. If it's pretty all inclusive and he isn't very mechanically inclined then it might be worth it even as "peace of mind".

normally i don't go for extended warranty or service plans, but for a pretty major purchase it might not be a bad idea.

[ZooTech]

Shop around. You can usually pick up the same warranty off eBay or elsewhere for $380.00 for the 4-year plan.

[sharpmagna]

Read the fine print on the warranty. Wear items like break pads, light bulbs etc are not covered under the warranty. Like someone else said, major issues will present themselves the first year of riding so it probably isn't worth the cost.

On the flip side, you can treat it like "insuarance" as it is better to have it than not need it, than need it and not have it.

I still probably would never buy an extended.

[Bachstrad37]

I agree with others. I had a chance to pick up a used Honda VTX1300. The owner bought a extended service warranty and wouldn't sell the bike without me paying the difference on the remainder of the warranty he purchased. I said 'no sale'.


In turn, I bought a used 2003 Kawasaki cruiser and it's been flawless mechanically and electrically.

Personally, I think it's simply not worth the money. Kawasaki reliability record will side with you on that prediction. That Vulcan is a very reliable bike. If you truly have issues, it almost certainly will arise within that first year which by default should cover these problems.

Price competition between all automotive companies are extremely fierce these days. Electronics industries too. These types of warranties make up that difference for the manufactures. I'd pass on it pending whether you can still purchase the extended warranty at a later date. If you're able to, it might be a good idea if you confront a major repair during that first year. Otherwise, have him save his money.

[flynrider]

I've got to agree with most of the posters here. I've never bought an extended warranty on car or bike, and I've not yet slapped my forehead and said, " Doh!, I wish I'd bought that extended warranty when I had the chance".

The cover non-wear items, so if you make it through the factory warranty period AND pay attention to periodic maintenance, the chances of needing it are small.

[MotoF150]

Extended warranties are a rip off, they only cover a factory defect, and the dealer will find any way he can, even lie and cheat to find a reason why any repair isn't covered under warranty. When you take ur bike to a dealer for an extended warranty problem, the corporation that owns the extended warranty contract pays the dealer for the parts and labor for the repair but at a much lower labor rate and at the dealers cost on parts, the dealer isn't making money if he repairs ur bike covered under an extended warranty. Check with ur local state better business office, or ur state attorney generals office, they are backlogged with cases of complaints from motorcycle extended warranties. If you wanta test to make sure im right, ask the dealer if you can take a copy of the warranty contract home to read and study it, he will make up an excuse and lie and give you a sales pamphlet that has questions and answers, you want to read the contract, and Kawasaki IS NOT the owner, or the corporation that owns the warranty contract, its a private corporation that pays Kawasaki to use their name on the contract, its some fly by night rippoff corportation you never heard of, ask ur dealer and watch him make up a lie. Don't get ripped, ur going to be angry after you pay $800 for an extended warranty and find out nothing is covered, and there's nothing you can do about it cause you signed the contract. You should be angry at ur dealer cause he 's trying to rip you off by selling it to you. Believe me, Im right i got ripped and know many people that got ripped too.

[Big B]

well, now that we've heard from moto, i'd be inclined to do the exact opposite

i was going to write a lengthy discourse about the previous post, however i don't want to feed the troll. extended warranties can be good, they can save you a ton of money, or you could never use it. personally, i don't mind adding a couple of bucks a month for a little peace of mind, and yes, your dealership will fix the bike under an extended warranty because they do make money off of the repairs and parts. it's disheartening to see that one bad experience can make someone give out such bad advice