| Author | Message | ||
     Snackbar64 |
It seems the average liter bikes are getting nearly as expensive as entry level economy cars. And these bikes can be financed anywhere from 36 to 72 months. With that being the case, why are motorcycle warranties so terribly short and inconsistent with the cost of the product. Are bikes considered even by the industry that produces them less reliable than cars? A 2 year unlimited warranty from Buell became standard. When I bought my 2003 Firebolt it came with a one year unlimited warranty, but the bike was nearly 10 grand to purchase. The warranty in no way was consistent with my investment made. I am hoping someone can tell me why motorcycle warranties fail by comparison to a automobile's, yet cost nearly as much to purchase initially. By the way I understand that it was not an investment. Just figuratively speaking. | ||
| Reducati |
I've never see an auto manufacturer offer unlimited miles...guess thats the trade off, 2 years unlimited miles on bikes, 5 years 50k on cars. | ||
| Snackbar64 |
Very good point you make there. I guess I never looked at it that way. I will say this. The longer the warranty the more committed the buyer to paying for something financed. For example, if I had an 8 year loan on a vehicle with a 2 year warranty and the motor blew in year 3, there is a high probability that I would walk away from that vehicle. This would ruin my credit, but also stick it to the bank that financed it only to cost them more money to fix the vehicle and re-sell it. A good vehicle warranty serves as assurance to the lender as well that their borrower has a vehicle that may last them nearly the life of the loan. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Do you run your car's motor like you do your motorcycle's? Don't most cars come with a 3 yr/36,000 mi warranty? Compared to my R at full MSRP, that would be consistent with an $18,000 car purchase--sounds reasonable to me. Many dirtbikes come with a 30-day warranty. I think it comes down to the application of the vehicle, not the quality of manufacture. | ||
| Snackbar64 |
Another very good point made Fresno. No I don't run my truck hard at all. It came with a 5 year/100,000 warranty, but to your point there are still a few auto makers that offer the 3 year/36,000 warranty and recommend you upgrade to their extended 100,000 mile warranty for a small fee. Wow! I did not know dirt bikes have a 30 day warranty. I think my marriage came with a slightly better one. | ||
| S21125r |
OK -I'll bite and speculate... but I think there are a lot of factors in play. 1)If you are selling 300,000 of a particular car model in a year (or a million in it's entire life cycle), then you can afford to spend a little more money in the durability testing/redesign cycle and spread that cost around a little better. The lower volume niche vehicles usually have a higher profit margin, so you can still make back some of that added testing/design expense. 2) Bikes live a pretty hard life. Even the typical blast owner will be out there doing clutch wheelies and hole shots trying to flog it to the fullest. Typical car owner sees a car as necessary mode of transport and is less apt to punish it as much. 3) Pure speculation... But bikes have a smaller "canvas" that would be cost/weight prohibitive to have a generous durability margin. So what if a beefier wheel bearing adds a pound and a few bucks more on a car, but on a bike that difference might tip the scale to something - still durable - but not quite as "bullet proof" as desired. 4) The auto industry is very competitive and quality is king. Manufactures that are walking the walk with quality don't spend that much more in warranty claims with a higher threshold and at the same time they get more bang for the buck out of the marketing gimmick of "look at our 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty". Manufactures that are not walking the walk need that same gimmick to even get people into the showroom to consider their product. So I think for the auto industry it's a necessary evil to stay in the game, but not that big of a selling point in the cycle industry. | ||
| Usanigel |
One of the biggest problem Triumph had was the Austin Mini cost less to buy than the new Trident! Back in 1969.....but my 1976 Trident is worth way more than a 1976 Mini today! | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
"One of the biggest problem Triumph had was the Austin Mini cost less to buy than the new Trident! Back in 1969.....but my 1976 Trident is worth way more than a 1976 Mini today!" oh ok, well that makes total sense now how new cars warranties are longer than motorcycles.... |
