Maintenance contract on a vulcan 900 classic?

[Ronnie6657]

They suckered me in to a $999 for a maintenance contract (this is my first bike, wasn't sure) but it says I can cancel it within 60 days of buying my bike for full refund of the maintenance contract.

Do you think its worth the money for a 36 month maintenance on a Vulcan 900 classic or can I just do the stuff myself? Its 36 months or 33,000 miles.

In addition to this, they gave me an extended warranty (3 years)..

Worth it?

[cbh303]

I dunno if you are speaking about a maint. contract or the extended warranty. If it is the extended warranty then that seems WAY TOO big. I was offered up to 4 years i think at under 550. There was a post the other day in another thread of similar description. Check it out. I think the guys at Beartooth may have a better deal, would be worth checking in to although I have never done business with them since I live in Va.

http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...-warranty.html

Kawasaki Motorcycles

[Ronnie6657]

they gave me both for 999

[CalPaul]

I guess it depends on how much riding you plan on doing and if there are any restrictions to the service contract in regards to how often you can have service done. If you're doing at least 1000 miles per month, that would be 7.2 service visits (at 5000 mile intervals) plus the one at 600 miles for a total of 8.2 service visits. If an average service visit costs $120.00 (I'm just throwing that out there based on what my 600 mile service cost... I've done my own oil/filter changes since then), you would have spent $984.00. This plan wouldn't have paid for itself. IMO, you should cancel it.

[ClarkeyBalboa]

I would pay for itself because the extra 3 year warranty is included in that price, making it more around $450 for the service contract. If you are paying $999 just for the maintenance and $550 for the 3 year contract, THEN it is not worth it.

[FL Vulcan Rider]

Originally Posted by Ronnie6657

they gave me both for 999

Thats a good deal then... To have the 3 year warranty and maintenance agreement, I woulod say you got urself a deal there. You dont have to worry for 3 years. Good job!

[N3FOLN3FOL]

When I got my bike, my pre-paid maintenance contract is also good for three years that includes at least 6 visits to the dealership. There is no mileage restriction on this contract. On top of that, I also got an additional extended warranty good until 2012. The package was only about $300.00 in '06. Maybe pricing has changed significantly after 2 years.

[Bender]

I just bought a 2008 900 classic LT, and I paid $450 for a 4-year extended warranty.
Since it comes with a 2-year warranty at first, I have a total warranty period of 6 years.

[BikerBeagle]

Part of the problem with maintenance contracts is, do you trust the dealer's service department to give you good information, do a good job, and offer good service? Will you get priority in line and not have to wait weeks to get the bike seen ...and then days to get it back? Will they actually DO the inspections and all of the work outlined in the manual (this is a biggie, it's real easy to drag a bike into the garage, change the oil, and just check off everything else)? Unlike extended warranties (that all dealers must abide by), maintenance contracts are generally with just the dealer who sold it to you. Just something to think about.

The extended warranty is nice, but there's a long-standing difference of opinion whether it is worth it or not. If you never have need to use it, or more likely, whatever breaks isn't covered ...it's wasted money down the drain.

Personally, in my opinion, I'd cancel it. With the exception of oil and fluid changes, pretty much everything up to 33,000 - I think, don't have my manual with me at the moment - are inspections ...you would still be responsible for replacement if they 'inspect' something and find it 1/1 millionth out of spec ...IF they do the inspections at all. There must be something big and expensive at the 36,000 mile service ...interesting that the contract only covers 36mo/33k ...not 36mo/36k.

Remember, those contracts aren't merely for your sake ...they help drive additional service business to the dealer on your dime. Sometimes it's needed, sometimes it's not. Look at what happened to Midas Muffler, that was their big plug, "come in for a FREE inspection" ...or you would go for one minor repair ...and you'd end up with a $5000 bill by the time they got you to replace your entire exhaust and all of your brakes (rotors and all).

[Bender]

I debated getting the extended warranty ($450) or not, but decided to. I figured with the 6-year total warranty, it would be easier to sell the bike 4 or 5 years down the road...

[Ruger]

It depends on what is included in the maintenance contract. If it includes all your fluids/filters it might be worth it. I did get the extended warranty (4 years was less than $400) so I figured that $100/year for peace of mind wasn't too bad (total of 5 years on the warranty). My Toyota warranty is about to run out and I want to get an extended but I can't find anything under $1000.00! I guess I won't be getting one at that price.

[caddman11]

I think it way too much---I bought a 4 year extended warranty off ebay for my 07 Nomad for $360 with unlimited miles, giving me a total of 6 years. Considering you probably won't put on 5000 miles a year, that's one oil change per year, $10 for the filter and $25 for synthetic oil, thats $35 per year X's 3 that's $105. Being added into the warranty comes to a total of $465.

BikerBeagle has a good point, do you trust your dealer to do the work, or will they just give it a quick look over and call it a day. If they start adjusting lifters and doing loads of other things to the bike on the maintenance contract then that could add up, but then I'm old school and figure that you need to be able to do your own maintenance.

[N3FOLN3FOL]

Originally Posted by BikerBeagle

Part of the problem with maintenance contracts is, do you trust the dealer's service department to give you good information, do a good job, and offer good service? Will you get priority in line and not have to wait weeks to get the bike seen ...and then days to get it back? Will they actually DO the inspections and all of the work outlined in the manual (this is a biggie, it's real easy to drag a bike into the garage, change the oil, and just check off everything else)? Unlike extended warranties (that all dealers must abide by), maintenance contracts are generally with just the dealer who sold it to you. Just something to think about.

With my dealership, once a customer purchases a preferred maintenance program package he or she gets first preference in service for that day. When it comes to scheduling for service, pre-paid customers almost always gets the first chance of opening in the shop work schedule. My dealership also offers a free pick-up from my house and a free drop-off after the service. I say to myself...what a deal! Off course, not all dealerships may offer the same incentive.

Ride safe.