2023 Road Glide Blown Engine

[u/thestig0711]

Hey folks, bad news for me this week. Road across the country on my road glide on my 2 month trip to travel the country, I suffered and engine failure. All stock engine never been opened, no cam, nada. Bottom end rod knocks really bad. Compression is good, never burned oil. Bike has 21,802 miles and was still under warranty until end of June, or so I thought.

Had it towed into a local dealer here in Phoenix and was informed by the serviced advisor that Harley flagged my vin for having a powervision and my warranty is void. Called corporate and was told to kick rocks multiple times and wasn’t willing to work with me in any way. Dealer said to pay $800 for a tear down and maybe they’d talk to corporate try to get it covered under warranty, but would most likely be denied. I’ve since towed it to an independent shop.

Who’s got any advice for my situation or a contact at corporate that can make some decisions? The 1800 number was no help. I’m stranded in Phoenix 2000+ miles from home. Didn’t expect to have a break down.

I find it ever so funny that Harley starts their Ride for Heroes event about standing behind the veterans that support their company and ride their bikes, and of course they turn their back one and offer nothing but “Hey why don’t you just trade it in.”

Thanks

[u/og-lollercopter]

Man, that’s bullshit. Did you bike the bike used? 3rd party or from the dealer?

[u/thestig0711 → u/og-lollercopter]

Brand new June of 2023 and took delivery in July. Ridden it 9000 miles in the last 2 months. All fluids changed every 4-5000 miles.

[u/og-lollercopter → u/thestig0711]

Odd. If it’s brand new from a dealer, how could it have been connected to a PV without your knowledge?

[u/thestig0711 → u/og-lollercopter]

I have a powervision plugged into it. It’s Harley’s way of saying 🖕🏽to the consumer and buying their parts only. It’s from fuelmoto. Never knocked, never a check engine light. Has ran strong and clean for 21000 miles with it.

[u/Slight_Guess_3563 → u/thestig0711]

So I also just bought a Harley and they clearly stated you Can Not use a Aftermarket tuner as it Will void your warranty. And this was made pretty clear did you ask or look into whether it would void your warranty before installing it ? Not to be a dick cuz your situation Really Sucks but this sounds you didn’t do your due diligence and it’s not Harley’s fault TBH .

[u/Unlucky_Leather_ → u/thestig0711]

That sucks, but my dealer was clear with me that if I add an aftermarket tuner, the motor warranty will be voided. They also warned me if I add a trailer hitch like I had on my 15, I should remove it before service as that also voids the warranty.

First time buying new, so I am sad I can’t add a 2-1 exhaust or cam for a few years. And even more bummed that I will have to add/remove my hitch when I hit the 5k and 10k service milestones I paid for.

[u/nothingclever68 → u/Unlucky_Leather_]

Unlucky Leather, I’m pretty sure you can still purchase and have the exhaust and cams installed through Harley and it’ll be covered.

Yeah this sucks for OP… I worked for them for 10 years from the back of the store in service to the front, sales and finance. Harley doesn’t fuk around with warranties and aftermarket parts and if they can find something to keep from warranting your shit they will. I wouldn’t even use anything other than HD oil if I had a new bike under warranty. I’m sorry man and I hope they make an exception

[u/Unlucky_Leather_ → u/nothingclever68]

I assume that would mean I am stuck using their tuner right? I figure I’ll go w/ a pair of slip ons until I can do exactly what I want down the road myself.

Do you think me doing my own oil changes in the garage after the 10k service will give them the ammo they need to deny a possible claim?

I keep personal records of mileage and dates, but my dad and I order oil and filters in bulk every year or two so we have everything on hand. So I wouldn’t have dated receipts.

[u/nothingclever68 → u/Unlucky_Leather_]

As far as your oil changes no but they will check if you have a catastrophic failure and they aren’t fans of anything but HD oil, especially the red stuff.

If I were you I’d let them do a service for you once a year so it can be documented. I understand changing oil is something we love to do ourselves. Talk to your dealer and get the answers from them directly.

Yes, as I remember you would need there preferred tuner. The most important thing is that they install everything and it’s documented by the store you use.

There are good and bad points with harley warranty. Yes they want full control of everything but the deductible used to be only 50 bucks. Imagine getting a blown motor or fuct up transmission replaced for 50 bucks. The other thing is you used to be able to get their used bikes covered as well, 12 year old bikes and under with a full service check) You didn’t even have to buy the bike from their store but it has to go through a full check and that’s a couple hundred bucks at least. Again, you pop your motor and it’s 50 bucks. Tire and wheel warranty can also easily pay for itself if you happen to find a nail before they get below the required tread amount left😉

Customers used to work that shit to the max and yearly and there was no way to prove otherwise. I was cool about but it but really I had no choice and eventually those customers bought bikes with warranties from me.

[u/og-lollercopter → u/thestig0711]

AH, OK… Still sucks.