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  1. #1
    Active Member MrSchaefer's Avatar
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    Default Advice on an Aftermarket Warranty

    Hey Spyderlovers!

    I am picking up a 2013 Spyder ST with 2k miles on it later this week from a local dealership. As part of the purchase I have the option for a 3yr unlimited mileage warranty for $995. I'm wondering what your opinion is.. is that worth it? I'm attaching the insert on the warranty that lists some of what it covers (it's essentially bumper to bumper except for wear and tear items and has some other things like roadside assistance, etc).

    My anticipated use is about 2-3k miles a year (Minnesota has a shorter riding season than most places).

    Thanks!
    -Schaefer
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  2. #2
    Very Active Member RICZ's Avatar
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    The problem with third party warranties is if that company goes out of business, you are out of luck and $995. Your bike is too old for the BRP B.E.S.T. warranty, so if you feel the need for one, do your research to make certain you are buying from a solid company.
    Ours is a red, black and chrome 2017 F3 Limited. Bought new in 2/2019. The avatar is my first bike back in 1952, a Simplex Servi-Cycle. Photo taken at the Barber Museum.
    2017 F3 Limited , Red, Black & Chrome

  3. #3
    Very Active Member JayBros's Avatar
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    Your OP may not be actually what YOU think it is. Read very carefully the writing in blue particularly that part about the company repairing parts that are deemed defective due to manufacturer's defect. The list of parts shown includes a whole pot full of parts that the warranty probably considers normal wear and tear items, like disc brake rotors, all of the bearings, many of the seals, ball joints and bushings. Exactly HOW does the contract work; you show a simple advertising brochure. How does the warranty work? Does it require you to have the bike repaired, pay the full freight and then submit the repair paperwork to see what the company will pay or reimburse you for. Have you done a search on the web for how the company is rated by the BBB? How much is the deductible per repair claim? How much of a commission does the dealership that sells you the warranty receive from the company? My opinion is I wouldn't touch it with a very long along pole. Here's the situation you face purchasing a seven year old bike with very low mileage: many parts have sat for a long time and once they start getting used again and you are going to ride only 2 - 3 grand a year you can expect dry rot and premature leaks and those sorts of problems aren't a manufacturer's defect. How about the tires? Is the dealership including three new ones in the sale? I sure wouldn't ride on seven year old tires. Good luck!
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  4. #4
    Active Member KenInMN's Avatar
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    Don't waste your money on third part warranty. They are a huge money maker for those that sell them.
    BKMNI
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  5. #5
    Active Member MrSchaefer's Avatar
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    All valid points. I’ve dealt with good and bad aftermarket warranties (my GMC Acadia has one that has covered almost $20k in repairs to date turning a lemon into a driveable vehicle). This warranty does a preapproval process with $0 deductible and no maximum

    The company in use here has been around since 1985 and has an A+ with the better business bureau

    My question was more specific to the Spyder itself. Like “this is a good idea because these things blow such and such a sensor or have shaky transmissions that are expensive to repair” etc.

    I’m handy and maintain my own vehicles when possible.. visually this thing is clean and very obviously well looked after (though not ridden much).. aside from the heating issues if these are built pretty solid and able to be worked on without an advanced engineering degree I’d be inclined to skip the warranty.. but if there are common nightmare repairs waiting for me I’d rather have some measure of my protection budgeted in.
    2021 F3-T , Pearl White

  6. #6
    Very Active Member RICZ's Avatar
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    If you know how to spin wrenches, get a shop manual and ride the thing. Hang around this forum, there's a ton of good info here and you'll be OK. Oh, and $995 wealthier.
    Ours is a red, black and chrome 2017 F3 Limited. Bought new in 2/2019. The avatar is my first bike back in 1952, a Simplex Servi-Cycle. Photo taken at the Barber Museum.
    2017 F3 Limited , Red, Black & Chrome

  7. #7
    Very Active Member BLUEKNIGHT911's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by RICZ View Post
    If you know how to spin wrenches, get a shop manual and ride the thing. Hang around this forum, there's a ton of good info here and you'll be OK. Oh, and $995 wealthier.
    about the cautions others have noted, especially what JayBros wrote …. the other thing is cost vs. what that spyder is actually worth.... the 998 is no longer made for sale , yes parts are still available, but that won't continue forever ….. jmho ….good luck …. Mike

  8. #8
    Member Knight's Avatar
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    First off, this is a service contract, not a warranty. You'll notice that nowhere on their paperwork or advertising do they refer to themselves as a warranty provider. That's because they aren't.

    Statistically speaking, more often than not, most service contract holders will end up spending more on the contract than they would for repairs. In this particular case, Aftercare has chosen to provide service contracts (or, to use their term, rental agreements) on powersports equipment, which most people who own rarely use. Looking at their sample agreement, what stands out to me is their coverage period is negotiable time-wise, but mileage-wise it's marked as "unlimited."

    The other thing I notice in their contract is that for a used vehicle, you are obligated to change the engine oil & filter every 12 months/3,000 miles, lubricate the swing arm every 3,000 miles, & check & adjust the valves (carburetor also if equipped) every 6,000 miles, *and* provide proof that you did so.

    Finally - and this is a good general rule for service contracts, not just this one - there is no such thing as bumper-to-bumper coverage. There are always exceptions to every contract, and in this case, being a named exclusion contract, they have exactly 27 of them. Most notable are these three:

    3. Seals, o-rings and gaskets on USED VEHICLES unless required to repair a MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN of another covered part.
    5. Batteries, bulbs, tires, spark plugs, anodes, brake pads or shoes, brake drums, cables, hoses, fuses, final drive chains or belts, final drive sprockets, air filters, oil filters, fluids (unless required to repair a MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN of another covered part), clutch plates, clutch belts, worn clutch faces, clutch weights, clutch rollers, clutch pins, clutch shims, clutch sheaves and bushings, audio components, GPS systems and displays, shock absorbers, external loose securing hardware, and failures due to external loose securing hardware, bent shift forks (unless caused by MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN of a covered part), bent valves (unless caused by MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN of a covered part), stuck valves due to carbon build-up, parts damaged due to dirty air filters or contaminated fuel, impeller, impeller liner and intake grills, mats, bumpers, body seals or gaskets, snowmobile skis, snowmobile tracks, wheels under snowmobile track, hyfax/slide rail, snowmobile clutch belts, parts damaged due to over revving (running above red-line), mirrors, non-mechanical parts, mower blades, mower blade clutch assemblies.
    12. Failure of drive chains or belts, or damage due to drive chain or belt failure.
    This is all actually pretty normal stuff as far as service contracts go, but still worth pointing out.

    My opinion would be that unless you are using your Spyder as a daily driver, commuter, or some other purpose that would mean putting a *ton* of miles on to take full advantage of the unlimited miles clause, I'd put the money aside instead as a rainy-day fund in the event you need to cover a repair yourself. More likely than not, you won't spend it, and save yourself some, or all, of that $995.

    Forgive me if my post's tone is a bit blunt, my intention is to inform, not berate. I swear
    Motorcycle rider since 2011, Spyder owner since 2019
    BMW Service Manager/Advisor - 2011 to 2014
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    2019 F3 , Black

  9. #9
    Active Member MrSchaefer's Avatar
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Knight View Post
    Forgive me if my post's tone is a bit blunt, my intention is to inform, not berate. I swear
    That is quite literally why I asked..

    I appreciate the perspective
    2021 F3-T , Pearl White

  10. #10
    Very Active Member ARtraveler's Avatar
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    RE: Valve checks. Info above states they are needed every 6,000 miles. BRP recommencds 14,000 miles. If a dealer does them...it usually costs $1,000. Most on here DO NOT do them. It has been found that they are not needed in most cases. After 2014 (1330 cc) model...they are no longer required.

    Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.

    Previously : 2008 GS-SM5 (silver), 2009 RS-SE5 (red), 2010 RT-S Premier Editon #474 (black) 2011 RT A&C SE5 (magnesium) 2014 RTS-SE6 (yellow)

    MY FINAL TALLY: 7 Spyders, 15 years, 205,500 miles

    IT HAS BEEN A LONG, WONDERFUL, AND FUN RIDE.
    2020 F3L , Magma Red

  11. #11
    Very Active Member JayBros's Avatar
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    I have never owned a 998 V-twin Spyder but from what I've been reading hereon since early 2014 I understand that a fairly common problem is leaks in vacuum lines going to the throttle body because of the quality of the hose material. It might be wise to expect such a problem given the age of the roadster you are buying. If I remember correctly the first symptom is a rough running engine but I'm sure there are some very knowledgeable folks who can provide much more detailed information on the problem.
    Artillery lends dignity to what would
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