Will any mods void your warranity???

[Ex-Rocket]

I know there is alot of mods out there to help these and that but was just wondering if they will cause a problem when the time comes to submit a warranity claim? Mods like, installing a block of plate on right side of bike, cutting holes in the tupperware where the radator fan is, removing bottom plastic shelds under the bike, removing air intake piping and installing an aftermarket air filter, installing car tires and the list could go on and on. Has anybody had a warranity claim rejected because of a mod that was done to the bike? Just like to know before I do a few mods to correct a hot seat problem and right hot foot.

 

[Dan McNally]

Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (P.L. 93-637), the federal minimum standards for full warranties are waived if the warrantor can show that the problem associated with a warranted consumer product was caused by damage while in the possession of the consumer, or by unreasonable use, including a failure to provide reasonable and necessary maintenance. That means the manufacturer has to be able to show that your mod actually caused the failure . . . so, say, for example, you put on auto tires and the nanny computer died . . . BRP would be hard pressed to prove that the automobile tires caused the failure, and the warranty would still be in effect. If you put a radiator block off plate on, however, and your Spyder started overheating, they could claim the overheating was caused by your action, because you had reduced the amount of cooling air passing over the radiator from the design specs . . . If you have a 2012 or older, and opened up space below the Spyder for that air to vent, that matched the opening blocked by the plate, they would, again, be hard-pressed to prove your mod caused the problem . . .

 

[BajaRon]

The real answer is, 'It Depends'.

For example, if you use an oil that does not meet or exceed BRP specs then you may have an issue with any warranty claim that is affected by the oil. But only that part of the warranty will be affected. In other words, if your fuel tank springs a leak they can't tell you it is not covered because you used the wrong oil. It has to have a cause/effect relationship.

If you mount a 'Car Tire' (which is what the Stock BRP tire is anyway) and it has the same dimensions then there is no risk to the warranty. Even changing the tire size will probably not affect warranty coverage unless the size is enough different to give you Nanny issues. Then you're going to get into a fight over warranty because Your Mod Caused the problem.

If you mount a block-off plate and they can show a definite cause/effect relationship between the warranty issue and the mod then you might have a problem. But this is very doubtful, especially if you remove the lower covers which will more than make up for the small area covered by the block off plate.

In 2008 I had a dealership tell me that the reason my DPS went bad was because I installed an aftermarket cruise control system. WRONG! One system has nothing to do with the other so their angle was DOA! Plus, in my case, the DPS was bad BEFORE installed the CC. But either way, my warranty was fully intact.

You have to take this in a case-by-case basis. Not that it can't happen, but I have not heard of anyone being denied warranty coverage because of a reasonable modification.

 

[Chupaca]

As I see it..!!

It would have to be a major mod with a catastrophic failure. Most of what you mention and is done here will not void your warranty. (with brp..dealers may disagree). Most denials come from normal wear parts, poor maintenance or abuse. Most manufacturers will cover or help even if they don't have to. These machines are loaded with safety features to the point of irritation. But they do keep bad things from happening...so relax a bit you can see what others have done and have had no problems...make sure you have a good dealer who will fight for you. All this is from years of experience working warranty claims with honda, suzuki, kawasaki and polaris...:thumbup:

 

[Spyder_Cowgirl]

Depends on the Issue and the Mod

The real answer is, 'It Depends'.
.....

You have to take this in a case-by-case basis. Not that it can't happen, but I have not heard of anyone being denied warranty coverage because of a reasonable modification.

Ron ... wasn't their a post a year or so ago, where the original poster (OP) "blew his engine" and also had a "juice box" or "power commander" installed? As I recall, BRP did not honor the warranty because the previously referenced mod somehow disabled the rev-limiter and the OP "missed" a shift causing an over limit condition on the engine RPM. They alleged this is why the engine "blew" and I don't recall there was much satisfaction even after several appeals and a good deal of discussion here.

Regards ... Ann

 

[Gray Ghost]

Ron ... wasn't their a post a year or so ago, where the original poster (OP) "blew his engine" and also had a "juice box" or "power commander" installed? As I recall, BRP did not honor the warranty because the previously referenced mod somehow disabled the rev-limiter and the OP "missed" a shift causing an over limit condition on the engine RPM. They alleged this is why the engine "blew" and I don't recall there was much satisfaction even after several appeals and a good deal of discussion here.

Regards ... Ann

In the case you reference, you make the point made by Ron and Hayfield. Using software that changes the original parameters applied to the engine could definitely be construed as having been a cause of engine failure.

I had a good experience with BRPs warranty claims. When I purchased my Spyder I also purchased a hitch which came with the wiring module. I personally installed those. The module went bad just a few weeks ago and BRP picked up the cost of the module and the labor to change it out.

 

[SNOOPY]

I'd buy a Prius and hug a tree if you are that concerned w/ modding a vehicle and worrying if the factory will still warranteed it. :shocked:







:roflblack:

.

 

[BajaRon]

Ron ... wasn't their a post a year or so ago, where the original poster (OP) "blew his engine" and also had a "juice box" or "power commander" installed? As I recall, BRP did not honor the warranty because the previously referenced mod somehow disabled the rev-limiter and the OP "missed" a shift causing an over limit condition on the engine RPM. They alleged this is why the engine "blew" and I don't recall there was much satisfaction even after several appeals and a good deal of discussion here.

Regards ... Ann

I am not sure how that ended up. The information did not seem to fit the facts at times so it was hard to pin the tail on that donkey.

Neither the Juice Box or the Power Commander make any changes to the rev limiter. But you can easily exceed red line if you miss a shift at full throttle near red line even with a properly functioning rev limiter.

If the problem can be traced to too rich or too lean conditions and you have installed a fuel modification device then that would be grounds to void that portion of your warranty. But for that to happen would mean someone made some grievous errors in setting the fuel parameters.

I do remember a person that had engine issues and BUDS showed that red line had been exceeded by quite a bit. That will get your warranty voided for related engine repairs regardless of what mods you have or have not made.

 

[Benggolf]

Let's be specific...take the case of installing a CAT by-pass....

Does anyone anticipate any issues with the engine (and anything associated with it's operation) that BRP can turn down a new bike warranty?

Am particularly concerned as I am planning on installing an Akrapovic muffler together with a CAT bypass on our 2014 RT Ltd. Just want to be careful as I maybe risking the loss of my warranty while wasting a good chunk on money. :roflblack:

To those that have done this mod, and positive or negative feedbacks wil be appreciated. TIA.

 

[BajaRon]

Does anyone anticipate any issues with the engine (and anything associated with it's operation) that BRP can turn down a new bike warranty?

Am particularly concerned as I am planning on installing an Akrapovic muffler together with a CAT bypass on our 2014 RT Ltd. Just want to be careful as I maybe risking the loss of my warranty while wasting a good chunk on money. :roflblack:

To those that have done this mod, and positive or negative feedbacks wil be appreciated. TIA.

I don't have a 2014 but the parameters are pretty much the same regardless of model or year.

A catalytic converter does nothing to enhance engine performance or longevity. In fact, the challenge is to achieve the desired exhaust results with as little detriment to performance and longevity as possible. Removing the CAT could get you in trouble with EPA regulations and regulators, but in all other respects, it is an advantage.

As far as a warranty issue, removing the CAT will change the fuel mix. By freeing up the exhaust there will probably be some leaning of the fuel mix. Hard to say how much and it may very well be that the ECU is be able to compensate. That I don't know. And it depends on what other intake/exhaust modifications you make.

As far as voiding the warranty goes. Other than the potential fuel mix issue, I don't see how. But like many things these days, someone will have to go through the process to be sure.

 

[jaherbst]

I don't have a 2014 but the parameters are pretty much the same regardless of model or year.

A catalytic converter does nothing to enhance engine performance or longevity. In fact, the challenge is to achieve the desired exhaust results with as little detriment to performance and longevity as possible. Removing the CAT could get you in trouble with EPA regulations and regulators, but in all other respects, it is an advantage.

As far as a warranty issue, removing the CAT will change the fuel mix. By freeing up the exhaust there will probably be some leaning of the fuel mix. Hard to say how much and it may very well be that the ECU is be able to compensate. That I don't know. And it depends on what other intake/exhaust modifications you make.

As far as voiding the warranty goes. Other than the potential fuel mix issue, I don't see how. But like many things these days, someone will have to go through the process to be sure.

Immediately after install at Durango I had a checkup appointment With BRP. They plugged it in to check for problems on the computer program and found none. For whatever that is worth.

Jack