Dealer dilema

[Steve in Golden]

I had the stealership do the 600 mile service on my GS - cost around $250. They overfilled the oil. I did the 6K service myself, the valves were checked and in spec so no adjustment needed. I can't believe your warranty would be void if you do the services yourself - that's lame. As long as you have paperwork showing the work was done (parts purchased anyway) why should the warranty be void if you do your own work? If that is true then I guess I won't be buying any KTM's anytime soon.

[Deleted User 287]

I had the stealership do the 600 mile service on my GS - cost around $250. They overfilled the oil. I did the 6K service myself, the valves were checked and in spec so no adjustment needed. I can't believe your warranty would be void if you do the services yourself - that's lame. As long as you have paperwork showing the work was done (parts purchased anyway) why should the warranty be void if you do your own work? If that is true then I guess I won't be buying any KTM's anytime soon.

Especially since there is no valve check or any other engine work, other than an oil change being done.

[Zombie Master]

I had the stealership do the 600 mile service on my GS - cost around $250. They overfilled the oil. I did the 6K service myself, the valves were checked and in spec so no adjustment needed. I can't believe your warranty would be void if you do the services yourself - that's lame. As long as you have paperwork showing the work was done (parts purchased anyway) why should the warranty be void if you do your own work? If that is true then I guess I won't be buying any KTM's anytime soon.

Suzuki voided my warranty when they found out that I had done a valve adjustment. The fact that I have a certification as a motorcycle mechanic made no difference. The fact that all lobes on my cams were affected made no difference. The fact that the first two services were done at dealers made no difference. You may have more rights in the USA about this.

[Major Softie]

You guys don't understand ZM's dilemma. It's not KTM that voids warranties if your maintenance isn't done by a dealer: it's everyone.

The U.S. has a law preventing manufacturers from having such a clause in their warranties - the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act - but manufacturers are pretty much all doing it to the rest of the world now. All the documentation for my 07 Duc said the same thing, even though that clause was "null and void where prohibited."

[Sibbo]

So you do your own service and then take them to court when they void your warranty ?

[Zombie Master]

I had the stealership do the 600 mile service on my GS - cost around $250. They overfilled the oil. I did the 6K service myself, the valves were checked and in spec so no adjustment needed. I can't believe your warranty would be void if you do the services yourself - that's lame. As long as you have paperwork showing the work was done (parts purchased anyway) why should the warranty be void if you do your own work? If that is true then I guess I won't be buying any KTM's anytime soon.

I don't think that is a KTM thing in particular. My experience with Suzuki is the reason I am concerned.

[Zombie Master]

I went into the dealer today with a copy of the listed work for the 1000klm service. I explained that I can not see over 4 hours of work. They provided me with a list of times KTM specifies for each service and it showed 256 minutes. I went to the owner of the shop and though he was busy, he made copies of the information I provided. I explained that I just wanted to understand how all this time was spent. When I got home I had a voice mail from the service manager stating that they found "another list" that shows that my 990SMT will only require 2 hours. So now I can go in for my service and pay too much, but at least I won't get entered without Astroglide. It seems that you have to fight each and every time just to get treated fairly. At least I am sure they have competent mechanics. And the bike is a joy to ride. Thank you everyone for your commiserations!

[Major Softie]

So you do your own service and then take them to court when they void your warranty ?

No. In the U.S., it just doesn't matter that the English language documentation still has that in there, it just does not apply. The dealership did not try to enforce it, nor could they here. Here, they wouldn't just lose in court if they tried, they would get into trouble for even attempting to enforce it, and could lose their dealership, or at least get a hefty fine.

I found Ducati had many such issues with their documentation that had been translated into English, but not adjusted to be accurate for the actual market the bike was being sold in.

[Steve in Golden]

You guys don't understand ZM's dilemma. It's not KTM that voids warranties if your maintenance isn't done by a dealer: it's everyone.

The U.S. has a law preventing manufacturers from having such a clause in their warranties - the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act - but manufacturers are pretty much all doing it to the rest of the world now. All the documentation for my 07 Duc said the same thing, even though that clause was "null and void where prohibited."

I had no idea we had it so good here in the US. What a bummer that elsewhere, one is expected to pay the inflated dealer prices for services or void the warranty. And said services will likely not be done with the same loving care the owner would give it.

[Zombie Master]

You guys don't understand ZM's dilemma. It's not KTM that voids warranties if your maintenance isn't done by a dealer: it's everyone.

The U.S. has a law preventing manufacturers from having such a clause in their warranties - the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act - but manufacturers are pretty much all doing it to the rest of the world now. All the documentation for my 07 Duc said the same thing, even though that clause was "null and void where prohibited."

I had no idea we had it so good here in the US. What a bummer that elsewhere, one is expected to pay the inflated dealer prices for services or void the warranty. And said services will likely not be done with the same loving care the owner would give it.

Maybe the dealers in 'Merica just don't want to get their heads blown off 'Cuz der customers be packing!

Who sez the 2nd Amendment is a bad thing?