Warranty Coverage Question

[ponti_33609]

I know this has come up before but not finding the posts with the search.

I hope to get my new V7 late this week from Moto International.  The nearest dealer is ~125 miles from me in Tampa.  An old Guzzi dealer is still around selling Duc and BMW and has a previously certified Guzzi mechanic (Curious how often does a certified mechanic stay certified or does it expire).  Anyway, will I lose my warranty coverage if I have the 600 mile service done by them locally or should I plan on heading to my closest dealer in Ft Myers?

Ship From:              SEATTLE, WA 98103
Ship To:                      TAMPA, FL 33607
Actual Pickup Date :      03/25 1:40
Planned Delivery Date :   04/03 To 04/06
Current Shipment Status:Shipment is enroute
Last Location Update:      DENVER, CO On: 03/30 At: 7:16[/i]

[sib]

I'm not aware of any product warranty that requires service by the dealer.  It certainly hasn't been the case for any new car I've owned in the last 40 years.  However, I suppose that if you service it yourself or have someone else do it and they screw it up, warranty coverage could be challenged by the manufacturer.

What IS generally true is that if an item is replaced or repaired under warranty, the work has to be done by an authorized warranty servicer.

The owner's manual for my V7 Stone states:  "All scheduled services must be carried out at the specified intervals and mileage, as soon as the predetermined mileage is reached. Carrying out scheduled services on time is essential for the validity of your warranty."

Note that it doesn't state who has to do the work.

I've done all the usual servicing on my bike myself, and that hasn't prevented me from getting a broken clutch cable replaced under warranty.

Hope this helps.

[ponti_33609]

Thanks.....and this helps.  I thought I remember others having challenges in the past.  If I was getting warranty work done I would make the journey to a dealer but at 600 miles I have used this Guzzi mechanic at the Tampa dealership that dropped Guzzi several years back now.

[charlie b]

You can even do your own regular maintenance while under warranty.  Keep receipts for things like oil and filters to show when it was done.

If it is a warranty repair, eg, a broken item, then you need to go to a dealer or certified mech.  You can still be a certified mech even if you are not working at a dealer.  Out local MGNOC rep has done that and can perform warranty work on Guzzi's.

[ponti_33609]

You can even do your own regular maintenance while under warranty.  Keep receipts for things like oil and filters to show when it was done.

If it is a warranty repair, eg, a broken item, then you need to go to a dealer or certified mech.  You can still be a certified mech even if you are not working at a dealer.  Out local MGNOC rep has done that and can perform warranty work on Guzzi's.

Great to know Charlie, thx.  I will ask the local guy if he is currently certified.  He did minor work on my old V11 sport a while back and also had a black v11.

[Kev m]

By Federal warranty law manufacturers can't specify who does the work or whose parts to use (oils etc.) UNLESS they provide them for free.

They can however require that the service is correctly performed and any fluids etc. must meet the same requirements as their recommended ones.

So basically this means you can service any car, truck or bike yourself and use whatever parts or fluids you want. BUT if YOU screw something up (or perform something incorrectly that CAUSES damage, that particular damage will not be covered). Obviously the same occurs if you use an aftermarket filter or fluid and IT causes a problem.

[rocker59]

Yep.

Magnuson Moss Warrany Act of 1975.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnuson%E2%80%93Moss_Warranty_Act

[ponti_33609]

By Federal warranty law manufacturers can't specify who does the work or whose parts to use (oils etc.) UNLESS they provide them for free.

They can however require that the service is correctly performed and any fluids etc. must meet the same requirements as their recommended ones.

So basically this means you can service any car, truck or bike yourself and use whatever parts or fluids you want. BUT if YOU screw something up (or perform something incorrectly that CAUSES damage, that particular damage will not be covered). Obviously the same occurs if you use an aftermarket filter or fluid and IT causes a problem.

Thx Kev.  It sounds like I am okay then locally and if he is still Guzzi certified I could even have any potential warranty items done there as well.

Side Question - I think it has been 2 years or so since you got your Stone........still happy with it?

[Kev m]

Side Question - I think it has been 2 years or so since you got your Stone........still happy with it?

ABSOLUTELY!

Only thing I've ever had is that odd stumble unless I warm it up for a minute or two, other than that it runs flawlessly and I couldn't be happier.

Looking forward to taking some trips on it this summer as my life settles down a bit again.

[ponti_33609]

ABSOLUTELY!

Only thing I've ever had is that odd stumble unless I warm it up for a minute or two, other than that it runs flawlessly and I couldn't be happier.

Looking forward to taking some trips on it this summer as my life settles down a bit again.

Very nice looking rig.  Like the rack set-up.  Like I said in another post I was actually thinking on a Stone or Special but for whatever reason this one was discounted an extra grand over the others so the cost was the same except I then needed to get a 2-up seat.  Read somewhere that the shocks may be a little better on the racer.  Not sure I weigh enough to notice the difference though.

[Kev m]

I've been told that too (that the shocks are better on the racer).

But what do I know, I didn't think the OEM ones were that bad on my Stone (then again I'm a big guy and the complaints were often harshness, maybe I just tamed them with my size lol).

I did wind up with aftermarkets that I got from someone on this board when he sold his...

Anyway, best of luck with it, I'm sure you'll love it.

[Karl Von]

Corsa Motors is in Clearwater and while they are not an authorized Guzzi dealer, they do service Guzzi's and the mechanic has worked at a Guzzi dealer in the past.  He does the service on my friends 4 Guzzi's and MV Agusta.

http://www.corsamotorcycles.com/

[ponti_33609]

Corsa Motors is in Clearwater and while they are not an authorized Guzzi dealer, they do service Guzzi's and the mechanic has worked at a Guzzi dealer in the past.  He does the service on my friends 4 Guzzi's and MV Agusta.

http://www.corsamotorcycles.com/

Thx for the FYI Karl.  Will definitely check them out.  My old V11 was only in once at EuroCycle of TB when the fuel pump gave out.  They have a Guzzi guy too (Robin) but very hard to reach.  Since we moved to a downtown apt I really do not have space any longer, shared garage etc so I promised the wife I would get all work done at a shop.  Even though I suggested it would go right in the elevator and into our loft for inside maintenance. I will not share what her comments were.  ;)