Service Plus Plans... Yes or No

[cpipes]

Hello All,

I'm new to the forum and planning to buy an '09 BlackJack(new) from the dealer. They're offering me a pretty significan't deal(600 off MSRP) if I purchase their Service Plan for $449.

Are these plans worth it? What it gives me is 2 years of maintenance/service and 10% off all parts and accessories. Normally scheduled maintenance costs are $120. I'm not sure if it's worth it or not and I'd like to turn this over to the forum to discuss.

Thanks in advance for your input.

[Lostmycage]

Welcome to MB!

Normally I'd say have them spell out all the details of what is covered under maintenance. OK, actually, I'll still say have them do that.

Now, given what time of year it is, if you're getting a discount on a Brand new scooter, especially if it's the model that you want... I'd take it. You're effectively getting $150 off the price in Spring. An 09 sold in 10 still gets the warranty (that starts when the bike sells, not when it's manufactured).

The service plan could potentially be a mediocre deal or a fantastic deal (again, have them list what's covered for free). Still, even 10% off accessories and parts (trust me, you'll buy accessories and parts). I'm gonna call this one a no-brainer.

[maribell]

I'd need to know more about what it entails before I could weigh in. If it includes all oil and hub oil changes and at least one belt/ rollers change it might be worth it.

The more you ride the more valuable it will be.

[jijifer]

it probably depends on how much you ride. I wish I had one. If you're clocking about 1k miles a month like me that plan will pay for itself in just a few months. I'm having to get my oil changed every 6 weeks and a new back tire every 5 months. My clutch bearing needed replacing (though if i had a warranty it likely would have been covered).

I'd love to have a service plan but I ride a TON.

[lmyers]

Another consideration is if it is transferable. On the off-chance that you find you're not a scooter person, it would be a nice selling point if you can transfer it.

[ericalm]

it probably depends on how much you ride. I wish I had one. If you're clocking about 1k miles a month like me that plan will pay for itself in just a few months. I'm having to get my oil changed every 6 weeks and a new back tire every 5 months. My clutch bearing needed replacing (though if i had a warranty it likely would have been covered).

I'd love to have a service plan but I ride a TON.

+1. I got one for the car I bought 2 years ago. It made sense at the time, but I stopped commuting and have only put 10k on the car.

Maintenance costs for the scooter added up pretty fast the first couple years, though. In the first 2 years, I easily spent over $450. The plus side is that it pushed me to learn to do my own maintenance.

[Lostmycage]

You folks are making really good points... if it was bought in addition to the price, or during the off season.

The deal is full price and no included maintenance vs $150 and maintenance (including the usually pricey 1st service) thrown in; more importantly, this is being offered in Spring.

I still say get it spelled out. They'll charge you for supplies and expendables (fluids, wearable items not covered under warranty) and you'll have to pay if it's a repair from a drop or something like that - no shop's gonna throw that in. Once you have it on paper, and again if this is the model that you want, I say go for it.

[jijifer]

+1 on getting it spelled out. But here's a run down of what I spent in 13 months and 13.5K miles that I've had my 2009 scooter. I've highlighted the service costs I think would be covered by a service plan and then show 10% off accessories:



I can't believe I spent this much on my scooter in a year but it's true. I would have saved a HUGE part of it had I bought it new and had a service plan. I ride year round averaging 1k a month. If they give a % off service that isn't standard (installing accessories and such) the saving would be even greater! Like Eric says, it's an incentive to learning to do this myself! In year two I already need to replace my exhaust pipe and my sliders. So I'm on track to spend a similar amount in service in 2010 This doesn't include items I bought from some where other than my shop. I got the kit & sliders from Scooterworks, for instance. Not seen here. this is just to show how a service plan would have really done me right

[cpipes]

Thanks everyone for your input. I called and got the details faxed to me.

I was quoted 449 on the phone, but the sheet says 529..

Free Scheduled Services:
500, 1500, 3000, 5000, 7000 and 10,000 miles

10% off all parts/accessories/engine oils and performance components

Free Labor Costs for replacement of tires, brake pads, belts, and bulbs.

$25 mobile service

Free Tire gauge and battery charger

Pistons, Rings, Cylinder(stock components)
Scooters with performance components, not the components themselves
Fuel System and carburetor.. including Gasoline gelling
Shocks

Not Covered
Parts associated with electronic ignitions, such as voltage regulators or cdi's
Damage due to poor maintenance

Discuss

[Lostmycage]

That looks like a good plan. I think I've already made my point, lol.

[lmyers]

It's a great deal, but I think you should buy the Powder Blue Stella.

[jijifer]

Thanks everyone for your input. I called and got the details faxed to me.

I was quoted 449 on the phone, but the sheet says 529..

Free Scheduled Services:
500, 1500, 3000, 5000, 7000 and 10,000 miles

10% off all parts/accessories/engine oils and performance components

Free Labor Costs for replacement of tires, brake pads, belts, and bulbs.

$25 mobile service

Free Tire gauge and battery charger

Pistons, Rings, Cylinder(stock components)
Scooters with performance components, not the components themselves
Fuel System and carburetor.. including Gasoline gelling
Shocks

Not Covered
Parts associated with electronic ignitions, such as voltage regulators or cdi's
Damage due to poor maintenance

Discuss

ask what happens when you hit 10k in the first year

[n2tattoos]

Thanks everyone for your input. I called and got the details faxed to me.

I was quoted 449 on the phone, but the sheet says 529..

Free Scheduled Services:
500, 1500, 3000, 5000, 7000 and 10,000 miles

10% off all parts/accessories/engine oils and performance components

Free Labor Costs for replacement of tires, brake pads, belts, and bulbs.

$25 mobile service

Free Tire gauge and battery charger

Pistons, Rings, Cylinder(stock components)
Scooters with performance components, not the components themselves
Fuel System and carburetor.. including Gasoline gelling
Shocks

Not Covered
Parts associated with electronic ignitions, such as voltage regulators or cdi's
Damage due to poor maintenance

Discuss

ask what happens when you hit 10k in the first year

that's almost exactly what I got from my local shop. $500 for 2 years. so far i've saved $175 and it's only been 5 months. but i do about 1k/month, just like jijifer. as a matter of fact, a lot of those miles are with jijifer!

[cpipes]

I don't see myself putting on near that many miles. My last 50cc only has 1400 miles on it after 2 years. Maybe I'll ride more with bigger ponies

Thanks for your help

[taishar]

+1 on getting it spelled out. But here's a run down of what I spent in 13 months and 13.5K miles that I've had my 2009 scooter. I've highlighted the service costs I think would be covered by a service plan and then show 10% off accessories:

I can't believe I spent this much on my scooter in a year but it's true. I would have saved a HUGE part of it had I bought it new and had a service plan. I ride year round averaging 1k a month. If they give a % off service that isn't standard (installing accessories and such) the saving would be even greater! Like Eric says, it's an incentive to learning to do this myself! In year two I already need to replace my exhaust pipe and my sliders. So I'm on track to spend a similar amount in service in 2010 This doesn't include items I bought from some where other than my shop. I got the kit & sliders from Scooterworks, for instance. Not seen here. this is just to show how a service plan would have really done me right

Just out of curiosity, how did you know your clutch bearing was needing replacement ? I'll probably be hitting 10k miles in the next couple of months, and it looks like that's about when you had yours replaced.