A few years ago, my Suzuki V-Strom decided to turn the lights on while I was cleaning it. I traced the problem to a corroded block connector under the tank. [You can read that story here]
While fishing through the forums to see if anyone else had experienced a similar problem and any potential fixes, it was suggested that the bike had missed a warranty recall.
A call to Suzuki Customer Services and a few photos later, this was confirmed.
Bugger, was my initial reaction. Here I was with a four-and-a-half-year-old motorcycle, way outside the warranty period, without a complete Suzuki service history, and now needing a major strip down to replace the wiring harness.
Or, at the very least, I was looking at a bodge job and fitting some protection around all the connectors, the same as the redesigned Suzuki harness did.
Suzuki, however, was having none of this. Despite the age and service history, Suzuki considered the problem with the wiring harness a black mark against them and instructed a local Suzuki dealer to undertake the warranty work.
Compare that to KTM, who wouldn’t replace a burst radiator under warranty on a 12-month-old bike because a non-KTM dealer had changed the brake fluid … Yes, you read that correctly.
So, in short, I’m a fan of Suzuki Motorcycles and the factory’s approach to customer care.
Suzuki Service Activated Warranty
Belief in their product is a core principle for Suzuki, to the point that they have extended the warranty on their motorcycles to seven years or 70,000 miles, which now includes second-hand bikes.
Suzuki’s Service Activated Warranty is offered once the motorcycle reaches the end of its manufacturer warranty period (three years), and the bike is booked in for its next scheduled service within the Suzuki Dealer network.
This Service Activated Warranty then stays in place until the next qualifying service. As long as you maintain the service schedule through the Suzuki Dealer Network, the warranty rolls over until seven years or 70,000 miles is reached.
The Service Activated Warranty costs nothing. It is entirely free of charge.
All major components are covered, and should the machine be sold between services and within the seven-year qualifying period, the warranty will be transferred to the new owner.
Buying a Used Suzuki
The Service Activated Warranty can also be taken up if you buy a second-hand Suzuki, even if any original warranty has expired and there is a gap in the service history. Having purchased the bike, take it to a Suzuki Dealer for a service and ask for the Suzuki Motorcycle Health Check to be completed. After that, your new-to-you Suzuki will benefit from a new, one-year warranty.
The Service Activated Warranty will begin 30 days from the date the authorised Suzuki Dealer service has been completed.
Why The 30-Day Wait?
After the 1st of October 2015, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies to motorcycles bought from registered motor traders. This means that, when you buy the vehicle, it has to be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described.
Within the first 30 days, if there’s a problem that means your new-to-you motorcycle doesn’t meet these standards, it develops a serious fault, or you find that it isn’t what was advertised to you, you can raise this with the dealer and ask for your money back. In this instance, you will be entitled to a full refund.
Hence the 30-day wait. If it turns out you bought a lemon, which the Suzuki Motorcycle Health Check may have identified for you, then going back to the dealer you purchased it from is the thing to do.
The Consumer Rights Act has much more to it than that, and if you are having problems, the Motor Ombudsman would be a good place to visit.
Bottom Line
I’m impressed. Yes, “that guy” at the tea stop will moan about dealer servicing costs and explain how he is an expert mechanic and knows better. I wish him well.
The 1050 V-Strom needs an oil and filter, plus a plug inspection every 3,750 miles, with the valve clearance check every 15,000 miles.
If you are a low mileage rider, one service a year to keep the warranty running is beneficial. Alternatively, having the bike under warranty to address any potential issues must be comforting if you are a high-mileage rider.
If you are comfortable in your own abilities to fix anything that might occur and happy to fund sourcing the required parts, then perhaps Suzuki Service Activated Warranty isn’t for you, and you have lost nothing.
For the rest of us … I think I’d be tempted. I’d certainly want to know more, and as if by magic, here is the link you are looking for. Suzuki Activated Warranty (SAW).
