Please submit your opinions on Kawasaki's extended
warranty. I am trying to decide to purchase it or not.
Thanks.

Patrick
2001 Bayou 300 4x4

 

I purchased the warranty when I puchased mine in 1995 but never needed it but you never know. Mine was a bayou 300 4 wheel

 

It all depends on how good your dealer is as to how good the warranty will be.
I paid $250 for a 3 yr warranty on a 400 4x4 prarie and have used it a time or two. (I have 2552 miles on it) It has paid for itself. With todays laybor rates(40-50/hr)plus parts, one shop visit and the warranty is paid for.

 

Like auto (states require it though), health, or life insurance! Can you afford it and do you like gambling with your future?

 

I view extended warranties as evidence of something that is worthy to purchase with a belief that it will last. In other words, don't buy it if the manufacturer reflects that it may not last by not offering an extended warranty. They can be big money makers for those who produce reliable products.

About the only time I might consider one is when purchasing a totally new model or existing one with recently updated components. For example, I would never buy the new Honda Rubicon without an extended warrantly. But then, the best decision might be to wait a year or two until it establishes a reliable track record.

 

Let me re-word your question "Should I spend $400 dollars on an extended warranty or spend it on high performance parts like exhaust, air filter, jets et."

Simply stated the extended warranty is a BIG money maker for the individual who sells it to you. Lets use a 2 year warranty for an example, if they charge $400 that is 10% of a $4000 vehicle. That means if 10 people buy the warranty, the total sales equals $4000 which is the cost of a brand new 4 wheeler! Plus if it is a 2 year warranty you are charged for, it should be 2years on top of the original factory warranty and therefore if the factory gave a 6 month warranty you should get a 2 1/2 year warranty. They dont do that so essentially you only get a 1 1/2 year warranty.

Here is a way to get an interesting response from the salesman. When they push the sale of a kawasaki extended warranty on you say something like" gee, the yamaha dealer didnt try to sell me an extended warranty, I guess the yamaha is built better so I think I better get a yamaha" I think you'll be surprised at the double talk the salesman or finance guy will give you.

If you doubt the quality of the product you buy and feel you must buy a warranty, you probably shouldnt buy that product in the first place.

 

I wouldn't worry about an extended warranty on a machine like the Bayou that has proven to be really reliable. The odds are if you follow the maintenance you'll have no problems. I personally would only buy an extended warranty on a new model design like maybe the upcoming 650. I used this approach when I boght my Mojave and 16 months later....zero problems. So I'm glad I didn't spend the money.

2000 Mojave
2001 TrailBoss

 

Thanks for the input. I am a new ATV owner so I will probably be asking alot of general questions. The information that I have received here is very helpful.

Patrick

2001 Kawasaki Bayou 300 4x4
w/GUN RACKS!