Motorcycling is very much about building relationships between rider, dealership and manufacturer.
Loyalty is a big part of the relationship and manufacturers are coming up with new ways of wooing and keeping customers for both the brand and the dealership.
Two incentives are service-activated extended warranties and breakdown cover to reward the customer.
It is something all our brands – Kawasaki, KTM and Suzuki – are promoting.
Kawasaki
All 2024 model Kawasakis come with a standard four-year warranty.
Previously, Kawasaki offered a two-year manufacturer warranty which the owner could pay to extend for another two years anytime during the first 24 months.
To maintain the warranty, the motorbike has to be fully serviced by an authorised Kawasaki dealership.
KTM
KTM’s Mobility Service is a free roadside breakdown, assistance and recovery scheme which is renewed for 12 months every time the motorbike has an annual or scheduled service at an authorised KTM dealer.
Single-cylinder models are covered for up to eight years or 37,500 miles, twins eight years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.
The cover is limited to the UK for single-cylinder models but for twins it is Europewide.
There is also a service-activated warranty offer on 2024 model-year, twin-cylinder KTMs.
All 2024 KTMs get a two-year manufacturer warranty but the twins’ cover can be extended up to four years provided you continue having your motorbike serviced annually by an authorised KTM dealer.
The warranty offer covers 2024 790 Duke and Adventure, 890 Adventure, Adventure R, Adventure R Rally and SMT, 990 Duke and 1390 Super Duke R and Evo.
Both the Mobility Service and extended warranty are available only on KTM street bikes.
Suzuki
All Suzukis come with a three-year manufacturer warranty as standard but it offers a service-activated warranty scheme which covers motorbikes up to seven years or 70,000 miles, whichever comes first, provided they have annual or scheduled servicing at an authorised Suzuki dealer.
It covers every model from 125s right through to the Hayabusa.
If you buy a used Suzuki, up to seven years old or 70,000 miles, with a lapsed service schedule you can reinstate the warranty by having the scheduled service at an authorised Suzuki dealership. The cover will then start 30 days after the service.
Joe Lowe, our service and workshop manager, said: “Manufacturers want to keep their motorbikes in the dealer network which is beneficial for them and for the customer too.
“It’s in your own interest to keep your motorbike in tip-top condition.”
The benefits of using an authorised dealer to look after your motorbike include:
- Having the right manufacturer tools and equipment
- Using genuine parts
- Technicians are trained by the manufacturer and regularly update their training for the latest models and technology
- Free health checks carried out with the service
- Carrying out any recalls or updates from the manufacturer
Joe also had a warning for anyone considering using a non-franchised workshop while their motorbike is under warranty.
Using a non-franchised garage, that is VAT registered, and genuine parts for manufacturer scheduled servicing to maintain your warranty applies only to cars but not motorbikes.
“It’s a common misconception,” he added.
To book your motorbike in for servicing, maintenance, repairs or an MOT test call the workshop on 01473 257401 or visit orwell.co.uk/workshop