Add up the amount of miles you anticipate your gonna ride in the next three years. Then double it . Figure out how many scheduled maintenance markers you are going to hit, how many oil changes you'll do, and so forth. Add it all up $ wise, and find out if it's above or below $1000. Personally it seems a bit steep, but I'm cheap. And that $1000 could go a long way in other departments.

If you like working on your car, you'll also like working on the kat. It's relativly easy to work on, and in the three years you're covered in the "pit pass" there won't be anything major to do.

Plus, I don't know what it's like down there, but if I want anything done at the dealer up here, I gotta leave the bike for a day or two, and they'll get to it when they get time. Plus I gotta get someone to drive me out there (to bring me back). I like doing all my own stuff. Because 1. I enjoy it, and 2. Because if I need something done (oil change) I do it when I want. I don't have to wait till somebody gets free.

it depends on what you can or can't do yourself. I have owned my kat for 12 years, and can say that it didn't cost me that in all those years of riding. well maybe with tires and all.....but still...that is 12 years...not 3.

Depends on a few factors... Questions you need to ask:

(A) Will the dealership still be there in a year? Three years? If the dealership changes their name every year (even just minorly), expect the paper to be worth $0 as the new company of the virtually-same-name doesn't have to honor it. In Tampa, that's PowerSports II of Tampa (formerly PowerSports of Tampa, aka PowerSports of North Tampa, aka...). Is it specifically offered by this dealership, or by some third-party company that reimburses them?

(B) Is it transferable? If you find you don't like the dealer, his mechanics are screw-ups, or there's a three-week backlog on scheduling, can you take it to another Suzuki dealership? If it's through a third-party firm, it might be.

(C) Does it include everything, and not just labor? Standard parts, lubes, filters, etc? Or are you going to get hit for additional fees when you need a service?

(D) How does it compare to buying directly? You can figure about $320 for a 600 & 7500 mile services, about $350 for a 15k service. The inbetween minor services (3500 miles, 11k) are just oil/filter changes and inspections (maybe chain clean/lube as well), and should be under $60 each.

(E) Would the cost be financed? If you would be wrapping this purchase into a finance package at say 5%, it inflates the final cost of the services by that much... only advantage is if you're not good at mechanics (won't do the work yourself) and bad on having spare $$ around when you need it (easier to figure into a budget if you pay the same every month).

(F) What's your time-availability and work-area like? If you live in a 3rd floor apartment and work 65 - 70 hours a week, or are going to school and doing homework until you drop every night, you obviously won't have time to maintain the bike yourself... factor that in.

IHMO: For most people, starting at the outset of ownership, it's cheaper to buy the specialty tools, standard tools and supplies for the next couple years of ownership than to pay a dealer to do the same work. If you already own some of the tools (like a good metric toolset), you're ahead in the game. Plus, you control the quality of the oils, filter, parts, as well as getting to know your own bike inside and out. The only time I recommend service contracts is if you know that it's the only way the maintenance will get done because of the rider's personality/finances/time/etc.

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

My opinion is that you are locking yourself in a contract in which you are prepaying for a service. You'll be at the mercy of the dealer to get your money's worth.

A $1000 is a significant upfront cost. Personally, I would learn to the the basic maintenance yourself and the Katana is a perfect bike for this.

Thanks for the responses! I will have plenty of time on weekends to work on the bike and yes, I love working on my car.

Parts ARE included in the contract, but I enjoy researching and chosing my own parts / oil so I do not mind spending the money.

My biggest concern are the $300+ checkups. But like you all said, it depends on how much I am going to ride the bike during the next three years.

I think I am just going to pay the $250 for the 600 mile checkup.

The first check-up makes sense for a trained mechanic to do (may spot something flawed from the factory); make sure it includes a valve adjustment check, or it's bogus.

Normally such contracts have a mileage limit (they aren't going to give you unlimited services for 3 years -- what if you do 30k a year?), so they never end up significantly behind.

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

They wouldn't offer the plan if they didn't make money on it......i vote no

Thanks guys.. I am not going to get it. Black Kat, is that your pup??

yea, thats Kadie.....she was a "found in box on side of road @ 4 weeks old" dog....she's almost a year now....

know im little late but ive been following this thread also http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7056