Warranty 2013 , Top access to battery not covered

[KennyH]

Yamaha will not cover the replacement of the top right cowl panel on my 2013 FJR, the dealer charged me

$175 to replace the part. Yamaha has a "TECH Exchange" on the subject # "m2013-013" on

how to cut your old part if you can get it off without breaking something. I talked to the head

office in CA, no results.

To get to the battery on the early 2013 model you have to remove the dash and other item's, a

lot of work. Yamaha fixed the defect on later 2013 year models and does not seem to care that

I purchased two new FJR's from them 2007/2013. I feel that this is a defect and they should have

fixed the issue. I build race bikes and have the tools and skill to remove some plastic.

So, I placed a Sign on my FJR at Daytona Bike week near the Yamaha tent, and talked to the

head of Dealer sales for Florida, they have yet to get back to me, said they would.

Kenny,

 

[Bungie]

... and get off my lawn!

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

I wouldn't say the original 2013 battery access was a "defect" they just changed the design to make it easier to access.

 

[CA G-Man]

Kenny: There's a whole thread on it here: https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/155322-gen3-battery-access-made-easier/ and there might be others.

Did you break the panel trying to get it off? It's not really clear what your issue is from your post.

 

[RadioHowie]

WOW....

Just wow.

 

[stevec677]

Last week I stopped by my local dealer to speak to the tech that prepped my bike when it was new. It's an early (less then 300 vin #) 2013. He showed me exactly what to expect when trying to access the battery. It was actually pretty easy. First I removed the piece under the gauges and then I had access to the offending screw (keep it clean fellas). I then removed the battery cover, broke out the dremhell and removed the few bits of plastic per the great directions here on the site and reinstalled everything. It took me an hour max. and that included looking for my dremell. I wish I would put my tools away when I'm done with a project. Don't be mad at Yamaha, it's an easy fix and it seams that Yamaha really does listen to their customers. Now about that 82mph cruise control...............

 

[KennyH]

Well, I stopped before I broke something. The Yamaha Dealer charged me $121.99 (full list) for the part and 1/2 labor

for $50.00, the tech said it was a pain and it took more that 1/2 hour. Plus Tax, Plus Shop supplies,Ect, $175.79

I made a agreement with Yamaha, I would pay them in full for a motorcycle with a one year warranty, they should have fixed

the issue. It's not the Dealer, It's Headquarters.

I don't have these warranty problems with my other rides/cars/RV

Maybe they will perk-up some after looking at the NTSB safety complaint I filed (in-process) last month

Yes, Wow

 

[Flash1034]

I think it's kinda crappy for yamaha not to cover it. Can't be that many bikes. My 02 cents.

Flash

 

[20valves]

Kenny imho you're just waaaaay off base here. You build race bikes but you consider the process to remove the oem part a "lot of work?" I DON'T build race bikes and it was a cinch for me. A part that functions is NOT a defect and it's so easy to upgrade it to 2014 specs that I don't blame Yamaha one bit if they ignore your warranty claim. You could have saved a lot of effort by modding the part yourself instead of filling out the NTSB complaint. It's not a warranty claim you have, it's your personal problem. And you think the NTSB will view this as a safety issue? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Wow indeed.

 

[HotRodZilla]

And some of you questioned why we used to have 'Dog Pile Friday.' This is a perfect example.

Kenny, get a life. What did you write in the NTSB complaint? "I can't figure out how to get to my battery in less than 3 minutes...Somebody's gunna DIEEEEEEEE."

Sheesh!

 

[Bustanut joker]

WOW....
Just wow.

Agreed.

 

[blassoff]

I'm still confused. You didn't break it, you build race bikes but didn't want to void your warranty to mod the part, and then agreed to pay a dealer $175 to replace the non-broken part?

I'm sure it's my fault, as I don't have a 13'. I do understand that access to the battery may be difficult. BUT DUDE, YOU'RE HERE! You have this amazing resource at your fingertips. Ask a question, you'll get like 10 slightly different answers. At least one or two will be balls-on accurate, the rest will prove to be somewhat helpful and generally encouraging.

That's why we're here, to learn stuff and then share that knowledge!

Fire away Grizley.

 

[KennyH]

Well "20Valves" , imagine being on the side of the road in the middle of night or out in Utah in the heat on the side of the road,

and trying to get the the main fuse or dead battery. ever been either ? are you sure you had a early 2013 Upper cowl ?

If it takes a Yamaha Tech at the dealer 15-20 mins to get to it in a nice shop , that's a issue I wanted resolved.

What if you had just purchased a new auto and it took 20 min's and daylight to get to the fuses or battery ? would you be happy ?

Cutting up the original part is not as good as the new design.

I purchased a new bike with a warranty so I would not have to work on it.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Well, if you're not gonna work on it, you shouldn't need to take the battery cover off. See?? I am a problem solver!!

 

[KennyH]

Grizley, I did go to this forum first for Information, read the posts, tried the process, the dash just was not wanting to come out

without bending and maybe breaking. Would you want to break the plastic on a bike with 500 miles on it ?

on my 2007 , I had the complete front end off and all the plastic.

 

[LKLD]

Honestly, I think you are making a mountain out of a molehill. This is a convenience issue, that you want to make out as a safety issue. If you don't get a response from Yamaha or NSTB, and coupled with the responses given here, I feel you should realize that you are off-base on this one. Either way, best of luck going further.

Also, if this bothers you this much, wait until you try to set the cruise control at 85mph.

 

[KennyH]

the only road I know of that is posted 85mph is HY 130 toll up to Austin,TX Home of COTA track.

opinions : Dealer said Yamaha should have covered it

repair Tech at Dealer said they should have covered it.

Florida region sales rep said if they had a Tech Exchange on it, they should cover it (he was unsure if they had a notice)

Little devil on my sholder (like animal house version), said go ahead suck her ----

Thanks guys for all the input and , maybe all I really needed was a rant.

 

[CA G-Man]

Thanks guys for all the input and , maybe all I really needed was a rant.

Cool. Feel better now?

 

[Pterodactyl]

I agree that your position is unreasonable. The battery cover on your bike functioned as designed. It was cumbersome certainly, but functional. Yamaha made a mid year modification and is not obligated to apply it retroactively. Your position is a not unlike asking Yamaha too modify your bike to add new features included on 2014 models.