Motorcycle clothing warranties. Everything you didn't, and don’t, want to know

[@hartley383]

A good few years ago I bought a Wolf textile suit. This was the most comfortable suit I’d ever had , it kept me dry on a tour in atrocious weather, I loved it. Sadly at 3 months old I noticed the neck area coming apart. I took it back to the shop and they agreed that that wasn’t right, and started a warranty claim. Couple of weeks go by and I get a call, despite them arguing my case, Wolf would not accept the jacket was faulty. Before I could say anything the dealer said, we’re really disappointed with this and we’d like to get it repaired for you, they’d had a word with a local place and it could be repaired to a better standard than new. The jacket was repaired and gave me a few good years service. I never bought another Wolf product again. I did however buy it’d replacement and a lot of other stuff from that shop.

[@223Sako]

Having worked in retail a couple of times in my life you have my sympathy. A large percentage of the public are basically idiots who would struggle to walk and chew gum at the same time.

[@rockstaraaravblogs]

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[@rockstaraaravblogs]

😊😊😊😊

[@simonfredrick3029]

Possibly a wise decision for you not to work in retail I think. 😂

[@Grim_Beard]

Your honesty with customers in these videos is much appreciated Chris, whether it's about products and their suitability for different uses or issues such as warranties and repairs.

[@danielgs4992]

I used to work retail so I understand the narrative here. However, I would argue that if a manufacturer provides a 5year warranty, and it genuinely fails to last 5 years through ordinary use, and has been maintained correctly, then it is a manufacturing fault. I argue that it was manufactured to last for as long as the warranty, else, why provide a warranty that is expected to outlast the product. Why not offer a 100 year warranty and outdo every other company in the market. If this is not true, then the manufacturer is falsely advertising and profiting from its failure to manufacture something that they know won't last (in reasonable use and proper care) as long as the warranty. It's illegal to profit from lies, which would be the case here. For clarity, this argument is not to be confused with people that abuse their kit, and it subsequently fails. My point only applies to those who care for their kit in accordance with the manufacturer's guidance, using proper products and storing items properly.

[@Motolegends]

Yes, that’s how most motorcyclists read warranties. But the manufacturers have protected themselves here with their wording. It is still the case that a fault on a well looked-after, five-year old jacket might still qualify as an item of ‘faulty manufacture’. But the issue would then be who arbitrates on whether an item is ‘well cared for’? At the end of the day, the manufacturers can call it however they see it. CP

[@danielgs4992]

@@MotolegendsI guess it partly comes down to the type of reputation that a company wants. Gore clearly decided that reputation is worth more than the small loss from being generous with warranty claims. Good for them. My view is that good service attracts a loyal customer base. Maybe one day you can make an anonymous video showing which manufacturers are the best at honouring warranties. 😛

[@TheLeevtr]

I think much of this is caused by the cost of some of the gear these days. Most people would expect an item that cost £1000, to have a much longer ' wear and tear' lifespan than an item that cost £250.00. If you pay premium prices, you expect it to put up with a lot more abuse, otherwise why pay the extra.

[@bobmcgrath1272]

Many years ago my good lady had some clothes shops she owned and managed. Frankly I’ve never seen anyone work so hard. I honestly would never advise anyone to deal with the public! She has been a programme manager in IT now for more than a decade and regularly runs international projects involving 100’s of people. Her words “my job is 1000% easier than running shops”. So I can vicariously feel some of your pain and is why I took the time to watch, and enjoy, this video. I think there’s probably an apt quote somewhere about communications and resentment… Thanks

[@trekker8187]

If it doesn't do what is says on the tin then the manufacturers shouldn't give out a warranty. If it says waterproof then should be waterproof and not leak 20 mins of rain!

[@colinhickes4253]

Well done Chris for trying to explain a complex issue I fully agree that some people always expect to much especially if their hard earned cash is at risk

[@simonfredrick3029]

Chris, a great topic that does indeed need more discussion and clarity. Having rust read your post, arrived by email, I disagree with your final sentence. We, as purchasers, ultimately have all the power and I believe that manufacturers that are fair with their customers ultimately garner long term loyalty. A good reputation can take years to develop, a bad one can happen over night. We purchasers however need to realise biking gear gets a hammering, not dissimilar to work gear, and should expect it may wear out or develop faults quickly. If you are not happy with a manufacturers decision don’t buy their products in future. Yours is not an enviable position being stuck in the middle, all you can do is strive to be fair and trust your customers will remain loyal. (To you if not the brand). Keep the blogs coming, very informative and entertaining. Thank you. 😊

[@mengaw-yong2490]

Excellent video as usual Chris addresses issues other shy away from. C personally tried to redress the DWR coating on my Belstaff but I m now converted to the layered non laminated approach it’s cheaper to replace Scott’s and a suit drier warmer and cooler as required

[@johnalbone3372]

Great video Chris and this is whÿ I think its so important to find a retailer like yourself who actually tells it how it is and also provides excellent customer service

[@Theshybiker]

I bought an Alpinestars gore tex suit about 3 years ago from Bill Smiths in Chester. After a couple of years I started to notice a bit of a leak during very heavy rain, then on a ride in Wales I was absolutely soaked to the skin. Contacted the lady in the clothing section about it, not really expecting much, and she said to give her a day and she’d get back to me. She contacted the Alpinestars rep and with no argument the said to change the suit for a new one To me, I thought that was fantastic service, both from the store and the manufacturer

[@MR-vt3np]

Good video. Ref. Gore Tex. They replaced the zipper on my 9 year old Rukka Merlin Gore Tex leather jacket which was out of warranty. Had to send the jacket to Austria. The zipper was a disaster, had to be constantly lubricated. Gore eventually abandoned the invention. It was replaced with a normal waterproof zipper.

[@honeyyeti5292]

Great video well said.... I had a girlfriend who once bought some shoes, wore them for a year, then took them back complaining the heals had worn down..... They replaced them!!!! I became happily single the following week..😁

[@pamvarnsverry2444]

5.40 is the comment I was waiting for says it all....wearing a leather jacket and jeans off road for 2 years without suffiently cleaning and feeding them is a recipe for disaster - yet I was expected to repair them to as new ish. That was one mans pipe dream..

[@donryan383]

Great video... I understand and agree with your perspectives of warantees in our market... I wonder if it's possible in your reviews to formally rate motorcycle gear ruggedness. It would be great to know if a products was flimsy, average, or bullet proof from the wear and tear viewpoint. Even that contraversal. A year ago I bought a mesh jacket from.a Canadian manufacturer. The jacket is great... Good quality... Good armour... BUT the black mesh has faded to a not so pleasant purple colour. Yup... Not under warrantee after just one summer riding season. As I look to other and higher quality source...even Klim... None of them seem to warrantee colour fastness. That is a wear category. One season seems a.little short on warrantee. When the intended use is to wear the jacket in the high UV environment of warm sunny Canadian summer day! Do any gear manufacturers warrantee colour fastness?

[@zyghom]

All said was to the point, there is one more thing: some companies "make sure" the product is about to fail just after the warranty period ends. And this is proven already. Nobody makes anymore Mercedes 200D, that was produced in 70s and could have done few millions without repair - just the wear and tear thingis - this times will never come back - one: because producers don't want, two: becasue customers prefer to buy every now and then new product - there is always "onre more feature" that makes it better than the old one ;-)

[@Motolegends]

Yes, I agree. Stuff isn’t made the way it used to be, for a whole host of reasons. CP

[@cpuuk]

How the issue is handled is the key (aka Customer Service) and some are clearly better than others.

[@thebigoaktree8401]

Keep being a stand up guy Chap In The Cap! Love your company and all of the informative video’s!

[@LongPointRV]

The public simply expect too much.

[@aberdeenaviationphotograph9311]

A brilliant video as normal. Whilst you might be broadly stating the bloomin' obvious, the small details you point out were things I didn't know, so thank you. Keep up the excellent work

[@danboyd6180]

Otherwise perfectly acceptable citizens… The problem is us consumers used to get products that were built to last not built to fool or straight up fail at some point… I feel like yall do a good job but the Corpos have reached the limit of consumer abuse

[@colmdoherty49]

Just come to terms with going the extra mile for your customers, you will find yourself becoming a much happier man & business will be good. looking forward to the video of what you are doing to achieve that🙏

[@christophermann7349]

Great video Chris, well presented and educational.

[@marka5202]

Really good subject for a video. I know you often extol the virtues of the value for money to be gained from Rukka's warranty. Has something changed, or do they, more often than not, honour their warranty with few exceptions throughout the life advertised? Good to know Gore are true to their word.

[@paulabraham8724]

Clarity at the point of sale should be improved. I would expect that. Garment that comes with a ten year guarantee should be serviceable for that period provided its use has been “normal” and not subjected to unreasonable levels of “ abuse” . If it was clear for example that waterproofing* would be covered but zips would not be covered the customer could make an informed choice on whether to buy that product or not. Customers should not be expected to have the skill set of a Philadelphia Lawyer in order to understand what is covered and referring to the small print is rather poor on the part of the retailer.

[@stephenscott6570]

one of “tricks” manufacturers use is stating guaranteed for life. And buyer is thinking their life. But manufacturer means general life of garmet.

[@plumpii7177]

16:52 Theres an old saying handed down through generations of motorcycle retailers.. "Look after your gear" And your gear will look after you? No, its just "look after your gear"

[@FREE_PUREBLOOD333]

Love motolegends vids..🇬🇧👍🏍️💨