Motorcycle Lemon Law

Roaring down the highway, feeling the power of your motorcycle beneath you, almost defines freedom. Immortalized in movies from 1969’s “Easy Rider” to 2007’s “Wild Hogs,” bikers seek adventure and sometimes find themselves in the process. But when have to take your new bike to the shop time and again, or when you want to go and your motorcycle doesn’t, it’s maddening. If your new bike turns out to be a lemon, though, you definitely have recourse via motorcycle lemon laws.

Motorcycle Lemon Laws

Typically, motorcycles are covered by each state’s new car Lemon Law. Lemon Laws in the following states, however, do not cover motorcycles: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, and Vermont.

Generally speaking, a motorcycle is defined as a lemon when you have had to take it into the dealer multiple times to get a problem fixed. Although each state is different, most Lemon Laws require that you take your motorcycle in for repair between two times (for serious safety defects) and four times (for other types of problems), or that the motorcycle is out of service for 30 days. Again, while each state has its own definition of a “new” motorcycle, if you’ve owned it less than two years or have driven it fewer than 18,000 miles (whichever comes first), you’re generally covered by Lemon Laws.

Other Laws Can Help

It’s important to remember that, even if you’re not covered by your state’s Lemon Law, you may still be able to get resolution from Federal laws, such as the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and the Uniform Commercial Code. If your motorcycle lemon came with a warranty, your Lemon Law attorney can use these and other applicable laws to help you get a refund, a replacement motorcycle, and/or a financial settlement.

Thankfully, the law is designed to enable motorcycle owners who find themselves with lemons to quickly get justice. It won’t be long before you once again have the incomparable feeling of the wind in your face.