You’ve heard of lemon cars. But what about lemon motorcycles? Traditionally, only cars and trucks have been covered under Pennsylvania Lemon Law. But that may be changing, if Pennsylvania House Bill 74 continues to gain support. The Pennsylvania House Consumer Affairs Committee approved the bill on June 12. The bill will now go for consideration in front of the full House.
About the bill
Pennsylvania Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Greene/Fayette/Washington, introduced the bill, which is said to have widespread support from motorcyclists as well as the Pennsylvania General Assembly. This is not, however, Synder’s first attempt at passing such legislation.
If H.B. 74 becomes law, it would mean that motorcycles would be included in the definition of “new motor vehicles.” What that would mean for Lemon Law purposes is that motorcycle manufacturers would have a duty to correct defects that compromised the safety, usability or value of their bikes in whichever of the below timeframes occurred first:
- Within one year of purchase
- Within the duration of the warranty
- Within the first 12,000 miles ridden
What it means for motorcyclists
If H.B. 74 passes, it means that motorcycle owners would be eligible for reimbursement after having made four attempts at repair, or if their bike sits at a shop for more than 30 days.
Lemon Law varies from state to state, so if you think you may have a lemon on your hands, it’s important to speak with an experienced lemon law attorney who can make sure you’re getting the full reimbursement you deserve when your vehicle doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to.