Motorcycles Under Washington Lemon Law

Washington’s Lemon Law covers motorcycles under RCW 19.118.021, but only those with an engine displacement of at least 750cc — the same displacement floor as Virginia. Smaller-displacement motorcycles (and mopeds) fall outside the Lemon Law and must rely on Magnuson-Moss or the WCPA.

Motorcycle coverage

• 24-month / 24,000-mile Rights Period applies.
• 30-month Request for Arbitration window applies.
• Same repair-attempt thresholds apply (four attempts / two safety / 30 days OOS).
• Same written notice requirement.

Common motorcycle defects

• Engine / electrical defects — fuel injection, ignition, charging system.
• Transmission defects — hard shifting, jumping out of gear.
• Brake-system failures — categorical serious safety defect.
• Suspension failures — fork seals, shock leaks.
• Frame defects — recall-tied.
• Cooling system failures.
• Battery / charging system failures.

Manufacturer patterns in the Pacific Northwest market

• Harley-Davidson — twin-cooled engine recalls, electrical issues.
• Honda Gold Wing — DCT issues, fuel pump failures.
• BMW R-series — fuel-strip recall pattern, final-drive failures.
• Ducati Multistrada — DVT engine issues, electrical glitches.
• Triumph Tiger — electrical, ECU issues.
• Indian — wiring harness recalls.

Serious safety defect classification

Motorcycle defects more often qualify as serious safety defects (two-attempt threshold) because motorcycle accidents are categorically more dangerous:

• Brake failures.
• Steering / handling defects.
• Sudden power loss at speed.
• Throttle hang.
• Fuel-system leaks.

WCPA and Magnuson-Moss apply

WCPA (treble damages capped $25K/violation, mandatory fees) and Magnuson-Moss (federal-court access W.D. Wash.) apply on the same basis as automobile cases.

Pacific Northwest motorcycle factors

• Wet-road handling defects are particularly safety-critical given Washington’s frequent rain.
• Cold-start performance issues in the Cascades and Eastern Washington.
• Salt corrosion from coastal areas affecting electrical and brake components.

Bottom line

Motorcycles of at least 750cc get full Washington Lemon Law protection; smaller-displacement bikes fall outside it. Brake and handling defects almost always trigger the two-attempt serious-safety-defect threshold. Document each visit and pursue AG arbitration or court action.

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