Product Warranty and Safety Recall Campaigns

9 Months Ended

Sep. 24, 2017

Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]

Product Warranty and Safety Recall Campaigns

Product Warranty and Recall Campaigns

The Company currently provides a standard two-year limited warranty on all new motorcycles sold worldwide, except for Japan, where the Company currently provides a standard three-year limited warranty on all new motorcycles sold. In addition, the Company provides a one-year warranty for Parts & Accessories (P&A). The warranty coverage for the retail customer generally begins when the product is sold to a retail customer. The Company maintains reserves for future warranty claims using an estimated cost, which is based primarily on historical Company claim information maintained by the Company. Additionally, the Company has from time to time initiated voluntary recall campaigns. The Company reserves for all estimated costs associated with recalls in the period that management approves and commits to the recall.

Changes in the Company’s warranty and recall liability were as follows (in thousands):

	Three months ended						Nine months ended
	September 24, 2017			September 25, 2016			September 24, 2017			September 25, 2016
Balance, beginning of period	$	80,681		$	82,480		$	79,482		$	74,217
Warranties issued during the period	11,802			11,107			46,638			49,321
Settlements made during the period	(22,322		)	(30,512		)	(62,855		)	(71,354		)
Recalls and changes to pre-existing warranty liabilities	646			22,448			7,542			33,339
Balance, end of period	$	70,807		$	85,523		$	70,807		$	85,523

The liability for recall campaigns was $6.2 million, $13.6 million and $19.5 million as of September 24, 2017, December 31, 2016 and September 25, 2016, respectively.