H.D. Almost the worst bike.

[Trent]

Interesting article

http://www.fool.com/investing/genera...money-can.aspx

[Rod69]

Yes, very interesting!

[msocko3]

Thanks for sharing, it was an interesting read.

[kkaykk]

Oh... that's just great I not only have the Tri Glide but also a BMW sports touring bike. I have to say the Trike has been in the shop more than the beemer.... although the BMW just got a recall notice for a potential rear axel issue. I like both bikes and any issues have just amounted to a nuisance thus far.

[Dragonrider]

Sounds like BS to me since I've owned a bike from everyone of those. They have all had their own problems and actually the jap bikes had more problems than my Harleys ever did.

[msocko3]

Sounds like BS to me since I've owned a bike from everyone of those. They have all had their own problems and actually the jap bikes had more problems than my Harleys ever did.

Up until I bought my 2010 Triglide I would have agreed 100%, all my previous Harley's had been trouble free. My 10 was a big disappointment which still bums me out when I think about it. I was all stoked to take delivery of it and happy as a clam when I road it home, until the heat hit me. After that it just seemed like it was one thing after another. I fixed the heat and the lack luster power. But the rear brakes failing because of the rear brake switch, the shorted out start button, electrical gremlins which may have been the ignition switch going south, bad compensator and leaking stator finally sealed its fate at 22,000 miles. I travel exclusively on a trike and feel it should be every bit as reliable as a car, they both sure cost the same.

My dads has been the typical 1st model year issues some manufacturers have when they cut corners and do a middle of the road R&D job. His 09 in 46,000 miles has had 3 shorted start buttons, one stranded us for 3 days 1,400 miles from home, bad front wheel bearings, warped oil cooler adapter, bad rear O2 sensor, bad compensator, 2 bad inner primary bearings, broken top front motor mount bolts, packing his luggage in trash bags for an entire year because Harley diddled around trying to find a solution to the leaking trunk door only to do what they should have from the beginning and that was use the Lehman seal which hasn't leaked since. Right now it also has a leaking stator which we are just going to monitor and deal with if it was to get worse.

Knock on wood, so far my 2012 Wing has only required oil changes and fuel.

I'm sure sooner or later it may have some issues but I think I have a better chance at having fewer issues than I would with the Triglide I had. The thing that bums me out the most is when I go into a Harley dealer and see the new bikes, I would really love to buy one, was jonesing over a 2013 Road Glide ultra but won't allow myself to be disappointed again.

I've had nothing but great luck with my 06 Ultra, only gave me one surprise while on a trip, and it was my fault I didn't deal with it sooner. The ignition lock had been sticking from time to time, would lube it and all would be well. I crapped out 250 miles from home which required a dealer to send a tech out to look at it. The dealer Horsepower Harley in Williamsport is top notch in my book. They sent a tech who was on his lunch break to see if he could get it unlocked. Couldn't get it so they sent a box truck with a lift gate, the 3 of use muscled the bike onto the gate and into the truck. They fixed it at the dealer and only charged me a half hours labor and nothing for saving my bacon.

I'm sure one day I may once again own another new Harley once they get there QC where it should be for a premium motorcycle.

[GARYD]

I don't know why everyone is surprised. I've know, and I know everyone else has known, that jap bikes are less prone to problems. Always has, always will.

But NO BIKE has the cult following like Harley........ period. Even with all the problems, people still buy every one of them and probably always will - EVEN WHEN THEY GO FULLY WATER COOLED.

I wish they would have stayed the same......Dark Ages tech ......... none of this electronic gadgetry....leave all that crap to the UJM's. Of course the government wouldn't let them.

[tom w]

oh well. I like my big red turd of a Harley.

I have had the jap stuff and agree that I didn't have near as many problems with my 500 or 750 Honda 4's but, I couldn't imagine riding them as far as I have my Harley. when you stop for gas people all ways come up and admire a Harley .

I didn't ask for c.r."s advise when I bought my first one , doubt I need it now.

[zeman 1]

After a quick read of report, several things jumped out. Report based on owner reported problems, with accessories leading the complaint list. Touring type bikes led the list of complaints. Stands to reason that the guy that spends $25 K on a new bike is going to nit pick more than a guy that spends $10 K on a bike. Just saying that there is more to it than BMW and HD being the "worst bike"

[ON-3]

36K on the '09 TriGlide and the only repair was to the dealer installed heated grips; twice!

[ErieBigDawg]

But NO BIKE has the cult following like Harley........ period. Even with all the problems, people still buy every one of them and probably always will - EVEN WHEN THEY GO FULLY WATER COOLED.

GREAT MARKETING...does NOT make a GREAT product...!

[iaff84]

GREAT MARKETING...does NOT make a GREAT product...!

A great product markets itself.

[msocko3]

GREAT MARKETING...does NOT make a GREAT product...!

If I'm correct you had the same stinker of a dealer my dad bought ours from, clueless service manager and technicians with room temperature IQ's, and an arrogant simpleton of an owner.

IMO the dealers make a big difference in how a product is perceived, if you have a great dealer you have a better chance at having a good experience. If the dealer is a stinker then you have the possibility of having a nightmare of an experience. I'm the type of person who can't be bought with free hot dogs & end of the year middle of the road BBQ, I'd prefer good customer service and support over gimmicks.

[rmrc51]

*** Not sure if this is allowed so if not, Zook, please remove. ***


For our member who would like a list of some reliable sources.

Here are three "excellent" dealers that I have dealt with;

Honda
http://www.blueridgepowersports.com/

Harley
http://waughhd.com/

Indian
http://www.indianmotorcyclecharlotte.com/

[tom w]

I have went thru 3 dealerships and one really bad independent in the past 10 years. No big deal to change dealers .

What I have learned a lot from my mistakes.

1 read all the contract.

2 don't buy into dealer service contracts.

3 and last but not least, look at their service department. if it looks like total chaos run ,don't walk, run to another dealership.

I ended up at 4 rivers h.d. in paducha ky. Best I have ever seen.

[GARYD]

Tom, Nothing wrong with dealer service contracts.
I saved $200 on a 10K prepaid plan on my '12 TG versus paying at time of each service plus I got a free tire and brake pads.
This year another dealer is offering a better plan 3 years unlimited milage - 3 times better then my dealers plan- BUT - my dealer, after seeing this plan, is looking into maybe revising theirs. Which will save me from traveling an hour each way. Since I ride over 10K miles a year this plan will save me over $3000. Nothing wrong with that in my opinion.
Now don't go saying "if I do it myself I'll save even more" I'm not very mechanically inclined and don't have the time and space to do my own. About all I can do is change the oils.

I agree with you on points 1 and 3 - - -especially #1

[Trent]

I am thankful I paid for an extended warranty. It has way more than paid for itself. Without going into a lotta detail, my TG is in the shop right now as it developed a leaky head gasket. Well, one thing lead to another, now I am putting on SE heads, SE pistons with new sleeves, and redoing the whole bottom end. I will be paying for about 2 hours in labor for one jug, and I am paying for the upgraded SE parts on the top side, but HD paying for some parts and all the labor for everything but one jug. HD is paying for the whole bottom end parts and labor. I am upgrading to almost a stage 4 and I will be in it about 1500.00. I am on my 3rd compensator which has been all their dime, along with several other issues too. HD has it's good and bad, just like all of them, but it is what I will always have.

[rhino 2]

Don't know about CR Ratings, But the worst bike/trike i ever had the displeasure of owning over the last 45 years was the CanAm spyder. Just thinking about BRP Makes me want to...

[tom w]

when I bought my used ultra I took a 12 month service contract told me it covered every thing. cost $1000.00 added into bike contract. had a flat less than 1 month after sale.....not covered $325.00. changed oil x 1 for 1000.00. not a real good deal for me.

keeping in mind now this was the dealers service agreement not a Harley warranty

my extended warranty covered a blown head gasket, glad I had it. Told them to change the oil after the head gasket was fixed...didn't get done. may have caused my oil pump failure and about $2000.00 of repair bills . not sure what went thru my oil pump but it looked like it was threaded on the inside. might have been part of a gasket

[Bill Reber]

Just thought I would mention the term "Jap" is a insult . The people of Japan view it about the same way as being called sub human. I know this based on my son being married to a japanese national. The term was a term used in WW2 and was a intended insult.
Bill