I went by my local dealer and rode a used 06 sportster and loved it but I told a friend at the local honda dealership and he said that harley's have a problem with there crank cases leaking oil and they vibrate alot and you have to check the engine bolts to make sure they didn't loosen up after each ride..

Is this true or is he trying to sell me a honda...?

 

He's trying to sell you a honda... [:'(]

 

06' vibrates? He must be kiddn', all 04 and up are rubber mounted, less vibration compares to older model, I do not notice any oil leak or loose bolts either. By the way, is that a Honda dealer?Alex

 

You have a friend selling Hondas who has no idea what he's talking about. More metric folklore!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I should have added that I have an 05 1200 C and love it. Great bike. And coming up on 11,000 miles and yet to tighten any bolts or have any leaks.

Repeating, your friend is full of IT.

 

Back in the days when Panheads and Shovelheads roamed the streets we did have a problem with excessive vibration and bikes 'marking their territory' (leaks).

This all changed in the early to mid 1990's when the EVO engines were used in most Harley's. From that point on things have gotten even better, and with a modern day Harley you should have zero leaks.

My '96 EVO Dyna WideGlide doesn't leak a drop, the upgraded EVO in my 2005 Sportster doesn't leak a drop, and the Twin Cam engine in my Softail FatBoy doesn't leak a drop.

You will get some vibration out of any V-Twin configured engine, but with the new technology it isn't any worse than that of most 'foreign bikes' I have ridden.

The Sportsters and most of the Dyna's are using 'rubber mounted engine braces' which further reduces felt vibration. The newer Softail's are using counter balanced engines, which also holds down the felt vibration.

Your contact at the Honda dealership sounds like he is talking about the Harley's produced 25 years ago.

Go to your local Harley dealer and take a test ride on one of the newer Sportsters and see what you think...

 

Buy the Harley or you'll regret it later.

 

I have a "friend" who rides a Goldwing and he tells everyone the same thing...vibrates, leaks oil, etc...etc...As noted by others, the vibratation issues was with the early solid-mount motors. The very nature of a V-Twin is results in more vibration than a 4 or 6. It is also what gives a Harley that wonderfully distinctive sounds. As for leaks, the new bikes seem to be very tight...you may have some blow-by for the first 100 miles as the rings seat (see other posts) but these motors are very tight and well built. In conclusion, your friend is mis-informed. A couple of rides on a Harley might help him understand the error of his ways. As for the 06 vs 07, the EFI is really nice. You might want to consider an 07. The dealer should be willing to sell at MSRP out the door. More than that is too much. Welcome to the forum. If you get the Harley, you will not regret it.

 

I own a 2006 XL1200c.,I ride 80+kms every day.I don't have any oil leaks or loose fasteners.A friend of mine owns a Yamaha dealership, he told me the same things. You rode the Harley, have you tried the Honda?

 

I've got an '03 883 solid mountwith 5500kms and so far no leaks and no more loose fasteners than my previous V-Star had from time to time.