I hit the Trifecta with Bad HD Quality
#41
06-08-2014 | 06:55 AM
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 925
Likes: 15
From: So. Fla.
My '00 FLTRSEI has the expensive forged crank supported by Timken bearings. And my wheels run on double row sealed bearings that were standard from '00 to '07 and never failed me once. My compensator is still original, The bike has 141,000 miles on it.
On Feb 21st, a state operated pickup truck ran a stop sign in the wee hours of the morning and totaled my Road Glide. It sits on a stand in the garage now awaiting whatever I'm going to do to it.
So I ride a BMW R1200CL now, because I've always said that I won't own a bike without a forged crank, among other things. The Beemer still has one and the new Harleys don't.
Personally, I don't think Harley makes a machine for the 20,000 mile per year rider anymore, so I'll fix what I've got instead.
On Feb 21st, a state operated pickup truck ran a stop sign in the wee hours of the morning and totaled my Road Glide. It sits on a stand in the garage now awaiting whatever I'm going to do to it.
So I ride a BMW R1200CL now, because I've always said that I won't own a bike without a forged crank, among other things. The Beemer still has one and the new Harleys don't.
Personally, I don't think Harley makes a machine for the 20,000 mile per year rider anymore, so I'll fix what I've got instead.
I've been looking at Beemers, but the boxer twins are just so friggin' ugly ... I like the S1000R!
Last edited by CBud; 06-08-2014 at 07:00 AM.
#42
06-08-2014 | 07:25 AM
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 16
From: Mid West
My 'Dark Years' came when I had 8 year old, worth next to nothing in trade or resale rice rockets that I could no longer buy some pieces from the dealer or from some secondary aftermarket vendors and had issues just getting the simple parts to keep running.
I have had Harley's in some variation and stage of mods since 1980 with bikes aged to 1947, always had access to parts, always had a shop that had dealt with them and understood them and never once turned down because it was too old to work on it or repair it properly. To me that is quality in that they will be running after 10/15/20 years, they will have parts available and they retain resale value based on that. Even old AMF year bikes are still out there thumping away.
I have had Harley's in some variation and stage of mods since 1980 with bikes aged to 1947, always had access to parts, always had a shop that had dealt with them and understood them and never once turned down because it was too old to work on it or repair it properly. To me that is quality in that they will be running after 10/15/20 years, they will have parts available and they retain resale value based on that. Even old AMF year bikes are still out there thumping away.
#44
06-08-2014 | 08:05 AM
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,308
Likes: 8
when a bike is built with parts that are furnished by the lowest bidder, built to lowest required standards, little or no over-sight or testing of said parts...then you have the modern harley. for the cost of the infotainment center and the security system, you could have a premium suspension and a motor with all the good parts in it. we should have options as to what we want on our bikes from the factory...order what you want and wait a month or so until it can be built.
#45
06-08-2014 | 08:58 AM
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 204
Likes: 2
Ok enough of the depressing news...how about some positive news. I have a 2012 Street Glide completely stock except for decatting the pipes. 29,000 + miles and not one problem yet. I use Amsoil 20/50 and change it out at 7500 miles. Knock on wood things will stay the same. I LOVE my bike!!
#46
06-08-2014 | 01:49 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,308
Likes: 8
my 2012 EGC has had the voltage regulator, radio, brake rotors, compensator, lifters, and other parts replaced. feels like the compensator is about gone again. only thing not stock is de-cat the pipes and added xieds. 48,300 miles...hope it holds together until the new road glides come out. just came off 6,200 mile trip--bike was in shop 4 times on the trip. tail light bulb burned out, running/passing light burned out, horn bracket broke and horn fell off, and clutch started slipping--had fluid changed to formula +, adjusted clutch, and installed heavy duty clutch spring.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post