Dreaded instrument pod fogging
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
Honestly, I didn't even think about that. I just took my time, used my variable speed drill and went slow. Most, if not all, of the plastic ended up on the outside of the case or on the bit. It's really pretty soft material. As I said, I had nothing to lose. If I screwed it up, I was going to buy a Dakota Digital. It's easy.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,627
Likes: 1,348
From:
They all do that,
It's a Harley thing; man up!
We who love Harley love Harley not because of those superfluous things like acceleration, deceleration and handling (oh, and speedos that don't fog up) but because they are ... Harley.
The speedos fog up because they suck; I'm sorry but, let's face it - they suck. I still am a Harley guy but some things about them are, well, Harley.
It's a Harley thing; man up!
We who love Harley love Harley not because of those superfluous things like acceleration, deceleration and handling (oh, and speedos that don't fog up) but because they are ... Harley.
The speedos fog up because they suck; I'm sorry but, let's face it - they suck. I still am a Harley guy but some things about them are, well, Harley.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 44
Likes: 14
From: Alberta
They all do that,
It's a Harley thing; man up!
We who love Harley love Harley not because of those superfluous things like acceleration, deceleration and handling (oh, and speedos that don't fog up) but because they are ... Harley.
The speedos fog up because they suck; I'm sorry but, let's face it - they suck. I still am a Harley guy but some things about them are, well, Harley.
It's a Harley thing; man up!
We who love Harley love Harley not because of those superfluous things like acceleration, deceleration and handling (oh, and speedos that don't fog up) but because they are ... Harley.
The speedos fog up because they suck; I'm sorry but, let's face it - they suck. I still am a Harley guy but some things about them are, well, Harley.
The reason there is fogging on the inside of the gauges is because there is moisture on the inside that then condenses on the clear glass. This may be from a leak in the gauge, or because it was assembled in a humid environment.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 266
Likes: 123
From: South Texas, USA
They all do that,
It's a Harley thing; man up!
We who love Harley love Harley not because of those superfluous things like acceleration, deceleration and handling (oh, and speedos that don't fog up) but because they are ... Harley.
The speedos fog up because they suck; I'm sorry but, let's face it - they suck. I still am a Harley guy but some things about them are, well, Harley.
It's a Harley thing; man up!
We who love Harley love Harley not because of those superfluous things like acceleration, deceleration and handling (oh, and speedos that don't fog up) but because they are ... Harley.
The speedos fog up because they suck; I'm sorry but, let's face it - they suck. I still am a Harley guy but some things about them are, well, Harley.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 3,585
Likes: 889
From: Nowhere
My whole issue with this "view" is there's absolutely no reason that a bike as expensive as these things cost should ever have such an issue with something as simple and critical as a gauge fogging. Not one of my prior bikes, which cost half as much or less, ever had this problem. If you buy a Ducati Multistrada or Diavel, do you think you'd have such a problem? I guarantee not. Same goes for a BMW or other high end bike. This bike could of had any name on the side of it and I'd still complain. The fact that it's happens to be a Harley, and I hold them to a higher quality standard than any other bike I've owned is the main issue. Harley cheaped out and gave us these gauges because it prolly saved them a whopping 20 per unit vs getting completely sealed, weatherproof ones like pretty much every other motorcycle I've owned had. I much prefer the asthetics of the OEM gauge, but refuse to use it until it is a properly sealed and non-fogging unit. I'll stick with my DD gauge. It has had its few quirks, but has not fogged once.
Before buying my car I did a lot of research as always and guess what Benz E class from 2003-2006 is full of issues and serious problems. To make you feel better these are $50k+ cars not $20k motorcycles try to imagine frustrated owners of these junk at 50k - not fun. How about $100k+ S class benz that will blow air suspension pillow which will cost you $7k to fix? Buddy had series 5 BMW that he try to open with a key and during the process removed whole door lock assembly!! Get the idea? No perfect car or bike exists. Some are close than others and some are not. With fogging speedo I will still say it is top notch bike. Your Ducati is not perfect neither I am sure, go to their forum and ask about weak spots I am sure you will get nice laundry list as well.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 89
Likes: 12
From: TX
I called HD customer service, and was told the same (and yes, I asked them how was this acceptable if I couldn't see my speed while riding - they said "sorry, that's our policy"). Filed a complaint with NHTSA, but not holding my breath for them to do squat.
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Advanced
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 89
Likes: 12
From: TX
Well just because something is expensive and high quality doesn’t necessarily means it wont have an issue. Since you brought BMW example I will bring Mercedes example as for sure these are good quality and expensive cars. Do you think just because these are expensive and cool looking cars they are perfect? News flash 📰 they are - NOT!
Before buying my car I did a lot of research as always and guess what Benz E class from 2003-2006 is full of issues and serious problems. To make you feel better these are $50k+ cars not $20k motorcycles try to imagine frustrated owners of these junk at 50k - not fun. How about $100k+ S class benz that will blow air suspension pillow which will cost you $7k to fix? Buddy had series 5 BMW that he try to open with a key and during the process removed whole door lock assembly!! Get the idea? No perfect car or bike exists. Some are close than others and some are not. With fogging speedo I will still say it is top notch bike. Your Ducati is not perfect neither I am sure, go to their forum and ask about weak spots I am sure you will get nice laundry list as well.
Before buying my car I did a lot of research as always and guess what Benz E class from 2003-2006 is full of issues and serious problems. To make you feel better these are $50k+ cars not $20k motorcycles try to imagine frustrated owners of these junk at 50k - not fun. How about $100k+ S class benz that will blow air suspension pillow which will cost you $7k to fix? Buddy had series 5 BMW that he try to open with a key and during the process removed whole door lock assembly!! Get the idea? No perfect car or bike exists. Some are close than others and some are not. With fogging speedo I will still say it is top notch bike. Your Ducati is not perfect neither I am sure, go to their forum and ask about weak spots I am sure you will get nice laundry list as well.
I think the reason folks are frustrated is that this is an easy fix for a bad design, and it has existed for years! And HD doesn't care to fix it.
Do I like my bike? Yes.
Would I like it if my bike had another 40 HP? You bet - but I knew what to expect when I bought it, so I'm not complaining about (or expecting) that
Would I like a speedo that was visible all the time? Yes - that is normal expected behavior from a speedo. And if a $1k Chinese bike can do that, a $20k HD should be able to do that too.
With my Fat bob, it is a crap shoot about whether I will get to see my speedo or not (especially in the mornings). Love almost everything else about the bike