Quality issues??
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 436
Likes: 3
From: Norway
Let me summarize this to what I am perceiving...you had a Harley but were disappointed with rusting and paint quality, bought another one and are complaining about rusting and paint quality...You live in a harsh region, I assume pretty close to the sea, an area with an abundance of precipitation and all the headaches that come with that, you park outside, and it is idle for the winter...
Wrong! Had no paint-issues on my old bike. Rusty chrome-parts yes. And as I said, it sucks, but powdercoating them is not a really big deal.
I am curious here...if you were not happy with your first Harely, then WTF did you go and get another one?? We have an old saying over here that goes, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
I bought a New one because I wanted better handling ( softail -> dyna ), and I thought I wouldnt have to worry about rust for a couple of years, which in my opinion shouldn't be an issue this soon.
Then I am curious as to why you would go on a rant about minor issues that need constant attention and that you should already be aware of since you are a previous Harley owner?
I'm not ranting. I'm asking about quality-issues With newer models, which I see other People have similar experience ( like fenders not even primed underneath. AND I don't see Paint falling off a 1,5 year old bike With 6000 miles on it a minor issue... If it's supposed to be like this, and the bikes should be stored inside and avoid contact With water or use near the Ocean, then it's fine by me, but if this is the case then Harley should inform about this
Finally, it would seem to me that since you are a previous Harley owner and are very much aware of the need to stay on top of corrosion issues in places like chipped paint and spoke rims (ALL freakin' bikes with spoke wheels will rust if not religiously cared for...). Cleaning, polishing, and just basic general preventative maintenance practices are necessary to keep your ride looking great, ESPECIALLY if you are living in an environment like Norway and park outside 24/7, and if you are not prepared to stay on top of these things, then don't blame HD when rust and faded paint happens...
Didn't have Paint issues on my softail, bought a New bike without spoked Wheels... Paint isn't faded, its coming off!
my dos centavos
Wrong! Had no paint-issues on my old bike. Rusty chrome-parts yes. And as I said, it sucks, but powdercoating them is not a really big deal.
I am curious here...if you were not happy with your first Harely, then WTF did you go and get another one?? We have an old saying over here that goes, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
I bought a New one because I wanted better handling ( softail -> dyna ), and I thought I wouldnt have to worry about rust for a couple of years, which in my opinion shouldn't be an issue this soon.
Then I am curious as to why you would go on a rant about minor issues that need constant attention and that you should already be aware of since you are a previous Harley owner?
I'm not ranting. I'm asking about quality-issues With newer models, which I see other People have similar experience ( like fenders not even primed underneath. AND I don't see Paint falling off a 1,5 year old bike With 6000 miles on it a minor issue... If it's supposed to be like this, and the bikes should be stored inside and avoid contact With water or use near the Ocean, then it's fine by me, but if this is the case then Harley should inform about this
Finally, it would seem to me that since you are a previous Harley owner and are very much aware of the need to stay on top of corrosion issues in places like chipped paint and spoke rims (ALL freakin' bikes with spoke wheels will rust if not religiously cared for...). Cleaning, polishing, and just basic general preventative maintenance practices are necessary to keep your ride looking great, ESPECIALLY if you are living in an environment like Norway and park outside 24/7, and if you are not prepared to stay on top of these things, then don't blame HD when rust and faded paint happens...
Didn't have Paint issues on my softail, bought a New bike without spoked Wheels... Paint isn't faded, its coming off!
my dos centavos
By all means. If they ( modern Harleys ) are supposed to be like this, and everybody else is satisfied With the quality, then no I probably won't get a Third HD. But I will never admit neglect. I treat my bikes good, but they are ment to be used no matter the weather.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
Then I am curious as to why you would go on a rant about minor issues that need constant attention and that you should already be aware of since you are a previous Harley owner?
Last edited by Warp Factor; Nov 3, 2015 at 08:02 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 130
From: Vancouver
I'm not entirely surprised of the quality issues. Let's be honest, part of the price we pay for these bikes is the branding of Harley. I can get a fully loaded and high performing Yamaha cruiser out the door for 3-4K cheaper and to be honest, with also better oem/stock parts. This isn't new. Just looking at the $10 springs they put on my dyna and the cheap plastic hand controls doesn't speak to the price we pay for our bikes... but at the end, just like buying high end fashion sometimes, part of the premium you pay for the bike is branding.
Keep in mind, Harley's are made in the United States, where the climate is no where close to Norway, so one would expect the design of it is better suited for mild and warmer climates, hence many of us probably also don't notice the quality issues since the bike is not tested in harsh climates usually.
Keep in mind, Harley's are made in the United States, where the climate is no where close to Norway, so one would expect the design of it is better suited for mild and warmer climates, hence many of us probably also don't notice the quality issues since the bike is not tested in harsh climates usually.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 2,500
From: Tennessee
Let's not forget that in the last 10 years or so Harley-Davidson has dumped quality in the trash.
If you don't want the modern cheaped down Harley, buy another make or go back and buy one that was made in 2002 or before....They're better machines anyway.
If you don't want the modern cheaped down Harley, buy another make or go back and buy one that was made in 2002 or before....They're better machines anyway.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 29
From: Baytown Tx.
Some people are so wrapped up in Harley love that they'll defend the brand no matter what. Harley is using cheap Chinese chrome parts these days and it shows. The quality of the chrome they are using is not what it used to be. I have a friend that has a 2015 Heritage Softail with less then 2000 miles on it. Chrome spoke wheels are already rusting. He's only had the bike a little over a year. Harley should not be using inferior chrome parts on bikes they charge a premium price for. Unfortunately, as long as people will buy Harley no matter what, it probably won't change.
That said, I've seen jap bikes with rust issues from cheap inferior chrome as well. Buddy had a Kawasaki that everything chrome on it began to rust within a couple years. Good chrome parts should not do this unless very neglected.
That said, I've seen jap bikes with rust issues from cheap inferior chrome as well. Buddy had a Kawasaki that everything chrome on it began to rust within a couple years. Good chrome parts should not do this unless very neglected.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 130
From: Vancouver
Some people are so wrapped up in Harley love that they'll defend the brand no matter what. Harley is using cheap Chinese chrome parts these days and it shows. The quality of the chrome they are using is not what it used to be. I have a friend that has a 2015 Heritage Softail with less then 2000 miles on it. Chrome spoke wheels are already rusting. He's only had the bike a little over a year. Harley should not be using inferior chrome parts on bikes they charge a premium price for. Unfortunately, as long as people will buy Harley no matter what, it probably won't change.
That said, I've seen jap bikes with rust issues from cheap inferior chrome as well. Buddy had a Kawasaki that everything chrome on it began to rust within a couple years. Good chrome parts should not do this unless very neglected.
That said, I've seen jap bikes with rust issues from cheap inferior chrome as well. Buddy had a Kawasaki that everything chrome on it began to rust within a couple years. Good chrome parts should not do this unless very neglected.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
Chrome is chrome and there is only one version of it. Plating can be done to several levels such as double or triple plated. It is usually plated over copper plating.
One could have a bad plating job but that is not possible with HD. Their vendors must met specs or lose the contract like the company in Australia did a couple years back.
If there is a scratch or poor adhesion the ferrous underneath the chrome can rust but it will wipe right off of the chrome as there is no more adhesion that with dirt on the part. Again the metal chrome does not rust.
One could have a bad plating job but that is not possible with HD. Their vendors must met specs or lose the contract like the company in Australia did a couple years back.
If there is a scratch or poor adhesion the ferrous underneath the chrome can rust but it will wipe right off of the chrome as there is no more adhesion that with dirt on the part. Again the metal chrome does not rust.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
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From: Detroit
Last edited by Warp Factor; Nov 3, 2015 at 07:56 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 2,500
From: Tennessee
Chrome is chrome and there is only one version of it. Plating can be done to several levels such as double or triple plated. It is usually plated over copper plating.
One could have a bad plating job but that is not possible with HD. Their vendors must met specs or lose the contract like the company in Australia did a couple years back.
If there is a scratch or poor adhesion the ferrous underneath the chrome can rust but it will wipe right off of the chrome as there is no more adhesion that with dirt on the part. Again the metal chrome does not rust.
One could have a bad plating job but that is not possible with HD. Their vendors must met specs or lose the contract like the company in Australia did a couple years back.
If there is a scratch or poor adhesion the ferrous underneath the chrome can rust but it will wipe right off of the chrome as there is no more adhesion that with dirt on the part. Again the metal chrome does not rust.
Nonsense!