Honest Question
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Stage II
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Thanks guys. Your answers are pushing me closer to the brink. I've really enjoyed my VTX. It's a great bike that I'd recommend to anyone, but the Fat Bob is just calling me.
On a side note, I would prolly already be on one, but some of my metric buddies (and a couple of Evolution motor diehards) had me scared of the twin cam engine, so I thought I'd ask someone at a local dealer. Well, that dude really scared me by "bragging" that I'd get at least 60-80,000 miles on the new 96 before having to tear into it! Talk about bad PR from within! Needless to say, I shyed away until just recently getting the real scoop from some people I feel I can trust... and lurking here on y'all's forum. I understand that the twin cam seems to be developing a pretty sound reputation the more miles folks put on them.
Thanks again. Maybe I'll be on here a little more often when I get the deal done.
On a side note, I would prolly already be on one, but some of my metric buddies (and a couple of Evolution motor diehards) had me scared of the twin cam engine, so I thought I'd ask someone at a local dealer. Well, that dude really scared me by "bragging" that I'd get at least 60-80,000 miles on the new 96 before having to tear into it! Talk about bad PR from within! Needless to say, I shyed away until just recently getting the real scoop from some people I feel I can trust... and lurking here on y'all's forum. I understand that the twin cam seems to be developing a pretty sound reputation the more miles folks put on them.
Thanks again. Maybe I'll be on here a little more often when I get the deal done.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From:
06 Black VTX 1300 with Hard Krome pipes and other stuff. Loved it, road the heck out of it. Saw the Fat Bob, never had a Harley. Took a hit on the VTX and got the Bob. Thought the FB might be too slow for me so dropped some money to make it go faster. It wasn't necessary. I liked my VTX and still recommend it to people. No comparison, I love the Fat Bob. I don't wrench anything and all Hondas have treated me well. My first FB engine died a catastrophic death (bad part, it happens). HD and dealer handled it all, no problem. 15K, now and only scheduled maintenance done. I ride it hard just like I did my VTX and I don't worry. I can't explain the difference, but there is no comparison. Do it and don't look back. Your metric buddies probably won't understand until they own one, but you will.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 24
From: Minden LA
I have an 02 wide glide with 91k. I had the stator changed under warranty and the fall away also. At 51k I did the cam tensioners and at 80k I upgraded to the "B" lifters and at 90 I did oil pump, rocker arms and shafts because the upper end sewing machine noise (normal) turned into an industrial sewing machine. It doesn't use oil between changed and still runs just fine. I've done my own maintenance and will probably go to 125-130k before doing the top end. Maybe it has cost me 1200.00 to keep it nice for this long, I'm satisfied
Novice
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
I just pulled the trigger about ten days ago on my FB. While I liked my Suzuki C50, and it was reliable and all that, I didn't feel the same way riding it that I do on my Harley. It's an entirely different (and far more enjoyable) experience. The metrics, while they're very reliable, workmanlike machines, don't have the soul that an HD does.
I'm not the handyman that a lot of guys on this forum are, but I figure if I have to plunk down a couple hundy every year to take care of scheduled maintenance on my bike, there are a lot worse things I could be spending my money on. If I have to go through a couple of maintenance cycles in the same year, then I guess that means that I've been riding the **** out of it, and I'm just paying a little more for the sheer enjoyment of the experience.
I'm not the handyman that a lot of guys on this forum are, but I figure if I have to plunk down a couple hundy every year to take care of scheduled maintenance on my bike, there are a lot worse things I could be spending my money on. If I have to go through a couple of maintenance cycles in the same year, then I guess that means that I've been riding the **** out of it, and I'm just paying a little more for the sheer enjoyment of the experience.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington, NC
I take mine in for a checkup every 10,000, and do everything in between myself. I am by no means a wrench, but the service manual (which you should order the day you sign your paperwork) is extremely helpful and takes you through step by step.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
I've been a Honda guy for a long, long time (still have a couple). Saw the Fat Bob and just like you, I got the bug. Bought a new 09 a few months back and I love it. It's a great bike, and I expect to get the same kind of life out of it as any other bike I ever had. Learn how to maintain it yourself and you'll get even more enjoyment out of it.
Good luck !
Good luck !
Station 49 says it all. While the Yamaha's and Honda's are generally trouble free they are not unique, all the same, and a certain indescribeable blandness. My Street Bob has a soul, takes a licking and keeps on ticking as the Timex folks used to say. I have the factory manual, tools, emergency parts and a little briefcase that I bungee on the luggauge rack with all that stuff inside. So far I have used all of that just to do my services, and help other people broken, down. Blubob shows no signs of breaking down.
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