Honest Question
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Stage II
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Honest Question
Okay, I've fallen in love with the Fat Bob, and am seriously considering pulling the trigger, but I've got a concern that I've gotten conflicting answers on. I've been told by friends with different HDs that the only thing they don't like about owning their machines is maintenance costs. I've ridden for a while, and currently ride a VTX 1300 that hasn't been in the shop since it's 600 mile checkup. I mean, I've never even had to pull the sparkplugs, adjust the valves, or change the brakepads, and I've got almost 35,000 miles on it. I do my own basic maintenence, oil changes and such, and keep hearing about 8,000 mile checkups, 12,000 mile checkups, etc. for the HD. Can I reasonably expect to maintain a Dyna on my own the same way I have my Honda? I promise, I'm not some troll. I really want to hear that this is a low maintenance bike, so I won't have anymore excuses for not bringing her home.
Last edited by lawdawg68; Sep 6, 2009 at 08:26 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
To start off with, there is maintenance with your VTX that the factory suggests just like with the Harley, you just have not been doing it, like the valve adjustments. I have a few friends with VTXs and some do the factory suggested maintenance and some dont. It is the same thing with the Harleys, some do and some just change the oil and ride.
I do all my own maintenance on my bike and have not had any trouble with it at all. I am one of the guys who dont do everything the book says do, just the things I find important and I have 15k on the bike with no trouble so far and I ride the **** out of my bike. One thing I will say is when you do an oil change it is 3 different holes on the Harleys so it takes a little longer.
On a side note, I am trying to help a buddy sale his VTX 1300 and have put 1000 miles on it in the last couple of weeks driving it to work ..my work is a great location to park bikes with for sale signs on them anyway, if you do decide to buy the Harley, I think you will be more than glad you did. Not bashing the VTX at all, but it is not the Harley killer a lot of the VTX guys claim at all.
Hope I helped somewhat.
Dax
I do all my own maintenance on my bike and have not had any trouble with it at all. I am one of the guys who dont do everything the book says do, just the things I find important and I have 15k on the bike with no trouble so far and I ride the **** out of my bike. One thing I will say is when you do an oil change it is 3 different holes on the Harleys so it takes a little longer.
On a side note, I am trying to help a buddy sale his VTX 1300 and have put 1000 miles on it in the last couple of weeks driving it to work ..my work is a great location to park bikes with for sale signs on them anyway, if you do decide to buy the Harley, I think you will be more than glad you did. Not bashing the VTX at all, but it is not the Harley killer a lot of the VTX guys claim at all.
Hope I helped somewhat.
Dax
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,265
Likes: 99
From: Northern VA
18K miles and just had the bike in 2 weeks ago to the dealer for the first time. They were really fair in the fact they spend more time on it than they charged me for. The rest of the basic stuff is done in my garage with the service manual & some cold beer...
PS - If I had to buy another Dyna today - the Fat Bob gets picked.
PS - If I had to buy another Dyna today - the Fat Bob gets picked.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
Personally, I consider late model HD's to be low mainenance. Sure, you can fall in the money trap the MoCo lays for you getting your service done by a dealer for outrageous prices, but most services are nothing more than a basic fluid change and "check" of othe items. If you can read and turn a wrench, you can do any of it at home.
My 2000 has 76k miles on it. It has never been serviced by a dealer. Matter of fact, I have never paid a shop for a repair. Really, not much has gone wrong with it. The worst was a rear wheel that fell apart...twice.
My 2000 has 76k miles on it. It has never been serviced by a dealer. Matter of fact, I have never paid a shop for a repair. Really, not much has gone wrong with it. The worst was a rear wheel that fell apart...twice.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,384
Likes: 12
From: Out on Deranged
I have had several warranty issues,but at least when HD fixes something it's stayed fixed ,so far. I was considering the extended warranty but realized the money I would spend on that would only be cost effective if the engine or transmission blew. I think you'll be ok most modern harleys you just add gas, change the oil and ride the **** out of it. Your covered for two years anyway no matter what fails HD will fix it . Good luck to you.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,579
Likes: 10
From: S.E. MO
15K on mine in a little over a year and havent done anything but normal maintenance. I have a service manual and do all my own work and it hasnt seen a dealer since the day i bought it.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 4
Late model Harleys have low basic maintenance, real easy to work on, they are relatively simple air cooled machines. No valve adjustments, just basic check to see if parts have worn and bolts are tight, replace oil.
There is a higher entry fee, however, and it doesn't stop there, the bikes are like a high maintenance mistress. She will want a little chrome here, some black out there, and then she will just have to have those pipes, then there is a tail treatment, then a windshield to keep her hair from mussing.... there is no other bike like a Harley that has so many customizing opportunities and temptations to separate you from your money...
There is a higher entry fee, however, and it doesn't stop there, the bikes are like a high maintenance mistress. She will want a little chrome here, some black out there, and then she will just have to have those pipes, then there is a tail treatment, then a windshield to keep her hair from mussing.... there is no other bike like a Harley that has so many customizing opportunities and temptations to separate you from your money...
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I have not noticed any increased maintiance cost associated with my Harley over any of the metrics that I have owned, granted this is my first Harley. I rode metrics for about 18 yerars without any regreat, but I will not go back.
If you do the scheduled service on each bike the only varialbes are the cost of the supplies (oil, filter, and such) and if you use a stealership or indy to do the work, all of these can be just a cheap as the metric supplies and labor if you use your head and shop around.
If you do the scheduled service on each bike the only varialbes are the cost of the supplies (oil, filter, and such) and if you use a stealership or indy to do the work, all of these can be just a cheap as the metric supplies and labor if you use your head and shop around.