2007 Superglide questions
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7
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From: Upstate New York
2007 Superglide questions
Just sold my last metric bike, a Kawasaki Concours and started looking at 2007 Harleys. I've owned a few old BMW's, a Norton, and a few Jap bikes. Went for a test ride yesterday and tried out a 2007 Street Bob and an older Road King. The RK turned me off as it was kinda like riding a really loud sofa. I think he said it had a cam and exhaust upgrade. Handling, power, and vibration on the SB was much better. Also had a much more pleasing exhaust note. I am used to low maintenance and high reliability due to the bikes I have owned. So I'd like to hear from you all about reliability on the recent spate of HD's. From my understanding, it has improved radically. My memory of HD reliability is from many (many many) years ago.
Also would like to hear about windshield versus fairing. I like the look and ride of the SG's better than the big touring bikes, but have been used to a fairing for a while. Anyone that might be able to compare the two for me would be quite helpful. Note that I am in upstate NY, so it is cold in the winter/fall and buggy and rainy in the summer.
HammDogg
Also would like to hear about windshield versus fairing. I like the look and ride of the SG's better than the big touring bikes, but have been used to a fairing for a while. Anyone that might be able to compare the two for me would be quite helpful. Note that I am in upstate NY, so it is cold in the winter/fall and buggy and rainy in the summer.
HammDogg
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: 2007 Superglide questions
I would recommend you rent a superglide for a weekend and ride it several hundred miles before you buy one. Most people that I have met wanted a Harley Davidson so bad that they bought the bike first and then started asking questions. (me included). Harley's are unique and offer a unique ownership experience that fom many includes maintaining the bike as well. My Harley's have been very reliable and have never once broken down on the road. But, unless you are 100% sold on being a Harley rider...you may want to consider another metric.
As for me.......I didn't even look at other bikes. I knew I wanted a Harley.
I hope this helps.
As for me.......I didn't even look at other bikes. I knew I wanted a Harley.
I hope this helps.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,386
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From: time-to-time
RE: 2007 Superglide questions
Renting is a great idea. The rental guys also generally have windshields mounted, or available, since you're accustomed to fairings or other wind protection. Quick detachable 'shields are available so you've got options without committing.
I suspect you'll find a superglide more "nimble" than the other big twins and thus, somewhat closer to what you've been riding.
I suspect you'll find a superglide more "nimble" than the other big twins and thus, somewhat closer to what you've been riding.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,828
Likes: 4
From: Central Jersey
RE: 2007 Superglide questions
My harley is a real let down....I was looking forward to spending all my time at the dealer getting things fixed. So far, nothing...except a recall...and they picked up the bike and delivered it. These things are real pieces of $hit if you like spending time having repairs done
Todd
Todd
Road Captain
Joined: May 2006
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RE: 2007 Superglide questions
Harley will not give you the type of maintenance schedule as a honda or bmw. The two year warranty requires maintenance scheduled at 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, and 15,000 miles. You can do some of this maintenance yourself, but rear and front wheel alignment will probably require dealer work. This is fairly expensive. All the Harley machines are fine road machines and they all have there own personality. If I wanted to tour a Road King or even a dresser would more then meet the need.
The dyna is both a nimble bike and a bike that can be used for long rides and touring. I expect the weather here in the NE to begin deteriorating next week. This should give you time to read through past posts and think about what suits you best. Good Luck.
The dyna is both a nimble bike and a bike that can be used for long rides and touring. I expect the weather here in the NE to begin deteriorating next week. This should give you time to read through past posts and think about what suits you best. Good Luck.
Thread Starter
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7
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From: Upstate New York
RE: 2007 Superglide questions
Thanks for the input. Renting is definitely a possibility. I'll have a look into that.
I am fairly adept at doing my own maintenance. I did build a BMW from 2 basket cases and did all of the maintenance on my other bikes myself. My concern is that "back in the day" I rode with a few HD riders. Seemed like they were always fixing stuff, doing rebuilds, replacing trannys, etc. From looking through the posts, it looks like those days are gone. I would be concerned if I needed to bring it in at 5, 10, and 15K for dealer maintenance to maintain the warranty. Questions:
- What do these maintenances typically cost to have done at the dealer?
- Is there a list somewhere of what is done at each maintenance interval?
- What happens if I just ignore the maintenance intervals and just do fluid changes myself? Does it affect the warranty?
HammDogg
I am fairly adept at doing my own maintenance. I did build a BMW from 2 basket cases and did all of the maintenance on my other bikes myself. My concern is that "back in the day" I rode with a few HD riders. Seemed like they were always fixing stuff, doing rebuilds, replacing trannys, etc. From looking through the posts, it looks like those days are gone. I would be concerned if I needed to bring it in at 5, 10, and 15K for dealer maintenance to maintain the warranty. Questions:
- What do these maintenances typically cost to have done at the dealer?
- Is there a list somewhere of what is done at each maintenance interval?
- What happens if I just ignore the maintenance intervals and just do fluid changes myself? Does it affect the warranty?
HammDogg
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 3
From: Massachusetts
RE: 2007 Superglide questions
Hammond,
The Dyna owners manual states, "[i]the performance of of new motorcycle initial service is required to your new motorcycle warranty in force and to assure proper emissions system. operation"[/i]After the initial 1000 mile service I'd do the rest of the mileage maintenance myself. That is unless it requires some special tool or procedure that I was not able to accomplish myself. For my 1000 mile service I paid $220.00.
Bart
The Dyna owners manual states, "[i]the performance of of new motorcycle initial service is required to your new motorcycle warranty in force and to assure proper emissions system. operation"[/i]After the initial 1000 mile service I'd do the rest of the mileage maintenance myself. That is unless it requires some special tool or procedure that I was not able to accomplish myself. For my 1000 mile service I paid $220.00.
Bart
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Thread Starter
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Upstate New York
RE: 2007 Superglide questions
The dealer I talked to said that the 1000 mile service on the 2007 SG was included. Not sure what exactly that meant. I'll ask next week. The dealer I did the test ride at (different than dealer #1) said that HD had a special deal coming up in which they would drop the price by $500 and give a $250 gift certificate if I bought a floor model. This was good until Feb 15, he said. He also said that they might cover the storage until spring.
I'd like to get a look at what exactly must be done at each service interval. Fluids, filters, and clutch I can handle just fine.
HammDogg
I'd like to get a look at what exactly must be done at each service interval. Fluids, filters, and clutch I can handle just fine.
HammDogg
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 521
From: Dutchess County, NY
RE: 2007 Superglide questions
I have a 2005 FXDI with almost 25000 miles on it.
The only problem I had was a Transmission seal went at aroud 20,000 miles. It was fixed by the dealer under warranty. I do most of the maintenance myself. My dealer has a checklist for the major services and I just check off the things I cannot do myself and the dealer takes care of it. The 20,000 mile service cost me about $160 for the things I cannot do.
If you are looking to set up your bike for touring you might consider a plain Superglide or a custom. The street Bob's look cool stripped down but allot of people don't want to ruin the looks of the Bob with bags and a windshield.
With a set of bags and a windshield the Dyna makes a decent touring bike but will not give you the protection that you are used to from your Concours.
Prior to my Dyna I owned an ST1100, a Kawi 750 Zephyr and a bunch of KZ's. Tne ST1100 was the best touring bike by far. It was too easy to ride way to fast all day long. The Dyna is nice for just sitting back and relaxing on the back roads or tooling down the interstate at 65-75mph (that's a 5 speed dyna. The 6 is probably even better).
By the way the Concours was and still is on my list of bikes if I ever add another bike to my garage.
The only problem I had was a Transmission seal went at aroud 20,000 miles. It was fixed by the dealer under warranty. I do most of the maintenance myself. My dealer has a checklist for the major services and I just check off the things I cannot do myself and the dealer takes care of it. The 20,000 mile service cost me about $160 for the things I cannot do.
If you are looking to set up your bike for touring you might consider a plain Superglide or a custom. The street Bob's look cool stripped down but allot of people don't want to ruin the looks of the Bob with bags and a windshield.
With a set of bags and a windshield the Dyna makes a decent touring bike but will not give you the protection that you are used to from your Concours.
Prior to my Dyna I owned an ST1100, a Kawi 750 Zephyr and a bunch of KZ's. Tne ST1100 was the best touring bike by far. It was too easy to ride way to fast all day long. The Dyna is nice for just sitting back and relaxing on the back roads or tooling down the interstate at 65-75mph (that's a 5 speed dyna. The 6 is probably even better).
By the way the Concours was and still is on my list of bikes if I ever add another bike to my garage.