Information Overload - Forget Harley?
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
From: TN
Information Overload - Forget Harley?
Been looking at getting another Harley. Doing a lot of reading and research. I generally lead towards softails, dynas, or a road king. In my reading I decided I should of never sold my 75 FX some years ago. I got back into riding in 08 on a 03 Honda, and am looking to get another HD.
It seems that every year model in my price range (max 10-11K) has potentially major issues. Either early FI, Cam Chain tensioners, Inner Primary Bearing, some years of EVO cases and bearings to avoid etc.
Right now I found a 06 Street Bob, less than 8000 miles at an OK price. But it would have the double whammy of possible tensioners and Inner Primary Bearing.
I know theres a $750 fix for the tensioners, but some people have had multiple IPB's , how much do those cost to have done?
I can do maintenance but don't have a work area to do repairs, so have to farm those out.
Am I just getting info overload?
Should I say F it and buy it like I did the 75. That was pre internet, I found something in the price range and bought it, all I knew was that it ran and rode down the road.
It seems that every year model in my price range (max 10-11K) has potentially major issues. Either early FI, Cam Chain tensioners, Inner Primary Bearing, some years of EVO cases and bearings to avoid etc.
Right now I found a 06 Street Bob, less than 8000 miles at an OK price. But it would have the double whammy of possible tensioners and Inner Primary Bearing.
I know theres a $750 fix for the tensioners, but some people have had multiple IPB's , how much do those cost to have done?
I can do maintenance but don't have a work area to do repairs, so have to farm those out.
Am I just getting info overload?
Should I say F it and buy it like I did the 75. That was pre internet, I found something in the price range and bought it, all I knew was that it ran and rode down the road.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 492
From: Northern CA
I'm pretty sure the cam chain tensioners were hydraulic in 06--07 and up for sure. The IPB for 06 is an issue but I believe there is a fix for it. Research twin cam IPB fix and you should be able to get an idea of what it would cost.
Your budget should allow you to get an 07 or newer which came with the 96" motor and no issues with the IPB as far as I know, nearly 50k miles on mine. My compensating sprocket did have to be replaced at around 35-40k miles with the beefier screaming eagle replacement. I think that issue has been resolved in the newer dynas. I'm not sure if the compensator is an issue with all 07's and up but I have heard of several on these forums. The SE compensator is close to $300. Probably a couple hours labor if you have a shop install. I don't know what state your in but I'm siting California prices which tend to be on the high side. 06-08 dynas on CL $6k-9k. Good luck.
Your budget should allow you to get an 07 or newer which came with the 96" motor and no issues with the IPB as far as I know, nearly 50k miles on mine. My compensating sprocket did have to be replaced at around 35-40k miles with the beefier screaming eagle replacement. I think that issue has been resolved in the newer dynas. I'm not sure if the compensator is an issue with all 07's and up but I have heard of several on these forums. The SE compensator is close to $300. Probably a couple hours labor if you have a shop install. I don't know what state your in but I'm siting California prices which tend to be on the high side. 06-08 dynas on CL $6k-9k. Good luck.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 673
From: Rolla
What you get by reading forums, is all the people "venting" that have had issues.
If I had issues, I would vent too so you can't blame them.
But you have to keep things in perspective.
For every issue you read about there are hundreds of other exact model bike that didn't have that issue.
Pick any brand (or part on that brand) and do some Google searching, and your going to find issues.
What you usually don't find though, are posts of all the ones that didn't have issues.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
If I had discovered this site before I bought my '94 Softail I'd probably never have taken the chance on buying it. As it is, I've owned and run this bike for 22 years. Problems? Sure, there's been some. Run any vehicle nearly 200,000 miles and that's what you'll get. Still, in all that time, it always took me where I was going, and brought me home again.
The people who aren't having problems are probably too busy riding to be complaining here.
The people who aren't having problems are probably too busy riding to be complaining here.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 15,365
Likes: 24,241
From: NC, USA
After reading about 20 minutes of posts on hear it makes me want to sell both of mine and become a hermit. In the pre internet days we all took leaps of faith armed with only personal knowledge and that of our friends. Information overload is a curse and a blessing you have to go with your inner gut feelings on some things, good luck.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,736
Likes: 17,577
From: Driftless Area
An '06 has hydraulic tensioners. Issue addressed.
Anything else on an '06 is nine years old. If it was gonna happen, it would have by now. A bigger concern might be what is worn out or needs attention on a 9 year-old bike.
Anything else on an '06 is nine years old. If it was gonna happen, it would have by now. A bigger concern might be what is worn out or needs attention on a 9 year-old bike.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
For 10-11k - you can find a 103 / 6speed dyna... That price point buys an aweful lotta bike...
* Best Evos on the planet
* Nearly every TC88 in perfect condition w/all maint done
* A lot of great 96ers
* Some great 103s...
Find a bike with miles under say 10k w/maint recs and your all set. I wouldn't worry about under 20k either as long as the recs are present... AND, miles over, I have friends with 80K plus miles and never had an issue....
Stop thinkin, start ridin...
* Best Evos on the planet
* Nearly every TC88 in perfect condition w/all maint done
* A lot of great 96ers
* Some great 103s...
Find a bike with miles under say 10k w/maint recs and your all set. I wouldn't worry about under 20k either as long as the recs are present... AND, miles over, I have friends with 80K plus miles and never had an issue....
Stop thinkin, start ridin...
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,524
Likes: 57,079
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
After reading about 20 minutes of posts on hear it makes me want to sell both of mine and become a hermit. In the pre internet days we all took leaps of faith armed with only personal knowledge and that of our friends. Information overload is a curse and a blessing you have to go with your inner gut feelings on some things, good luck.
