Breaking down
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Breaking down
What are the chances, in your opinion, of a 1-2 year old Softail breaking down on a 3000 mile round trip? Assume the bike has been properly maintained, it hasn't been ridden hard,and there have been no problems with it.
Do bikes break down that much more than cars?
Do bikes break down that much more than cars?
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: Sterling Heights, MI
RE: Breaking down
Todays bikes are a lot more reliable than days past. If your bike is properly maintained youwill have no more problem with it than driving your car on a trip. But we all know that unforeseable things happen and you should be prepared for them. Have some basic tools and tie wraps and such and if you have enough room in your saddle bags take your repair manual. If you aren't comfortable working on your bike a credit card and a cell phone always will do the trick. Now stop worrying about your bike and get out there and ride.[sm=biker.gif]
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,881
Likes: 7
From: North Georgia
RE: Breaking down
Start that trip with a clean swap of new oils & filter, and then enjoy.
I wouldn't give a moment's thought towards any worries. Your bike will be fine.
I do not think motorcycles experience a higher failure rate than cars. On proportional statistics, my guess would be that cars have a higher failure rate. Cars have more "systems" to fail.
I wouldn't give a moment's thought towards any worries. Your bike will be fine.
I do not think motorcycles experience a higher failure rate than cars. On proportional statistics, my guess would be that cars have a higher failure rate. Cars have more "systems" to fail.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Breaking down
You will never make it out of the driveway you will roll 20 feet and have a major failure...
What you ask is a hard question.. someone said todays bikes are much more reliable thats very true... We all know anything
that is mantained (does not matter what it is) has a better chance of not breaking down... The reason i say its a hard question to ask is you cant mantain everything on a bike you can change the fluids, lube cables, check belt tension, its a long list but you cant check electronics and a host of outher things.
I rode from NYC to Los Angeles and back on a 1967 Sportster that was on a 5 year old bike that was not in great shape (Made
it with two flats) rode to Sturgis 8 times with a 56 panhead Minor problems... florida 5-6 times with anearley shovel.. And your worrying about a 1-2 year old bike .... Get on it and go.. When ya get back let us know about your trip.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 34
From: Lockport Township, IL
RE: Breaking down
My experience is that if you take along a very full tool bag with every tool and spare part imaginable, you will never need a single thing in the bag. If you try to lighten up the bag by leaving a couple item home, those will be the item you need. If you bring zero tools and spare parts, you are certain to have a breakdown. I carry the tools as an insurance policy and hope to not need them.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,115
Likes: 1
From: CA
RE: Breaking down
ORIGINAL: turczytj
What are the chances, in your opinion, of a 1-2 year old Softail breaking down on a 3000 mile round trip? Assume the bike has been properly maintained, it hasn't been ridden hard,and there have been no problems with it.
Do bikes break down that much more than cars?
What are the chances, in your opinion, of a 1-2 year old Softail breaking down on a 3000 mile round trip? Assume the bike has been properly maintained, it hasn't been ridden hard,and there have been no problems with it.
Do bikes break down that much more than cars?
Even if you did breakdown, a Harley brother would soon ride by and help you out.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 715
Likes: 2
From: NW Florida
RE: Breaking down
Rode my 13 years old WG 4465 miles round trip with no problems. Took the same ride a few times earlier. Don't worry about things that may happen. If you worry about little things you will not get to enjoy the ride. Be careful and enjoy!
Trending Topics
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,532
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
RE: Breaking down
Had a Softail for 7 years, rode across the country 3 times and never broke down.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 1
From: East TN
RE: Breaking down
Gotta '05 Deluxe with 45k on it...goin to Bar Harbor, Maine this June...3000+ miles total...no worries. Gotta lose that attitude if ya ever wanna do anything in life. We took a 5000+ mile ride out west in '06...8 bikes in our group. One dude had a '99 Ultra with 85k on it...no probs...'nuther dude had an '04 RK with low mileage...we ended up on the side of the road three times for issues with the RK. Turns out he didn't do all the services...throttle cable broke for lack of lube. The diff 'tween him and the 85k guy was upkeep of the bike. 'Course, the goober factor played a part too...throttle cable guy also filled up with diesel one time. Can't remember what the other incident was, but we took care of everything roadside...it's just a part of it. Carry a set of basic tools for items that can be handled on the side of the road...and a roadside assistance program and cell phone for the big things. Be prepared...but always worryin over what COULD happen will mess up a ride as much as a breakdown itself.