harley concerns!
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
harley concerns!
let me start wth this is my first harley fxstsi. been doing alot of reading on my new bike. concerns are crank case breather. is stock breather going to be spitting oil all over bike and me. according to the so called pros the stock ones are junk. other concerns primary chain dose it need a auto chain tensioner, if i dont have it is chain going to need constant ajustment.oil cooler dose it need one. is bike going to bake itself on way home from dealer. i knew going into this purchase there would extras to buy to make it my own but i thought it would be purly chrome accessories and oil changes. not rebuilding engine and suspension . can i buy it and ride it with cofidance in that stock is fine. just some concerns maybe reading to much into it.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From:
RE: harley concerns!
Yes you're worrying too much. Stock breather should be ok, I've never had any trouble but some others have. Of all your concerns, thats the only one you might have to deal with someday. Oil cooler--not necessary but not a bad idea. Auto chain tensioner--not necessary, more of a convenience. As long as you check the chain at regular intervals, you'll be fine.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 478
Likes: 2
From:
RE: harley concerns!
If any bike was that big a piece of crap, nobody would own one. Sure, there are always isolated concern on certain models. My advise is, ride it, enjoy it. And if a problem does pop up, worry about it then.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 478
Likes: 2
From:
RE: harley concerns!
All I ever hear about is what crap Harleys are. I work with a guy that has a 1800 VTX. He's always ragging on me about my bike. Well today I finally shut him up. I went to the NHTSA web site and did a search for reported concern on my (ratty) Harley, and his superior Honda. Well it turned out there were NO reports on my model and year, but there was two pages on his great Honda. Needless to say, he had nothing to say after that. The fact of the matter is, Harleys aren't as bad as you here, and other bikes aren't as good as they lead you to believe.
Trending Topics
Banned
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,543
Likes: 1
From:
RE: harley concerns!
Let me explain something to you, I have 128,000 on my 99 FLHT, no oil cooler and it has been to the southwest desert, no automatic primary chain tenioner, if I run it at over 85 for a few miles I might get some breather issues, but nothing to worry about, just wipe it off and go on. I did replace my Primary chain, and both pullys and rear belt and the chain tensioner pads for the cams at 90,000 miles, but everything was ok for another 10-15,000 miles..I have the orginal clutch, clutch cable, at 27,000 miles i put the 95" kit in it with the 203 cams, adjustable pushrods and a 44MM CV Carb. thats it, lots of tires. I do my services at 5,000 miles and at 10,000 miles I usually change oil and filter at 2,500to 3,000 miles, but if I'm on a trip i wait untill I get home to do it..The bike has never let me down and I do ride it pretty hard, by that I mean I do not baby it, I usually pound down the super slab at between 75-8o on it, I have had it out to the rockies, yellowstone park, out east to Gettysberg, and theis year we are going to go do the dragon..
So put gas in it, change your oil and filters and all the rest of the fluids when it is due and it will do you just fine..by the way, all the trips we do is without a Back-up truck or a 4 wheeler of any kind..you bought it, go enjoy it..
So put gas in it, change your oil and filters and all the rest of the fluids when it is due and it will do you just fine..by the way, all the trips we do is without a Back-up truck or a 4 wheeler of any kind..you bought it, go enjoy it..
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
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 599
Likes: 2
From: Narberth Pa 19072
RE: harley concerns!
ORIGINAL: wvrider
All I ever hear about is what crap Harleys are. I work with a guy that has a 1800 VTX. He's always ragging on me about my bike. Well today I finally shut him up. I went to the NHTSA web site and did a search for reported concern on my (ratty) Harley, and his superior Honda. Well it turned out there were NO reports on my model and year, but there was two pages on his great Honda. Needless to say, he had nothing to say after that. The fact of the matter is, Harleys aren't as bad as you here, and other bikes aren't as good as they lead you to believe.
All I ever hear about is what crap Harleys are. I work with a guy that has a 1800 VTX. He's always ragging on me about my bike. Well today I finally shut him up. I went to the NHTSA web site and did a search for reported concern on my (ratty) Harley, and his superior Honda. Well it turned out there were NO reports on my model and year, but there was two pages on his great Honda. Needless to say, he had nothing to say after that. The fact of the matter is, Harleys aren't as bad as you here, and other bikes aren't as good as they lead you to believe.
Jack
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 339
Likes: 4
From: Tallahassee Florida
RE: harley concerns!
As in ANY line of vehicles in general, some models may have a few quirks that usually get ironed out.
If you're considering the bike for pure transportation....... Stock will do fine, and the father of a friend of mine put 63000 miles on a Stock Road King straight from the showroom floor.
But if you're the kind that likes to tinker, there will be things you will want to do to enhance performance.... Dress it up..... make more comfortable... ect...ect....
If its just a "Ride"... you're Gold !
If its a Hobby....... Save Up !!!!!!
Just My Thoughts..........
Budds....................
If you're considering the bike for pure transportation....... Stock will do fine, and the father of a friend of mine put 63000 miles on a Stock Road King straight from the showroom floor.
But if you're the kind that likes to tinker, there will be things you will want to do to enhance performance.... Dress it up..... make more comfortable... ect...ect....
If its just a "Ride"... you're Gold !
If its a Hobby....... Save Up !!!!!!
Just My Thoughts..........
Budds....................