Maintinance $$$
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 7
From: Clermont, GA, CSA
If you can change a doorknob in your house you can change the fluids in a Harley. So simple even an OLD cave man can do it!
Buy the service manual. The money you save on your first fluids change will pay for it.
As far as being dependable, a friend of mine has almost 90,000 miles on a '99 Road King. I asked him when he was trading it in and he said he's gonna think about it at 100,000 miles.
.
Buy the service manual. The money you save on your first fluids change will pay for it.
As far as being dependable, a friend of mine has almost 90,000 miles on a '99 Road King. I asked him when he was trading it in and he said he's gonna think about it at 100,000 miles.
.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
79k on mine in 10 years. Never had it break down. I did have loose spokes once and had to be trailered home. Never paid for maintenace. I bought the service manual right after I bought the bike and have done 'em all myself. I've never had a major part failure either...original belt, clutch, stator, primary chain, and so on.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 1
From: A house.
79k on mine in 10 years. Never had it break down. I did have loose spokes once and had to be trailered home. Never paid for maintenace. I bought the service manual right after I bought the bike and have done 'em all myself. I've never had a major part failure either...original belt, clutch, stator, primary chain, and so on.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
She's been a good one...I was counting my blessings last night as I rode home from Myrtle. The first 150 miles were in 90+ degree heat. The last 200 were in heavy rain. She never missed a beat...I have tried to prepare for the worst, though. I carry a lot of tools, plus an emergency belt. I also have a volt meter so I can keep an eye on the charging system.
Last edited by xxxflhrci; May 17, 2010 at 08:13 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5,361
Likes: 117
From: auckland,new zealand
to be honest,its really simple to do your own fluids, engine oil is draining oil,one bolt under frame! (sump plug) and unscrewing oil filter and replacing it,primary oil is 4 torx screws and unsrew a drain plug,and tranny oil is an allen bolt and drain plug!
biggest concern it would be cam tensioners,get them to replace cam tensioners and you will be good to go for tens of thousands of miles,you dont say what year,but if its a tc88 it will run like freight train no probs
biggest concern it would be cam tensioners,get them to replace cam tensioners and you will be good to go for tens of thousands of miles,you dont say what year,but if its a tc88 it will run like freight train no probs
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: San Diego (Poway), CA
I want to purchase a used Harley Ultra Classic so bad my teeth hurt but I hear all these horror stories about the maintinence cost ( I don't do my own) , Dependiability, ( I don't want be sitting along side a road somewhere in no-man's land or the bike is in the shop more than on the road. I am an old sob and I don't feel like walking 50 miles for help if you no what I mean. What can I expect to pay in scheduled maintenance cost per year and how is the dependiabilty?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I have 5 Harley's and they never see the dealer after I take delivery. I do the changes my self. Think about it. How hard is it. The drain plug turns left to remove and right to install.
I have many long distance rides from 2,000 miles to 9,000 miles over the last six years. I have never been at the side of the road with any kind of break down or failure. The longest ride was to the Arctic Circle and back. The Dalton and the AlCan is not a place to have a break down. I saw many HD baggers on the ride. All of them were moving.
That crap is a myth that metric riders and trolls perpetuate. No merit to the myth or foundation in fact.
If you want an Ultra get it as it is a better touring bike than the Wing or BMW.
Annual maintenance per bike for me is about $40/bike. I use regular oil not synthetic which keeps the figure much lower.
If you are a troll - STFU.
I have many long distance rides from 2,000 miles to 9,000 miles over the last six years. I have never been at the side of the road with any kind of break down or failure. The longest ride was to the Arctic Circle and back. The Dalton and the AlCan is not a place to have a break down. I saw many HD baggers on the ride. All of them were moving.
That crap is a myth that metric riders and trolls perpetuate. No merit to the myth or foundation in fact.
If you want an Ultra get it as it is a better touring bike than the Wing or BMW.
Annual maintenance per bike for me is about $40/bike. I use regular oil not synthetic which keeps the figure much lower.
If you are a troll - STFU.
Last edited by lh4x4; May 17, 2010 at 10:26 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 3
From: Plano, TX
My Harley's have been more reliable and have had less problems than my Lexus automobiles over the last 15 years.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 2
From: Ontario East
Rode my '94FXST all over Canada and Northern USofA for 11 years. Never had a flat tire but did take out the primary drive sprocket(replaced on warranty)about 20 miles from home at 1:30AM with the wife riding 2-up.. Have driven my '05 FLHRCI and have never had a problem. Do my own services. Last service cost me about 150 bucks (oil filter, primary and inspection gaskets, syn oil all around), including fuel filter (70 bucks).
Next service should be about 75 bucks this fall when I get back from going across Canada return trip. Plus I will need new tires.
Next service should be about 75 bucks this fall when I get back from going across Canada return trip. Plus I will need new tires.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: NW Ohio
I'm taking my '05 EGC in to the local indy in the morning for 30,000 service and cam chain tensioner inspection/replacement. Indy is $60 per hour + what ever he needs to do. I have only had the bike for a month and getting ready to head out to KY over memorial weekend (I'm in NW Ohio). I'll let you know cost in a couple days.
I will however be getting the service manual soon and do what I can from here on out.
I will however be getting the service manual soon and do what I can from here on out.