Harley Reliability
Harley Reliability
I just finished an 11 day, 4435 mile ride on my 2001 FXDXT (Dyna Superglide Tsport). During my ride I rode in 123 degree weather (Death Valley), 32 degree weather (Yellowstone) and hundreds of miles of rain (Montana, Idaho and Washington). I went from 190 feet below sea level (Death Valley) to 12,095 feet above sea level (Independence Pass, CO). I rode for hours and hours with the throttle locked at 75 mph and hours and hours of twistys where I was on and off the throttle and brakes and constantly shifting up and down. To sum it up, I put my bike through every extreme you can think of during this ride. I took a tool kit, zip ties, duct tape, tire repair kit and pump, extra oil, etc. I was as prepared as I thought I could be. So, what problems did I have with the bike?....I lost two springs off one of the heat shields. Not a single loose screw or bolt, no engine problems, no cable problems, no shift linkage problems, no nutin. My bike is carbureted and doesnt have a computer to adjust fuel flow yet in ran fine at extreme altitudes. This may not be a surprise to many but I really didnt expect to make the entire trip without a single problem. For those that slam Harley reliability, I just cant imagine any bike being more reliable that my Harley. 
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 90
From: People's Republik of Kalifornia
I've had mine 15,000 trouble free miles so far. It's an '08 model. Been on a couple of long trips too, but the real abuse is riding on all the city streets where I live. All that stop and go is not good.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Milton Freewater
Exactly. Bought my '04 FLHRCI new and have over 25,000 miles. Has never let me down, not even a loose bolt or fitting. Never seen the inside of a repair shop. My wife has a Dyna with same mileage...same story. Her first bike was a Kawasaki Mean Streak...immediately recalled for some problem that required the cases to be split, and engine completely torn down...picked it up, and traded for the Harley. I had an early Victory...bikes that I do like...and it had three recalls on it in less than a year. Traded for the Harley...end of story.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
Sounds like you had a great (trouble free) trip. I'm envious. I believe harleyriv's post to be true. The Harley's I owned back in the 80's, though a hoot to ride, did break down quite a bit (just speaking for myself). No different than snowmobiles back then. Like in everything else, technology has come a long way.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: BK
Sounds like an amazing trip! Would love to do something like that someday, and hopefully have the same luck.
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