HD reliability from one riders viewpoint
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, AL
18K on my 2011 Ultra Limited and no problems. I would like to know how you got 20K on tires though. My rear was replaced at 12.7 but I could have gotten 1-2 more K maybe but had a big trip planned. Front still has 3/32nds so I expect to end up with 25k+ before it's retired.
I agree about built engines suffering in reliability. I did the usual stage 1 but am not going to go "inside" the engine. My touring engine runs my touring bike just fine. If I ever get a 3rd child hood, I'll go get a "go fast".
I admire you for the 49 state accomplishment. When I retire next year I will work on that also. Does flying to HI and renting count as a 50th??
I agree about built engines suffering in reliability. I did the usual stage 1 but am not going to go "inside" the engine. My touring engine runs my touring bike just fine. If I ever get a 3rd child hood, I'll go get a "go fast".
I admire you for the 49 state accomplishment. When I retire next year I will work on that also. Does flying to HI and renting count as a 50th??
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 127
From: Coastal Carolina
I beat the **** out my bikes... I ride 'em HARD. Tires at 4 - 5k. Never had an issue.
Just picked up a 2012 courtesy of a texter... I may ease up on her. Who knows? It'll be here Friday of Saturday.
AMF days haunt HD. Us younger Dudes still hear crap, and many of us weren't even born. It's hard to shake a stigma.
I can't write that I wouldn't mind an Indian in my garage one day...
Just picked up a 2012 courtesy of a texter... I may ease up on her. Who knows? It'll be here Friday of Saturday.
AMF days haunt HD. Us younger Dudes still hear crap, and many of us weren't even born. It's hard to shake a stigma.
I can't write that I wouldn't mind an Indian in my garage one day...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 10,366
Likes: 406
From: Connecticut
Blackline, blk v&h sideshots, blk heavy breather, race tuner, slammed burly lowering kit, backrest for wife and few other goodies. Should be delivered this weekend.
Started relearning to walk this last.Monday, 2 days ago. Almost got it down LOL. Thx for asking.
Started relearning to walk this last.Monday, 2 days ago. Almost got it down LOL. Thx for asking.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 800
Likes: 407
From: Middle Tennessee
I think mechanical things are just better all around these days.
My 03 FXD is amazingly simple to work on for do it yourself maintenance and trouble free.
Yeah the cam tensioners are a weak spot on the twin cams, but we all know to check them before they get too old.
Much better quality control, better tooling to machine tighter tolerances, fuel injection to better monitor fuel flow, all of that makes better cars, truck and motorcycles.
Anyone that had a mid 70's or early 80's GM car knows how bad things can be. I had a brand new 78 Trans Am that was just one huge pile of problems. I didnt think so many things could be bad on a car, always in the shop. But sold it and bought a used '76 firebird that was really very trouble free.
My Dad bought a new 1980 GMC truck that had a wrist pin score the cylinder wall. The first two months he owned that truck it spent 6 weeks in the shop. Totally unacceptable in todays market.
As reliable as Toyota's are, they had a run with early V6 engine head gaskets that cost lots of drivers lots of money out of pocket. Chrysler transmissions also come to mind.
Nobody ever brings that up in conversation.
Change your fluids, use good name brand fuel, dont get the engine too hot if you can help it, just common sense stuff.
I am in the market for a new or nearly new touring bike, most likely a Road King, and have no hesitations about the build quality.
My 03 FXD is amazingly simple to work on for do it yourself maintenance and trouble free.
Yeah the cam tensioners are a weak spot on the twin cams, but we all know to check them before they get too old.
Much better quality control, better tooling to machine tighter tolerances, fuel injection to better monitor fuel flow, all of that makes better cars, truck and motorcycles.
Anyone that had a mid 70's or early 80's GM car knows how bad things can be. I had a brand new 78 Trans Am that was just one huge pile of problems. I didnt think so many things could be bad on a car, always in the shop. But sold it and bought a used '76 firebird that was really very trouble free.
My Dad bought a new 1980 GMC truck that had a wrist pin score the cylinder wall. The first two months he owned that truck it spent 6 weeks in the shop. Totally unacceptable in todays market.
As reliable as Toyota's are, they had a run with early V6 engine head gaskets that cost lots of drivers lots of money out of pocket. Chrysler transmissions also come to mind.
Nobody ever brings that up in conversation.
Change your fluids, use good name brand fuel, dont get the engine too hot if you can help it, just common sense stuff.
I am in the market for a new or nearly new touring bike, most likely a Road King, and have no hesitations about the build quality.
My Harley is my 6th bike, 1st Harley. By far the best bike I have ever had in terms of service and reliability. The quality is far superior to other bikes I have ridden and I'm very happy with it.
Thread Starter
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
SR90 - Sorry to disappoint you. If you need the fix just click on the blue link below my screen name. It should make you happy.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 5
From: North Texas
They are machines.
Machines break.
Abuse prematurely wears on machine parts, and they break.
Manufacturing is not 100% perfect, nor is the assembly process of the hundreds of parts produced to make our machines, so they break.
Lastly people just live to bitch about **** period.
We get what we get when we buy them, mine is not perfect, it has a soul, an attitude, just like us period.
It a machine, and I would not want another than the one I have until it time to move on to the next by my own choice.
Ride on.
Machines break.
Abuse prematurely wears on machine parts, and they break.
Manufacturing is not 100% perfect, nor is the assembly process of the hundreds of parts produced to make our machines, so they break.
Lastly people just live to bitch about **** period.
We get what we get when we buy them, mine is not perfect, it has a soul, an attitude, just like us period.
It a machine, and I would not want another than the one I have until it time to move on to the next by my own choice.
Ride on.