HD vs. Vic’s reliability update...
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
HD vs. Vic’s reliability update...
Just wanted to point out a few thing to those that like to build up the Vic’s and downplay HD’s “overall reliability.” A bud of mine has a 11 Vic Cross Country and has had to take it in 3 times so far and have it repaired, all under warranty.
- Fuel pump was acting up. They replaced the fuel pump. BTW, he was going out of town when it happened and had to cancel the trip while they “ordered” the pump.
- Problem with the shifter. He had to drop it off for a few days while they repaired it.
- Brake lights went on the blink. It’s been in the shop all week (just happened) awaiting repair.
I’m not bashing Vic’s I’m simply pointing this out because of all the hype how they are designed so much better than HD’s. BTW, my 10 Limited has been in the shop “zero” times for repair, just saying…
- Fuel pump was acting up. They replaced the fuel pump. BTW, he was going out of town when it happened and had to cancel the trip while they “ordered” the pump.
- Problem with the shifter. He had to drop it off for a few days while they repaired it.
- Brake lights went on the blink. It’s been in the shop all week (just happened) awaiting repair.
I’m not bashing Vic’s I’m simply pointing this out because of all the hype how they are designed so much better than HD’s. BTW, my 10 Limited has been in the shop “zero” times for repair, just saying…
Last edited by MADHOG; Nov 8, 2012 at 12:44 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 996
Likes: 0
From: Surprise, AZ
The only issue with my 012 wide glide is I had 2 blubs burn out before it even hit 1000 miles. Cheap and easy fix but kind of annoying considering it was brand new. The first bulb went out at 230 miles and the second went out at 900 miles.
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 7
From: Canada
Interesting. As much as the type of product has to do with reliability, the individual vehicle also plays a major role in regards to breakdowns. How often have you heard of a fella with a brand X vehicle that spends more than average time in the shop while someone else with the same vehicle has never been in for repairs?
People say that the TC cam tensioners will fail after XXXXX amount of miles, yet there are some bikes with double the mileage with no issues. Again I think this has more to do with the individual bike than the brand in general.
cheers
People say that the TC cam tensioners will fail after XXXXX amount of miles, yet there are some bikes with double the mileage with no issues. Again I think this has more to do with the individual bike than the brand in general.
cheers
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 32,562
Likes: 2,577
From: Shit Weather USA
Even if all my Harley's were all POS,I still wouldn't buy one of those ugly spaceships. I've been super lucky with every HD I have had. The only minor issue was a bad vr on my old springer. The biggest piece of crap I have ever had was a Honda.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,599
Likes: 421
From: Lansing mi
You got to remember there is probably 10 Harleys to every 1 Vic, so it's just normal to hear more about Harley problems.
We have a Cross Country in our group and that thing clunks just as much as a Harley when he shifts, he is not happy about it. He doesn't like how it vibe's at highway speeds ether, but he loves Polaris products. so it is what it is.
My self, 11 King at 17000 trouble free miles an....d loving it.
We have a Cross Country in our group and that thing clunks just as much as a Harley when he shifts, he is not happy about it. He doesn't like how it vibe's at highway speeds ether, but he loves Polaris products. so it is what it is.
My self, 11 King at 17000 trouble free miles an....d loving it.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 785
Likes: 2
From: SE TN
Pretty small sample size to compare reliability of HD to Vic.
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out of 5 Harleys, I've only had 2 into the shop (once each) for problems I didn't cause myself by tinkering around with stuff.
First was a brand new 2000 sporty that had a bad head gasket off the assembly line. Took it back 3 days after I bought it, found out they'd just issued a recall for a bad batch of gaskets....fixed in about 2 hours
Second time was earlier this year when the starter clutch wore out in my Streetglide. Only 2 years old, but considering the high-compression pistons in it, even with the automatic release, I'm not overly surprised by that.
Wife's had 3 so far, only problem she's ever had was the paint chipping off her Low Rider's fender after six months.
Otherwise, gotta say my bikes have all been rock solid.
Edit: I got a friend with an 06 Vic Vegas and for about 6 months he was having all kinds of problems with his EFI system....finally gave up, sold the bike and got an 08 Vegas.
First was a brand new 2000 sporty that had a bad head gasket off the assembly line. Took it back 3 days after I bought it, found out they'd just issued a recall for a bad batch of gaskets....fixed in about 2 hours
Second time was earlier this year when the starter clutch wore out in my Streetglide. Only 2 years old, but considering the high-compression pistons in it, even with the automatic release, I'm not overly surprised by that.
Wife's had 3 so far, only problem she's ever had was the paint chipping off her Low Rider's fender after six months.
Otherwise, gotta say my bikes have all been rock solid.
Edit: I got a friend with an 06 Vic Vegas and for about 6 months he was having all kinds of problems with his EFI system....finally gave up, sold the bike and got an 08 Vegas.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
My HD's have always got me home from where ever on the North American Continent that I have ridden them.
Sadly my 12 RGC CVO has to go to the dealer at 1 PM Monday because the cruise control gave up. I was forced to hold the throttle open against the return spring for two hours today on my 160 mile ride.
I was devastated by the failure. I may never look at a HD the same from now on.
Sadly my 12 RGC CVO has to go to the dealer at 1 PM Monday because the cruise control gave up. I was forced to hold the throttle open against the return spring for two hours today on my 160 mile ride.
I was devastated by the failure. I may never look at a HD the same from now on.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, AL
My HD's have always got me home from where ever on the North American Continent that I have ridden them.
Sadly my 12 RGC CVO has to go to the dealer at 1 PM Monday because the cruise control gave up. I was forced to hold the throttle open against the return spring for two hours today on my 160 mile ride.
I was devastated by the failure. I may never look at a HD the same from now on.
Sadly my 12 RGC CVO has to go to the dealer at 1 PM Monday because the cruise control gave up. I was forced to hold the throttle open against the return spring for two hours today on my 160 mile ride.
I was devastated by the failure. I may never look at a HD the same from now on.