Harley Question.
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Stage I
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1
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From: Virginia
Harley Question.
Hey guys i'm looking into getting a harley davidson Street bob. I told a couple of friends about this and they told me that harley usually leak or breakdown often and also need maintenance work done every so often. I'll be honest i do not have a lot of money to spend on a bike and if the problem are true then i probably cant afford to keep a harley. So my question is are these issues true and does it really cost a lot to maintain a good running harley?
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 244
Likes: 3
From: Up North
If you have to ask, you may not be able to afford to own and operate a Harley.
However, quality control doesn't seem to be as bad as it once was, and not that many are seen "breaking down and leaking all over the place."
Much can be saved on maintenance and repair if you buy a service manual and do much of the work yourself. If you have average mechanical inclination and some tools, much of the routine stuff isn't rocket science on these bikes.
However, quality control doesn't seem to be as bad as it once was, and not that many are seen "breaking down and leaking all over the place."
Much can be saved on maintenance and repair if you buy a service manual and do much of the work yourself. If you have average mechanical inclination and some tools, much of the routine stuff isn't rocket science on these bikes.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,306
Likes: 2,443
From: Eastern NE
Your friends are being the stereotypical "older HD" from the days when you mostly worked on your own bike(s) (fewer shops) and there seemed to be many issues with earlier design. This hasn't been the case since ~80's with HD so, unless your friends can back their theory w/proof, tell them to suck-it! I think they'll be jealous because you'll be getting all the hot biker chicks flocking around the sweet ride while they pedal off on their 10-speeds...
Seriously, why would you listen to others when this is "your" decision...?
Seriously, why would you listen to others when this is "your" decision...?
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 94
From: Massachusetts
I agree with Iceman, your friends comments are the stereo typical comments from people who don't know what they're talking about.
BTW, what brand or type of motorized vehicle have you ever owned that didn't "need maintenance work done every so often?"
If you care about or take pride in whatever you're driving you will maintain it regularly to prevent "leaks and breakdowns."
You're gonna have to change fluids, buy tires and replace brake pads and batteries on whatever brand you buy.
Buy the Harley and enjoy it.
BTW, what brand or type of motorized vehicle have you ever owned that didn't "need maintenance work done every so often?"
If you care about or take pride in whatever you're driving you will maintain it regularly to prevent "leaks and breakdowns."
You're gonna have to change fluids, buy tires and replace brake pads and batteries on whatever brand you buy.
Buy the Harley and enjoy it.
Last edited by ElectraGlideSteve; Aug 16, 2014 at 06:37 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Welcome to HDF from the UK. It doesn't sound as if your friends are active Harley owners! The Street Bob is a Dyna, so call in the Dyna forum here on HDF and take a look around. I doubt if you will find many of them are grubbing around fixing their bikes!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,281
Likes: 1,139
From: southeast PA
My Street Bob has gotten regular service and routine maintenance. As soon as I find a bike that doesn't require these annoying interruptions of my riding time-and are as satisfying to ride- I'll buy one.
However, my experience has shown me that these bikes don't (and never did) exist.
Welcome to the forum. Spend some time looking around here and stop listening to you friends.
However, my experience has shown me that these bikes don't (and never did) exist.
Welcome to the forum. Spend some time looking around here and stop listening to you friends.
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I would agree that all bikes need maintenance and general upkeep.....however in my experience, cost per mile, Harley is right up top.
Get a Harley, good ride, great sound, an amerian classic, however unless you know how to wrench on one, or locate a good independant shop, you can count on high costs and consistantly bad (with few excpeptions) customer service.
A metric bike is cheaper to own and cheaper to buy parts for, for a number of reasons.......some good, some bad. The air breather cover for my wifes Suzuki is much cheaper then the one on my Harley, but her's is plastic, mine is metal.....but regardless, it's just an air breather cover....the Harley Back rest for my bike is close to 400 dollars , while her;s is less then half that......to change her fluids and filter is about half what it costs to do mine.....but her's only takes one type of fluid while, mine takes three.
From a reliability or condition of a used bike stand point......even if a metric bike and a Harley are equal.....you will pay more for the Harley.
As for the original question..........if money is really tight, yep, you should go metric.
Get a Harley, good ride, great sound, an amerian classic, however unless you know how to wrench on one, or locate a good independant shop, you can count on high costs and consistantly bad (with few excpeptions) customer service.
A metric bike is cheaper to own and cheaper to buy parts for, for a number of reasons.......some good, some bad. The air breather cover for my wifes Suzuki is much cheaper then the one on my Harley, but her's is plastic, mine is metal.....but regardless, it's just an air breather cover....the Harley Back rest for my bike is close to 400 dollars , while her;s is less then half that......to change her fluids and filter is about half what it costs to do mine.....but her's only takes one type of fluid while, mine takes three.
From a reliability or condition of a used bike stand point......even if a metric bike and a Harley are equal.....you will pay more for the Harley.
As for the original question..........if money is really tight, yep, you should go metric.
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