Finally Some Honesty
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 7,968
Likes: 15,805
From: Florida
Finally Some Honesty
I don't want to start another sumping thread this is more about a bit of honesty from a dealership sales rep. I have spoken to literally dozens of reps up and down the east coast about sumping, up until Tuesday I always got the look like I was from Mars and they claim to have no idea what I am talking about.
I stopped in a dealership in this state because I had time to kill before a meeting nearby. It was early and no one was in the place but a few employees. I sales rep approached after a few minutes and joking stated that I must be there to buy a brand new bike. We laughed a little and I told him I was killing time. We had quite a nice conversation about riding in the mountains and I finally told him that he seemed like a straight shooter, so tell me about sumping issues experienced at that dealership. he immediately looked around full circle to make sure no one was in earshot. That was very telling. He told me it was a problem but mostly with 114's and 117's and primarily with folks that rode hard. Several had been through multiple engines. Not a lot of talk, a bike comes in gets tore down, an engine arrives on a pallet and out they go. That sort of lines up with much that I have read here on the forum. He also confirmed that the latest fix seems to have worked but the early 19's did not get the fix. He stated there was a known cutoff date but he did not supply it. Nice guy and I will travel there to purchase my M8 when the time is right.
It was refreshing to finally find someone that would speak candidly and honestly about the issue.
I stopped in a dealership in this state because I had time to kill before a meeting nearby. It was early and no one was in the place but a few employees. I sales rep approached after a few minutes and joking stated that I must be there to buy a brand new bike. We laughed a little and I told him I was killing time. We had quite a nice conversation about riding in the mountains and I finally told him that he seemed like a straight shooter, so tell me about sumping issues experienced at that dealership. he immediately looked around full circle to make sure no one was in earshot. That was very telling. He told me it was a problem but mostly with 114's and 117's and primarily with folks that rode hard. Several had been through multiple engines. Not a lot of talk, a bike comes in gets tore down, an engine arrives on a pallet and out they go. That sort of lines up with much that I have read here on the forum. He also confirmed that the latest fix seems to have worked but the early 19's did not get the fix. He stated there was a known cutoff date but he did not supply it. Nice guy and I will travel there to purchase my M8 when the time is right.
It was refreshing to finally find someone that would speak candidly and honestly about the issue.
Club Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,389
Likes: 2,335
From: Tampa Bay Area
Agree - always nice to have a simple, honest conversation without concern for any personal agenda. This info generally aligns with what I've heard both at my local dealer and from the regional HD rep that covers my area.
Last edited by Old Sport; Nov 23, 2018 at 11:05 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,791
Likes: 690
From: Smalltown,USA
I don't want to start another sumping thread this is more about a bit of honesty from a dealership sales rep. I have spoken to literally dozens of reps up and down the east coast about sumping, up until Tuesday I always got the look like I was from Mars and they claim to have no idea what I am talking about.
I stopped in a dealership in this state because I had time to kill before a meeting nearby. It was early and no one was in the place but a few employees. I sales rep approached after a few minutes and joking stated that I must be there to buy a brand new bike. We laughed a little and I told him I was killing time. We had quite a nice conversation about riding in the mountains and I finally told him that he seemed like a straight shooter, so tell me about sumping issues experienced at that dealership. he immediately looked around full circle to make sure no one was in earshot. That was very telling. He told me it was a problem but mostly with 114's and 117's and primarily with folks that rode hard. Several had been through multiple engines. Not a lot of talk, a bike comes in gets tore down, an engine arrives on a pallet and out they go. That sort of lines up with much that I have read here on the forum. He also confirmed that the latest fix seems to have worked but the early 19's did not get the fix. He stated there was a known cutoff date but he did not supply it. Nice guy and I will travel there to purchase my M8 when the time is right.
It was refreshing to finally find someone that would speak candidly and honestly about the issue.
I stopped in a dealership in this state because I had time to kill before a meeting nearby. It was early and no one was in the place but a few employees. I sales rep approached after a few minutes and joking stated that I must be there to buy a brand new bike. We laughed a little and I told him I was killing time. We had quite a nice conversation about riding in the mountains and I finally told him that he seemed like a straight shooter, so tell me about sumping issues experienced at that dealership. he immediately looked around full circle to make sure no one was in earshot. That was very telling. He told me it was a problem but mostly with 114's and 117's and primarily with folks that rode hard. Several had been through multiple engines. Not a lot of talk, a bike comes in gets tore down, an engine arrives on a pallet and out they go. That sort of lines up with much that I have read here on the forum. He also confirmed that the latest fix seems to have worked but the early 19's did not get the fix. He stated there was a known cutoff date but he did not supply it. Nice guy and I will travel there to purchase my M8 when the time is right.
It was refreshing to finally find someone that would speak candidly and honestly about the issue.
Last edited by tbob; Nov 23, 2018 at 10:20 AM.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 7,968
Likes: 15,805
From: Florida
He did say primarily but there are other cases. I have heard of some due to burrs, poor QC, etc. but it's pretty obvious that pushing them hard makes them susceptible to sumping. Otherwise one guy would not blow up 3-4 engines. It is very much a reality for those owners and not a myth. But this thread is about honesty and it only took at least 30 dealerships to find a guy on the showroom floor to be candid.
I want an M8 so bad that I can taste it but I am holding off.
I want an M8 so bad that I can taste it but I am holding off.
Last edited by Tonebender; Nov 23, 2018 at 10:58 AM.
Club Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,389
Likes: 2,335
From: Tampa Bay Area
Buddy of mine is moving from his Victory to an Ultra Limited in the Spring. He already has his bike sold and made-up his mind to pull the trigger on the HD. He has lived through my experience and is still looking forward to making the purchase, mostly due to the way my dealer (soon to be "his" dealer) has handled my sumping issues.
I love my bike - motor has everything I'm looking for. **** happens, we deal, and life goes on.
Don't wait...
I love my bike - motor has everything I'm looking for. **** happens, we deal, and life goes on.
Don't wait...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
Likes: 6,171
From: SE Michigan
cc
I don't think you can avoid sumping simply by not "riding hard". Folks who "rode hard" and sumped would probably have sumped anyway. I don't "ride hard", I just ride, and I went through 3 stock 107s.
He did say primarily but there are other cases. I have heard of some due to burrs, poor QC, etc. but it's pretty obvious that pushing them hard makes them susceptible to sumping. Otherwise one guy would not blow up 3-4 engines. It is very much a reality for those owners and not a myth. But this thread is about honesty and it only took at least 30 dealerships to find a guy on the showroom floor to be candid.
I want an M8 so bad that I can taste it but I am holding off.
I want an M8 so bad that I can taste it but I am holding off.
Last edited by Keithhu; Nov 23, 2018 at 11:32 AM.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 449
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From: Oz
Sorry Keithhu, i have to use you as an example. I think MJ would disagree with you. His statistics of, his wife and his three riding buddies, is that the M8 doesn't have sumping issues. It only has 1) SE Cannon rattling baffles, 2) tranny transfer over 4K RPMs and 3)Cracked heat shields and 4) wheel bearing and rotor issues warping. (All covered cause he keeps his bike stock and cry's to the dealer lol) Anything beyond that, is not acceptable to complain about as his large group of riders hasn't experienced it.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 449
Likes: 76
From: Oz
100% correct Psyshack. This is my exact point and case. HD needs to be called out by everyone, for their extremely poor quality bikes costing 25K to 44K. I am baffled that people can defend a 44k bike having sumping, throttle, ECM, heat shields, clutch switch, and parts falling off their bike all due to poor quality. I don't want to ride a Honda. I love my HD. But come on, make the **** right and own up to your issues. If not, your going to get called out on it and lose business.