Quality issues
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 229
Likes: 12
From: Seattle
Quality issues
I just want to see if this is common...
Since I got my 2012 FLSTC, I've had the following issues, all at this point resolved:
1. Steering lock failure - the day I brought her home. Fixed under warranty.
2. Clutch starter cutoff switch failed. Really annoying when you hit the starter and nothing happens. It was intermittent, and I found/fixed it myself.
3. "Throttle body" stalling at speed issue. I forget the details of this one - just that it was alarming when the engine quit on the freeway. It was some sensor in the throttle body that needed to be sprayed out?
4. Shift return spring failed. Out of warranty repair - expensive.
5. Voltage regulator failed - and no - my bike was not in the recall, but maybe it should have been. Replaced yesterday, and the electrical gremlins seem to be gone + no more fault codes.
Everything is fine right now, but I'm thinking maybe I should get rid of her before something else breaks.
Is this just the "hidden cost" of Harley ownership?
Since I got my 2012 FLSTC, I've had the following issues, all at this point resolved:
1. Steering lock failure - the day I brought her home. Fixed under warranty.
2. Clutch starter cutoff switch failed. Really annoying when you hit the starter and nothing happens. It was intermittent, and I found/fixed it myself.
3. "Throttle body" stalling at speed issue. I forget the details of this one - just that it was alarming when the engine quit on the freeway. It was some sensor in the throttle body that needed to be sprayed out?
4. Shift return spring failed. Out of warranty repair - expensive.
5. Voltage regulator failed - and no - my bike was not in the recall, but maybe it should have been. Replaced yesterday, and the electrical gremlins seem to be gone + no more fault codes.
Everything is fine right now, but I'm thinking maybe I should get rid of her before something else breaks.
Is this just the "hidden cost" of Harley ownership?
Last edited by tbplayer; Nov 5, 2016 at 12:37 PM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 229
Likes: 12
From: Seattle
I should add - the bike was fine the first year or so, other than the steering lock. And I went on one big long road trip. But at this point, I'd be reluctant to go anywhere too far out of town, for fear of something else going wrong.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,530
Likes: 546
From: Wayne County, PA
How many miles are on it? It could just be bad luck. Within the first year of buying my dyna; the carb failed, ignition quit, alternator quit. Stuff just happens. It's a Harley and the rule is, simplicity is the mother of reliability. When bikes get too complicated there is more to go wrong.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,124
Likes: 13,074
From: Texas, USA
I have a 2012 FLSTC also. I'm sorry you've had so many issues. That is a beautiful Heritage. The hard bags look very nice.
Mine has been problem free with the exception of a shifter shaft seal leak. That was covered by the extended warranty. Since labor was paid for by the warranty, I took advantage of the primary being apart and had them install a chrome inner primary. My voltage regulator was not covered under the recall either but it has not failed (yet).
These are complex machines and parts are going to fail. More on some bikes than others. Some less expensive than others. A member here had one electrical gremlin after another on her Heritage. She finally got tired of it and traded it for a Fatboy S.
Only you can decide whether to trade it now or not. Best of luck.
Mine has been problem free with the exception of a shifter shaft seal leak. That was covered by the extended warranty. Since labor was paid for by the warranty, I took advantage of the primary being apart and had them install a chrome inner primary. My voltage regulator was not covered under the recall either but it has not failed (yet).
These are complex machines and parts are going to fail. More on some bikes than others. Some less expensive than others. A member here had one electrical gremlin after another on her Heritage. She finally got tired of it and traded it for a Fatboy S.
Only you can decide whether to trade it now or not. Best of luck.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 604
Likes: 22
It's not a warm fuzzy feeling when you have repeated failures. One just loses faith in his ride. I got broken in back in the Shovelhead days and knew everyday and long trips would be an adventure with something giving up and roadside repairs. I was dense enough or maybe liked riding enough that I excepted this as the norm and packed a tool roll that took up 1/2 of a saddle bag. Of course someone would always stop and help in those days. Lately not so much. Had a rear tire go flat SE of Broadus, Mt a few years ago. I had the bike on its side, on the side of the road, and found a 3/4 bolt stuck in the tire. Over 50 bikes rode by before a couple on a Gold Wing stopped to help. I say keep good insurance with roadside assist and hope for the best and head out the door knowing all is good.
I had the same color Heritage also a 2012. I ended up trading it after 2 and a half years because of electrical issues, 5 pages of warranty work when I asked the dealer for a print out. The final straw was it cutting out while I was riding it and nobody could diagnose it (3 different dealerships and an Indy). It's a horrible feeling when you wonder what's going to happen next.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 695
From: Huntington Beach, CA
Stuff happens, I guess.
My 2015 Fat Boy has had zero warranty issues and has always run like a top. Guess it's just statistical.
My 2015 Fat Boy has had zero warranty issues and has always run like a top. Guess it's just statistical.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
All Harley's have a lityle trouble from time o time. If I were you I'd head out on a 500 or so mile trip. They like to be ridden. If they sit to much the complain. I've had a few problems with mine, but nothing unusual.
1. Stator went out at 22k miles. Left me stranded in the high plains west of Raton pass.
2. Starter lurch at about 45k miles.
3. The ratchet on he has cap broke and the cap would only spin. Finally got it off and replaced.
4. I have alittle bit of a hot start problem that is on going, but have a workaround.
5. Rear rocker box is leaking a tiny bit of oil while eiding around town, but only if I don't ride it for a while. Solution, ride it more.
The last two are more of an annoyance than a show stopper..
1. Stator went out at 22k miles. Left me stranded in the high plains west of Raton pass.
2. Starter lurch at about 45k miles.
3. The ratchet on he has cap broke and the cap would only spin. Finally got it off and replaced.
4. I have alittle bit of a hot start problem that is on going, but have a workaround.
5. Rear rocker box is leaking a tiny bit of oil while eiding around town, but only if I don't ride it for a while. Solution, ride it more.
The last two are more of an annoyance than a show stopper..
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 229
Likes: 12
From: Seattle
How many miles are on it? It could just be bad luck. Within the first year of buying my dyna; the carb failed, ignition quit, alternator quit. Stuff just happens. It's a Harley and the rule is, simplicity is the mother of reliability. When bikes get too complicated there is more to go wrong.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 229
Likes: 12
From: Seattle
It's not a warm fuzzy feeling when you have repeated failures. One just loses faith in his ride. I got broken in back in the Shovelhead days and knew everyday and long trips would be an adventure with something giving up and roadside repairs. I was dense enough or maybe liked riding enough that I excepted this as the norm and packed a tool roll that took up 1/2 of a saddle bag. Of course someone would always stop and help in those days. Lately not so much. Had a rear tire go flat SE of Broadus, Mt a few years ago. I had the bike on its side, on the side of the road, and found a 3/4 bolt stuck in the tire. Over 50 bikes rode by before a couple on a Gold Wing stopped to help. I say keep good insurance with roadside assist and hope for the best and head out the door knowing all is good.