I bought a used 2012 Heritage Softail, (my first Harley) last summer with around 25,000 KM on it. Beautiful bike, love the looks and the way it handles but it has been a nightmare. Last summer a spoke broke and I had to replace the rear rim. (not cheap !) This summer I did the stage one upgrade and was feeling pretty good about my Harley.
Riding along in 6th gear this week I slowed and downshifted to 5th… went to downshift to 4th but the shift lever did not return so I was having trouble getting by toe under the shifter. Next I hear a couple of clunks from below so I pull over to the side of the road. I fool with the shifter but have a tough time getting it to shift gears. After a few minutes I decide to call CAA and have it towed to the local shop that works on Harley’s. They called today and it looks like I need a complete transmission rebuild. They believe the shift return lever spring broke, fell down and got caught in 6th gear and broke a chunk out of 6th gear. The chuck from 6th rattling around in the transmission pretty well destroyed the rest of the gears so now I am looking at a complete rebuild and another week without the bike as they wait for parts. You sure have to love Harley quality!
Once she’s fixed I may have a Heritage for sale !

 

Sorry to hear about that. Unfortunately, springs sometimes break, but it's pretty rare to have one go at such a low mileage. Mine has lasted 24 years and over 200,000 miles. It might go another 50,000 miles and it might fail tomorrow. so might a replacement spring, I guess.


I'm trying to understand how a broken spoke would require a rim replacement, unless the broken spoke was the result of rim damage from impact.

 

I don't hear a lot of people complaining about the 6 speed transmission having problems.

I've got twice the KMs on my 09 Heritage and it shifts very smoothly.
I've been running AMSOIL 75 W110 gear oil in my transmission for a while now and it shifts smoother and quieter than it did when it was new.

 

So you have a broken spring and that makes all Harley's poor quality... no drama there.
I agree with Uncle G a (single) broken spoke required a whole new rim? Find another shop.

 

I'm presuming you didn't know the original owner, nor did you know the history of service or how this bike was treated prior to purchase. That of course doesn't mean the bike will fail, but it does show how it was treated. In the end it was a used vehicle you purchased, and that in it of itself is a risk. I'm also assuming you don't have any sort of extended warranty on this bike!

 

It's unfortunate that you are having these issues with your Heritage but I wouldn't judge the quality of other Harleys based on the issues that you are having with yours. Also, there's no guarantees as to how the original owner treated his bike. It could have been caused by his treatment of the bike or just a fluke that sometimes happens.

 

Yes, I was able to talk to the previous owner as well as the dealer that sold the bike also serviced the bike so it was well treated. Still in stock condition when I purchased it and service records provided. As for the spoke, I should have said more, one spoke was broke and several others were loose and wallowed out so they would not stay tight. From what I read Harley started using a supplier from China around 2011 for their rims and it was a known issue. When the shop I use went online to order a new rim he was surprised how many were in stock at Harley Canada which he said indicates there is an issue with them as they usually do not stock that many parts.
I did not buy an extended warranty, wish I would have now, but based on my previous experience with metric bikes I did think it was worth what they were asking.
I love Harley, love the bike, and love all the gear and accessories Harley sells. Metric bikes do not look or handle as well as my Harley does, but almost $4000 (Can) in repairs in just over a year is depressing.

 

Next time somebody post looking for opinions on whether or not to buy the extended warranty, you should chime in and provide your story.

I got the extended warranty when I bought my 09 Heritage and it was only 2.5 years old with 6,000 miles.
I never did use the warranty but I don't regret the $1500 I paid for it.

Sometimes you win.
Sometimes you lose.
Sometimes you come out even.

 

Man, I'm sorry to hear about your experience with your 2012 Heritage.

I also purchased mine used, with 3500 miles on it. I got the Extended Warranty, which has been used a few times...nothing major though.

My experience with it has been great...one of my favorite bikes I've ever owned.

 

Sorry to hear about your woes... Reaper, my 2005 Night Train, has 209,000 kms on her original transmission, behind a built motor. I've never had an issue with it. For your to fail at such low mileage is, unfortunately for you, just plain bad luck.

Hopefully, it's not as bad as it first seems, and you won't need a whole new transmission.

Cheers!