2018 Speedometer Condensation?
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 45
Likes: 31
From: Philly
2018 Speedometer Condensation?
2018 Softail Slim
This just happened the other day? It wasn't any warmer out then when I purchased the bike. I bought it in early April so it's not like it was cold. I've owned several bikes through winters and rains and this is the first one I've owned to have that any (let alone that much) condensation in the gauges/dials.....
Is this a warranty issue? Are they not sealed? The issue for me is it's a lot of condensation and it's right where the information display is, so I can't see my RPM or gear indicator when the sun is at the right angle, it's hard to read even when it's not. On top of having to look down, now I have to put my head way down there to read it heh.
This is my first Harley, and paid a ton of money for it, and having a speedometer not be sealed would kind of irk me, considering my S1KR costed less, and hasn't had a single issue since owning it for a few years. That bike doesn't even drain battery in the winter, it's kind of nuts. I guess I'm not opposed to fixing this myself if you guys have any recommendations for how? I suppose if I can get dry enough air in it and clean t up, I can seal it with silicone or something? It hasn't gone away fully since being there a few days ago when my wife and I went on a ride.
This just happened the other day? It wasn't any warmer out then when I purchased the bike. I bought it in early April so it's not like it was cold. I've owned several bikes through winters and rains and this is the first one I've owned to have that any (let alone that much) condensation in the gauges/dials.....
Is this a warranty issue? Are they not sealed? The issue for me is it's a lot of condensation and it's right where the information display is, so I can't see my RPM or gear indicator when the sun is at the right angle, it's hard to read even when it's not. On top of having to look down, now I have to put my head way down there to read it heh.
This is my first Harley, and paid a ton of money for it, and having a speedometer not be sealed would kind of irk me, considering my S1KR costed less, and hasn't had a single issue since owning it for a few years. That bike doesn't even drain battery in the winter, it's kind of nuts. I guess I'm not opposed to fixing this myself if you guys have any recommendations for how? I suppose if I can get dry enough air in it and clean t up, I can seal it with silicone or something? It hasn't gone away fully since being there a few days ago when my wife and I went on a ride.
Last edited by gaugeforever; Jun 12, 2018 at 03:14 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 115
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, New York
It's a Harley, its normal 
Seriously, this crap just happened on my 18' 114 FB this past weekend as I went from warmer temps near my home to cooler lakeside temps.
Came here to the forum and found a few threads on this "issue" and it seems that some had it replaced under warranty and some were told it will happen again no matter what. I understand that 1st year bikes will have their "bugs" to deal with, but to see that this is not just happening to new bikes but past years models and on $15,000+ motorcycles is embarrassing.
I know, I know, if I don't like it I better go back to my reliable Jap bike
HD I love you but, C'mon Man!!
Seriously, this crap just happened on my 18' 114 FB this past weekend as I went from warmer temps near my home to cooler lakeside temps.
Came here to the forum and found a few threads on this "issue" and it seems that some had it replaced under warranty and some were told it will happen again no matter what. I understand that 1st year bikes will have their "bugs" to deal with, but to see that this is not just happening to new bikes but past years models and on $15,000+ motorcycles is embarrassing.
I know, I know, if I don't like it I better go back to my reliable Jap bike
HD I love you but, C'mon Man!!
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 45
Likes: 31
From: Philly
It's a Harley, its normal
Seriously, this crap just happened on my 18' 114 FB this past weekend as I went from warmer temps near my home to cooler lakeside temps.
Came here to the forum and found a few threads on this "issue" and it seems that some had it replaced under warranty and some were told it will happen again no matter what. I understand that 1st year bikes will have their "bugs" to deal with, but to see that this is not just happening to new bikes but past years models and on $15,000+ motorcycles is embarrassing.
I know, I know, if I don't like it I better go back to my reliable Jap bike
HD I love you but, C'mon Man!!
Seriously, this crap just happened on my 18' 114 FB this past weekend as I went from warmer temps near my home to cooler lakeside temps.
Came here to the forum and found a few threads on this "issue" and it seems that some had it replaced under warranty and some were told it will happen again no matter what. I understand that 1st year bikes will have their "bugs" to deal with, but to see that this is not just happening to new bikes but past years models and on $15,000+ motorcycles is embarrassing.
I know, I know, if I don't like it I better go back to my reliable Jap bike
HD I love you but, C'mon Man!!
On better news, my dealer did say they would try to fix it when I bring it in for my first service. Tech guy flat out said, without hesitation, that they aren't sealed well, and they would try their best to make it so. So that's good news at least. So far the dealer has been exceptional in both sales, parts, and tech.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 115
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, New York
Glad your dealer will work with you, I will be stopping by mine to let them know and get it taken care of on my 1st service too.
Definitely having a great relationship with dealer helps. Like yours, my dealer has been great in every area, they also bent over backwards when I purchased my first H-D ( V-Rod) that it turned out to have issues.
Definitely having a great relationship with dealer helps. Like yours, my dealer has been great in every area, they also bent over backwards when I purchased my first H-D ( V-Rod) that it turned out to have issues.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
It's normal for a Harley; the speedo is not really sealed. Everyone I've owned did the same thing. Here's a recent thread on the subject..
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...he-speedo.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...he-speedo.html
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Novice
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Northern VA
My speedo on my 18 Fat Bob had condensation after five months and they replaced it under warranty. This is my 3rd HD and the first one to have this issue
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Joined: Sep 2017
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From: 3rd stone from the sun
I bought a mini tach from moco (handle bar mount style.) Within a day after mounting it I had a ring of fog around the lower 1/2 of the gauge. The add in '02 claimed "hermetically sealed for your convenience against the elements". really?? It lasted 10 yrs. Not sure how long those last but the condensation would clear up when I left it parked in the sun for a few hours. It would return after sitting in the shade or the garage say 5-6 hrs. Got an E-bay cheapie for 60 bucks it came with a knock off Dakota Digital gauge cup.Man this thing weighs at least 3 lbs, made of polished stainless ( yu swear its chrome but its not) needle steady as a rock and if it dies , theres a never ending supply on Ebay ( china no doubt) to replace it for a whole lot less than moco's and it doesnt fog up !! Running strong now for 5 yrs and it has a much smaller profile which looks 10x better
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 389
From: Middle Tennessee
I just had it happen today with temps in 90's. I've had many H-D's over the last 50+ years and expect this kind of thing at times, but today's moisture was so bad it completely fogged the instrument while riding in the direct sunlight. It was so bad I couldn't read any of the digital section and the speedo was just plain fuzzy. After about an hour of this condition and a bit of cooler temps, the misty gauge condensed and "rained" inside the lens with water droplets falling to the bottom of the lens. Called my dealer and was told it would be warranted, but H-D wants photos first (I got 3 pic's for good measure).