How often do you check you spokes? The rear spokes on my 2012 Heritage seem to keep coming loose is this a common thing with this bike? I am thinking of changing to a custom rear wheel if it is.

 

I have a 2011 and I check my spokes about once a week. Only had one loose spoke ever and once I fixed it it was good. Rear wheel.

I have heard this is an issue in 12 but not sure why.

 

a friend of mine had the same problem on his 12 deluxe. the bike would shimmy at freeway speeds. brought it back to the dealer and they fixed it up. i don't think he's had a problem since but that was only like a month ago.

 

There is a thread going about this in the touring section I believe. Apparently, this is a widespread problem. Along with voltage regulators in '12 bikes.

 

We just buy a 2012 Deluxe with 500 miles for my wife. Aer riding it I ralize something was wrong and the bike was dangerous. I start looking at tires first and wheels. To realize all rear spoke are loose. I'm an experienced rider and I can take care of a bike with bad handling. I don't want to think what would have happend if my wife was riding that bike. It's a very poor quality control from HD and I'm not that happy about that.

Motopierre

 

I have looked and looked, I just can't find any dang spokes. Whats up with that????

Sorry, but yeah, for some reason there seems to be an issue with the 2012 bikes like machinestmate mentioned. Hope they get this worked out, because other than the Fat Boy, I prefer spokes on pretty much any motorcycle.

 

I usually check mine at tire change time. I just tap on them with a small wrench and listen for a 'dead' one. Haven't had any problems so far.

 

To answer your original question: every time my bike goes up on the lift for an oil change, etc., I run a screwdriver around the wheel while I spin it and tap the spokes. You will know by the "sound" if one or more are off !!

 

Wouldn't this become a safety recall on all 2012 Rear wheel ???

 

The dealer had to replace the rear wheel on my 2012 Heritage under warranty...the spokes would not stay tight. My bike had only 468 miles on it.

I'm hopin' the replacement wheel on my bike is a good one...