Lesson Learned.......
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
Been riding motorcycles for 27 years and Harley's have been completely bullet proof for me and others I know who ride them. Sounds like you got a rough one. Could be why they were selling it with such low miles. Sorry it's been a bad experience for you. Just remember its not cursed or out to get you, just flawed. If you decide to sell it, you can remove and sell your upgrades to recoup some of the costs. A stock bike almost always gets a better price. Lots of good bikes out there, Harley and other manufacturers. I'm sure you'll find what you want eventually. Good luck on whatever you decide.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,904
Likes: 9
From: Streetsboro, Oh
Well we have not had a thread like this in a while so it's about time. Look Honda does make a good bike, hell all the metric brands make a good bike, but some people just don't get the Harley thing. A sportster is a raw, rought bike, nothing more, nothing less. I have been riding my C50 bobber alot and last week for the first time in a while I took my sporty out, yes it's WAY faster and sounds way better then the Zuk, but my God is it rought on you, but guess what-that's how it's made and I love it for that. Tell ya what-sell the HD, get a VTX and then go to the Honda boards and bash HD all you want, but I'm sure the first issue you have with the Honda you will be bitching about it too.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
Well we have not had a thread like this in a while so it's about time. Look Honda does make a good bike, hell all the metric brands make a good bike, but some people just don't get the Harley thing. A sportster is a raw, rought bike, nothing more, nothing less. I have been riding my C50 bobber alot and last week for the first time in a while I took my sporty out, yes it's WAY faster and sounds way better then the Zuk, but my God is it rought on you, but guess what-that's how it's made and I love it for that. Tell ya what-sell the HD, get a VTX and then go to the Honda boards and bash HD all you want, but I'm sure the first issue you have with the Honda you will be bitching about it too.
Didn't have your coffee in the morning or what? Every reason you described is exactly why I fell in love with my bike with the exception of the rear shocks. I don't mind a numb *** but I do like to feel my kidneys.
I understand these bikes are rough and accepted that upon purchase, but that should not be relative to reliability and the bike actually functioning. That's ridiculous. It would seem this is just your justification for owning a Harley.
All I ever ask out of any machine is for it to work, as in operate to get me from point A to point B with minimal maintenance. That isn't asking much.
I guess I'm not like everyone else and allow myself to live with a sub-par product. Local dealer tried to sell me a new voltage regulator after I explained to him the charging issues I have been having.
I looked him straight in the eye and said "If your factory voltage regulator can not last more than 6,800 miles why would I want to replace it with another factory unit?"
If I do decide to keep this paper weight, I refuse to purchase HD replacement parts. I will go aftermarket.
One thing you mentioned is what most people forget. Just because you have a Harley you don't HAVE to put Harley stuff on it. lot's of people buy into the marketing engine that Harley has, not just the motorcycle. I go to a **** ton of rallies, rides, etc. There are guys with CVO's that are several years older than my Sporty and have sub 1000, sub 5000, etc. I have a 2010 Iron with just over 20000 on it. Granted I don't get to ride near as much as I used to before kids and wife, but holy crap man. You glance at the accessories on those folks and it's all Harley, you see them open their trunks/bags and pull out 20 or so T's from there Harley travels. I hope they do know there are a lot of awesome US made leathers out there, it doesn't have to say Harley on it...
Anyway...it does sound like you bit the lemon on this one. Be glad you got a rubbermount
You really be pissed riding my Shovel. Whenever I took that places each gas/smoke break was also a wrenching session to make sure foot pegs didn't go flyin off, kicker peg wasn't gone (anybody that's had a kickstart and lost the damn peg knows that pain)...hang in there, they're not all that way. I don't have NEAR the issues you do, but I do find myself replacing exhaust nuts quite often.
Anyway...it does sound like you bit the lemon on this one. Be glad you got a rubbermount
You really be pissed riding my Shovel. Whenever I took that places each gas/smoke break was also a wrenching session to make sure foot pegs didn't go flyin off, kicker peg wasn't gone (anybody that's had a kickstart and lost the damn peg knows that pain)...hang in there, they're not all that way. I don't have NEAR the issues you do, but I do find myself replacing exhaust nuts quite often.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
One thing you mentioned is what most people forget. Just because you have a Harley you don't HAVE to put Harley stuff on it. lot's of people buy into the marketing engine that Harley has, not just the motorcycle. I go to a **** ton of rallies, rides, etc. There are guys with CVO's that are several years older than my Sporty and have sub 1000, sub 5000, etc. I have a 2010 Iron with just over 20000 on it. Granted I don't get to ride near as much as I used to before kids and wife, but holy crap man. You glance at the accessories on those folks and it's all Harley, you see them open their trunks/bags and pull out 20 or so T's from there Harley travels. I hope they do know there are a lot of awesome US made leathers out there, it doesn't have to say Harley on it...
Anyway...it does sound like you bit the lemon on this one. Be glad you got a rubbermount You really be pissed riding my Shovel. Whenever I took that places each gas/smoke break was also a wrenching session to make sure foot pegs didn't go flyin off, kicker peg wasn't gone (anybody that's had a kickstart and lost the damn peg knows that pain)...hang in there, they're not all that way. I don't have NEAR the issues you do, but I do find myself replacing exhaust nuts quite often.
Anyway...it does sound like you bit the lemon on this one. Be glad you got a rubbermount
You really be pissed riding my Shovel. Whenever I took that places each gas/smoke break was also a wrenching session to make sure foot pegs didn't go flyin off, kicker peg wasn't gone (anybody that's had a kickstart and lost the damn peg knows that pain)...hang in there, they're not all that way. I don't have NEAR the issues you do, but I do find myself replacing exhaust nuts quite often.Another thing that has irritated me lately is that the riding season is winding down and we are all trying to ride as much as we can. Yet I'm stuck in the garage battling stupid issues that in my mind, a 6,800 mile bike shouldn't be having. Just my thoughts.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 68
From: Big Bear City, CA
Bad idea ... it will probably break down at the end of your block and the thief will just toss it on it's side and walk home. Then you're stuck fixing even more damage.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 20
From: Kafar Hanusi
Bud,
How old are you? Take a break, fix the issues and ride.
My KLE-500 was a wreck when I got it, I loaded money into it till it rode decent.
My 1200XLC is the best bike I ever had even with all the maintenance issues.
1. new brake disks + 6 sets of pads
2. oil at 8000 miles
3. tires that wont stop wearing out
4. Blown stator (I made happen by adding a radio, stupid)
5. fork oil at 10,000 miles
6. lots of other nuances
7. replaced rear shocks
All in all at 110,000 KM I'm cool with mine.
Now...
Fix the dam bike or run over it with your ol'ladies 4X4!
.
How old are you? Take a break, fix the issues and ride.
My KLE-500 was a wreck when I got it, I loaded money into it till it rode decent.
My 1200XLC is the best bike I ever had even with all the maintenance issues.
1. new brake disks + 6 sets of pads
2. oil at 8000 miles
3. tires that wont stop wearing out
4. Blown stator (I made happen by adding a radio, stupid)
5. fork oil at 10,000 miles
6. lots of other nuances
7. replaced rear shocks
All in all at 110,000 KM I'm cool with mine.
Now...
Fix the dam bike or run over it with your ol'ladies 4X4!
.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 2
From: South Africa
I think its a matter of chance. I've had my 2008 Nightster for 4 years now. I've NEVER had a mechanical problem. When I'm on the open road I'm always amazed at how she just keeps going and going and going. I haven't read all the replies but I'd take it to an indy.