Lesson Learned.......
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 366
Likes: 1
From: Western NY
I never understand these threads. I used to do motocross and every week I was wrenching YZ's and RM's, every week. I just got my 4X4 out of the garage for front end work and a steering column issue. My car just needed new tires. . .Where do people get the idea that anything is maintenance free?? This past summer, my bike has been way less on cost than my 5 year old truck or 3 year old car. I wish I had one of these magical unbreakable vehicles that guys talk about.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 168
Likes: 2
From: Bakersfield
Ya I have had all of these problems too!!! I even had a meteor almost hit me while driving down the street the other day, but thanks to my mods that I have put on myself, with no issues, I was able to dodge it in time
seriousness aside, I think that you always risk issues with a bike buying it used. Whether it has 100 miles, or 10,000 miles. You dont know the person that you bought it from or whether it was truly taken care of, maintained and serviced. Buying a bike new gives piece of mind, thats for sure. And its backed by a warranty. If a honda is the way you want to go, by all means do it. But you won't be able to have that nostalgia feeling riding down the road on a Jap bike. Even if they might be better bikes.
seriousness aside, I think that you always risk issues with a bike buying it used. Whether it has 100 miles, or 10,000 miles. You dont know the person that you bought it from or whether it was truly taken care of, maintained and serviced. Buying a bike new gives piece of mind, thats for sure. And its backed by a warranty. If a honda is the way you want to go, by all means do it. But you won't be able to have that nostalgia feeling riding down the road on a Jap bike. Even if they might be better bikes.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,180
Likes: 3
From: utah
Ya know, it's luck of the draw sometimes. I can understand your frustration. Keep in mind, you did buy the bike used. As far as the suspension, did you ride it before you bought it? Are you locktiting the bolts that you can?
I had an 08 nightster that I just recently sold. Had 14K on it. I loved that bike. Never had any problems like you've stated. The thing rode stiff, but I knew that going into it. Now I have a slim that I really enjoy as well (wish I still had the nightster).
If you want to go with Honda, that's the beauty of this country: no one's gonna stop you. I had a Honda CBR and that was a fun bike.
Few years ago, I bought a brand new Suby. From the get-go, had all kinds of problems with it. By the end, I just pulled up to the dealer and said, "I need to get rid of this car. I just can't take it anymore. I didn't buy a brand new car to be in the shop once a month." They hooked me up with another brand new Suby. This one has been great. I've owned five now (they're great cars for where I live and what I do for a living). Sometimes you get a bad one...that's just how life is. How you choose to go from there on out is up to you.
I had an 08 nightster that I just recently sold. Had 14K on it. I loved that bike. Never had any problems like you've stated. The thing rode stiff, but I knew that going into it. Now I have a slim that I really enjoy as well (wish I still had the nightster).
If you want to go with Honda, that's the beauty of this country: no one's gonna stop you. I had a Honda CBR and that was a fun bike.
Few years ago, I bought a brand new Suby. From the get-go, had all kinds of problems with it. By the end, I just pulled up to the dealer and said, "I need to get rid of this car. I just can't take it anymore. I didn't buy a brand new car to be in the shop once a month." They hooked me up with another brand new Suby. This one has been great. I've owned five now (they're great cars for where I live and what I do for a living). Sometimes you get a bad one...that's just how life is. How you choose to go from there on out is up to you.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
Ya know, it's luck of the draw sometimes. I can understand your frustration. Keep in mind, you did buy the bike used. As far as the suspension, did you ride it before you bought it? Are you locktiting the bolts that you can?
I had an 08 nightster that I just recently sold. Had 14K on it. I loved that bike. Never had any problems like you've stated. The thing rode stiff, but I knew that going into it. Now I have a slim that I really enjoy as well (wish I still had the nightster).
If you want to go with Honda, that's the beauty of this country: no one's gonna stop you. I had a Honda CBR and that was a fun bike.
Few years ago, I bought a brand new Suby. From the get-go, had all kinds of problems with it. By the end, I just pulled up to the dealer and said, "I need to get rid of this car. I just can't take it anymore. I didn't buy a brand new car to be in the shop once a month." They hooked me up with another brand new Suby. This one has been great. I've owned five now (they're great cars for where I live and what I do for a living). Sometimes you get a bad one...that's just how life is. How you choose to go from there on out is up to you.
I had an 08 nightster that I just recently sold. Had 14K on it. I loved that bike. Never had any problems like you've stated. The thing rode stiff, but I knew that going into it. Now I have a slim that I really enjoy as well (wish I still had the nightster).
If you want to go with Honda, that's the beauty of this country: no one's gonna stop you. I had a Honda CBR and that was a fun bike.
Few years ago, I bought a brand new Suby. From the get-go, had all kinds of problems with it. By the end, I just pulled up to the dealer and said, "I need to get rid of this car. I just can't take it anymore. I didn't buy a brand new car to be in the shop once a month." They hooked me up with another brand new Suby. This one has been great. I've owned five now (they're great cars for where I live and what I do for a living). Sometimes you get a bad one...that's just how life is. How you choose to go from there on out is up to you.
I clocked around 2,000 miles before I decided I had enough with the suspension. I don't regret all that work, just another thing of many that I believe Harley should focus more effort on. I replaced the fork springs with Progressive units, added Bel-Ray 15wt & added 12" Street Glide shocks. A huge improvement.
As for bolts and Loctite.........I have used Loctite on everything I reasonably can. Obviously some things get too hot for Loctite to be effective. I have resorted to lock washers and lock nuts on many fasteners in hopes of keeping them on. This has been a never ending battle.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,180
Likes: 3
From: utah
I clocked around 2,000 miles before I decided I had enough with the suspension. I don't regret all that work, just another thing of many that I believe Harley should focus more effort on. I replaced the fork springs with Progressive units, added Bel-Ray 15wt & added 12" Street Glide shocks. A huge improvement.
As for bolts and Loctite.........I have used Loctite on everything I reasonably can. Obviously some things get too hot for Loctite to be effective. I have resorted to lock washers and lock nuts on many fasteners in hopes of keeping them on. This has been a never ending battle.
As for bolts and Loctite.........I have used Loctite on everything I reasonably can. Obviously some things get too hot for Loctite to be effective. I have resorted to lock washers and lock nuts on many fasteners in hopes of keeping them on. This has been a never ending battle.
Just like the Suby suits my needs for a car, the Nightstser and now Slim are exactly what I was looking for in a bike. Honestly, the bigger bikes are a much softer ride and don't vibrate as much as the sportys do.
Personally, I would not buy a Honda right now for the same reason I wouldn't buy a WRX if I was looking for a muscle car. Harleys are a classic piece of americana and that is one of the big things I was looking for.
Honestly, man, I'm not sure anybody is going to change your mind, be that with sincere advice or scathing sarcasm. Just take away the idea that maybe it isn't the brand, but just that specific bike that has problems. You could have a lemon or something that wasn't taken care of for crap before you got a hold of it, doesn't necessarily mean all Harley's are a POS. Hope your next one works out, Honda or HD.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 489
Likes: 1
From: Upstate NY
I bought my 07 nightster for 6300 bucks. I had 7000 miles on it when I totaled it in june. Ins gave me 9000 for it.
Maybe you could, um, crash it. Accidentally of course.
Maybe you could, um, crash it. Accidentally of course.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 5
From: Puget Sound, WA
I have a 2008 Nightster I've owned since new, and have put about 10,000 miles on it. The only problem I had was with the battery cover falling open after extended riding.
Edit: I also have a 2012 FXDC and I haven't had any problems with it. Over the Labor Day weekend, I took it to Fallon, NV (with a side trip to Ely over US 50) and back with no problems.
I think you bought an ill-cared for lemon.
Edit: I also have a 2012 FXDC and I haven't had any problems with it. Over the Labor Day weekend, I took it to Fallon, NV (with a side trip to Ely over US 50) and back with no problems.
I think you bought an ill-cared for lemon.
Last edited by rdunnill; Sep 13, 2013 at 08:36 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
If things keep getting loose and need tightening it sounds like you have excess vibration going on. Could have a worn motor mount or something not in alignment...like the motor. Could solve a lot of your headaches if that is the case.