Lesson Learned.......
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
Lesson Learned.......
Instead of "HARLEY-DAVIDSON, an American Legend' their slogan should be "HARLEY-DAVIDSON, You will wish you bought a HONDA."
That's what I heard from a very good friend when I first approached him with my idea of buying a Nightster. He is also a Harley owner; I heard negative comments from many Harley owners unfortunately.
I thought to myself "They can't be that bad, many people own them." I fell in love with the Nightster. It's one of only a few Harley's I like. However, after 5 months of ownership I'm fed up with it.
I upgraded the entire suspension so that it was actually rideable. I'm always fixing problems with fasteners loosening due to vibration, ESPECIALLY the exhaust. I even had a baffle fly out about 3 weeks ago going down the highway.
O2 sensors had to be replaced and now I'm about to begin to diagnose whether my voltage regulator or stator is going bad. It really doesn't f***ing matter because both of them will die sooner than later. Might as well replace both of them and be done with it. This seems to be a really common problem just like the clutch blowing to bits taking out the clutch basket in less than 20,000 miles. I can't wait for that to happen!
All this headache and the bike currently sits with about 6,800 miles on the odometer. It's an '08 and I purchased it used with 2,800 miles. I'm glad that at the least I did that; I would be more sick if I had paid new pricing for this POS.
Bikes can be difficult to work on because of all the tight spaces. It especially doesn't help when you have to work on it all the time. So go on, blast away at me for my negativity. The reality is I've most likely purchased my first, and last Harley.
What really blows it that I can never recover my money invested selling it private party. I've began to contemplate leaving it at the end of my driveway, keys in the ignition in hopes someone will steal it.
That's what I heard from a very good friend when I first approached him with my idea of buying a Nightster. He is also a Harley owner; I heard negative comments from many Harley owners unfortunately.
I thought to myself "They can't be that bad, many people own them." I fell in love with the Nightster. It's one of only a few Harley's I like. However, after 5 months of ownership I'm fed up with it.
I upgraded the entire suspension so that it was actually rideable. I'm always fixing problems with fasteners loosening due to vibration, ESPECIALLY the exhaust. I even had a baffle fly out about 3 weeks ago going down the highway.
O2 sensors had to be replaced and now I'm about to begin to diagnose whether my voltage regulator or stator is going bad. It really doesn't f***ing matter because both of them will die sooner than later. Might as well replace both of them and be done with it. This seems to be a really common problem just like the clutch blowing to bits taking out the clutch basket in less than 20,000 miles. I can't wait for that to happen!
All this headache and the bike currently sits with about 6,800 miles on the odometer. It's an '08 and I purchased it used with 2,800 miles. I'm glad that at the least I did that; I would be more sick if I had paid new pricing for this POS.
Bikes can be difficult to work on because of all the tight spaces. It especially doesn't help when you have to work on it all the time. So go on, blast away at me for my negativity. The reality is I've most likely purchased my first, and last Harley.
What really blows it that I can never recover my money invested selling it private party. I've began to contemplate leaving it at the end of my driveway, keys in the ignition in hopes someone will steal it.
Last edited by orangehotrod; Sep 12, 2013 at 06:47 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,598
Likes: 3
From: 27°51' N, 082°17' W
2001 Heritage Softail, 2010 Sportster 48, 2012 Road King Classic (current bike). Total ~100K miles. Never had any of the problems you've had. As a matter of fact I never had any of the 3 in the shop for anything other than routine maintenance such as brakes etc. You didn't say how many miles were on the bike when you got it but I see it was 5 years old. Maybe poorly maintained by previous owner? Maybe just a lemon - it happens.
Edit: OK, I see you did list the miles.
Edit: OK, I see you did list the miles.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,477
Likes: 3,855
From: San Diego, CA
Hey Sunshine,
I've had my Sportster for 23 years, the stator/regulator works fine, the clutch has not exploded, it does not leak oil, but it does vibrate. Loose nuts are common on all motorcycles, try riding a dirt bike sometime.
Suspensions are subjective, I seem to have navigated stock shocks on mine without incident for 23 years, and I think I may have gone over 100mph at one time or another.
I'll give you a dollar for your bike, and pay shipping to my place. Your stator/regulator nor clutch has gone bad, so don't worry, BE HAPPY!!!
Also, O2 error codes are notoriously wrong, so you may not need a sensor at all. Maybe if you had solicited our advice before now you would not be so unhappy in the first place.
John
I've had my Sportster for 23 years, the stator/regulator works fine, the clutch has not exploded, it does not leak oil, but it does vibrate. Loose nuts are common on all motorcycles, try riding a dirt bike sometime.
Suspensions are subjective, I seem to have navigated stock shocks on mine without incident for 23 years, and I think I may have gone over 100mph at one time or another.
I'll give you a dollar for your bike, and pay shipping to my place. Your stator/regulator nor clutch has gone bad, so don't worry, BE HAPPY!!!
Also, O2 error codes are notoriously wrong, so you may not need a sensor at all. Maybe if you had solicited our advice before now you would not be so unhappy in the first place.
John
Last edited by John Harper; Sep 12, 2013 at 08:33 PM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
Hey Sunshine,
I've had my Sportster for 23 years, the stator/regulator works fine, the clutch has not exploded, it does not leak oil, but it does vibrate. Loose nuts are common on all motorcycles, try riding a dirt bike sometime.
Suspensions are subjective, I seem to have navigated stock shocks on mine without incident for 23 years, and I think I may have gone over 100mph at one time or another.
I'll give you a dollar for your bike, and pay shipping to my place. Your stator/regulator nor clutch has gone bad, so don't worry, BE HAPPY!!!
John
I've had my Sportster for 23 years, the stator/regulator works fine, the clutch has not exploded, it does not leak oil, but it does vibrate. Loose nuts are common on all motorcycles, try riding a dirt bike sometime.
Suspensions are subjective, I seem to have navigated stock shocks on mine without incident for 23 years, and I think I may have gone over 100mph at one time or another.
I'll give you a dollar for your bike, and pay shipping to my place. Your stator/regulator nor clutch has gone bad, so don't worry, BE HAPPY!!!
John
Either my stator or regulator is bad. Have not gotten the opportunity to determine which. Like stated, it really doesn't matter because both of them usually crap out not long after the other. Also, I grew up on dirt bikes and gave them pure hell. Never once had a fastener come lose or parts "vibrate" loose. That's just my experience and I'm sure isn't common.
I have not had continued or serious issues with ANY vehicle I have ever owned until now. I suppose it's just my time.
Figured this was as good a place as any to vent.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,477
Likes: 3,855
From: San Diego, CA
Either my stator or regulator is bad. Have not gotten the opportunity to determine which. Like stated, it really doesn't matter because both of them usually crap out not long after the other. Also, I grew up on dirt bikes and gave them pure hell. Never once had a fastener come lose or parts "vibrate" loose. That's just my experience and I'm sure isn't common.
I have not had continued or serious issues with ANY vehicle I have ever owned until now. I suppose it's just my time.
Figured this was as good a place as any to vent.
I have not had continued or serious issues with ANY vehicle I have ever owned until now. I suppose it's just my time.
Figured this was as good a place as any to vent.
We used safety wire on our dirt bikes so things did not fall off, I think it is still used today.
Post up a photo, I'm sure someone will make an offer. Please think twice before you give up.
John
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 614
Likes: 1
From: Houston
I've never seen or heard of any Harley and after market parts that go up after your install them and put miles on it.
I think your disappointment is a result of some ignorant high expectations about Investments.
Autos are tools, a tool to get me to and from work.
Motorcycles are toys, to have fun with.
Houses, Stocks, Bonds are investments, CD's for you poor people.
People that honestly think, you can buy a bike, add chrome to it, ride it for a 1000 miles and then sell it and break even are High on something.