Hey there,

I'm Matt. Looking at purchasing my first HD. 2014 Ultra Limited. It's used but only 9700 miles. I've been riding about 26 years total. I'm really concerned about the plethora of articles and videos talking about possible/inevitable catastrophic failure of the twin cam 103. Yet even other darn bike I see on the road is a HD. Everyone can't be having catastrophic motor failure right? How about the running joke of leaking oil? I'm really having second thoughts on the bike but wanted to reach out to real people for their feedback. Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome Aboard from NW Indiana. I don't know who is telling you stories about problems with the 103 engine, but Mine, and everyone I know that has one, has had no problems. The best advise I can give you is to always be aware of the effects of gravity, and never pull into a down-hill parking space. That bike is over 900 pounds before you get on it, or fill the saddle bags. Get on and go for a ride!!!

 

I'm obsessive compulsive so I will research something to death! I'm sorry in advance. Below are a few articles that I found. The last link is a YouTube video. There are 5 segments. I've linked only one. Now I know those videos are a sales pitch for Victory but a lot of that stuff seems to make sense to me. I'm fairly mechanically inclined.

Am I thinking about it too much?

http://blog.jpcycles.com/i-love-harl...ust-know-this/

http://www.cycleworld.com/2015/08/20...e-twin-cam-103

http://www.baggersmag.com/twin-cam-e...twisting-crank

http://www.jamesrussellpublishing.bi...buyharley.html

 

Just buy the damn thing and enjoy it. If you're too worried, buy an extended warranty.

 

Harley's are man made, they like all mechanical things will eventually fail. I have 60K on my Limited and have had a few problems. The voltage regulator was renewed at 13K under a recall. This regulator only lasted 1 year. I upgraded to the high output alternator and regulator at that time. I have experienced no other electrical failures since. The cam plate along with the chain tensioners were replaced at 35K. I took this opportunity to install new cams while the cam chest was apart. The transmission in my bike was rebuilt at 44K. I noticed a bolt behind the clutch release cover while changing out the clutch cable. This bolt had run through the gear set. The bolt was one that holds the shift drum to the transmission case. Once the transmission was apart it was evident this bolt was dropped during assembly as the shift drum had both bolts still installed. Fortunately for me these items were covered under the extended warranty I had on the bike at the time. Good luck with your decision.

 

Yes.

The computer you are using to read this has the potential for catastrophic failure yet you bought one. Anything mechanical has the possibility of catastrophic failure. Have you researched that possibility with Honda engines? Victory engines?

If you are so worried about it, don't buy it.

 

Six friends of mine just did an ironbutt from Cocoa Beach to San Diego and back. Five late model HD touring bikes and 1 Victory. Guess which one broke down on the side of the road, 3 times? My buddy rides a 14 Limited, it wasn't his...

A further note, Victory is now extinct. Parts will be hard to find before long.

It sounds like you are running scared believing a bunch of squeeky wheels and ancient problems, might be best to check out some Goldwings.

 

I'm riding a 14 Limited with 85,000+ miles on it. I bought it new in 9/2013. It's completely stock including exhaust & air cleaner. So far I've had no problems with the 103 other than a slightly leaking rear rocker box gasket @ 19,000 miles. Replaced under 2 year factory warranty.
@ 82,000 miles the water pump quit - replaced under Extended Warranty (ESP)
Both Front (77,000) & Rear (60,000) wheel bearings replaced under ESP
Neck bearings replaced @ 77,000 under ESP
Front forks serviced & rebuilt @ 77,000.
2 Clutch master cylinder recalls done.
1 ABS brake line recall done.
1 Saddlebag retainer clip recall done.
Overall a relatively problem free bike.

 

Ill use the FAMOUS words = "Fake News"

You say you are researching but you really are not researching.
You are reading "stories" on people who have trouble with Harley Davidson motorcycles but not reading stories on people who are having problems with other brands because you are only researching one brand.

Here are some facts -
Harley Davidson sells more motorcycles in the USA (over 600 cc) then ALL OTHER BRANDS COMBINED. More or less has a 50% market share compared to all other combined.
Because of this it will be MUCH easier to find issues with the few that have them.


Why do you think that so many people buy Harley? Because people are brainwashed like you read?
Come on, its because they turn out a good product, they have NO competition, every Japanese or American company who tries to compete FAILS, Victory/Polaris, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki. ALL OUT OF BUSINESS in the large cruiser market.

If you want facts, one just needs to buy and read the factual non profit Consumer Reports on motorcycles.
BMW and Harley were at the bottom of this list when it came to reliability/repairs but top of the list when it came to "would you buy this brand again"

Yamaha which was at the top of the list for reliability was dead last if one would buy the bike again. So what does that tell you? Your research is not research. Its a witch hunt to find problems on Harley without taking into account the shear number of bikes produced compared to the tiny amount of other brands produced..

Consumer reports went on to say that even though BMW and Harley appeared more trouble prone, these troubles where not major transmission/engine issues but more accessory/electrical in nature (forgot exact words) That would make sense since MANY BMW and Harleys are loaded with options.

Lets keep in mind, Harley and BMW are much more complicated bikes then many of the competition, sound systems, touchscreens. Like even ANY automobile loaded with every toy in the book, you know some of those toys will need repairs.

Ok, HERE IS my story, Im on my first Harley, bought new in 2014, we were on Vacation in the Smoky Mountains no less, left my Vstar 1300 at the Harley Dealer in Pigeon Forge August 2014 and rode home on our new 2014 Road King, in the pouring rain no less. You want to talk about crazy? Bought the bike in the rain, never rode a Harley before, 2 states from home, mountain roads, took it slow and easy)

I too was concerned about reliability, but for my own personal reasons I did NOT in ANY way want a fairing bike, my Road King is my escape from electronics.
Anyway, I knew one day the Harley would fall apart after doing my own research, just like you, except that Consumer Reports story was always in my head, my god, people LOVE the BMW and Harley Brands and would by far buy another of the same brand over EVERY other motorcycle maker.
Those are FACTS.
So look into the Consumer Reports deeper and you see frequency of repair, my god, you are almost splitting hairs, yes, chances are you will have to bring your BMW or Harley to the dealer for a repair but not all that much more then any other brand.

Ok, so here we are 2.5 years later still on my 2014 Road King, 18,000 miles, and has never needed a repair or warranty work, Im in shock, darn it and because of people who do "research" I even wasted $1,100.00 in August 2016 buying a Cornerstone 4 year extended warranty, still thinking my Road King is going to need a repair. With the exception of a new Front Spark plug wire that was rubbing against the frame and new Saddlebag latches, both paid for by Harley.

I never bought an extended warranty in my life, but you know what? Not a bad deal, 4 more years of warranty, also adds to resale, I tend to get A.D.D. with bikes and like to replace them every couple years, but this darn Road King is so freaking awesome I dont know what to replace it with!
Darn it, if it was a Metric bike I would know what to replace it with!

I am heading up to the Smoky Mountains again, and will stop by my favorite dealer up there, *LOL* ... I do think about a Road Glide if I ever got a new bike, I just dont think I want the weight, Im sure the Glide would be GREAT on the interstate and we do 70% of our riding there, but I also like a bike I can just jump on and ride to my local Red box to pick up a movie, never want to feel burdened pushing around a bike.

Ok, a little background, I like to keep things simple for powersports, as part of my trade I work on electronics all day long/security system etc.
I jump on my bike and I am free from all that stuff and why I love the King, me, the road and sometimes my wife who also LOVES this bike.

Hope I gave you some things to think about, if you read this through. No I dont work for Harley nor know anyone who does, all I know is EVERY TIME I get on my bike I am in awe, handling, power, performance on my plain jane, stock Road King.

Ok ... now about that Road Glide ... ) *L* ... though think I will tend to go for a 2016 too...

 

Or he could buy the HD and see for himself that it's possible to enjoy a **** load of miles without much more than routine maintenance.