School me....
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 744
Likes: 8
From: Pluto
School me....
I accept that most makes and models of anything mechanical have their share of known problems and so I am not going to pass on a Harley. I am just trying to prepare myself for what the "cost of ownership" will be. My previous experience with HD was a 2000 Raod King....I sold it to fund my guitar gear and bought a metric bike to be able to do both hobbies.
So I mentioned in a previous post I am planning on buying a 2010 or newer EG Ultra Classic in the fall or spring (want to spend about 10 - 13K and no more than 15K). In my first post I was concerned about going needing to go to gear drive and after the replies and a little more research I have concluded that I won't necessarily "need' to invest in that.
Now, though, I am reading many posts about the compensator issue and I am concerned this will be an ongoing costly problem as it seems like some people have gone through several replacements and have experienced repeat failures. I am looking for some input here on what I can expect to pay for these repairs or what a good solid fix would be.....sprocket?
Many of the failures seem to be in 3 to 5k miles and with me putting on about 10K miles a year +/-, this could be a frequent problem
So I mentioned in a previous post I am planning on buying a 2010 or newer EG Ultra Classic in the fall or spring (want to spend about 10 - 13K and no more than 15K). In my first post I was concerned about going needing to go to gear drive and after the replies and a little more research I have concluded that I won't necessarily "need' to invest in that.
Now, though, I am reading many posts about the compensator issue and I am concerned this will be an ongoing costly problem as it seems like some people have gone through several replacements and have experienced repeat failures. I am looking for some input here on what I can expect to pay for these repairs or what a good solid fix would be.....sprocket?
Many of the failures seem to be in 3 to 5k miles and with me putting on about 10K miles a year +/-, this could be a frequent problem
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,922
Likes: 589
From: Running with the gators
To many variables to give the answer your asking.
Every part of a bike can fail or ware out.
If your smart put a couple grand aside for repairs and maintenance.
Every motor Harley built has pros and cons.
My twin cam 103 in my Heritage has been trouble free with 20K on it.
You can take the best engine and have an owner neglecting it and it will fail.
Every part of a bike can fail or ware out.
If your smart put a couple grand aside for repairs and maintenance.
Every motor Harley built has pros and cons.
My twin cam 103 in my Heritage has been trouble free with 20K on it.
You can take the best engine and have an owner neglecting it and it will fail.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 377
From: Georgia
I often think that reading forums for research like this, while they can be helpful, tend to over exaggerate problems. Forums tend to attract people with problems looking for solutions so problems are what you see. Any vehicle, make, model, brand, style or whatever of you go looking for problems, you will find enough to make you question buying one.
I know a LOT of people with Harleys and I can honestly say that no one I know has had a compensator issue.
Find a well maintained bike that fits whatever criteria suits you and go for it. And just like anything else, be prepared for the unexpected but don't let the fear of someone else's problem dissuade you.
I know a LOT of people with Harleys and I can honestly say that no one I know has had a compensator issue.
Find a well maintained bike that fits whatever criteria suits you and go for it. And just like anything else, be prepared for the unexpected but don't let the fear of someone else's problem dissuade you.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 673
From: Rolla
To be honest, I can't answer your question on the cost of repairs to any of the things you mentioned.
Why? Because I have never had to do any of those repairs.
2008 Dyna Fat Bob - put just over 30,000 miles on it before trading for a 2011 Street Glide. No Issues!
2011 Street Glide - put just over 40,000 miles on that one before trading for a 2015 Ultra Limited. No Issues!
My current 2015 Limited has right at 30,000 miles. Again, no Issues!
In no way am I saying those with issues are making this stuff up. Of course there are those with issues.
But for every bike you read about with an issue (any issue), there will be thousands of the same bike that didn't have that issue.
I know it really sucks if your one of the unlucky ones, but they really are in the minority.
Yeah, well that doesn't help you if your one of the unlucky ones.
Just take what you read about all the issue with a grain of salt, and don't stress out too much worrying about.
Why? Because I have never had to do any of those repairs.
2008 Dyna Fat Bob - put just over 30,000 miles on it before trading for a 2011 Street Glide. No Issues!
2011 Street Glide - put just over 40,000 miles on that one before trading for a 2015 Ultra Limited. No Issues!
My current 2015 Limited has right at 30,000 miles. Again, no Issues!
In no way am I saying those with issues are making this stuff up. Of course there are those with issues.
But for every bike you read about with an issue (any issue), there will be thousands of the same bike that didn't have that issue.
I know it really sucks if your one of the unlucky ones, but they really are in the minority.
Yeah, well that doesn't help you if your one of the unlucky ones.
Just take what you read about all the issue with a grain of salt, and don't stress out too much worrying about.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Ive had a comp issue in 3 different bikes. I believe its because I accelerate hard from takeoffs and curves. I havent had a problem with my 14 Limited, but I ride it like grandma is a passenger. Ill leave my hot rodding to my Corvette now.
Beary
Beary
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 1,165
From: No where near you, OH
To be honest, I can't answer your question on the cost of repairs to any of the things you mentioned.
Why? Because I have never had to do any of those repairs.
2008 Dyna Fat Bob - put just over 30,000 miles on it before trading for a 2011 Street Glide. No Issues!
2011 Street Glide - put just over 40,000 miles on that one before trading for a 2015 Ultra Limited. No Issues!
My current 2015 Limited has right at 30,000 miles. Again, no Issues!
In no way am I saying those with issues are making this stuff up. Of course there are those with issues.
But for every bike you read about with an issue (any issue), there will be thousands of the same bike that didn't have that issue.
I know it really sucks if your one of the unlucky ones, but they really are in the minority.
Yeah, well that doesn't help you if your one of the unlucky ones.
Just take what you read about all the issue with a grain of salt, and don't stress out too much worrying about.
Why? Because I have never had to do any of those repairs.
2008 Dyna Fat Bob - put just over 30,000 miles on it before trading for a 2011 Street Glide. No Issues!
2011 Street Glide - put just over 40,000 miles on that one before trading for a 2015 Ultra Limited. No Issues!
My current 2015 Limited has right at 30,000 miles. Again, no Issues!
In no way am I saying those with issues are making this stuff up. Of course there are those with issues.
But for every bike you read about with an issue (any issue), there will be thousands of the same bike that didn't have that issue.
I know it really sucks if your one of the unlucky ones, but they really are in the minority.
Yeah, well that doesn't help you if your one of the unlucky ones.
Just take what you read about all the issue with a grain of salt, and don't stress out too much worrying about.
This. Before the bike I have now I had a 2009 RKC I bought new. I put just short of 47,000 miles on it since I bought it and had no issues other than regular maintenance and tires. There was a warranty covered rear brake light switch but other than that it was a solid dependable bike.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
since 2002, between the wife and i we've owned 9 harleys. as far as 'cost of ownership' goes, i have had no real problems with any of our bikes. i did have an inner primary bearing replaced under warranty once, and the wife did have the abs module malfunction but that was corrected under esp.
as far as regular maintenance, i use harley oil filters, the 5 qt jug of 15/50 mobile 1, 4 qt jug of 10/40 shell rotella t (for the primary), supertech 75/90 for the tranny, and stock oem black oil filters. so total cost for oil change is less than $40. most of the other maintenance items are check, tighten, squirt with lube, etc. so they are negligible cost also. spring for a set of plugs every couple of years, and you're good.
all these other issues? i've never had them. never replaced a compensator, guide shoe, etc. bike has only left me stranded once. i had a flat tire (tubed front tire), and couldn't get a tow. wife rode her bike home, got the trailer and came and got me.
as far as regular maintenance, i use harley oil filters, the 5 qt jug of 15/50 mobile 1, 4 qt jug of 10/40 shell rotella t (for the primary), supertech 75/90 for the tranny, and stock oem black oil filters. so total cost for oil change is less than $40. most of the other maintenance items are check, tighten, squirt with lube, etc. so they are negligible cost also. spring for a set of plugs every couple of years, and you're good.
all these other issues? i've never had them. never replaced a compensator, guide shoe, etc. bike has only left me stranded once. i had a flat tire (tubed front tire), and couldn't get a tow. wife rode her bike home, got the trailer and came and got me.
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Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 744
Likes: 8
From: Pluto
I often think that reading forums for research like this, while they can be helpful, tend to over exaggerate problems. Forums tend to attract people with problems looking for solutions so problems are what you see. Any vehicle, make, model, brand, style or whatever of you go looking for problems, you will find enough to make you question buying one.
I know a LOT of people with Harleys and I can honestly say that no one I know has had a compensator issue.
Find a well maintained bike that fits whatever criteria suits you and go for it. And just like anything else, be prepared for the unexpected but don't let the fear of someone else's problem dissuade you.
I know a LOT of people with Harleys and I can honestly say that no one I know has had a compensator issue.
Find a well maintained bike that fits whatever criteria suits you and go for it. And just like anything else, be prepared for the unexpected but don't let the fear of someone else's problem dissuade you.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 308
Likes: 39
From: So Cal Lower Desert
I accept that most makes and models of anything mechanical have their share of known problems and so I am not going to pass on a Harley. I am just trying to prepare myself for what the "cost of ownership" will be. My previous experience with HD was a 2000 Raod King....I sold it to fund my guitar gear and bought a metric bike to be able to do both hobbies.
So I mentioned in a previous post I am planning on buying a 2010 or newer EG Ultra Classic in the fall or spring (want to spend about 10 - 13K and no more than 15K). In my first post I was concerned about going needing to go to gear drive and after the replies and a little more research I have concluded that I won't necessarily "need' to invest in that.
Now, though, I am reading many posts about the compensator issue and I am concerned this will be an ongoing costly problem as it seems like some people have gone through several replacements and have experienced repeat failures. I am looking for some input here on what I can expect to pay for these repairs or what a good solid fix would be.....sprocket?
Many of the failures seem to be in 3 to 5k miles and with me putting on about 10K miles a year +/-, this could be a frequent problem
So I mentioned in a previous post I am planning on buying a 2010 or newer EG Ultra Classic in the fall or spring (want to spend about 10 - 13K and no more than 15K). In my first post I was concerned about going needing to go to gear drive and after the replies and a little more research I have concluded that I won't necessarily "need' to invest in that.
Now, though, I am reading many posts about the compensator issue and I am concerned this will be an ongoing costly problem as it seems like some people have gone through several replacements and have experienced repeat failures. I am looking for some input here on what I can expect to pay for these repairs or what a good solid fix would be.....sprocket?
Many of the failures seem to be in 3 to 5k miles and with me putting on about 10K miles a year +/-, this could be a frequent problem
The only big repair bill was when the cam chain tensioners needed changing out I went with Gear Drive system that was around 45K miles on the bike but the gear system was my choice.
Last edited by mjgord51; Sep 22, 2019 at 05:44 PM.