2011 - 2013 touring bikes
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,322
From: Western South Dakota
I'm still w/09 but it's got a 107 that's cammed and dynoed.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 191
From: Boise, Idaho
2012 FLHTK, 76,000 miles on it now. I replaced the compenstor around 35k, I'm on my third stator and voltage regulator. This last time I went with cycle electric and it is working well. Transmission rebuild at 44k.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,143
Likes: 11,211
From: San Diego, CA
I owned a '12 Limited and it was a great bike.
The two main points were:
They had a bad batch of Voltage regulators. the problem was covered under Service Bulletin #M-1325 dated June 11, 2012. It shows how to read the date code on your regulator to see if you had an affected one. They would replace it under a program (not a recall) as long as your bike was still under warranty. Bottom line, if you have a regulator problem, replace it with a Cycle Electric Regulator and you'll have one that is better than OEM...
When the MoCo "improved" the compensator in 2006 dynas and all others in 2007... They were very problematic. The first few years had many people needing to replace the compensator more than once. Finally, in 2014, they upgraded to the best version of that series and the 2014+ comps have been relatively trouble free with one exception. The Compensators in the 2010ish to 2013 bikes were the 2nd best of the "improved" design. If it should have an issue, just put in the latest version and you should be good.
The one issue with the 2014+ compensators is that they can become noisy. They rattle. My 2016 is doing it now and I'm getting ready to open the primary. There is a fix from the MoCo. You measure the spring pack distance between the top spring to the spline adapter (with the comp removed and setting on a table face down). The spec is .286"-.326". If it is less than .286" you can buy .031" spacers (#10300021) and use up to three to bring it back into spec. If three spacer won't bring it back into spec, time to replace it...
Every year Harley I've owned had its minor little "problems".. except for the M8s (which may finally have fixes for their main issues), there is a fix that will make the bike reliable. The bikes in the range you are looking, are solid bikes and I enjoyed the 40K miles I put on my 2012 until I sold it to get a Rushmore bike..
The two main points were:
They had a bad batch of Voltage regulators. the problem was covered under Service Bulletin #M-1325 dated June 11, 2012. It shows how to read the date code on your regulator to see if you had an affected one. They would replace it under a program (not a recall) as long as your bike was still under warranty. Bottom line, if you have a regulator problem, replace it with a Cycle Electric Regulator and you'll have one that is better than OEM...
When the MoCo "improved" the compensator in 2006 dynas and all others in 2007... They were very problematic. The first few years had many people needing to replace the compensator more than once. Finally, in 2014, they upgraded to the best version of that series and the 2014+ comps have been relatively trouble free with one exception. The Compensators in the 2010ish to 2013 bikes were the 2nd best of the "improved" design. If it should have an issue, just put in the latest version and you should be good.
The one issue with the 2014+ compensators is that they can become noisy. They rattle. My 2016 is doing it now and I'm getting ready to open the primary. There is a fix from the MoCo. You measure the spring pack distance between the top spring to the spline adapter (with the comp removed and setting on a table face down). The spec is .286"-.326". If it is less than .286" you can buy .031" spacers (#10300021) and use up to three to bring it back into spec. If three spacer won't bring it back into spec, time to replace it...
Every year Harley I've owned had its minor little "problems".. except for the M8s (which may finally have fixes for their main issues), there is a fix that will make the bike reliable. The bikes in the range you are looking, are solid bikes and I enjoyed the 40K miles I put on my 2012 until I sold it to get a Rushmore bike..
Last edited by hattitude; Feb 6, 2020 at 10:09 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 214
Likes: 29
From: Oahu, Hawaii
2011 Road Glide Ultra, 103ci, 21k miles, my bike does run hot and does have pinging issues with stock maps. Power Commander V cured that with some tweaks to the fuel and ignition. Im getting one of those CoolFlow fans to see if I can get the temps down a little. Currently have an issue of oil leaking from the wire boot of the stator, debating on replacing it myself and saving $600 in labor. Other then that its stable even at 90mph, cable clutch is predictable not like the new hydraulic ones, and tons of aftermarket parts available. Theres guys out there with 100k ok these bikes
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 22,999
Likes: 11,439
Owned a 2011 RGU First one to have the 103 Standard others followed in 2012 (except a cvo) it served me well until I took it Deer hunting. Totaled at 52,000 miles no issues. I had made no changes to it. 2013 RGU replaced it. I put Fuel moto 2-1-2 header on it HD night sticks , HD heavy breather and rode it 75,000 miles no issues. Parted with it for a 2016 RGU.. The 2016 was great had some miles on it and the M8 was my retirement bike.
Used vs new is always a tough call. Used you never know what you are getting. As for my current M8 it is better than all of them. It is tugging a twin sidecar and has no issues so far. treated us well.
I must be lucky I have never had any real issue with any of mine. My 25 year old EVO is still going strong. Your experience maybe different. Never owned one I did not like.
My 2007 RG was the first year for TC96 and 6 speed. From day one the internet list of crap that was suppose to fail right away was long. 75,000 on it when I let it go. Fixed the radio under warranty at 52,000. Fix crack header cross over under warranty . And 1 crank shaft sensor warrantied. I have never had a compensator go bad nor any other major part of the bikes.
Used vs new is always a tough call. Used you never know what you are getting. As for my current M8 it is better than all of them. It is tugging a twin sidecar and has no issues so far. treated us well.
I must be lucky I have never had any real issue with any of mine. My 25 year old EVO is still going strong. Your experience maybe different. Never owned one I did not like.
My 2007 RG was the first year for TC96 and 6 speed. From day one the internet list of crap that was suppose to fail right away was long. 75,000 on it when I let it go. Fixed the radio under warranty at 52,000. Fix crack header cross over under warranty . And 1 crank shaft sensor warrantied. I have never had a compensator go bad nor any other major part of the bikes.
Last edited by smitty901; Feb 6, 2020 at 11:20 AM.