Wondering if it’s time for a change
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,618
Likes: 290
From: Johnstown, PA
Wondering if it’s time for a change
If had my fair share of issues this year.
Started off with the bracket for my super radius pipes breaking, getting it welded, and breaking again. At this point, I put my stock headlines back on, to only remember the crazy heat that comes from the CAT.
Had my hydraulic fluid in the clutch overheat leaving me with no clutch on the side of the road on I74 until it cooled down. I didn’t change the fluid since it got better, then it happened to me again in Sturgis.
After that, I was wondering if it was time and started looking. Not much was available, but from lookin, I knew I really wanted Apple car play. -spent almost 2K for the radio and got the ecm flashed, and was pretty happy.
Next, I got stuck in a horrible rain storm, and my switch for my running lights shorted out popping my accessory fuse. Took some doing, but tracked the problem to the switch cluster, bout a new one and all was good.
Given that the only thing I was unhappy with was the heat from the stock headers, I bought new V&H power duals, which is cause if me issues (have another thread going on that)
So, I have put in excess of $3,000 into the bike this year, and I’m am getting frustrated with issue after issue and am wondering if I should just dump this bike and get something else.
Not a fan of the M8’s so wondering if I should look at an Indian
no real questions here, just venting after a frustrating riding year.
BTW my bike only has 36000 miles on it, bought it new. Never had this many issues until I hit 60K. Just wondering if HD has gone down hill over the years with quality.
Started off with the bracket for my super radius pipes breaking, getting it welded, and breaking again. At this point, I put my stock headlines back on, to only remember the crazy heat that comes from the CAT.
Had my hydraulic fluid in the clutch overheat leaving me with no clutch on the side of the road on I74 until it cooled down. I didn’t change the fluid since it got better, then it happened to me again in Sturgis.
After that, I was wondering if it was time and started looking. Not much was available, but from lookin, I knew I really wanted Apple car play. -spent almost 2K for the radio and got the ecm flashed, and was pretty happy.
Next, I got stuck in a horrible rain storm, and my switch for my running lights shorted out popping my accessory fuse. Took some doing, but tracked the problem to the switch cluster, bout a new one and all was good.
Given that the only thing I was unhappy with was the heat from the stock headers, I bought new V&H power duals, which is cause if me issues (have another thread going on that)
So, I have put in excess of $3,000 into the bike this year, and I’m am getting frustrated with issue after issue and am wondering if I should just dump this bike and get something else.
Not a fan of the M8’s so wondering if I should look at an Indian
no real questions here, just venting after a frustrating riding year.
BTW my bike only has 36000 miles on it, bought it new. Never had this many issues until I hit 60K. Just wondering if HD has gone down hill over the years with quality.
Popular Reply
Oct 16, 2021, 05:46 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 7,145
From: Las Vegas
I know a guy that had similar thoughts. Once I convinced him to stop working on his own bike it quit giving him problems.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,145
Likes: 6,166
From: SE Michigan
Pretty small sample size I'd say. And 2 of the $3k was your choice, no? (audio)
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 680
Likes: 224
From: Buhl, Idaho
My '08 FLHT has a solid 139,000+ miles on it, and I wouldn't hesitate to take it for a multi-state ride. Actually, I DID that, last month. Have I ever had problems with it? Of course I have, it's a machine. But it's also the most dependable motorcycle I've owned in over 55 years of riding and wrenching. Then again, I tend to keep it simple. Biggest electrics change has been switching all the lights over to LEDs. Engine is a Stage 2, with only a mild torque cam, Stage 1 intake, and true duals exhaust. So, over all, I'd say Harley did a fine job when they built this bike.
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,618
Likes: 290
From: Johnstown, PA
My '08 FLHT has a solid 139,000+ miles on it, and I wouldn't hesitate to take it for a multi-state ride. Actually, I DID that, last month. Have I ever had problems with it? Of course I have, it's a machine. But it's also the most dependable motorcycle I've owned in over 55 years of riding and wrenching. Then again, I tend to keep it simple. Biggest electrics change has been switching all the lights over to LEDs. Engine is a Stage 2, with only a mild torque cam, Stage 1 intake, and true duals exhaust. So, over all, I'd say Harley did a fine job when they built this bike.
exactly my point, Your 08 is a fine bike. I logged almost 80K on my 06, and I didn’t start having issues until 60K. Just wondering if the new “er” bikes don’t have the longevity of the previous years.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,600
Likes: 4,041
From: Virginia
If had my fair share of issues this year.
Started off with the bracket for my super radius pipes breaking, getting it welded, and breaking again. At this point, I put my stock headlines back on, to only remember the crazy heat that comes from the CAT.
Had my hydraulic fluid in the clutch overheat leaving me with no clutch on the side of the road on I74 until it cooled down. I didn’t change the fluid since it got better, then it happened to me again in Sturgis.
After that, I was wondering if it was time and started looking. Not much was available, but from lookin, I knew I really wanted Apple car play. -spent almost 2K for the radio and got the ecm flashed, and was pretty happy.
Next, I got stuck in a horrible rain storm, and my switch for my running lights shorted out popping my accessory fuse. Took some doing, but tracked the problem to the switch cluster, bout a new one and all was good.
Given that the only thing I was unhappy with was the heat from the stock headers, I bought new V&H power duals, which is cause if me issues (have another thread going on that)
So, I have put in excess of $3,000 into the bike this year, and I’m am getting frustrated with issue after issue and am wondering if I should just dump this bike and get something else.
Not a fan of the M8’s so wondering if I should look at an Indian
no real questions here, just venting after a frustrating riding year.
BTW my bike only has 36000 miles on it, bought it new. Never had this many issues until I hit 60K. Just wondering if HD has gone down hill over the years with quality.
Started off with the bracket for my super radius pipes breaking, getting it welded, and breaking again. At this point, I put my stock headlines back on, to only remember the crazy heat that comes from the CAT.
Had my hydraulic fluid in the clutch overheat leaving me with no clutch on the side of the road on I74 until it cooled down. I didn’t change the fluid since it got better, then it happened to me again in Sturgis.
After that, I was wondering if it was time and started looking. Not much was available, but from lookin, I knew I really wanted Apple car play. -spent almost 2K for the radio and got the ecm flashed, and was pretty happy.
Next, I got stuck in a horrible rain storm, and my switch for my running lights shorted out popping my accessory fuse. Took some doing, but tracked the problem to the switch cluster, bout a new one and all was good.
Given that the only thing I was unhappy with was the heat from the stock headers, I bought new V&H power duals, which is cause if me issues (have another thread going on that)
So, I have put in excess of $3,000 into the bike this year, and I’m am getting frustrated with issue after issue and am wondering if I should just dump this bike and get something else.
Not a fan of the M8’s so wondering if I should look at an Indian
no real questions here, just venting after a frustrating riding year.
BTW my bike only has 36000 miles on it, bought it new. Never had this many issues until I hit 60K. Just wondering if HD has gone down hill over the years with quality.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 1,018
From: Eastern Ont.
If had my fair share of issues this year.
Started off with the bracket for my super radius pipes breaking, getting it welded, and breaking again. At this point, I put my stock headlines back on, to only remember the crazy heat that comes from the CAT.
Had my hydraulic fluid in the clutch overheat leaving me with no clutch on the side of the road on I74 until it cooled down. I didn’t change the fluid since it got better, then it happened to me again in Sturgis.
After that, I was wondering if it was time and started looking. Not much was available, but from lookin, I knew I really wanted Apple car play. -spent almost 2K for the radio and got the ecm flashed, and was pretty happy.
Next, I got stuck in a horrible rain storm, and my switch for my running lights shorted out popping my accessory fuse. Took some doing, but tracked the problem to the switch cluster, bout a new one and all was good.
Given that the only thing I was unhappy with was the heat from the stock headers, I bought new V&H power duals, which is cause if me issues (have another thread going on that)
So, I have put in excess of $3,000 into the bike this year, and I’m am getting frustrated with issue after issue and am wondering if I should just dump this bike and get something else.
Not a fan of the M8’s so wondering if I should look at an Indian
no real questions here, just venting after a frustrating riding year.
BTW my bike only has 36000 miles on it, bought it new. Never had this many issues until I hit 60K. Just wondering if HD has gone down hill over the years with quality.
Started off with the bracket for my super radius pipes breaking, getting it welded, and breaking again. At this point, I put my stock headlines back on, to only remember the crazy heat that comes from the CAT.
Had my hydraulic fluid in the clutch overheat leaving me with no clutch on the side of the road on I74 until it cooled down. I didn’t change the fluid since it got better, then it happened to me again in Sturgis.
After that, I was wondering if it was time and started looking. Not much was available, but from lookin, I knew I really wanted Apple car play. -spent almost 2K for the radio and got the ecm flashed, and was pretty happy.
Next, I got stuck in a horrible rain storm, and my switch for my running lights shorted out popping my accessory fuse. Took some doing, but tracked the problem to the switch cluster, bout a new one and all was good.
Given that the only thing I was unhappy with was the heat from the stock headers, I bought new V&H power duals, which is cause if me issues (have another thread going on that)
So, I have put in excess of $3,000 into the bike this year, and I’m am getting frustrated with issue after issue and am wondering if I should just dump this bike and get something else.
Not a fan of the M8’s so wondering if I should look at an Indian
no real questions here, just venting after a frustrating riding year.
BTW my bike only has 36000 miles on it, bought it new. Never had this many issues until I hit 60K. Just wondering if HD has gone down hill over the years with quality.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 3,790
Likes: 3,770
From: Monticello, Florida
If had my fair share of issues this year.
Started off with the bracket for my super radius pipes breaking, getting it welded, and breaking again. At this point, I put my stock headlines back on, to only remember the crazy heat that comes from the CAT.
Had my hydraulic fluid in the clutch overheat leaving me with no clutch on the side of the road on I74 until it cooled down. I didn’t change the fluid since it got better, then it happened to me again in Sturgis.
After that, I was wondering if it was time and started looking. Not much was available, but from lookin, I knew I really wanted Apple car play. -spent almost 2K for the radio and got the ecm flashed, and was pretty happy.
Next, I got stuck in a horrible rain storm, and my switch for my running lights shorted out popping my accessory fuse. Took some doing, but tracked the problem to the switch cluster, bout a new one and all was good.
Given that the only thing I was unhappy with was the heat from the stock headers, I bought new V&H power duals, which is cause if me issues (have another thread going on that)
So, I have put in excess of $3,000 into the bike this year, and I’m am getting frustrated with issue after issue and am wondering if I should just dump this bike and get something else.
Not a fan of the M8’s so wondering if I should look at an Indian
no real questions here, just venting after a frustrating riding year.
BTW my bike only has 36000 miles on it, bought it new. Never had this many issues until I hit 60K. Just wondering if HD has gone down hill over the years with quality.
Started off with the bracket for my super radius pipes breaking, getting it welded, and breaking again. At this point, I put my stock headlines back on, to only remember the crazy heat that comes from the CAT.
Had my hydraulic fluid in the clutch overheat leaving me with no clutch on the side of the road on I74 until it cooled down. I didn’t change the fluid since it got better, then it happened to me again in Sturgis.
After that, I was wondering if it was time and started looking. Not much was available, but from lookin, I knew I really wanted Apple car play. -spent almost 2K for the radio and got the ecm flashed, and was pretty happy.
Next, I got stuck in a horrible rain storm, and my switch for my running lights shorted out popping my accessory fuse. Took some doing, but tracked the problem to the switch cluster, bout a new one and all was good.
Given that the only thing I was unhappy with was the heat from the stock headers, I bought new V&H power duals, which is cause if me issues (have another thread going on that)
So, I have put in excess of $3,000 into the bike this year, and I’m am getting frustrated with issue after issue and am wondering if I should just dump this bike and get something else.
Not a fan of the M8’s so wondering if I should look at an Indian
no real questions here, just venting after a frustrating riding year.
BTW my bike only has 36000 miles on it, bought it new. Never had this many issues until I hit 60K. Just wondering if HD has gone down hill over the years with quality.
Your bike only has 36000 miles on it but, you started having problems with it at 60000 miles.
The things that make you go, hummmmm
