Harley Reliability?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
RE: Harley Reliability?
My last bike, a '96 RK (Evo), now has 110k. The heads have never been removed and compression and oil consumption are unchanged since I purchased it in 1997. A friend just performed a BB kit (95ci) on his '02 EGC (TC) and the cylinders and pistons showed no signs of wear at 60k. Once while touring I ran across a '94 EG (Evo) with 202k on the clock. I asked the owner about it and he said he had performed the engine's first major work at 194k. Had replaced both the lifters and stator twice, but nothing else engine-related.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach,Wa.
RE: Harley Reliability?
Thought you were buying a Street Glide with a 110??? What changed your mind??
ORIGINAL: SeaHawg
Hey guys, I'm just new to the Harley way of life. I am an experienced rider with a pant load of different bikes. I'm not trying to start a controvery, but I'd like to know if the Harley motors are reliable through it's lifespan. I'm sure they are, but how muchattention other than routine is required?I'm looking to buy an 08Road Glide soon,and I would appreciate everyone's input. Thanks.
Hey guys, I'm just new to the Harley way of life. I am an experienced rider with a pant load of different bikes. I'm not trying to start a controvery, but I'd like to know if the Harley motors are reliable through it's lifespan. I'm sure they are, but how muchattention other than routine is required?I'm looking to buy an 08Road Glide soon,and I would appreciate everyone's input. Thanks.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
From: Williamston, SC
RE: Harley Reliability?
Tell them about it SeaHawg, we all have to start off with 0 post and build from there.
Like the others said, it's all in how you take care of it, there are always lemons in everything, but as a general rule it should give you years of wonderful service. Glad to have you come over to the Harley side, some of the best people of earth ride a Harley and the rest wish they did. Good luck with you new bike and be safe.
Like the others said, it's all in how you take care of it, there are always lemons in everything, but as a general rule it should give you years of wonderful service. Glad to have you come over to the Harley side, some of the best people of earth ride a Harley and the rest wish they did. Good luck with you new bike and be safe.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Harley Reliability?
Yep, that was the thought. I'm worried about the ride travel. I've heard, and again I've to nothing to confirm but the SG but itgets "nervous" in the twisties on uneven payment. I think the Road Glide would better handle these situations and would better suited for me.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,051
Likes: 161
From: Between Chicago & Milwaukee
RE: Harley Reliability?
ORIGINAL: SeaHawg
This was a response to Slash's question. Well, I think it's the fixed fairing. I've heard the batwing can be unstable at times in highway crosswinds. I don't know this to befact. Plus, I like the shark nose and dual head lights.
This was a response to Slash's question. Well, I think it's the fixed fairing. I've heard the batwing can be unstable at times in highway crosswinds. I don't know this to befact. Plus, I like the shark nose and dual head lights.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 2
From: Deltona, FL
RE: Harley Reliability?
Well, my Uncle has an 84 FXSB (last of the Shovelheads) with well over 300k miles. It's been rebuilt 3 times.
I had a 1988 FXRS and the only work I did other than regular maintenance was to increase compression, change cams, the usual hop-up stuff. Never leaked except for when I cut one of the rocker box cover gaskets. My Brother-in-law currently owns this bike and it's still going strong. He did have to replace the original secondary drive belt in 2006.
I've had my 2006 FLHXI since September of 2005. I put over 1000 miles on her in two weeks to prep for the ride from Virginia to Florida for Biketoberfest. I use her as a near daily commuter and I'm now approaching 30k miles total. Nothing but regular maintenance and the replacement of the fuel injectors on a recall to switch from the 8* to the 25*. Oh and I added an oil cooler to help during commuting.
My wife has a 1998 Softail that we rebuilt in our garage. Had a couple of operator errors, but nothing to be blamed on the bike. Her bike has about 40k.
Overall I'd say that they are reliable and anything you hear to the contrary is simply either uninformed rhetoric or unfounded stereotypes.
I had a 1988 FXRS and the only work I did other than regular maintenance was to increase compression, change cams, the usual hop-up stuff. Never leaked except for when I cut one of the rocker box cover gaskets. My Brother-in-law currently owns this bike and it's still going strong. He did have to replace the original secondary drive belt in 2006.
I've had my 2006 FLHXI since September of 2005. I put over 1000 miles on her in two weeks to prep for the ride from Virginia to Florida for Biketoberfest. I use her as a near daily commuter and I'm now approaching 30k miles total. Nothing but regular maintenance and the replacement of the fuel injectors on a recall to switch from the 8* to the 25*. Oh and I added an oil cooler to help during commuting.
My wife has a 1998 Softail that we rebuilt in our garage. Had a couple of operator errors, but nothing to be blamed on the bike. Her bike has about 40k.
Overall I'd say that they are reliable and anything you hear to the contrary is simply either uninformed rhetoric or unfounded stereotypes.
