As everyone knows there are some issues with the 06 bikes and the lean running conditions which HD was forced to due to meet EPA emissions. I picked up my 06 SG in October. From the time I took it off of the show room floor the bike would spit like the old carb bikes did. It did not matter if the bike was hot or cold. One day a friend of mine and I were doing some riding. I did a slow manuver turn and dipped the bike down in the turn to where the floorboards were almost dragging on the pavement. The bike spit and died instantly causing the bike to stop dead in its tracks and since I was in such a tight turn the bike was not far from going over. I let the bike rest on the engine gaurd which caused very minor damage to the engine gaurd, floorboard bracket, and saddlebag.

After spending some time on this forum and learning that there lean running conditions was and issue I went to my local HD dealer and talked with them. They confirmed that HD did make some changes to the 06 bikes to meet EPA standards. From there I asked them how to fix the problem becaused I love the SG. they said I may just need to do a SERT, which I planned to do anyways when I did the exhaust. The same day I contacted HD directly. I told them what the bike was doing and what happened to me when I was making my turn. The next day my local HD dealer called me and told me that they were goning to pick my bike up and HD was going to replace any damaged part and work on the FI to fix the problem. I spoke with the service manager last week wjo said the pulled the ECM and were sending it back to HD for some reloads, they are also replacing the FI jets from a three jet unit to a six jet unit. I'm no mechanic so I really don't know what this means. He said it will allow more fuel and more even distibution into the intake. I think HD is really working on this issue, they have taken car of me very well. I am letting them use my bike to help create a fix then when they are done I am having a set of true dual, stage 1, and SERT installed and they are going to dyno tune it for me. I will keep everyone posted on the outcome of the fix. Hope this is good information for everyone.


Phil

 

Thanks for the info. Definetly Please keep us posted.

 

good to see your dealer working with the motor company to make you happy.......
restores my faith in the mo co

 

Ditto! Enquiring minds want to know!

 

Great stuff, Phil. Thanks!

 

Good to hear this GOOD News. I am totally confused now. I am ready for a New or Used Harley. I hear all the problems with 06. Nothing un-fixable, but still
a SORE spot with me. Oh well this forum is helping me, and when I hear stories like yours it puts a VOTE in the "buy New" column.

 

Very reassuring indeed. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I have ordered an '06 Ultra and I'm concerned about the problems that I've been reading about. During the Love Ride, I rode an '06 Ultra which stalled out 6 times. Obviously that was enough for me to be concerned and hearing all the stories has only added to my concerns. Thanks again for sharing your input.

 

Sounds real good, hope that a resolve is in the mill for you as well as any others this effects.

 

Phil, Thanks for the info. You are a lucky man. I don't know if you realize it but you have hit the HD lottery! lol!
I have not been as furtunate as you. My SG has not stalled out yet but I have experienced other problems associated with these lean running motors. My dealer keeps telling me, "it's normal, it's a Harley." What a crock of S_ _ #. I have even had the factory rep look at my bike on two different occasions and got the same response. I find what they say to be highly insulting. They think us consumers are morons!

I'm tired of having to spend my valuable time and money to get this thing to run the way a 20K bike should run. I am to the point of surrender. I'm just about ready to lay out another $700 for the Sert and Dyno tune. I'll have my fingers crossed that the SERT will smooth my ride.

Sorry to vent. Maybe I'm a bit jealous my dealer hasn't responded as yours has. lol!
I have also contacted the MOCO but that was a total waste.

I fing it amazing the the "JAP" bikes don't have these problems and are half the price!

Hopefully you will forge the way for the rest of us.
Good Luck

 

Foneman,


There is nothing normal about the way your bike is running. My understanding is that not all the 06 Touring bikes are having this problem. This is why HD is addressing this case by case. I think I would be looking for another dealer or if its HD themselves saying that this is a normal running condition on a 20K bike than there are some other issues with the people they have working for them and other steps need to be taking. The way my bike just died in the middle of a turn is dangerous. It is not a customer problem and its not a dealer problem, it is in fact a design problem. Everybody knows that a lean running condition is not good for the engine, it makes the motor run hotter and can cause other internal engine damage. When you pull the plugs on your bike and the tips are white, this is bad. It means the engine is running to lean and the prolong engine life is decreased.

I want to give HD the chance to correct an obvious problem with some of the 06 bikes. I understand that the SG is a new model and some bugs need to be worked out. The way MOCO resolves these problems is going to be the big determination on weather my next bike is a HD or not. When my bike is complete I will post what my local dealership did to fix the problem. I hope you get your issue resolved. The big storm has yet to hit HD if there is a problem with these bikes. Wait till the dealerships start really selling the crap out of these bikes in the spring. Hd could face a huge recall. This is not just happening to the SG. I have two friends who both bought 06 RK customs. They had the same problems. They only went away after our local dealership dyno tunes them. They both used the SERT. So there is a fix.