When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have had bigger fits over smaller problems than what the op has stated here. I don't blame him for being upset and am not sure if I would've handled it better or worse, but there are a few things I would like to add.
The first letter you posted on here that you sent to harley told them that you weren't going to be happy no matter what they did. Once they read that, they probably made up their minds to do only what was required by law and not bother doing anything more than they absolutely had to do for you.
The dealer may not be legally required to step in and fix it ahead of harley, but a good dealer would. They would get you back on the road and then squabble with harley to get reimbursed for the repairs.
I have had car dealers, motorcycle dealers and even farm machinery dealers fix problems for me that were in grey areas on warranty and tell me not to worry about it. They will get their money from the factory or take the loss for a good customer.
I know it's hard to find a GOOD dealer for almost anything these days, but they are out there. Once you find one that will take care of you, don't jump ships because you could save $10 somewhere else.
If you are in the position to get a 09 or 10, I wouldn't let this place deter you. There are a lot of us on here with 09s whom haven't had any problems at all.....
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.