05 RKC Handling dilema
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,978
Likes: 34
From: Cedar Point, NC
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
Nuts,
If you have gone to this dealer and this is the response...I wouldn't go to another dealer, I would contact HD, NOW. This is crap. We're not talking about a turn signal that won't work, we're talking about life and death.
This is crazy. Tell that moron to take it for a ride. If he does and says it's good, get the regional manager involved, make him take it for a ride. Make sure you tell them exactly where this happens...does it happen at all speeds? All roads? Etc.
Let us know.
Mac
If you have gone to this dealer and this is the response...I wouldn't go to another dealer, I would contact HD, NOW. This is crap. We're not talking about a turn signal that won't work, we're talking about life and death.
This is crazy. Tell that moron to take it for a ride. If he does and says it's good, get the regional manager involved, make him take it for a ride. Make sure you tell them exactly where this happens...does it happen at all speeds? All roads? Etc.
Let us know.
Mac
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,867
Likes: 0
From: Severna Park, Maryland 21146
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
Hey mixed
I have a 05 Ultra Classic, I momentary let loose of the grips to see if it would track straight and it pulled to the left also. Not hard by any means and I could shift wieght to the right and keep the bike straight. I had intended on trying it again on a road that I know is flat or at least with less crown, but haven't as of yet.
I had to take it in for it's 1,000 mile service and told the service writer about it pulling to the left. He said that the alignment would be checked in the service proceedure. But he said that if he were to call the motor company with the complaint be that the bike pulls to the left when the operator takes his hands off of the bars, that they would say that is unacceptable. That the bike is to be riden with both hands on the handle bars.
I will check mine again this weekend, like I said, mine had a slight pull to the left. Nothing drastic.
If I were to put in a complaint to the motor company, it would say that the bike pulls to the left with LIGHT GRIP TO THE BARS. I would NOT say with hands off.
I have a 05 Ultra Classic, I momentary let loose of the grips to see if it would track straight and it pulled to the left also. Not hard by any means and I could shift wieght to the right and keep the bike straight. I had intended on trying it again on a road that I know is flat or at least with less crown, but haven't as of yet.
I had to take it in for it's 1,000 mile service and told the service writer about it pulling to the left. He said that the alignment would be checked in the service proceedure. But he said that if he were to call the motor company with the complaint be that the bike pulls to the left when the operator takes his hands off of the bars, that they would say that is unacceptable. That the bike is to be riden with both hands on the handle bars.
I will check mine again this weekend, like I said, mine had a slight pull to the left. Nothing drastic.
If I were to put in a complaint to the motor company, it would say that the bike pulls to the left with LIGHT GRIP TO THE BARS. I would NOT say with hands off.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 2
From: Central, NY
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
My 05 RKC does the same thing. I have asked around and supposedly it's acceptable. I haven't bothered to push it with the dealer, since I assumed it was normal.
I think I'll sit back and see how this all comes out.
I think I'll sit back and see how this all comes out.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 330
Likes: 6
From: Jersey Shore
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
I've been ridin' for a lot of years and this the first new bike I bought.
With all the technology today you would think a basic 2 wheel vehicle would be manufactured to go straight. I have to just about side saddle it and tug it over with my weight to keep it in the lane.
With light pressure on the bars it leans over to the left into oncoming traffic. Kinda scary. Needed new shorts the first time
It does it all speeds and all road surfaces. I thought it may be the crown but if I rider the right side of the crown it climbs up the crown rapidly.
I plan on calling H/D today.
With all the technology today you would think a basic 2 wheel vehicle would be manufactured to go straight. I have to just about side saddle it and tug it over with my weight to keep it in the lane.
With light pressure on the bars it leans over to the left into oncoming traffic. Kinda scary. Needed new shorts the first time
It does it all speeds and all road surfaces. I thought it may be the crown but if I rider the right side of the crown it climbs up the crown rapidly.
I plan on calling H/D today.
Banned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14,496
Likes: 156
From:
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
What you both should do is to find a road like a one way street that you can ride on the other side of the crown and see if it pulls in the opposite direction, if not (probably not) then you have an issue that should be dealt with and I would get in touch with HD and tell them you want it in writing, that it is normal, even though other bikes don't do this and watch them swallow their tongue. Do the same with the dealer.
I just get SO tired of hearing these dealers say that "everything" is normal when it isn't. I would rather them tell me that they have no idea of what it is, I can accept that better!
I just get SO tired of hearing these dealers say that "everything" is normal when it isn't. I would rather them tell me that they have no idea of what it is, I can accept that better!
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
A couple things Iâve noticed with mine: (Brand new last Friday, 110 miles.)
It also feels like it wants to dump to the left. If I let go, it turns left. First thing checked- saddlebag weight. Moved half the stuff over to right side- helped a lot, but still turns left. Second thing- floorboards are set at different angles. (left side lower in front) I will fix that and also check rear wheel alignment.
It also feels like it wants to dump to the left. If I let go, it turns left. First thing checked- saddlebag weight. Moved half the stuff over to right side- helped a lot, but still turns left. Second thing- floorboards are set at different angles. (left side lower in front) I will fix that and also check rear wheel alignment.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 330
Likes: 6
From: Jersey Shore
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
I called the H/D factory today and was told the bike should not pull you at all. I have a reference number to give to the dealer when my bike goes in for service. The technician is to call with the ref. # and speak to 1 of the factory tech's. So the ball is rollin'.
Just have to see what happens from here. I'll play along for now but not too much longer.
My saddle bags are empty. My tires are at the proper pressure and the rear shocks also.
It's not the wind or anything else influencing the bike at all.
Floor boards I don't think have anything to do with a handling condition though.
There are alot of these bikes hitting the street that have this condition. I'd like to know what's up at the factory.
We should not have to be checking the alignment on a brand new cruiser.
Just have to see what happens from here. I'll play along for now but not too much longer.
My saddle bags are empty. My tires are at the proper pressure and the rear shocks also.
It's not the wind or anything else influencing the bike at all.
Floor boards I don't think have anything to do with a handling condition though.
There are alot of these bikes hitting the street that have this condition. I'd like to know what's up at the factory.
We should not have to be checking the alignment on a brand new cruiser.
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Banned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14,496
Likes: 156
From:
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
>>>>We should not have to be checking the alignment on a brand new cruiser.
I agree, I feel it all comes down to the set up at the dealers level, again, there not doing their job like they should.
I agree, I feel it all comes down to the set up at the dealers level, again, there not doing their job like they should.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
RE: 05 RKC Handling dilema
This is all very interesting to me as well. My 05 RKC has about 350 miles on it, and does the same thing. Maybe not as drastic as yours, as I just need to shift weight to the right and it's good, but it really shouldn't be happening. I'm curious as to what the problem turns out to be.