Merlot
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Reston
Merlot
That's red, red, whine for the beer only drinkers.
So, here is my whining... and its leaving me a little red. I have an 08 ultra... well sometimes, the rest of the time I have a paperweight I trailer back and forth to the one of 3 dealerships local, and only one capable of returning my bike to me clean, and running. My complaint: 3years and 45k miles into this bike here is the list of "issues". Radio, start switch twice... causing the starter to be rebuilt, ring gear to be replaced, and start gear to be replaced, rotor failed, upgraded to 45w SE. Front bearings, rear bearings, upper race and neck bearings, drive belt, and rear compensatory sprocket. Now, I'm going back in for warranty work, again... just had it in 2000 miles ago... this time its for wobble in the front, whirring noise coming from the primary, rubbing noise from the rear near the belt, squeeking noise from the front break, and no throttle control, throwing just about every P code related to the TCA, and a few others. Bike will not even start and keep idle at this point. I'm thinking it is time to talk to the MoCo. I know there are plenty of you out there with more mileage than what I have on your bikes, and a few of you with newer bikes. I think I have experienced a majority of the issues on here for the 08 ultras. I'm pretty ticked that I am sitting at home on this puter lamenting with this rider or that one about the problem they are having. I feel like I have had them all. Sound off, let me know how much of this is whining, and how much I have a legitimate complaint. I'm gonna bleed the MoCo dry in warranty repairs if things don't change soon. Well, so long as I can keep riding this thing.
So, here is my whining... and its leaving me a little red. I have an 08 ultra... well sometimes, the rest of the time I have a paperweight I trailer back and forth to the one of 3 dealerships local, and only one capable of returning my bike to me clean, and running. My complaint: 3years and 45k miles into this bike here is the list of "issues". Radio, start switch twice... causing the starter to be rebuilt, ring gear to be replaced, and start gear to be replaced, rotor failed, upgraded to 45w SE. Front bearings, rear bearings, upper race and neck bearings, drive belt, and rear compensatory sprocket. Now, I'm going back in for warranty work, again... just had it in 2000 miles ago... this time its for wobble in the front, whirring noise coming from the primary, rubbing noise from the rear near the belt, squeeking noise from the front break, and no throttle control, throwing just about every P code related to the TCA, and a few others. Bike will not even start and keep idle at this point. I'm thinking it is time to talk to the MoCo. I know there are plenty of you out there with more mileage than what I have on your bikes, and a few of you with newer bikes. I think I have experienced a majority of the issues on here for the 08 ultras. I'm pretty ticked that I am sitting at home on this puter lamenting with this rider or that one about the problem they are having. I feel like I have had them all. Sound off, let me know how much of this is whining, and how much I have a legitimate complaint. I'm gonna bleed the MoCo dry in warranty repairs if things don't change soon. Well, so long as I can keep riding this thing.
Last edited by SLiKPMC; May 31, 2011 at 07:39 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,178
Likes: 600
From: SoCal.....I'm only here for the weather
Sorry to hear about all the problems you have experienced with your bike. That is however, some mileage for a 3 year old machine. I guess my question is, how do rack up all those miles if the bike is constantly in for repair? Not to mention the miles your putting on the truck that tows the bike trailer to the dealer. I'd be bitchin' to the MOCO about that too.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Reston
Av ultra, the tech I use/request is highly recommended, and is used/in demand from all over the area. He is one of those techs that brings a significant customer base to any shop he works at. Also, everything he has fixed, works... the parts fail, or something else unrelated brakes. I can't fault the tech in this case.
Danzio, I logged 24K my first year on the bike... then problems hit, and fiance materialized... so not riding as much now. Otherwise... I ride. My ride is my primary mode of transportation whether I am commuting to and from work or taking a little scoot to Chicago from DC. I pleasure cruise as well. Only time I don't ride is when I can't even limp my bike to the dealer... or bike is in shop waiting for parts and/or paycheck to hit. Lately... the bike is in shop, or waiting for me to trailer it there. Seems I bring it in for the 5K warranty rebuild schedule rather than the service interval.
Danzio, I logged 24K my first year on the bike... then problems hit, and fiance materialized... so not riding as much now. Otherwise... I ride. My ride is my primary mode of transportation whether I am commuting to and from work or taking a little scoot to Chicago from DC. I pleasure cruise as well. Only time I don't ride is when I can't even limp my bike to the dealer... or bike is in shop waiting for parts and/or paycheck to hit. Lately... the bike is in shop, or waiting for me to trailer it there. Seems I bring it in for the 5K warranty rebuild schedule rather than the service interval.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 900
Likes: 4
From: Wisconsin
Exactly...............And you keep going to these idiots why?? because you get a "clean" bike back? first of get your self a service manual and some basic tools......I bet I could diagnose and fix most of these problems. Neck bearings and wobble go hand in hand......
ALOT of dealer prey on folks because they make money on warranty work......
I ride with MANY different folks that have these machines (H.D.) and you have had more problems than all 12 or so bikes rolled into one.....not saying you dont have a lemon but man I would be trading or finding a shop you can trust because I wouldnt trust the one you have......just my .02
Just because someone has been "trained" doesnt mean they have a clue.....there is ONE tech at my local dealer that has a clue and it aint much of one......the rest are just kids coming to work.........
Last edited by Coolhawg6622; May 31, 2011 at 10:06 AM.
Trending Topics
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 414
Likes: 43
From: Duluth, MN.
I feel your pain man! My brand new sg with 180 miles is in the shop as i type for an oil leak. Second sg in 4 months with some type of problem. Finally decent weather here in Minnesota and they cant get to my bike in a week!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Reston
Coolhawg, I'm not gonna try to convince you otherwise, i made the choices I did after careful consideration with combined experiences of myself and others. The tech I'm using is sound. The dealer, of the three I tried, is the ONLY one that fixed my bike. With the cost of parts, and labor being what they are, and that on top of spending over $21000 on a bike, I will take my bike to be fixed, for free and not spend more on the bike. So far the work done is in the thousands, it has only cost a few hundred, far less than I could have scored the parts alone for. I also do not have the luxury of time and place to do all my own work. I did when I was young, now I juggle the resposibilties of a family, other concerns not for this forum. The dealer is billing labor to the warranty, not me. So someone somewhere needs to get wise. This bike needs to be made right, or go away because it isn't my financial liability. I mean no disrespect, however, if I buy a brand new bike, it had better not run like a shovel head thrown together with spare parts by the lacky struggling to change the oil... I love the older bikes, especially the fact that they aren't full of magical electrical boxes... but the local auto store isn't carrying those parts so much anymore either. Times have changed and regrettably, I will adapt rather than be overcome.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Reston
I feel your pain powerman, rolling thunder was on my front door all weekend, and my big shiny paperweight is sitting in front of the house barely able to hold an idle, while my OL is looking at it and me clearly indicating that we need to be stands up, not moping around finding other things to do that we could be putting off so we can ride and hang with riders from around the nation. Minnesota is some beautiful country to ride once the snow lifts. Hoping you are stands up soon and it is many many years before your bikes next period.