Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Do the 2012s have electrical charging issues?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 31, 2012 | 07:02 PM
  #31  
jungleman's Avatar
jungleman
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 164
Likes: 2
From:
Default

I purchased a 2012 Ultra Classic EG. I had problems with the charging system. It would charge on and off while riding. I took it back to the dealer and they kept it for 8 days waiting to get to it. They replaced the voltage regulator. I still had intermittent problems with
it. I did not want to give it back to the dealer and let is sit for another week so I started to check out everything on the bike. I found two ground wires extremely loose under the seat deep down in the frame. This was the real issue. Maybe others with charging problems have
the same issue, and not the voltage regulator.
 
Reply
Old May 31, 2012 | 07:44 PM
  #32  
Pinepoint's Avatar
Pinepoint
Stage I
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Sartell, MN
Default

Great heads up!
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2013 | 12:42 AM
  #33  
Panhead Jim's Avatar
Panhead Jim
Stage III
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Mesa Arizona
Default

Thanks but no.
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2013 | 12:49 AM
  #34  
Panhead Jim's Avatar
Panhead Jim
Stage III
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Mesa Arizona
Default 2012 Touring alternator problems

My 2012 Ultra Classic Shrine bike has been in the shop 4 times in the last 9 months for alternator issues for a total of 41 days. They delivered my bike to my work, to pick up the rental and drop off my bike after 10 days in the shop for the check engine battery light.( I was in NW Arizona when it quit, $650.00 tow bill to return it after I had just got it back for 10 days. To make a sad long story short, after I got the bike back tonight I drove it less than 1/2 mile and the lights go on with no charging. I am about to lay the Lemon Law card down and just get a good bike, like a BMW. Yes I am pissed.
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2013 | 01:09 AM
  #35  
Hausguy's Avatar
Hausguy
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 14
From: Seattle
Default

I realize that this is an old thread, but my 2012 is running the original battery and has had no electrical issues whatsoever. Almost 30K miles on her.
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2013 | 06:27 AM
  #36  
jpooch00's Avatar
jpooch00
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 268
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
Unhappy Sorry to hear it

Originally Posted by Panhead Jim
My 2012 Ultra Classic Shrine bike has been in the shop 4 times in the last 9 months for alternator issues for a total of 41 days. They delivered my bike to my work, to pick up the rental and drop off my bike after 10 days in the shop for the check engine battery light.( I was in NW Arizona when it quit, $650.00 tow bill to return it after I had just got it back for 10 days. To make a sad long story short, after I got the bike back tonight I drove it less than 1/2 mile and the lights go on with no charging. I am about to lay the Lemon Law card down and just get a good bike, like a BMW. Yes I am pissed.
I agree that you should invoke the lemon law after all your troubles, but I would strongly advise you to do a LOT of research on the BMW bikes before you plunk down your money on one.

If anything, they seem to have an even worse reliability record than the bike you're getting rid of!

And for the record, I'm no fanboy of ANY brand (anymore), but the Goldwings seem to have the fewest common mechanical/electrical/reliability problems of any of the brands, although a few of them still have issues with the trannys that "ghost shift" sometimes. The Victory brand bikes appear to be incredibly durable, well-built and reliable too - if only they weren't so damn ugly!

Good luck with your future bike, regardless of which brand you choose, and ride safe.
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2013 | 08:51 AM
  #37  
Boomer1143's Avatar
Boomer1143
Road Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 191
From: Boise, Idaho
Default

I had my voltage regulator replaced during the recall last year. This summer coming home from Oklahoma the year old regulator went out. Needless too say I wasn't to happy.

Al
 
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2013 | 09:41 AM
  #38  
Griff012FLHX's Avatar
Griff012FLHX
Club Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 87
From: Stokton, CA
Default

I got my 2012 last Feb.
I have 8404 on it with no problems....
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 14, 2013 | 07:19 PM
  #39  
Panhead Jim's Avatar
Panhead Jim
Stage III
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Mesa Arizona
Default

Update, The dealer is doing a soft shoe dance and is telling me they are going to replace the wiring harness. No offer to pay for the towing bill ten days after they returned the bike. Called HD Customer Service and the bimbo that answered the phone would nothing but recieve a verbal beating. I am bummed. I guess the next step to to hire a lawyer, Dewey, Fukem, and Howe.
 
Reply
Old Nov 14, 2013 | 08:26 PM
  #40  
Fastbagger09's Avatar
Fastbagger09
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
Default

2012 SG w/ 4800 miles and No problems
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:49 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE