2012 FLHTK Limited, Problems and Perceptions
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
Most of the new ultras don't have any grease in the steering head. My 2010 was bone dry and I have heard that others were/are as well. Guess it could be the grease IF it has some in it and it's dripping out due to heat. But you are in eastern NC and it's not been that hot yet.
Consider checking your front brake line connections, especially where they come together under the tripletree shelf. That could be brake fluid you are seeing. Hopefully not. DOT 4 brake fluid is death to paint. Don't let it sit on it long at all or it will marr.
Have them check your voltage regulator while they have it. You should see your voltage guage get up to around 15 or so volts once stabilized If you are only seeing 14 and no higher, then it's likely bad. There are known issues with the late model voltage regulators these days. Bad news is that lots of them are being replaced and most of the time they are on back order from HD (or their supplier).
I've had no real issues with my 2010. Only have 10,000 miles on it, but it's doing fine. I did perform a compensator upgrade to the SE version a few months ago. I also pumped some high temperature grease in the steering head bearing since it was dry.
Don't lose hope, they will get you fixed up and you should be good to go. Oh, have them check your belt tension while it's in the shop as well.
Consider checking your front brake line connections, especially where they come together under the tripletree shelf. That could be brake fluid you are seeing. Hopefully not. DOT 4 brake fluid is death to paint. Don't let it sit on it long at all or it will marr.
Have them check your voltage regulator while they have it. You should see your voltage guage get up to around 15 or so volts once stabilized If you are only seeing 14 and no higher, then it's likely bad. There are known issues with the late model voltage regulators these days. Bad news is that lots of them are being replaced and most of the time they are on back order from HD (or their supplier).
I've had no real issues with my 2010. Only have 10,000 miles on it, but it's doing fine. I did perform a compensator upgrade to the SE version a few months ago. I also pumped some high temperature grease in the steering head bearing since it was dry.
Don't lose hope, they will get you fixed up and you should be good to go. Oh, have them check your belt tension while it's in the shop as well.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 224
From: Coeur d'Alene
Interesting to see this thread because I just got back from NAPA store after buying some Lucas Red N Sticky grease for use when I do my 1000 mile service on a FLHTK I'm taking delivery of this week. Sounds like a setup tech got a little carried away with his grease gun on your bike's steering head. Maybe use some bio degradable degreaser on a micro towel and wipe it down in there. Also, I'm aware of the bad run of voltage regulators and will watch for signs one of those is on mine. I think you'll enjoy your Ultra and wish you many trouble free miles.
I've had 6 or 7 Harleys over the years and I can honestly say I've never been left on the side of the road. I know the perception by Wing riders is that if it's a Harley or BMW one is going to have high maintenance headaches. Certainly Harley has had some issues over the years but I don't think any of them compare to the 1800 Wing's problems. My favorite is the recall of thousands of Goldwings to dealers for cracked frames. As a result, a large number of those had to have all that plastic stripped off and the dealer was instructed by the factory to try to find a welder who knew about welding aluminum alloy. Some frames had to be replaced completely. Many bikes were never the same after the dealer tried to put it all back together, but some came through fine...or did they? New areas of failure developed on some. To be fair, from 2006 on this problem was finally solved...but they started building this model in 2001.
I've had 6 or 7 Harleys over the years and I can honestly say I've never been left on the side of the road. I know the perception by Wing riders is that if it's a Harley or BMW one is going to have high maintenance headaches. Certainly Harley has had some issues over the years but I don't think any of them compare to the 1800 Wing's problems. My favorite is the recall of thousands of Goldwings to dealers for cracked frames. As a result, a large number of those had to have all that plastic stripped off and the dealer was instructed by the factory to try to find a welder who knew about welding aluminum alloy. Some frames had to be replaced completely. Many bikes were never the same after the dealer tried to put it all back together, but some came through fine...or did they? New areas of failure developed on some. To be fair, from 2006 on this problem was finally solved...but they started building this model in 2001.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,011
Likes: 143
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
+1; 39K on my 09, still have all original plugs and brake pads. Gas, oil, tires and go. Maybe the honda dealers mechanics are twiddling their thumbs because the honda dealers showroom floors are ghost towns too. They sell a fraction of the bikes Harley does.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: MS
over 13,000 miles on my 2010 SG,
radio cd stuck and AUX quit working under 1000 miles (warranty work)
latches on saddle backs came loose and one came off (during long ride) around 4000 miles, (warranty work) I also applied loktite
wire from horn got disconnected under around 6000 miles (dont know how that happened)
exhaust header loose bolts loose, just discovered while removing CAT ( tightened myself)
Thats all I can can think of for now
radio cd stuck and AUX quit working under 1000 miles (warranty work)
latches on saddle backs came loose and one came off (during long ride) around 4000 miles, (warranty work) I also applied loktite
wire from horn got disconnected under around 6000 miles (dont know how that happened)
exhaust header loose bolts loose, just discovered while removing CAT ( tightened myself)
Thats all I can can think of for now
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 31
From: Charlotte Area
No problems on my 09 other than the brake light switch failure that there was a recall for. My 12 limited has been exceptional, a pleasure to ride with only trips for service. Enjoy your limited.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 21
From: Delaware
20,000 miles and I've had to replace my horn cover, my air cleaner cover, my handlebars, my front wheel, mirrors, my derby cover, my timing cover, my floor board inserts, my passenger floor boards, my brake pedal arm, my..... wait a minute... I didn't HAVE to replace ANYTHING!
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 132
From: Deep South, Louisiana
When they do your 1000 miles service they will fill the neck with greese because it is empty and the only way to grease the bearings is to fill the neck with grease until it pushes through the bearings. I kept wiping it up until I got tired and reached in and wiped out as much as I could from around the neck, it was not much that I wiped but it sure stopped it from blowing all over the tank. Bulbs I also had 3 blow with in 1500 miles. I think who ever installed them had dirty hands. No problem since.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Eastern, NC
What should the voltage and oil pressure read when idling? Thanks for all the feedback. I'll give you an update once I get it back from the dealer.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 781
Likes: 1
From: central, ohio
I have had issues:
1. Voltage Regulator
2. Heated grips
3. gas cover
4. throttle body plug
5. Some crappy looking saddlebags
Like others have said on here, if your volt meter is dropping it is probably one of the bad ones. A small amount of us have had trouble, hope you are not one of them.
1. Voltage Regulator
2. Heated grips
3. gas cover
4. throttle body plug
5. Some crappy looking saddlebags
Like others have said on here, if your volt meter is dropping it is probably one of the bad ones. A small amount of us have had trouble, hope you are not one of them.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 224
From: Coeur d'Alene
My '12 FLHTK (just picked up today) shows oil pressure at the 16 mark and voltmeter reads about 13.5. These are at idle of just about 1K or maybe a touch less. While riding my voltmeter reads 15. Hope that helps.