I bought a brand new 2011 FLHTK 10 months ago. This bike has never had a water hose on it and is garaged kept. It has always been hand cleaned and polished since new. The only water this bike has ever seen, is the couple of times I've been caught in the rain. I hadn't ridden the bike in a couple of months, and I was showing it to a buddy of mine who quickly pointed out a lot of rust and corrosion all along the front crash bar. I started to look the bike over more carefully and found corrosion also on the front light bar, and rear saddle bag guard. I quickly called the service dept. at the dealership I bought it from and made an appt. I went over the bike with the service manager pointing everything out, and he agreed there shouldn't be all this rust and corrosion on a 10 month old bike. He asked me to leave it there and he would see what he could do to get it taken care of. This was on a Thursday. The following Tuesday I still hadn't heard anything so I called him. He said he was still working on it and would let me know as soon as he found out. The next day he called me. I could tell something was wrong by the way he was hesitating and stammering. He basically told me that he contacted Harley and they would not replace the rusted and corroded parts. Needless to say I got very pissed and still am. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. He said since I live in Florida, and we are in a saltwater environment unless I'm out there almost daily cleaning my bike( his words not mine) rust was going to happen. He said he Googled my address to see where I lived, and since I live near the water I would have corrosion problems and it wasn't defective chrome. First off, just so you all know I live 2 miles from the water. A fresh water lake. Not the ocean and salt. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Then he tells me as a courtesy since I bought the bike from them they would do a complete detail on the bike at no charge. Really? A complete detail. How does that fix the pitting and corrosion on my new bike? I call bull hockey on that. Has anyone else had a similar problem with the chrome on their new bike? I tell ya if Harley doesn't make this right I am done with Harley. My last Harley which by the way was kept in the same garage for almost 3 years never developed any rust and corrosion on it. This guy must think I'm stupid or something.

 

Your first post! Welcome to the forum. Can you take a picture of the bike and the rust spots? Just curious to see this.

 

I had some pittting parts on my 10 sg.harley did replace the parts.i live very close to the ocean so chrome doesnt last long here.id contact hd.direct

 

Exactly why I would never buy a bike from any coastal area.

 

If it makes you feel better, I bought a brand new 1990 Softail, within 6 months the rims were lines with rust. I brought it to the dealer's attention, he said HD would would not warranty chrome whatsoever, and I was SOL.

 

Welcome to the forum! Thats why i hate chrome! really got to keep up with it so it dosent pit or rust! All black out bike for me! Hopefully they fix it for u!

 

Talked to Harley direct, and basically they told me it is considered normal corrosion. The only way they would replace it, if it is defective. Really? 10 months never wet in a garage and they don't consider this defective? I am truly disappointed. I think it's time to think about a different manufacturer and bike.

 

Oh, and just because it's black it's rustproof?

 

no, its just harder to see the rust....

when you get it sorted out, WAX your chrome. regular old car wax will work fine. It will leave a semi protective coat and should help.

 

That would **** me off too. Chrome should last for many years. It's not a "wear item" such as tires/brakes/belt, and ought to be covered by warr.
Do all harley products rust that quick in FL. or is it just TomPro's?
Thats the question i have....