Problems, Problems, Problems - 2011 FLTRU
Problems, Problems, Problems - 2011 FLTRU
Ok, fell in love with the 2011 RG Ultra, purchased it in July 2010. Took delivery of the bike in October 2010. I drove the bike for about 600 miles, and then starting personalizing. I put HD heated grips on, Dakota Digital gauges (all 6), Vance and Hines true duals and intake, PCV, and the Hog Tunes tweeter pod and 4 speaker set-up with lowers.
Now is when all the problems started. The TPS went out and the dealership blamed the heated grips. This happened when I was still stationed in Germany. HD refused to warranty it so it cost me about $700. They replaced the TPS and cut the heated grip wiring, disabling them. After they returned the bike to me, I noticed that my Dakota digital Tach had some burned out nodes on it, but since I was returning to the US, I figured I would get it replaced here.
Fast forward a couple of months and Dakota Digital sent me a new gauge, and I took the bike to Rommel's HD in Wilmington (formerly Mike's Famous). I told them the problems the bike had, and they looked into it. Said the heated grips were fried, and replaced them, and then said the new gauge from Dakota was bad as it kept blowing the fuse. Also, the badlands module for my taillights was now fried due to a brake wire they found rubbing the frame. They also replaced the right side radio switch which broke in two. They put the old gauge back in, and $1200 I was out the door.
Shortly thereafter, the cruise control went out, along with the new badlands module. I also supplied them with a new, bench-tested gauge from Dakota which, they said kept blowing fuses again. $235 later, I was told that the digital gauges are causing these problems, the led front and rear turn signals are causing the problems, and Harley is having issues with digital gauge set-ups (they warranted the cruise control switch). They told me if I try to get any more warranty work it will be denied until I put the bike back to stock. I threatened them with lemon law and they laughed and said all the "modifications" I made would rule in their favor.
So everyone, I am at a loss as to what to do. My old Fatboy is sorely being missed right now. Is anyone having electrical problems with the new bikes? I have the Dakota gauges still installed, with the tach that has the burned out leds. I am to the point of returning the bike to stock and selling it.
Now is when all the problems started. The TPS went out and the dealership blamed the heated grips. This happened when I was still stationed in Germany. HD refused to warranty it so it cost me about $700. They replaced the TPS and cut the heated grip wiring, disabling them. After they returned the bike to me, I noticed that my Dakota digital Tach had some burned out nodes on it, but since I was returning to the US, I figured I would get it replaced here.
Fast forward a couple of months and Dakota Digital sent me a new gauge, and I took the bike to Rommel's HD in Wilmington (formerly Mike's Famous). I told them the problems the bike had, and they looked into it. Said the heated grips were fried, and replaced them, and then said the new gauge from Dakota was bad as it kept blowing the fuse. Also, the badlands module for my taillights was now fried due to a brake wire they found rubbing the frame. They also replaced the right side radio switch which broke in two. They put the old gauge back in, and $1200 I was out the door.
Shortly thereafter, the cruise control went out, along with the new badlands module. I also supplied them with a new, bench-tested gauge from Dakota which, they said kept blowing fuses again. $235 later, I was told that the digital gauges are causing these problems, the led front and rear turn signals are causing the problems, and Harley is having issues with digital gauge set-ups (they warranted the cruise control switch). They told me if I try to get any more warranty work it will be denied until I put the bike back to stock. I threatened them with lemon law and they laughed and said all the "modifications" I made would rule in their favor.
So everyone, I am at a loss as to what to do. My old Fatboy is sorely being missed right now. Is anyone having electrical problems with the new bikes? I have the Dakota gauges still installed, with the tach that has the burned out leds. I am to the point of returning the bike to stock and selling it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 127
Man, that bike has too much bad karma associated with it. Drop it like a bad penny and move on. Either that or you have had a lot of barnyard mechanics working on it. Either way, too much bad karma.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 69
From: Al Bu Ker Key, New Mexico
Wasnt 2011 the year that MoCo released an entirely new computerized wiring system? the cute name they have for it escapes me right now but I remember reading that it was a total revamp from anything on previous years.......maybe that has something to do with all these problems?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
Start over, most of your upgrades weren't even Harley yet you blame Harley.
I'd take the Dakota Digital gauges out, put the stock gauges back in and see if it still has issues.
Then I'd take the Power Comander off and see if it still has problem.
I had a buddy who had a Power Comander on his Fat Bob and was having all kinds of trouble. He took it off and everything was fine from then on. Maybe you got a bad PCV. I'm not saying PCV's are bad, maybe just a bad one. You won't know until you take it off.
I also know of guys having terrible problems with the LED lights causing problems when they weren't installed properly.
I'd take the Dakota Digital gauges out, put the stock gauges back in and see if it still has issues.
Then I'd take the Power Comander off and see if it still has problem.
I had a buddy who had a Power Comander on his Fat Bob and was having all kinds of trouble. He took it off and everything was fine from then on. Maybe you got a bad PCV. I'm not saying PCV's are bad, maybe just a bad one. You won't know until you take it off.
I also know of guys having terrible problems with the LED lights causing problems when they weren't installed properly.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: IOWA
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Yep, gonna start over this weekend. This is not my first Harley or my first motorcycle, just the first I have ever had so many problems with. And yes, I do blame MoCo for creating motorcycles with so much proprietary equipment and technology that you are forced to carry it to the dealer for everything but the simplest bolt-on. I guess that's the price we pay for wanting the latest and greatest.
