What happens is beta testing is done on pre-production parts. Usually made in small batches and get much more scrunity than production parts made in large batches. Manufacturing defects happen. Thats why there is a warranty.

 

You call that a cooling system, please! Honda and BMW have a cooling system, this is a joke and a whole lot of hype to get you to buy a new bike. Next year they will water cool a little more, then the next year a little more, until ultimately you will have what should have been put out the first year. What a bunch of BS. Go drink some more of the HD Kool Aid and get back with us. My 03 Honda VTX 1300 water cooled bike was the first year production. Had it 5 years and it never went back to the shop for anything. So go blow that crap elsewhere.

 

You want to get pissy, go for it. You are the one with the "2011 Silver Road King Classic." Why didn't you keep your 03 Honda VTX 1300 "that never went back for anything"? Why did you buy a Harley? Did it make you feel more like a man? This entire forum is filled with every model that was ever made documenting various problems and issues. Why would these be different?
You think you know the whole HD schedule of water cooling in the years to come. Talk about BS!!! You don't know SH** about engineering. You know nothing about industrial production. You are just a complainer.
You are the one who drank the HD Kool Aid. You bought one as did everyone else here, and I am sure your's is perfect! Change is hard and when your model is being phased out you feel everything new is just crap.
So do yourself a favor, sell your HD and go on another forum to bash HD about a bike you never owned or rode and maybe never even saw.
You are entitled to your opinion but opinion isn't fact. You need to learn that.

 

Man, you sure assume a lot. I'm actually a Telecom Engineer and probably have forgot more than you will ever know about engineering. But nice try. I'm actually glad I have the 11 Model, absolutely no issues with my bike. But if I was going to go back to a water cooled bike it sure wouldn't be this brand. Now run along and do what ever it is you do.

 

WOW, a Telecom Engineer! Wish I was one. You mentioned that like it is a world class achievement. That's not exactly an authority on industrial production, R&D, road testing, durability and all that goes along with vehicle engineering. And yes you did forget a lot about engineering and I am happy for you that you bought an 11 model with no issues.
You bought a HD because you liked it. If you don't want a water cooled one don't buy one. But from this conversation it's a sure bet you never rode one but we are to take your opinion as fact. Nice try but when someone calls BS you can't produce any facts to back up your "opinion".
Now go **** off.

 

OK, going to go **** off now

 

Good news! The techs originally thought that it was an exhaust leak, and after messing with the the header, and even replacing it, guessed that it had to be a head issue. After going through it with a fine tooth comb, the service guy informed me that it's NOT the head at all.. It's a faulty automatic compression release. New part in early next week, bike back by Wednesday..

 

good news...I'm sure its all HD's fault and they will never be the same.

Funny I've never owned anything mechanical that never broke, maybe I have bad luck

 

It's funny how these cyber engineers and Harley bashers have so many opinions of how they know more than 100+ year old manufacturer with hundreds of millions of dollars at stake.

I'm sure the beta bikes were not build on an assembly line. That is where the majority of "issues" occur.

OP, glad it's not a serious issue.

 

I,m sorry to hear your having an issue with your new bike. I'm sure Harley will take care of you and replace the faulty compression release if that is the problem. The Last think they want is bad press with the new water cooled heads and new 014' bikes