Last week my decision between the RKClassic and RKCustom when a salesman changed dealerships and called me on an '06 RKCustom that was priced to move. A test drive and some negotiation and I rode it home the next evening.

There were twoproblems I had, onewas the bags were pretty abused. Scrapes and scuffs all over 'em. Even with a good price on the bike it's still a lot of money, and the bike only had 17 miles on it. The dealer and I split the cost of new bags. The second was some stains on the unshieldedsection of headpipe by the rear brake pedal. It almost looked blued a bit, but I figured it must've had something on it when it was run and it got burned/melted. I still think it was somethingon the pipe rather than blueing but now I don't know.

I babied the thing on the way home. Never going over 50 mph. Took nearly two hours but I had fun.It rained all last week so I wasn'table to get my break in miles on it. Saturday the dealership had an event, so my wife and I got a sitter and took the sporty and the kingback out there. We didn't stay long, I just wanted to ride. We did give back an extra MOM.

Now, the sporty has SEII's on it but you can still hear some clanking of the engine, so when the Roadie was clanking and clonking I figured it was the combo of a new engine and quieter pipes allowing me to hear more. The engine felt strong and the power never waivered, so no real concerns at this point, but I want to keep my ears open.

Sunday I get up and take the King down to a closer dealership for some oil and a filter. I passed 100 miles on the trip and wanted to clean out any shavings from breaking in the motor. See, I want to keep this bike for a LONG time. When I'm done I take her out for a good romp. I put 150 miles on it before I came home and had lots of fun. We had another sitter ready that afternoon and I was pretty excited about getting very close to 500 miles so I can start driving it into work.

During my post 100 mile ride I took the bike up to 70 mph. I know the talk on the boards here is dont take it over 50 for the first 500, but thats not what the owners manual says. It says not over 60 in 5th for first 50, not over 80 in 5th from 50-500. So I figured new oil and 70 aint too bad. Plus I want to get these break in miles done.

When I get back I am again reminded of some clanking that I dont like, but it's not enough to make me think the bike is unsafe, it is just a little rattling.

My wife, 2.5 yo daughter and I all wash the sportie and king. Great fun is had by all. Neighbors all look, some come over to chat and admire these beutiful machines. Cars drive by slowly as they gawk at the glimmering chrome. The weather is perfect and the wife and I are planning another short road trip. Life is grand.

We drop off my Daughter and hop on the bikes. We decide to head south on Telegraph road. The speed limit is 50 with some 55. It's a nice cruise and good road for breaking in the bike more. We ride for about an hour and I'm looking for a steak house to get some grub. Stopped at a light I hear some squeeking.

Ya, squeeking. It was when coming to a stop, so i thought a break pad may have shifted. It sounded like that kind've noise.

I look at the wife and say something semi amusing about it. The light turns green, and we start moving again. I shift up to 3rd at abouit 40 mph or so...

[sm=scared09.gif]

Squeek, clunk, SCREEEEEEEEECH.

Engine dies, back tire locks up. Wife goes past me on the right. Traffic closes on me from behind, tires chirp as they break under duress. I pump the back break to no effect. I touc

 

That sucks. Hope it gets fixed soon. I was a little concerned when I started ridingabout the bags hadscuffs on them. New bike (17 miles)should have no scuff marks on the bags. I'd have had the dealer replace them for free or no deal. It would have made me wonder what else that I couldn't see might have been wrong. Good luck and ride soon.

 

something smells real bad here. 17 miles and blued exh with bad bags and tranny concerns??smells like a RAT!!!

i'd demand a new bike and have my lawyergive em that message real nice like

 

I agree with the first two posts. You have the ammunition to make a pretty big deal about it.

 

Dude! That really bites. Glad you didn't get hurt. Hope they get her fixed and get you back on the road with no hassel and little time lost.

 

Did you buy it from Motor City HD? I had my SG there once and that was enough.

Good luck w/ fix and keep us posted on the results!

 

That could have ended badly breaking down in traffic like that.I'd be on the phone first thing when that dealer opens gettin myself a new bike!

 

Bad story to what should be a happy one... please keep us posted!

 

Picked it up from American HD out in Ann Arbor.

Since then my wife called and raised hell. Ok, this may read funny, so I should explain:

My wife got started riding the sporty, and my nefarious plan was to hook her on riding it so I could get a bigger, fatter bike to compliment the sporty. Everything went perfectly until those meddeling kids, er, uhm, I mean loan officers got involved. "Two recreational vehicles? HA, I should think NOT!" They said.

"Well, pooey on them" my wife muttered as she applied forthe green to get a new bike. Approved she was, and shopping we went.

All this means the bike is in her name. That is the reason she called this morning. And she's a postal worker, so she can put the fear of god into 'em.

Anyway, they are picking up the cost of all towing and are going to make the bike good again. With those promises I can step in and make sure they do it right. They're going to take care of that trans for sure and I'm going to see the parts they replace. They're also going to go over that engine with a fine tooth comb to get ride of this clanking. Oh, did I forget to say the clanking was HORRENDUS after the tranny stuck. They're going to explain the discoloration on the pipes and replace them. Theyre also going to replace one of the bags for sure because a rivet that holds the metal skeleton together is broken. I guarentee they're going to get it done in a timely manner or I will be seeking a legal resolution.

This aint no headlight that burnt out, or a rattleing gas cap. This is the core of the motorcycle, and it is unsafe.

 

This is a great place to remind people - these machines do break down at times. - nothing pays off like a good tow service - check your AAA policy - some do and some do NOT tow bikes... Check into Road Amercia http://www.road-america.com/Aboutus/aboutus.html

- $20-$30 a year and they will tow your Harley to the nearest HD that can take your bike - one catch - much be a HOG member for the very first year (only) then after that, you do Not need to be a HOG memeber

Good luck on your brake problems... all will sooner or later get cleared up...