So we went on a tri-annual trip this summer with my dad and 2 brothers. We always buy bikes and just re-sell them upon our return. In light of the economy (hoping better resale) we selected Harley Ultra Classic bikes instead of the Goldwings. You can read the story below. However, I posted the results of this right in the lions den, Harley Forums (www.hdforums.com/forum) I didnt break ANY rules just posted honest results and there Mods banned me for life. Boy those Harley guys are sensitive!
TOPIC of post was
""7 unrefutable reasons to go back to Honda""
A quick bit of history so you know a little bit about me and the validity of this post.
My dad started us (me and my other 2 brothers) touring on our 16th birthday and every 3 years after that. I am 42 years old now and have rode over 24000 miles of JUST touring. But since we only go every 3 years it is not feasable for me to own and maintain a bike with very little usage in between. I rode my first tour on a 1986 Suzuki GL 850 but every bike after that has ALWAYS been a big touring bike. I have rode the lions share of these trips on Goldwings but recently my younger brother decided that a HD would be a nice switch. We purchased 2 lightly used 2002 HD U/Classics. Coincidental but both were near EXACT mileage. 13998 miles on one and 14200 on the other both bikes very very well cared for and had them BOTH serviced at our local HD shop and BOTH given a clean bill of health for the tour...and heres history,
July 30 rode 230 trouble free miles
July 31 8:30 a.m. (Saturday) RED bike, dies in heavy traffic and wont restart. 15 minutes it restarts. Happens again in a few miles and we were able to limp it into Harley shop in Logan ID.... 2 hours later repaired. BTW, great dealer and great service!! Thanks Duncan!! PROBLEM, 30 amp circuit used for ignition hot switch. HD undersized common problem he says.
July 31 1:00 p.m. (Saturday) RED bike, driving away from dealer after repair done notice brake lights stuck on. PROBLEM, front brake detent switch bad. None in stock so lubed and adjusted.
Aug. 1, Mid morning (Sunday) GREEN bike, Speedometer starts to fail readings falling. PROBLEM, speed sensor failing result no turn signal cancel, no cruise. Managable but annoying.
Aug 2, Second day without troubles besides standing un-repaired troubles.
Aug 3, Mid afternoon, (Tuesday) RED bike, speedometer develops same issue. PROBLEM, speed sensor failure.
Aug 4, Morning (Wednesday) Green bike, Rear brake lights locked on. PROBLEM, Rear hydraulic switch stuck open. No cruise and mtn riders behind me think every corner is a tight one.
Aug 4, 2:00 PM (Wednesday) Green bike, 102* out in road construction bike dies but restarts later, PROBLEM same as red bike the 30 amp circuit failed.
Aug 5, 2:15 PM (Thursday) RED &GREEN bike at dealer in Great Falls MT. Service wouldnt take an appointment for any service work because "Sturgis week, first come first serve and we are busy" we arrive at 2:15 to have speed sensors replaced and here "Thats a 1.5 hour job EACH and theres NO way we can do it" I said common its a .5 job tops. He agreed but said "its just the way it is"<--------worst service around and I would NOT recomend them.
**Went to Harbor Freight for tools and instead of touring the beer breweries we spent our time installing sensors in motel parking lot
Aug 9, (RED bike) After 4 days of working flawless the NEW speed sensor takes a crap<------------This was the straw!
All in all I liked the Harley it is a well rounded bike. It has its flaws but what bike doesnt! The biggest complaint I have is it is just PLAIN out not as reliable as the metric bikes. Case proven. There are some other major things but not worth a pizzing match...but I will mention one. PLEASE HD goto a liquid cooled motor and quit using your riders legs as a heat sink. I wont be the c@@l guy with my Honda but I also wont be spending my time repairing it rather than enjoying my once every 3 year tour. Sorry guys but I gave the HD a serious try and prolly would of been a convert if the product held up.
TOPIC of post was
""7 unrefutable reasons to go back to Honda""
A quick bit of history so you know a little bit about me and the validity of this post.
My dad started us (me and my other 2 brothers) touring on our 16th birthday and every 3 years after that. I am 42 years old now and have rode over 24000 miles of JUST touring. But since we only go every 3 years it is not feasable for me to own and maintain a bike with very little usage in between. I rode my first tour on a 1986 Suzuki GL 850 but every bike after that has ALWAYS been a big touring bike. I have rode the lions share of these trips on Goldwings but recently my younger brother decided that a HD would be a nice switch. We purchased 2 lightly used 2002 HD U/Classics. Coincidental but both were near EXACT mileage. 13998 miles on one and 14200 on the other both bikes very very well cared for and had them BOTH serviced at our local HD shop and BOTH given a clean bill of health for the tour...and heres history,
July 30 rode 230 trouble free miles
July 31 8:30 a.m. (Saturday) RED bike, dies in heavy traffic and wont restart. 15 minutes it restarts. Happens again in a few miles and we were able to limp it into Harley shop in Logan ID.... 2 hours later repaired. BTW, great dealer and great service!! Thanks Duncan!! PROBLEM, 30 amp circuit used for ignition hot switch. HD undersized common problem he says.
July 31 1:00 p.m. (Saturday) RED bike, driving away from dealer after repair done notice brake lights stuck on. PROBLEM, front brake detent switch bad. None in stock so lubed and adjusted.
Aug. 1, Mid morning (Sunday) GREEN bike, Speedometer starts to fail readings falling. PROBLEM, speed sensor failing result no turn signal cancel, no cruise. Managable but annoying.
Aug 2, Second day without troubles besides standing un-repaired troubles.
Aug 3, Mid afternoon, (Tuesday) RED bike, speedometer develops same issue. PROBLEM, speed sensor failure.
Aug 4, Morning (Wednesday) Green bike, Rear brake lights locked on. PROBLEM, Rear hydraulic switch stuck open. No cruise and mtn riders behind me think every corner is a tight one.
Aug 4, 2:00 PM (Wednesday) Green bike, 102* out in road construction bike dies but restarts later, PROBLEM same as red bike the 30 amp circuit failed.
Aug 5, 2:15 PM (Thursday) RED &GREEN bike at dealer in Great Falls MT. Service wouldnt take an appointment for any service work because "Sturgis week, first come first serve and we are busy" we arrive at 2:15 to have speed sensors replaced and here "Thats a 1.5 hour job EACH and theres NO way we can do it" I said common its a .5 job tops. He agreed but said "its just the way it is"<--------worst service around and I would NOT recomend them.
**Went to Harbor Freight for tools and instead of touring the beer breweries we spent our time installing sensors in motel parking lot
Aug 9, (RED bike) After 4 days of working flawless the NEW speed sensor takes a crap<------------This was the straw!
All in all I liked the Harley it is a well rounded bike. It has its flaws but what bike doesnt! The biggest complaint I have is it is just PLAIN out not as reliable as the metric bikes. Case proven. There are some other major things but not worth a pizzing match...but I will mention one. PLEASE HD goto a liquid cooled motor and quit using your riders legs as a heat sink. I wont be the c@@l guy with my Honda but I also wont be spending my time repairing it rather than enjoying my once every 3 year tour. Sorry guys but I gave the HD a serious try and prolly would of been a convert if the product held up.
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Dumb. They make nice looking bikes but the whole owning one because you need to impress your friends is a joke.
