I've been thinking about buying a Harley, but a friend of mine who is into motorbikes tell me that they have high maintenance costs and are very unreliable. Do you own a Harley? Is it true?
2007-03-10 23:07:20 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
I have been riding and working on bikes for over 30 years. I currently have a Harley and a Honda. In my experience the problem with all bikes isn't who makes them but rather how they are cared for after they are bought. Of the two bikes I currently ride the Honda has only left me walking once in the past 23 years ( but with 127,000 miles on it I would say that is good). The Harley has never left me walking in the 8 years I have had it and it has 52,000 miles on it. Maintenance cost is close to the same. But then I do 90% of the work on them myself. After calling some friends I was told the Harley dealer is charging $69 an hour and the Honda dealer is charging $65 an hour. One benefit that could affect cost is the fact you are more likely to find after market parts for the metric.
Just a little side note : this is based upon new bikes not used ones. Of the used bikes I have owned one was a rag tag home jimmied Harley and yes it was unreliable. But this was based upon the fact that its care left a lot to be desired before I purchased it. Buy what you want and don't worry what others think its your money and your life.
2007-03-11 05:05:32 · answer #1 · answered by dreamwever4u2 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
As an proprietor/rider of various distinctive HD motorcycles -over the years, the at present geared up bike from Harley-Davidson is a sturdy gadget. some won't like the engineering, others won't like the cost tag. nonetheless others do no longer understand that there is a mystique with possessing/driving a Harley. i've got additionally owned -and at present very own- different manufactures motorcycles. while you're searching for for a cruiser form bike, evaluate a HD as a good investment. With a greater effective return on resale value. a minimum of greater effective than the different "wanna-be" that's at present made. And, they're a blast to journey! undemanding maintenance is needed for any bike. A 'seventy two Honda in my storage leaks greater oil than a 'sixty 5 HD... yet, I abuse the 'seventy two Honda greater. All in all... the electrical powered wiring on a '80 4 replaced into undesirable. a prior proprietors meddling with an '80 5 led to issues. A 'ninety softail replaced right into a good gadget. The 'ninety 5 Dyna -nonetheless interior the storage- has an occasional electric powered start up undertaking -via low battery...yet in basic terms minor maintenance subject concerns over the final 14 years. The '07 is a good bike and all waiting to leave the next day on a protracted trip. BTW: The HD electric powered wiring structures have been redesigned in 'ninety six and because are properly certainly worth the money. might i purchase yet another? Yep... already thinking of procuring for and advertising interior the '07 in a twelve months or 2. BTW: i've got owned Hondas, which incorporates Goldwings, Kawasaki's, Suzuki's, Polaris, Yamaha's... regularly highway or cruizers... by no skill owned a sport bike, rode some, yet they are not comfortable to me. storage at present has 3 honda's and a pair of Harleys. All classic Honda's... have not stumbled on the single classic Harley, interior the form/form i opt for for a value i'm prepared to pay.
2016-10-01 22:34:22 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i own a '05 1200 sportster, and i've had zero reliability issues. maint. so far has been a change of engine and primary oils, air pressure checks, and an air filter replacement. high maint. costs...not on my bike at this time. i do my own servicing with a proper shop manual. only things that i dont have the tools for do i send it to the shop. and by the looks of it, it would be for when the tires need replaced. 'unreliable' went away with amf...time to step into the 2000 decade cause the bikes are alot better now than anything amf tried to pass off as a 'bike'.
2007-03-11 04:53:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The routine maintenance on Harleys is more extensive than any other bike I owned. If you get a service manual and do it yourself, there is really not much difference in cost.
I have a 2002. I bought the extended warranty and never used it.
2007-03-11 00:28:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I heard the same thing and bought a honda but if you really want a Harley you should get one because you can always get a warranty or learn to do your own maintenace. On the bright side you shouldn't have problems finding parts
2007-03-10 23:49:41 · answer #5 · answered by a_non_ah_mus 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Go down through the questions in the motorcycle section.There are alot of people wanting to know why their bikes won't start and wanting to know whats wrong with their bikes.If you are smart you will notice that very few are Harleys.I own 4 and they give me very little problem.When they do the parts are cheaper than metric parts.My friend has a Gold Wing and parts cost three times as much.
2007-03-11 07:05:44 · answer #6 · answered by bill b 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My guy, Mr. Taffscott, has a Harley and he has had it for many years, I've never seen him do any major maintenance on it, it runs awesome, I love going for rides with him every year and it is very maintenance free from what I can tell. just your usual change of oil, and stuff. I'd recommend buying one. and I can't wait for him to license it this year for our first cruise of the season. Nothing like riding the open highway on a Harley.
2007-03-10 23:22:27 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
A true friend would give real info instead of gossip.
Maintenance is about the same.
Harley dealer gets $75/hr. Honda dealer gets $70/hr.(and charged a full hour to mount and balance each tire).
I do my own regular maintenance. I save the labor charge, get to know my ride, and know it's done right.
2007-03-11 05:47:21 · answer #8 · answered by Firecracker . 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Based upon my experience with H-D I'd not recommend one but some guys swear by them. They do come with a high price tag both in initial purchase and then in maintenance costs. I buy and ride metric simply because I like them better. There is an old joke i remember from the old days and it really doesn't apply to newer Harley's. The joke goes like this..."95% of Harleys are still on the road...the other 5% made it back home!" Ride whatever you like...be it a Harley. or Honda...it's all good...just ride safe.
2007-03-10 23:19:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋
Your friend is such a MORON! Harleys are so unreliable that the company has only been in business for 104 YEARS!
My ol' man's bike ( a'63) is older than most of these rice-rocket ridin' space cadets!
2007-03-10 23:50:36 · answer #10 · answered by AMAYZIN 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋