It's a rumor I've heard that when you buy a Harley, you'll spend more time fixing it than riding it. Is this usually the case?
2007-05-17 17:38:33 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Well Travis, I've heard people say this also. Truth is, Harley Davidsons aren't the same bikes that they were when they got that reputation. Today, with the rubber mounting of the engine and various other updates, the vibration of the bike has become nothing like it used to be. And vibration was one of the biggest problems that they had before, because not everyone was smart enough to check their machine before they ride, and look for loose ends and what not. Just a good going over and tightening would solve most break downs before the ever happened. Take my dad's old bike, a 77' model with the old Shovelhead motor, and a really wild cam and tons of other mods. This bike made it feel like it was going to throw you off when you stopped at a red light, but he never had a problem with the bike. He rode with a group of Angel's in Texas, and took care of all of their bikes. He was constantly wrenching on someones rig, but it was never his own. Because he was smart enough to keep everything tight. Well, I think I'm rambling now. So, anyway, nowadays, no it's not true. My bike didn't every require any more attention than my friends' metric bikes.
2007-05-17 17:55:10 · answer #1 · answered by jw 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Not even ,just look at the disproportionate number of "My Kawasaki this" or my "Suzuki that" Hell just following your question are 3-4 metric bike problems.
Many metric riders mistake Harley owners tinkering and tickling with their bikes as some kind of necessity when in fact it's done because we love our bikes.
Some of the older (Pre -Evo and Twin Cam) AMF bikes required a bit more maintenance, but that was 25 years ago, I might add most of those bikes are still on the road.
I work on our bikes for amusement not because they need it.
2007-05-18 01:53:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
The older Harleys yes but the modern Harleys no
Any bike not looked after will be spending a lot of time in the shed being fixed (or at the garage.) and will cost $$$$$ to fix as well
The moral of the story, look after your bike regardless of the make & you will have no problems
2007-05-18 04:34:41 · answer #3 · answered by ozraikat 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Does not seem so.
I had to work on my metrics because they were bought old and used/abused.
In almost 12000 miles on my '06 HD, the only work that has been needed was to replace my rear shocks. That's an unusual thing for Harleys to need. But, if you saw the frostheaves and potholes I was hitting at 50 mph, you would understand. I actually think it was caused by the huge hole I hit at an expansion joint in the highway while going through Mass. at 65 mph. A friend hit a similar hole on his Star, it trashed his rear wheel.
2007-05-18 02:06:01 · answer #4 · answered by Firecracker . 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It was true back in the 60's and especially the 70's when AMF took over the company. It is no longet true since Harley took the company back over and they came out with the EVO engine.
2007-05-18 00:54:48 · answer #5 · answered by pappy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's almost the same now.
However, I've pushed my old 1973 AMF Sportster a total of over 13 miles on several different occasions.
Not so with my Yamaha.
2007-05-18 02:09:59 · answer #6 · answered by Arek_97 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The newer ones are more reliable than the older models were.I personally think you get more for your money with Jap. though.
2007-05-18 00:54:34 · answer #7 · answered by dikhead 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋