why i will never buy another harley?

Question

my new fatboy I bought in feb. has taken a crap I have 3800 miles on the clock and the oil pump has gone out. the brilliant dealer mech. has told me because i have used synthetic oil my motor has crapped. The reason you ask. Synthetic oil is too slippery for the oil pump!!!! I have never heard such a retarded answer from a so called profesional. They say crap like that and charge 85 dollars an hour. I have well over 150000 miles on hondas, kawi's,suzuki's,aprilia's,yamaha's and have never had a problem. THey wont warranty my bike and it's three months old totally stock. I was talked into a harley by all my friends and had second thoughts. Why did i buy that piece o crap.

I ran the harley synthetic put in at my first service by the dealer

ah mad dog
porsche,audi vw,gm all have new cars from the factory with synthetic
you probably still think you mcant mix conv. and syn. keep you uninformed opinion to yourself

i have called just about everyone and they are saying they have to agree with the dealer mech. i can't find my first service reciept

an oil made to a specific weight is not thinner synthetic oils are less likely to thin as a result of heat and friction.
now i know where the dealer gets off telling me this crap its because your not that brite

took the bike to another dealer said it was a bad gear in the oil pump aked me what i would like to do

after all that I said i would like my money back and like a honda
never again thanks for reading my question and providing me with an abundance of stupid answers
thanks to the jap bike owners for your support

Answer 1

You too!
I've had 3 harleys (lower case because it doesn't deserve better), and each one was a junk pile. They spent more time in the shop than they did on the road.
The last one was off the showroom floor, had it for 7 months rode it for a, (get this), total of 27 days. it needed a total because it was returned to the shop four times and it needed parts every time that were not available in the STATE!
The last time I dropped it off, got my money back, walked across the street and purchased a Kawasaki. I rode that bike for 2 years, WITH NO SERVICE! and the guy I sold it to is still riding it! Get this! It's FIVE-YEARS-OLD! Now let's see a harley do that.
I have two real motorcycles now HONDAS!

Answer 2

Isolated incident.
Something about your story does not add up? Based on the details you've presented ,Either:
A)The dealer put an unapproved oil in that lead to engine failure? *Dealer at fault*
B) The dealer put in an approved oil and the pump/ motor failed as a defect? *Manufacturer at fault.*
I suspect you are omitting some other crucial details, Did the dealer advise you against the use of the synthetic? Did you do anything that would create a 'gray area'?
The dealer will have a copy of your service records even if you don't.
You failed to state the extent of the damage, Top end? entire motor ,bearings and all?
If what you are saying is true ,I would suggest contacting The Bureau of Automotive Repair and Factory Harley warranty.
If no satisfaction is found through those channels ,Then a warranty attorney or even small claims depending on the extent of the damage.
Again, I suspect you are leaving out important details.

Answer 3

I'm agreeing with Ride On here. Something isn't adding up. I've bought a brand new Fatboy with no problems. Synthetic oil is used, and the warranty last for a year. You should be covered unless you did the work yourself and used the wrong kind of oil. I'm suspected something more is going on. Someone brings up a good point, you seem like you're a rude person which won't get you very far. I've actually had my Harley run a lot better than my Honda, then again, I know what kind of oil to use.

Answer 4

I think to much hype is put onto this synthetic oil crap in the 1st place. If synthetic is so great then why are all the manufactures suggesting don't use until after break-in? What type of oil does Harley suggest using? Can you prove that it was the pump and not the oil? I also agree Harley bikes are more of a status then a ride. Opinions about this or that won't help you solve your problem. So try calling the main office and see what's up. If they strongly believe it was the synthetic oil then find out {in detail} why. Old saying "the squeaking wheel gets the oil" so bug the sh** out of Harley until you get all your questions answered.

Answer 5

If the oil pick up screen is under the level of the oil-regardless of type of oil-it will be pumped through out the engine, barring a mechanical failure of the pump.

"Synthetic oil is too slippery for the pump". BULL****! 10W40 is 10W40 regardless of being dino or synthetic oil.
With only 3800 miles, there is no reason for this failure.

If you have the pump replaced, get that failed pump into your hands. This should not be a problem if they are not going to warranty the pump. Have someone disassemble it to see why it failed. My bet is something got stuck inside and the Harley dealer is covering their corporate butt. Further, I'll bet you are not the first to have this problem.
Good Luck

Answer 6

My good friend with his new sportster had a similar adventure with his H-D dealer. The bike would stall in every light and when too hot it won't restart until hours later. He actually traded his little girls bike for a real Honda VTX 1800. He almost got a tattoo with the H-D on his arm. His very glad he didn't. There are many people that are very narrow minded. Open your eyes and see whats out there. There is always something better that what you have. Is your motorcylce better because you paid much more for it??? Don't think so!!! A motorcycle is a motorcycle anyway you color it.

My advise to you is call HQ and if they can't fix it get a atty.

Answer 7

Have ALL of you paper work in front of you and call HARLEY DAVIDSON customer service. The answer from you mechanic gave you ( hope it was a HD shop) is nonsense...Harley offers a Full Synthetic oil...so how can that answer be honest?
Did You buy the bike new?? from the dealer that fed you this line???? Did you have HD do the first service ??? At what mileage did you start using the synthetic oil??? Did you break in the engine per HD instructions??

Answer 8

It's your choice whether or not to buy another.
For this one, take it to another dealer (second opinion, like a doctor). Then go to corporate customer service. The warrantee is two years, unlimited mileage. The synthetic didn't cause your problem, but there is a chance it may keep it from being resolved. The reason: HD dealers are franchises, they own their own shop, and sell/install whatever they want. Even unapproved parts.

You shouldn't have gone to synthetic until 5000 miles. (my opinion)

Answer 9

What are you doing? If that was a Chevy and brand new, and the dealership told you some crap like that would you just shuffle your feet and say aww shucks, no you would be on the phone with GM. Same thing with Harley. All Harley oil in the new bikes is synthetic, just cause the dealer is retarted don't try to sink to his leval to deal with him. You really don't sound like a biker, and owning a Harley doesn't make you one. You need a rice burner, your whining, handwringing, honda praising bull is pissing me off, I'd have asked that dealer how the warrantee an his liver is cause I'm about to stomp it out of his butt.

Answer 10

although synthetic Oils are the same weight, they have different viscosity, the engine can't handle the synthetics, Harley's have always been temper-mental when it comes to oil. I would go with the dealer's decision.

and the way you are typing your responses, you will soon find yourself alone in a friendly hobby. you have to take responsibility for your bike's maintenance, and/or reading the manual for your bike. either way, it was your fault.

Answer 11

Maybe you should contact the motor oil company that you used and try to get them to assist your case. The idea of that idiot spreading lies like that does not help anyone. A 3 month old bike shouldn't be having problems at all. I'd also contact the head office of Harley Davidson. I'm pretty sure they do not want this kind of corporate image being spread around. You have a good case here. That bike should be getting fixed for free. And no, I'm not a Harley fan, either. Never have been.