Harley Davidson owners...any problems with your bike?

Question

Many people say Harley Davidson motorcycles are the worst bikes in breaking down and require high costs in maintaining. Leaking oil is the most common problem mentioned.
The people who say this are people who don't own a Harley and hear about it from other people or former Harley owners who owned a Harley years ago.

However, I never hear anything bad about Harley's straight from a person who currently owns and rides one. Maybe older Harley models had problems and HD fixed them?

So, for those who actually own a Harley and is a newer model, 4 years or newer, have you had any major problems and does your Harley require much maintainence other than normal that you would expect compared to other motorcycle manufacturers of similar cruiser bikes?

Answer 1

There hasn't been any major, recurring problems with any Harley since they bought back ownership from AMF in 1981. Any engine from the Evolution to todays Blockhead is a great motor. I know, I've owned the oil leaking, break-down, cheaply made AMF Harleys & the much better ones built since 1984. Normal maintenance is all you need, unless your crazy, like me, & chop/custom everything.

Answer 2

My HD is a 2006 softail, I took it to Harley for the second oil change at 5000 miles and it had developed a transmission leak. It was under warranty, so it did not cost anything, the mechanic said....It's a Harley.....All Harley leak or develope leaks over time. I think that's true for any bike though. I love the bike, and knew this when I bought it, that's why I have a 3 year extended warranty with unlimited mileage.

Most of the Police here in my area ride them and say I will use the warranty to it's fullest, but they love the bikes also.

I think it's important to keep the original side plates and stay away from the after market ones that are high polished. They attract more heat and sometimes are not fitted as well as the factory ones. All are aluminum and that also poses a problem, it expands, just a factor with it.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Harley Davidson owners...any problems with your bike?
Many people say Harley Davidson motorcycles are the worst bikes in breaking down and require high costs in maintaining. Leaking oil is the most common problem mentioned.
The people who say this are people who don't own a Harley and hear about it from other people or former Harley owners who...

Answer 4

Harley Davidson Troubleshooting

Answer 5

My Harley is an 02 FXD. I've only had the normal maintenance items, changing oil, fluids, etc. It doesn't leak a drop of oil. It's never left me by the side of the road. It runs perfect. You couldn't ask for any better. The years Harley was owned by AMF in the 70's was when Harley bikes had a lot of problems, but that was a long time ago. Harley and AMF parted ways and the Harleys today are very dependable.

Answer 6

My first Harley was an '03 Ultra classic and it blew an engine at 1200 miles but Harley "replaced" the engine with no problems and I had no major problems after that. I traded it in for the '07 Ultra when they came out. My wife and I in September did 3155 miles (2 up and fully loaded) through the Mojave desert and Arizona to almost the Mexico border in heat that hit 100-110 most days and the bike never missed a beat. I ride every day and love the bike and would recommend them to anyone. One of the secrets to total bike satisfaction is finding a good dealer and I feel very comfortable with D&S Harley in Phoenix (Medford) Oregon.

Answer 7

2007 FLSTN, had a rattle in the front when I got it. The dealer found a white paper on a known issue with that model. He replaced the left fork leg and no problems since. This is my first Harley but my 26th motorcycle. I personally don't see where it is any less reliable than anything else I've ever owned. A lot of predjudice on this site regarding Harley's though for sure and you are right, it is always from someone that knows nothing about them. You are a smart guy to disregard their crap.

Answer 8

Got an 04 Superglide. No problems what so ever. Before that, I had a '90 Sportster, no problems there either. Do the usual maintenance (oil changes, tire pressures, etc.etc.etc.) they'll run as long as anything on the road.
The history HD has with reliability issues stems from the 70's when AMF bought out HD and put out s**t bikes for about 10 years. Anything made after 1986 will run just as long as you want it to, just so long as you do the maintenance it needs...But how is that different than anything?

Answer 9

I have a 91 FXR, ( my 2nd 91 FXR) also a 90 FXR ( the old ladies bike) and a 1991 , 1200 Sportster I made into a sidecar for my dog.

I spend far more time cleaning and polishing than wrenching, though the Sporty needs new intake manifold seals at least once a year, but I think that's because It works hard pulling the sidecar( an extra 300 lbs. 365 w/dog).
Like any bike, they require routine maintenance, oil , brakes, tires, and misc. adjustments , but we've had no catastrophic or costly break downs.

Answer 10

As someone who owns and has owned older Harleys and new Harleys, they have improved as far as oil leakage, etc. Really, if you think about it, this goes for cars as well. I have an old Corvette and as beautiful as they are, the older ones have problems that the newer ones do not. I still love my old Harley, though, it really has given us few problems, except for the little bit of oil leakage, as they say, A Harley Marks Its Spot! Good luck to you, my friend, and no matter which bike you choose, ride safe! Ghost Rider Leather .com