Questions To Harley Riders

Forum Sponsor
BB722 said:
Why you gotta do him like that :LOL:

Isn't the Bmw GS 1200 one of the best adventure bikes? It would have to be pretty reliable for that reputation.
Click to expand...
I think this is in the eye of the beholder. Big GS are notorious for the number of issues rider face over very small distances - you will find lots electrical, corrosion, leaks, other mechanical issues. Buyers don't often whine about their new bikes, a year or two in they start complaining. If you want to get a clearer picture, drop by any Motorad dealer in the spring... there will be plenty of shocked customers willing to share their stories.

That said, these things can be overcome with great marketing and product positioning -- something BMW and HD are pretty good at.

suzuki v-strom-650 recalls in Canada | Auto123

vs

bmw r1200gs recalls in Canada | Auto123
 
Sure BMW has some recalls, but they are not issues that are leaving you stranded and again not things that are happening all the time. Like anything some people will be effected most will not.

Not sure what Motorad dealer you are visiting in the spring that is full of shocked customers, but I have yet to see that. People are riding these bikes around the world, up to Alaska, down to S. America without problems. Again if they were that bad no one would be buying them no matter what the marketing says. The internet is a big and fast moving voice for all issues. No amount of marketing would cover up a bike that broke down on a regular basis.
 
Pretty much anything made in the last 15-20 years by a mainstream manufacturer is going to be pretty good. There isn’t a lot of junk being manufactured these days. I think it’s mostly non owners that spread a lot of the noise about failures and issues.

If I believed the stuff I read on the internet my 2003 Harley would’ve never got me home and spent most of its time on either a tow truck or in the shop. Neither happened ever. In two years of owning it I rebuilt the front master and caliper on a 15 year old bike so no biggie. Other then that it was oil changes, gas and go. I have no reason to expect my 2013 will be any different.

I would be confident riding a Harley, BMW, Ducati, Aprilia, Triumph, KTM etc etc pretty much anywhere in North America. I’m more likely to break the things doing something stupid then any kind of design or manufacturing defect.
 
blackcamaro said:
Pretty much anything made in the last 15-20 years by a mainstream manufacturer is going to be pretty good. There isn’t a lot of junk being manufactured these days. I think it’s mostly non owners that spread a lot of the noise about failures and issues./QUOTE]

But...But...But….THE INTERNET FORUMS!!

I'm with you 100%. I recently sold my KTM 990 SMT to a long-time rider from Ottawa area. Chatting about the bike prior to selling I told him it was mechanically stone-stock. No blocking-off this, no screwing about with that, I figured the team of engineers that developed the bike knew more than some dude hacking around in his garage and posting on the forums. He paid more for mine because it was stock and properly maintained than a similar one that was "farkled" with.
A few years ago I had a 1987 BMW K100RS that I owned (from new) for 18 years and wouldn't hesitate to ride it coast to coast today.
Click to expand...
 
The original consumer reports that rated BMW and Harley as the two most unreliable also mentioned that most of the actual warranty issues were with "accessories". Not exactly certain what that means, but I do know that both brands tend to have many more add-ons from new than most typical Japanese brands. They also mentioned that most reported issues were not debilitating, ie the bike was still rideable.

Sent from my SM-A530W using Tapatalk
 
Great now we are bashing BMW's now. (y):ROFLMAO:

BTW all the annoyances I have had with my HD have been directly related to aftermarket parts I have put on.
Still dealing with my V&H loose baffle rattle.
 
As for cost of ownership of HD
I bought used, I shopped around and found a pretty good deal on an 06 HD Road Glide with 70,000km and 4 years left on an unlimited km warranty that was transferable. I put 33,000km on her over 3 years.
Traded in at a non Harley dealer on a Ktm adventure bike for $2000 over what I paid so yes they can be expensive but they do hold value well so it like having money in the bank. Kinda.
Yes I realize that doesn’t always happen. But from my experience HD do hold there value very well.
And as stated before their paint work and fit and finish is incredible.
It should be for the price.
 
Off the topic of bashing HD and on to another expensive brand.
I have a KTM 1190 adventure now.
I looked briefly at the vstrom because I could almost get a new bike for the price of the used KTM with some farkle.
I chose the ktm because the clutch feel, the electronics, the suspension it just felt better.
It definitely was not a looks thing because frankly both are ugly. Imo

I love the look of a super sport but I don’t want to ride one.
I love custom choppers from the 2000’s but I don’t want to ride one. Again
 
I have CAA and a Honda. Helped me a lot when i blew my rear tire on the highway. When they took it back to the dealer I had a hole in my tire about the size of a dime! Lots of sharp things on the road that will put a damper on any bike.


Blacque Jacque Shellacque said:
Pointless trivia. Obviously BMW and HD owners have CAA coverage while most Yamaha and Honda riders do not.
Click to expand...
 
Roadghost said:
By all means, go ahead.
Click to expand...

"In 2014, Harley-Davidson began manufacturing the Street 750 and 500 motorcycles in India - at Bawal, Haryana India, its only manufacturing facility outside of the US"

"The BMW G310R is a standard or naked motorcycle developed by BMW Motorrad in collaboration with TVS Motor Company of India. "

On top of that Harley is planning to make/unveil sub 500cc bikes in India, so it will be making even more bikes in India than BMW is.
 
Also this:
 
This is Charlotte
I picked her up May 2017
Right now she has 59,000km on her and I don’t ride her to work.
We’ve been all over the place.
She was made in York PA…I watched her being built
I love the fact she has a 6 gal tank…I get about 380kms per tank.
I love the 6 speed….she has a nice perrr to her in 6th on the highway.
I have her dialed in as far as wind displacement goes…very little on the highway.
I’ve added all the comfort creatures needed…if there’s a more comfortable ride out there I haven’t found it.
I have no problem doing minor maintenance and such…oil changes that kinda thing.
There are all kinds of information and videos to assist.
We go down to Maggie Valley NC twice a year and I can’t imagine taking anything else down there.
That being said….is this bike for everyone….no
They are expensive and big and heavy.
I was drawn to the style and knew what I was getting myself into when I started.
Personally, I don’t care what you ride…my friends have Victory and Honda and such.
One of my friends has a Triumph Rocket 3…man that thing is nice.
Maybe I’m not one of those typical HD guys.
I’ve never taken out one of there 48’s but I like the look of them.
OP I don’t know if I’ve answered your question or not.
I’m not about to get into the whole debate thing over what manufacturer is better…might as well have an engine oil debate.
I will tell you I have had 3 HD over the last 7 years and have done well over 180,000kms on them.
“To each his own” I guess.
I hope in the future you find something you like and get as much pleasure out of it as I do Charlotte.

IMG-20171128-115650.jpg
 
If I really wanted a classic(expensive) bike with a lot of history, I would def go triumph over HD, nothing personal, I just like triumphs
 
bigpoppa said:
If I really wanted a classic(expensive) bike with a lot of history, I would def go triumph over HD, nothing personal, I just like triumphs
Click to expand...

Triump makes beautiful bikes and they have a great history as well, though they were notoriously unreliable back in the day. They have a well rounded lineup now and before buying my last three BMW's I have always given the Triumph Tiger serious thought.
 
kiley said:
This is Charlotte
I picked her up May 2017
Right now she has 59,000km on her and I don’t ride her to work.
We’ve been all over the place.
She was made in York PA…I watched her being built
I love the fact she has a 6 gal tank…I get about 380kms per tank.
Click to expand...
Nice looking ride!

Curious how do you get so much mileage out of a single tank? I can get 320-mabye 350 max. I know you have a newer bike then mine, but I thought the tank sizes where the same. Maybe the newer models are a bit larger....
Also how did you attach that flag, and were did you get it?
Forum Sponsor
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom