Neighbor bought a new Harley. Beautiful bike!

[John Schmidt]

My neighbor down the street just traded his 2012 Harley for a new 2015. The sticker was $31k minus his $26k trade-in. Believe it's a Road Glide, has the twin headlight fairing, I have no clue what the various models are, just know the nomenclature is rather ridiculous. Always has been, even when I was riding them years ago. I will say, that thing is beautiful, nice blue color with all the bells and whistles. I sat on it and the ergonomics are better than my own Valk, very comfy with his Corbin seat on it. His dealing with the store he bought it from(same one he's used for the last four HD's) was quite strict. They wanted to add all kinds of accessories, charge full price plus labor. Since it was the fourth bike he bought from them he said he'd only pay cost on the accessories and 50% on the labor. They finally agreed and he picked it up a couple days later. They wanted his old bike right away, he said no....when the new one is ready, then I'll hand you the keys. When he did, he handed them the $5k difference in cash and rode away.

His 2012 had the engine come apart twice. First time they repaired it, didn't last more than about 5k miles and came unglued again. This time they put a new engine it and it lasted the rest of the 68k he put on the bike. It was 16k before the first engine went south, 5k more on the repair to it, the new engine lasted until he traded it at 68k.

[solo1]

With my limited income retirement pay, it is simply beyond my comprehension to pay that kind of money for a bike.

I think that I've had the 'bug' for many years but ,by gosh, the Vstrom does get me in the wind quite nicely at only 5k invested in it.

It sure doesn't have the fit and finish of a Harley nor its looks but I guess that many are willing to fork out that kind of money for being "IN"

As for reliability, 'metric bikes' excluding BMW, have a much better reputation than Harley.

To each his own, i guess.

[Spirited-6]

His 2012 had the engine come apart twice. First time they repaired it, didn't last more than about 5k miles and came unglued again. This time they put a new engine it and it lasted the rest of the 68k he put on the bike. It was 16k before the first engine went south, 5k more on the repair to it, the new engine lasted until he traded it at 68k.


  sends a bunch of thoughts to my head.   

[Jack B]

I'm surprised they give him $26k for his H.D. with 68,000 miles on it. He must ride a lot.

[old2soon]

You may or may not be aware that my brother makes his riding and bling money working on H/D. AND he has to test ride anything he worked/works on. He has enumerated many tales of woe to me on engines expiring at an early age or low miles as compared to our rides of choice. And I've had friends that have had their problems of similar nature. Just this past summer a friend of mine 1200CC soft tail SOMETHING H/D the cams went south at 8 or 10000 miles. $1100.00 later he had his bike back. Plus I've talked with other folks that wrench on H/D and there is a litany of part failures I won't go into here. John-if the guy that bought it is happy-NOTHING else matters. And YES I do realize our machines ain't perfect either. And I have visited the H/D dealer in Springfield Mo. a time or 3. Just CAN NOT justify THAT much money fer ANY new M/C. RIDE SAFE.

[John Schmidt]

At $31k, I'm with the rest of you....not for me unless I have a seven figure bank account. Cams were mentioned, that's also what came apart on his first engine, and the repairs that were done to it. Not sure what he did to make the second one last over 40k but it did. He does ride a lot....for a HD rider at least. Even he talks about it, said a lot of them are homebound when it comes to long distance riding. Not him, he had over three weeks of vacation to use before year's end, so he and a retired buddy took off for California in Sept. I believe it was. Both on bikes, said he put nearly 9k on that trip alone. Usually rides to Sturgis each year, says a lot of locals will trailer north to a friend's place, ride the last couple hundred miles.

If it turns out I can attend InZane in 2015(doubtful), I intend to ride the entire distance. I've made trips like that in the past, no reason why I can't still do it. Of course, others in the household may disagree. 

[Hook#3287]

One of the lumber delivery truck drivers from my lumber yard and I have ridden together, he had a very nice looking Road King.

He tells me he traded it in on a new Road Glide.  After a couple a thousand miles he checked his oil levels and the tranny was down 1/2.  So he fills it up.  Couple thousand later, same thing.

He brings it into the dealer asking what's up and they find nothing and tell him to keep riding it.  

He brings it in for the 5 thousand service and again they find nothing, say nothing.

Next day after service, he sees his oil pressure gauge going crazy, down all the way, then up all the way.  

So he stops and checks his oil level in the motor and it's seriously over filled.  He drains out the extra and brings it back to the dealer.

They finally find that some shaft seal was faulty and the tranny oil was migrating into the motor.

They fixed it, they said.

Kinda makes you wonder how they didn't catch it when they changed the oil at the 5K

I know absolutely nothing about HD motors, but this is the story he told me.

If I paid 30K plus for a vehicle and it did this, I'd go balistic.

Heck, I only paid 36K or so for my truck and 5 of that was for a REAL motor, a Cummins

[98valk]

With my limited income retirement pay, it is simply beyond my comprehension to pay that kind of money for a bike.

I think that I've had the 'bug' for many years but ,by gosh, the Vstrom does get me in the wind quite nicely at only 5k invested in it.

It sure doesn't have the fit and finish of a Harley nor its looks but I guess that many are willing to fork out that kind of money for being "IN"

As for reliability, 'metric bikes' excluding BMW, have a much better reputation than Harley.

To each his own, i guess.

Vstrom, awesome bike, fantastic engine, plus the great 50+ mpg.
I hear it's easy on tires also?

[Rams]

I will say, that thing is beautiful, nice blue color with all the bells and whistles.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.    I don't care what anyone rides, I'll ride with just about anyone but, as I said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.    I have yet to find any motorcycle that is as beautiful and sexy as a Valkyrie.  Just my opinion.   Your mileage may vary. 

[paul246]

With my limited income retirement pay, it is simply beyond my comprehension to pay that kind of money for a bike.

I think that I've had the 'bug' for many years but ,by gosh, the Vstrom does get me in the wind quite nicely at only 5k invested in it.

It sure doesn't have the fit and finish of a Harley nor its looks but I guess that many are willing to fork out that kind of money for being "IN"

As for reliability, 'metric bikes' excluding BMW, have a much better reputation than Harley.

To each his own, i guess.

Vstrom, awesome bike, fantastic engine, plus the great 50+ mpg.
I hear it's easy on tires also?

Vstrom... excellent choice in a motorcycle  ... I especially like the 650 version.

[cookiedough]

A retired guy at work has 3 newer HD's drives them to our work for seasonal employment to keep busy.  He let me sit on the prettier one in the parking lot.  It was nice and all being full dressers, but felt small compared to my Valk I/S.  Plus, the seat was too small (but plusher) and for sure hurt my nads in the middle with the very pointed upward front section.  Man, that hurt the family jewels and he is taller than me but skinnier by about 60lbs. or so.   He does ride all 3 though all summer long more miles for sure than me yearly and has the money being retired to store them inside a heated building during the winter months. 

They do look pretty, but they should for that kind of dough.  Pretty sure though they are not overall as reliable as most 4 and 6 cylinder engines. 

[hbeck32]

I will say that I ride with folks on all types of bikes, have ridden long distance with 3 different Harleys, 1 had no issues at all doing a IBA 1,000 miles in 24 hours ride, both of the others started to blow oil out their breathers after running with the Valkyrie, going to and from the mid-west, both ended up having to much oil in them, after the trip and having their bikes checked out both fellows told me the oil dip stick on their bikes was off, when oil was up to the full mark it was to much. Premeasuring the oil too Harleys specified amount solved both their problems. Oil blowout only happened when run hard for long periods of time, when up to the full mark on the dip stick. Most folks with Harleys never run that hard for that long. I will stick with the Valkyrie and the Wing.

[hbeck32]

Oh; and the Harleys run hot and shutdown when they ride to long in stop and go traffic or in long parades, that would be 1 high priced heater for me to own.

[Jess Tolbirt]

One of the lumber delivery truck drivers from my lumber yard and I have ridden together, he had a very nice looking Road King.

He tells me he traded it in on a new Road Glide.  After a couple a thousand miles he checked his oil levels and the tranny was down 1/2.  So he fills it up.  Couple thousand later, same thing.

He brings it into the dealer asking what's up and they find nothing and tell him to keep riding it. 

He brings it in for the 5 thousand service and again they find nothing, say nothing.

Next day after service, he sees his oil pressure gauge going crazy, down all the way, then up all the way. 

So he stops and checks his oil level in the motor and it's seriously over filled.  He drains out the extra and brings it back to the dealer.

They finally find that some shaft seal was faulty and the tranny oil was migrating into the motor.

They fixed it, they said.

Kinda makes you wonder how they didn't catch it when they changed the oil at the 5K

I know absolutely nothing about HD motors, but this is the story he told me.

If I paid 30K plus for a vehicle and it did this, I'd go balistic.

Heck, I only paid 36K or so for my truck and 5 of that was for a REAL motor, a Cummins

hmmmm i believe sonme one lied to him,,the tranny and engine are two seperate pieces connected together by a primary chain,,

[Jess Tolbirt]

Oh; and the Harleys run hot and shutdown when they ride to long in stop and go traffic or in long parades, that would be 1 high priced heater for me to own.

not any more,,

[Mongo]

I'm surprised they give him $26k for his H.D. with 68,000 miles on it. He must ride a lot.

.  


The 2015 Road glide is only $23,199.00

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Motorcycles/road-glide-special.html.  

The retail of a used 2012 Road Glide is about $19,000.00 and a trade in of about $14,000.00

http://www.kbb.com/motorcycles/harley-davidson/fltrx-road-glide-custom/2012-harley-davidson-fltrx-road-glide-custom/suggestedretailvalue/.  

The retail of a used 2012 CVO Road glide is about $30,000.00 and a trade in value of  about $24,800.00

http://www.kbb.com/motorcycles/harley-davidson/fltrxse-cvo-road-glide-custom/2012-harley-davidson-fltrxse-cvo-road-glide-custom/suggestedretailvalue/.

So if his old bike was just a Road Glide it's sounds like a good deal If it was the CVO model with the 1802cc motor he may have over paid a little with a jacked up price on the 2015 But if it's the bike you want just pay the extra and enjoy the ride. 68,000 miles in two or three years he is doing more than bar hopping

[Hook#3287]

One of the lumber delivery truck drivers from my lumber yard and I have ridden together, he had a very nice looking Road King.

He tells me he traded it in on a new Road Glide.  After a couple a thousand miles he checked his oil levels and the tranny was down 1/2.  So he fills it up.  Couple thousand later, same thing.

He brings it into the dealer asking what's up and they find nothing and tell him to keep riding it. 

He brings it in for the 5 thousand service and again they find nothing, say nothing.

Next day after service, he sees his oil pressure gauge going crazy, down all the way, then up all the way. 

So he stops and checks his oil level in the motor and it's seriously over filled.  He drains out the extra and brings it back to the dealer.

They finally find that some shaft seal was faulty and the tranny oil was migrating into the motor.

They fixed it, they said.

Kinda makes you wonder how they didn't catch it when they changed the oil at the 5K

I know absolutely nothing about HD motors, but this is the story he told me.

If I paid 30K plus for a vehicle and it did this, I'd go balistic.

Heck, I only paid 36K or so for my truck and 5 of that was for a REAL motor, a Cummins

hmmmm i believe sonme one lied to him,,the tranny and engine are two seperate pieces connected together by a primary chain,,

Hey Jess ,

That's why I put the disclaimer in there about not knowing HD motors. 

So who's full of it? Can't beleive my riding buddy would tell me that if he didn't believe it.
It's not like he would be messing with me, we don't know each other that well and he was pissed off about it.

Is there any connected area at all?  Is there a third oil chamber?

[Jess Tolbirt]

One of the lumber delivery truck drivers from my lumber yard and I have ridden together, he had a very nice looking Road King.

He tells me he traded it in on a new Road Glide.  After a couple a thousand miles he checked his oil levels and the tranny was down 1/2.  So he fills it up.  Couple thousand later, same thing.

He brings it into the dealer asking what's up and they find nothing and tell him to keep riding it. 

He brings it in for the 5 thousand service and again they find nothing, say nothing.

Next day after service, he sees his oil pressure gauge going crazy, down all the way, then up all the way. 

So he stops and checks his oil level in the motor and it's seriously over filled.  He drains out the extra and brings it back to the dealer.

They finally find that some shaft seal was faulty and the tranny oil was migrating into the motor.

They fixed it, they said.

Kinda makes you wonder how they didn't catch it when they changed the oil at the 5K

I know absolutely nothing about HD motors, but this is the story he told me.

If I paid 30K plus for a vehicle and it did this, I'd go balistic.

Heck, I only paid 36K or so for my truck and 5 of that was for a REAL motor, a Cummins

hmmmm i believe sonme one lied to him,,the tranny and engine are two seperate pieces connected together by a primary chain,,

Hey Jess ,

That's why I put the disclaimer in there about not knowing HD motors. 

So who's full of it? Can't beleive my riding buddy would tell me that if he didn't believe it.
It's not like he would be messing with me, we don't know each other that well and he was pissed off about it.

Is there any connected area at all?  Is there a third oil chamber?

i really wasnt saying anyone was full of it just that some one told him a lie. I think some one over filled the engine oil tank..
I am not 100% here but i think the road king uses the same oil system as my bike,, the engine and primary case connect together and each has a seal and the tranny connects to the primary case and also has a seal..the oil would have to pass through 4 seals to get to the engine from the tranny..now, if he has a seperate oil tank for engine oil only like the dynas have then no way to get oil from the tranny to the engine,, if you want to discuss this more shoot me a pm and i get get you some drawings,,,

[Jack]

I have a customer that said he and his dad rode their bikes all the way to Fayetteville(about 150 miles) and they were worn out when they got there.  Said they both drove HDs.  I told him to get a real cruiser and he wouldn't have that problem.  He got a bit defensive and I had to tell him I was just teasing.  He doesn't talk bikes when he is in anymore.

[Jess Tolbirt]

I have a customer that said he and his dad rode their bikes all the way to Fayetteville(about 150 miles) and they were worn out when they got there.  Said they both drove HDs.  I told him to get a real cruiser and he wouldn't have that problem.  He got a bit defensive and I had to tell him I was just teasing.  He doesn't talk bikes when he is in anymore.

what kind of harley was he riding?