2007harleydavidsonproblems02

We are going to start this page off with a dialogue I had with another old timer piece of scooter trash. (I use those words only in the nicest way. I would rather spend my time with a greasy piece of scooter trash on a rat bike than any number of "instabiker" lawyers and doctors on shiny new bikes) Discussions like this have me wondering what my and others fascination with Harleys even comes from. I guess mine comes from my staunch belief that one should buy American made when given the option.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming of folks griping about their late model Harley-Davidsons. Ya'll read the complaints and decide for yourself if you want to ante up for a new bike.

11/22/2006

I wanted to add my experience here—I’ve been posting to the various forums on the web and am frustrated and disappointed in the number of people out there who seem to think that those of us experiencing problems with our 2007 bikes are nuts. Your comments are well thought-out and informative and I appreciate that you are not bashing HD as much as trying to spread awareness.

I have been riding for about 25 years, all on metrics until a few months ago when I bought my first Harley. I’d dreamed of owning a Road King for many years, and I fell in love with the new Blue Suede Pearl Custom. I bought the bike and rode it 70 miles home. By the time I got there I knew something was wrong—why on earth would such an expensive and time-tested piece of engineering like this make so much noise in 5^th and 6^th gear? Why was it so hot? Why did it surge so badly?

Long story as short as possible here—I went to a local dealer who did what they called a flash download to the bike which was supposed to smooth out the surging. I installed a Screamin’ Eagle stage 1 air cleaner, and put on a set of VH slips. The surging was worse. I was then told by various sources that no such download existed yet for the ‘07’s and that I’d been taken for a ride on the download. The next step was of course to get the SERT installed. Once that was done the surging went away. The bike ran much better. However, the transmission noise was still there, and recently an intermittent rubbing noise can be heard from somewhere at the back of the bike.

I’ve been told the same thing as everyone else on the transmission noises-that it’s due to the differently cut teeth. I wonder with all the complaints why it is that HD doesn’t just recall them and put in the older teeth used on the ‘04’s and the ‘05’s just to stop the complaints-they will not help the resale value on these bikes and they can’t be helping HD’s reputation. I was also told by the Service Dept manager that putting any oil in the transmission other than HD’s product could void warranty. So I’ve decided to play it by their rules for now and wait it out.

I’m also amazed at the number of folks out there who assume we are lugging our machines—and all the postings that we just need to keep our rpm’s up over 2500. The last thing I want to have to do is keep the throttle up while cruising around on a touring bike! Talk about a killjoy. So much for cruising along at 50 mph enjoying the scenery—if you don’t want to hear the sound of rocks tumbling around in the transmission case you need to keep that throttle twisted?? Not for me. I can’t imagine what this would do to the engine long-term and it’s certainly not going to make the ride any better to do this.

The noise from the rear of the bike has not yet been identified. The service dept thought it was a tight belt, but on checking the tension it was right where it should have been. They thought the noise was something belt-related (although they really didn’t know what) and that it was being amplified by the wheel casting. They hear it, but have no fix. I am now arranging to take it to a third service dept in the hopes that a fresh wrench might figure this out.

I am deeply frustrated that what should have been one of the best experiences in my life has turned out to be one of the most bothersome. What a beautiful bike this is and yet with so many avoidable issues. It’s almost as if they were in such a hurry to get these to market that they forgot to test them first. The transmission and rear end noises are bad enough that I think about them all the time. It shouldn’t be this way. I hope that HD is paying attention to us and that something will be done.

Thanks for your insight and candor regarding your wife’s bike, and for giving us a place to explain and share our concerns.

12/4/2006

Hey..If ever I wanted to slap a servive mang. its the one at this dealership. I have done mostly the same on my 07 RKClassic as your wife but did one STUPID thing I listened to them. I also put on a new set of 05 off road mufflers and now they will not look at my bike. They said NO problem. I have the SERT, Stage I and 05 off road mufflers. When she goes so do I to court.

I've called HD C/S to getting a answer I should be talking with Best Buy..Maybe new tunes would help it run. I'll at least be able to cook burgers on it! I contacted another DEALER and got the same becasue I'm in that little computer now with my VIN.

Maybe you could read my posts under voodoothatido on http://www.hdforums.com/m_992579/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm#997346#997346 then you will see to what harley has done to you and me..

What a buch of real winners! I do hope they lose money from here out becasue of not taking the time to listen to their customers..Oh yes..Customer Service is like a trip to china in the winter...

Voodoothatido

12/5/2006

I read your email article on ’07 HD problems. I too had a significant issue with engine heat on my ’07 Electra Glide. However, after I ported the head and installed mufflers, SERT and air cleaner, the engine overheating problem seemed to go away. I also installed a Harley oil temp gauge at that time. Since then the engine has been running at 180.

I also have had wobble issues at speeds over 60. Not sure of the cause. I did install fork mounted wind deflectors when I bought the bike. I think they contributed to it but it’s noticeably less with them removed. So I have left them off. This doesn’t make much sense to me.

The wobble that I experience is on straight good roads so I know it is not coming from the road. I had the fork bearing checked twice. That’s adjusted properly. I also installed a True-Track that I don’t know how much it helped. The next thing I may try is the Sta-Bo product as the dealer has told me there is nothing wrong with the MC.

Are you aware of the cause of these wobbles?

1. On delivery I noticed a continuous whining/grinding noise coming from the motor - almost like rubbing two pieces of fine sandpaper together. Consulted the dealer staff and was told these motors are running with much lower noise levels than before. Done only 86 miles and the noise became quite alarming. I took the bike to the dealer and was told by the Technician that there is a leak on the oil line to oil pump connection, allowing air to be sucked in by the oil pump causing the noise. He showed me 3 new bikes all with oil sweating around the oil suction line fitting and all with similar noise from the motor. I was told to run the bike to 1000miles and they will replace the oil seal during the first service. To me air in the oil supply = reduced oil supply to the bearings = accelerated bearing wear = motor failure. If this dianostics is true, the noise is certainly not cavitation of the oil pump and must be a dry running bearing/s. I refused to ride my bike any further and left it at the dealership to at least replace the seal, although I personally cannot believe that this is the problem.

The tendency for the dealers to keep telling old school scooter trash that there is nothing wrong with their bike when the customer knows that there is seems so goofy that it escapes my comprehension. The MoCo and the dealers are alienating many of their multiple repeat customers. That is going to come back to haunt them before it is over. Keep the feedback coming and I'll keep posting all of the information that comes my way. Once again; if you have something to add, good or bad, email me at biners@crowderinc.com.