2007harleylostsales02

Softail Standard®, Softail Deuce®, Softail Fatboy®, Softail Deluxe®, Softail Heritage®

THE MOCO IS LOSING MANY CUSTOMERS

Here are some more letters from folks that are abandoning the H-D franchise. I have only advised folks to be careful about the purchase of the current 2007 baggers. I post these letters just to convey a message to the powers that be. Stand up and take some responsibility or it is going to eventually hurt the bottom line. As of 1/21/2007 my count is up to about 1.2 million in lost sales communication that I have received. At some point the MoCo is going to have to address the issues.

11/28/2006

Thanks again, saved me some money and headache. I canceled my police road king special edition for next year, dealer had a cow about it, but it is my money. Anyway, also what about the noise issue on fifth gear? Is HD fixing this as well touring models?

Take care,

12/01/2006

Just made a deal today to trade my 2006 RK Classic for 2007 RK Classic. Expensive but I wanted what I thought was the latest and greatest. Heard a rumor about some problems and decided to research this PM. Just read your letters and have cancelled my deal. I ride about 12,000 per year and don't want to take the chance. I'll wait until 2008 to see if they have solved the problems. My '06 is great.

Some advice though. I have installed the 6spd in my '06. Don't waste money on the 6spd unless you upgrade to at least the 95 kit. Not enough power to pull the 6 spd without the upgrade.

S. L. C.

12/12/2007

Hey there,

GREAT info on the web site.

I was just about to trade in my 05 FLSTSCI for an 07 Ultra Classic until I was reading the Dec. ThuderPress. There is a letter from someone who is making the same complaints.

I investigated further on HTT (of which I have been a member for a while) which led me to your page.

All I can say is THANK YOU! I was just about to make the purchase this weekend, trade in the Springer Classic for the Ultra.

You saved me mega cash, and mega regret.

Add me to your list of people who were about to buy and now isn't.

I am seriously going to keep the 05, and check things out again in a few years. Look at the latest MCN (came today), the quality is of course lowest on Harleys.

2 Months ago, a Salesperson at a Stealer said "this is the best engine ever, no problems whatsoever." Said "Been used for 2 years prior to production, no problems" I even asked him if I should worry that it is "NEW" (this is before I heard any of this stuff too). HE said "NO WAY, its AWESOME"

Last weekend, different salesperson said "New engine is awesome, you will love it, everyone who has purchased one has loved it"

What a crock!

Thanks again!

12/13/2006

First of all, thank you very much for the all the info on your website.

I was going to get a 2007 Road King but got scared away with all these problems, most of which is the overheating. It's hard to put trust into a dealer when they seem to be so reluctant to talk about the problems.

My question is: Would you wait for 08's thinking they will fix these problems, or buy an 07 and try the fixes?

Thanks again,

12/18/2007

PROUD AMERICANS AND TWO VERY PROUD THANKFUL MARINES OWE YOU A DEPT OF GRATITUDE. JUST COMING OFF A YEAR IN IRAQ, AND WITH DELUSIONS OF GRANDEUR TO BE OWNERS OF THE NEW 2007 PATRIOT, LAUGH. NO PATRIOT IN THERE RIGHT MIND WOULD PUT THEIR HEART IN TO A BIKE THAT IS NOT BACKED BY ITS BUILDERS. H-D IS A GREAT FAMILY OF MOTORCYCLE BUILDERS, BUT THIS TIME JR GOT MORE TIME IN ON THE VIDEO GAME THEN SWEATING IN THE SHOP FLOOR.

WE ARE COMING HOME TO TWO BRAND NEW 2006's STRAIGHT OUT THE BOX, AND
VERY HAPPY TO LEAVE HERE ALIVE AND WITH BIKES THAT HAVE STOOD THE ROADS
OF TIME. 2007 HAS NOT EARNED IT'S RIGHT YET, A CHERRY IS NO CHERRY
WORTH HAVING UNTIL IT'S BUSTED, BUT THIS 2007 IS UNDER AGED.
GYP

12/23/2007

Whew, Glad I stumbled on your web page. Ordered a new 2007 Street Glide last week. The dealer ordered a stage 2, 103"kit, and all the extras. Financed 22000.00 through Harley Credit. Was just waiting on the parts to come in next week to install. Put my early 2000 Electraglide up for sale on E-bay but the new 96" engine and time of year has taken the edge off used bike sales. I had a six speed, 95" kit, Screamin Eagle heads, and all the extras on the 2000. But thought I had better sell it, as the new bike appeared to have what I had basically. It was brand new without the 20000 miles I have on my current bike. I had issues already with Harley as my bike was a early model 2000 which had the cam bearing issue. I was ready to make a long trip and afraid that the bearings might fail. I offered to purchase all the parts from Harley if they would consider giving me a break on labor. No way they were going to do that.It cost me 700.00 out of my own pocket to replace the bearings and chains.

You would have thought I would have learned not to buy a new design. I am sure not relying on Harley Davidson to stand behind the bike. Anyway, I just called the dealer and cancelled my sale. He told me he heard Harley was working on the transmission issues, and the current bikes on the assembly line were not having the problems. The heat problem should be taken care of with the stage 2 kit. He said he was going to a dealer meeting in late January and to contact him in the second week of February. I will update as things progress.

1/7/2007

Six new H-D TC88's starting with 2000 Fat Boy. Sold my sixth bike, 2003 FLHTC September 2006. I wanted to buy either 2007 FLHRS or 2007 FXST however after reading about the various problems with the 07 bikes I lost confidence and bought Honda 2005 VTX1800 F-2. Yes I miss riding a Harley but being 71 years of age, riding time is too valuable and riding season too short for me to chance the disappointment that many owners are having with their 07 models. My message to the MoCo; Lower the hammer on the bean counters and raise the level of respect for the great H D name. I began losing faith after buying my 2003 FLHTC when several months later I discovered that timken crank bearing had been replaced with straight roller type bearing.

JMHO---R.E.P.

Check out this next letter. This man is not only thinking twice about replacing his personal bike but he layed off buying two for his police department. Government sales have been a mainstay for the MoCo for years. They can't afford to lose business from the G-men.

1/15/2007

I've been following your site on Harley Davidsons and want to thank you. I appreciate your candor and objectivity. I own an 04 Road King, absolutely love it. I plan to buy a new Electra Glide in the Spring of 08 for an around the US trip in the fall of 08. Now I know to adopt a wait and see attitude to see if HD gets things sorted out. I love my RK but would almost just as easily go to a Gold Wing if things don't get taken seriously by HD.

I am also a police Chief of a small town in New York. We have two HD police units. I postponed replacing them with two new models this year solely because of the information from your web site. Parade duty, funeral escorts and some traffic details get pretty hot on a motor. I can't imagine what it would be like on an unmodified 07.

Thanks.

P. M.

1/16/2007

Anything new on the recall for the new 96" bikes? What is the Motor Company saying? No posting since last month. I was about to buy a King when I got wind of the problems and found your web site on google. Thanks for the heads up!!!

Patrick

1/18/2007

Thanks for the info. I was going to buy a new RK Classic this month but now will wait or maybe look for an 06.

Last night when I asked the salesmen about the excessive heat he said the Farings just block the air flow.

He did mention the download. That seemed pretty wild to me also.

Thanks and good luck.

1/12/2007

I WAS thinking about trading up for an '03 Superglide to an '07 Street Glide. Then I ran across your site. I didn't realize the issues witht he TC 96's. I would hope that the MoCo will man up and address the problem. I plan to discuss this with a couple of local dealers and get their take on all of this. I'm quite please with my Dyna, I think I'll wait this thing out and see what HD plans to do. I have been around harley's since the mid 70's but I ain't skeered of riding a BMW.

TheWick

11/27/2006

Michael,

I read about the HD bulletin this morning on the Road King Riders forum. I gave up on the ’07 purchase and bought a real nice used ’04 Road King Custom. I’m going to continue to follow this issue though just to see how HD handles it. Thanks for keeping in touch. Ride safe.

Cliff

12/9/2006

Hi there, Bakers are making a fix for the 6 speed box, why arn't HD, or are they, I wont part with my money till its sorted.

12/11/2006

Hi,

Hey thanks for writing your story!! I just sold my perfectly GREAT 2002 road king classic to look at buying a 2007 one. After seeing your story and many others I dont know what to think?? I wish I would have never sold my 02, 46700 miles of smiling Blis!!!!!

Thanks for the info!!! Bill.

12/13/2006

First of all, thank you very much for the all the info on your website.

My question is: Would you wait for 08's thinking they will fix these problems, or buy an 07 and try the fixes?

Today is 1/22/2007 and the letters keep pouring in. I am glad that folks are researching before they buy. I hope that this trend will cause the MoCo to wake up and actually make sure their product works properly before dumping it on the market.