Getting frustrated

[Mykneesbehurtin]

Ok so i'm about up to my full mark with issues with my 17 Tri Glide,a while back i posted about an high ptiched vibration that you couldn't hear but could feel in the bars,floor boards and highway pegs.So today i pulled the front wheel and discovered that the left front wheel bearing felt like it had gravel in it,WTH this trike has 14,500 miles on it and this is issue number 10 so far. $145.68 for two new bearings and labor to install,now dont get me wrong if this bike had say 35-45,000 on it i wouldn't think much about it but HD using cheap Chinese components is going to be the death of them if they dont start being more concerned about the quality of their product.I am to the point that i have zero confidence in taking it more than 50 miles from home,very sad.

 

[rhino 2]

Ok so i'm about up to my full mark with issues with my 17 Tri Glide,a while back i posted about an high ptiched vibration that you couldn't hear but could feel in the bars,floor boards and highway pegs.So today i pulled the front wheel and discovered that the left front wheel bearing felt like it had gravel in it,WTH this trike has 14,500 miles on it and this is issue number 10 so far. $145.68 for two new bearings and labor to install,now dont get me wrong if this bike had say 35-45,000 on it i wouldn't think much about it but HD using cheap Chinese components is going to be the death of them if they dont start being more concerned about the quality of their product.I am to the point that i have zero confidence in taking it more than 50 miles from home,very sad.

I feel for you........And agree.....They lost me as a costumer the 2017 Tri i got rid of was the last Harley i'll ever own........

 

[Burnerboy]

I bet you have to agree with me now! BUT that "Goldwing" is looking better and better every day@ isn't it??? :blush:

Ronnie

 

[MDO]

Ok so i'm about up to my full mark with issues with my 17 Tri Glide,a while back i posted about an high ptiched vibration that you couldn't hear but could feel in the bars,floor boards and highway pegs.So today i pulled the front wheel and discovered that the left front wheel bearing felt like it had gravel in it,WTH this trike has 14,500 miles on it and this is issue number 10 so far. $145.68 for two new bearings and labor to install,now dont get me wrong if this bike had say 35-45,000 on it i wouldn't think much about it but HD using cheap Chinese components is going to be the death of them if they dont start being more concerned about the quality of their product.I am to the point that i have zero confidence in taking it more than 50 miles from home,very sad.

Just curious, did you put the OEM bearings back in or go with another mfg?

 

[MDO]

I feel for you........And agree.....They lost me as a costumer the 2017 Tri i got rid of was the last Harley i'll ever own........

That is a shock to me as you hardly ever mention it.

Good to know you don't carry any resentment.

 

[Jack Klarich]

I would check Timken Bearings USA made

Most of the Chinese bearings I have seen do not have much grease in them( yes you can remove the seal to check if you are careful)

 

[trikermutha]

Yep I sure do miss the old cone bearing and cups..

But I will say most manufacturers are going that route with sealed bearings.

So now you have to get proactive and change the bearings every "X" miles.

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

Just curious, did you put the OEM bearings back in or go with another mfg?

Got a ride planned on Sunday and didnt have time to source different bearings,just went with OEM for now but will be looking at a better bearing this winter.

 

[MDO]

I would check Timken Bearings USA made

Most of the Chinese bearings I have seen do not have much grease in them( yes you can remove the seal to check if you are careful)

I did some research & found Tri-Glide & Freewheeler's (non-ABS models) use HD p/n 9276B front wheel bearing (2) It's listed as a 25mm bearing and the Timkin p/n is 205PP if someone wants to double check this.

The HD p/n "B" indicates they changed suppliers recently.

 

[trikeman]

Drink more Koolade and it doesn’t hurt as much:gah::wave4:

 

[ISP-FL]

HD could do some things a little better IMHO. Their rides have never been "perfect" nor has the dozen or so metric bikes I have owned over the years. I've probably only got 10 to 12 years of riding in me so I'll stick with them even if they do try to get cheap on a part or two once and awhile.

 

[DK Custom Products]

I personally like the sealed bearings. Less maintenance=more riding time.

Hope I'm not jinxing myself, I've had one bearing go bad in over 500K miles of riding HD WITH sealed bearings.

It was on a bike I purchased used, and it went bad around 60K miles. I purchased it with 5k miles on it.

I know you've had a laundry list of things go wrong with that one Trike, it has to be incredibly frustrating.

Perhaps the previous owner used a pressure washer on it...that is a no-no with sealed bearings.

Kevin

 

[Trampas]

Sorry to hear about your new trouble with the trike, seems like you have one thing fixed or so so and then something else pops up, I would be furious as I'm sure you are to, I think you will get all the bugs out before long and have a good ride, I hope so anyway, if not, maybe a 2019 in your future, heard good things about the 19 except the price.

All for now Trampas

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

I personally like the sealed bearings. Less maintenance=more riding time.

Hope I'm not jinxing myself, I've had one bearing go bad in over 500K miles of riding HD WITH sealed bearings.

It was on a bike I purchased used, and it went bad around 60K miles. I purchased it with 5k miles on it.

I know you've had a laundry list of things go wrong with that one Trike, it has to be incredibly frustrating.

Perhaps the previous owner used a pressure washer on it...that is a no-no with sealed bearings.

Kevin

Bought new in Sept of 16.

 

[ultrafxr]

Don't mean to make light of your frustration (and it is warranted) but as far as the Harley world goes time and expense wise this is pretty minor. I've toasted 4 different CVO 110" motors, two compensators, three voltage regulators and so many other things it makes my head hurt. So far my 2018 TG has been 100% A-OK and I sure hope it stays that way.

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

Don't mean to make light of your frustration (and it is warranted) but as far as the Harley world goes time and expense wise this is pretty minor. I've toasted 4 different CVO 110" motors, two compensators, three voltage regulators and so many other things it makes my head hurt. So far my 2018 TG has been 100% A-OK and I sure hope it stays that way.

Its not the time or money mind you,but when you have a bike that you dont have any confidence in that is what is frustrating.When you have a bike that is touted as a Touring machine and yet you wonder when you leave the driveway,will i ride home or be towed home.I have been ridding HD since 1989 and i have had some that were fantastic that i wouldnt think twice about heading out on a cross country ride and i have had some that were just ok, 11 HD's in all.Talking to the service manager at the local shop(went to school with him straight up dude wont BS ya) that he just got a service bulletin from HD saying that any Bike that has had the FIX installed in the transmission that is still having migration issue,that they are remove the FIX and install the latest fix a vent in the primary.

 

[Ed H]

I feel for you........And agree.....They lost me as a costumer the 2017 Tri i got rid of was the last Harley i'll ever own........

What makes you think HD is the only company buying this sh--. I am willing to bet Honda does the same thing. Every manufacture cuts corners where they can to keep cost down.

I am not condoning that cheap parts are right, they are so wrong and yes I do get upset when I see them.

Sorry you feel that way about HD, they have been around a long time and will continue to be.