Unhappy Harley owner

[vtxharley]

I have a 2004 Goldwing with a CSC kit from an installer in Alabama, that has been building trikes for a while. They recommend either Hannigan or CSC and stand behind their work exclusively with a 3 years or 50,000 miles from CSC they have many used goldwings trikes available to test ride. I purchased a 2004 Honda Goldwing with only 1683 miles on the bike after installing a brand new CSC trike kit, I basically have a new trike very pleased, just my two cents worth?
Flarered2

 

[Chumbly]

Beware, all warrantees are only as good as the dealors behind them... they could offer you 10 years or 500,000 miles, but if the company won't honor it, it ain't worth a hoot. Just sayin'.

 

[hbrogan57]

It boils down to this. Some people prefer a Harley. Others like something else. The fact that you ride is the point. If what YOU ride makes YOU happy then what others think is a moot point.

Just get out and ride.....period.....

 

[meredog]

They all have there strengths and weakness's i guess. I chose the VTX 1800 because it maintains the "ol school" motorcycle look and feel. I can stretch out with lots of room and the power of the VTX 1800 will hold it's own with any of the competition.
Also enjoy the the fuel injection and liquid cooling

 

[saab9k]

Yes it all depend on the attitude of the company there manufacturer the kits.
Some are manufactured in house, some are bought from other manufacturer, then quality on parts used can have a outcome the customer is dissatisfied with, company in in the meddle of defective part don't have an attitude to do the right thing, people can get frustrated with the company. Sometimes it can be the person in that job there just don't have a clue what is happening. Has a position, company don't do well, it is happening everywhere these days.

I own a parts, shop business, i have suppliers i don't buy from might be a few % cheaper, but too many defects.

Life is too short for b/s. They won't stand behind it, i will fix it at my expense, then might just tell anyone there will listen what happened.

 

[Chazzman]

Jack don't worry you will be a 'Happy GL1800' owner soon!

 

[Beorn of Ga]

Re: Unhappy Harley owner (now happy Harley owner)

From a Happy 2011 TriGlide owner (former Goldwing owner). Instead of loosing a bunch of money by getting rid of your Harley, You may want to spend a a bunch of money and do what I did. Change the exhaust to eliminate the catalytic converter, add a screaming eagle intake setup, add a tuner & get it tuned. My TriGlide now runs as cool as any Goldwing I have owned (4 over the years). I get around 33 to 37 MPG at 55 to 65 MPH. Love this bike more that any I have owned over the past 50 years.

 

[hbrogan57]

Re: Unhappy Harley owner (now happy Harley owner)

From a Happy 2011 TriGlide owner (former Goldwing owner). Instead of loosing a bunch of money by getting rid of your Harley, You may want to spend a a bunch of money and do what I did. Change the exhaust to eliminate the catalytic converter, add a screaming eagle intake setup, add a tuner & get it tuned. My TriGlide now runs as cool as any Goldwing I have owned (4 over the years). I get around 33 to 37 MPG at 55 to 65 MPH. Love this bike more that any I have owned over the past 50 years.

Not to try and turn this into a Harley Bashing thread. But I fail to see why Harley cannot fix these issues from the factory. If there are so many people that have to make these rather expensive changes to an otherwise extremely nice ride.

as I posted in a previous comment. I did look at the Tri-Glide and was more than willing to make a deal for one. But when the dealerships ((two)) that I went to didn't really want to "deal" then I went with what I had been riding in the past. A GoldWing. Frankly, after seeing the various posts, and not just here, of the issues that Harley has been having, and the changes that, evidently, need to be made just to make the trike "rideable", I am more than convinced that I made the right choice.

 

[rap47]

Beornof GA...+1ThumbUp

 

[msocko3]

Re: Unhappy Harley owner (now happy Harley owner)

Not to try and turn this into a Harley Bashing thread. But I fail to see why Harley cannot fix these issues from the factory. If there are so many people that have to make these rather expensive changes to an otherwise extremely nice ride.

as I posted in a previous comment. I did look at the Tri-Glide and was more than willing to make a deal for one. But when the dealerships ((two)) that I went to didn't really want to "deal" then I went with what I had been riding in the past. A GoldWing. Frankly, after seeing the various posts, and not just here, of the issues that Harley has been having, and the changes that, evidently, need to be made just to make the trike "rideable", I am more than convinced that I made the right choice.

I had a lot of fun with the Triglide I used to own, it was a lot better once I made all the mods. One piece of mind I will have with the Goldwing will be when there is a traffic jam, instead of shutting it off and pushing I will be able to leave it run and ride it.

I've actually been in traffic jams with the Triglide I had where it was 95 degrees out side and the traffic would move a few feet and stop for 3 or 4 minutes. Rather than melt the poor thing down I shut it off had my wife stay seated and I pushed the trike with the wife on board and the Aluma MCT trailer I pulled.

 

[hbrogan57]

Re: Unhappy Harley owner (now happy Harley owner)

I had a lot of fun with the Triglide I used to own, it was a lot better once I made all the mods. One piece of mind I will have with the Goldwing will be when there is a traffic jam, instead of shutting it off and pushing I will be able to leave it run and ride it.

I've actually been in traffic jams with the Triglide I had where it was 95 degrees out side and the traffic would move a few feet and stop for 3 or 4 minutes. Rather than melt the poor thing down I shut it off had my wife stay seated and I pushed the trike with the wife on board and the Aluma MCT trailer I pulled.

The key thing there is where you said "once I made all the mods". why was this even necessary? Aren't the powers-that-be at Harley aware of the issues? Shouldn't these be taken care of by the manufacturer?

Paying in excess of 30grand for a vehicle and then either having to push it, as you stated, or having to add multiple items to make it decent enough to ride is unacceptable.

If you purchased a new car you certainly wouldn't accept the fact that you would have to get out and push it when stuck in traffic. You would be taking it back to the dealership and demanding that the problem be fixed.

 

[Bob Witte]

I would agree, with one exception. It bothers me to hear people universally recommend rake kits. They are simply not for everyone. The impression is often given that unraked trikes steer like an old pre-pover steering Mack truck. Incorrect! They are simply different and unless you have severe upper body strength limitations may offer no advantage. They simply have a different feel and some such as me prefer unraked. I believe that I have more control resulting from a better "feel" of the road. My advice is to test ride with both versions and select the one you like best.

I have to agree! Like beauty, steeing effort is in the eye of the beholder. At Trinity Trike last year we put the first rake kit on one of our Burgman conversions and the consensus was that although it helped in the parking lot and low speed, none of us liked the feel of it at higher speeds. Even with our big twin conversions, I only knew of one person (who clearly had upper body issues) that opted for a rake kit. Granted, the Trinity Trike (now Yelvington Trikes) rear is super light compared to most of the others but one man's "light steering" is another man's "squirrely at highway speeds."

 

[hbrogan57]

I have to agree! Like beauty, steeing effort is in the eye of the beholder. At Trinity Trike last year we put the first rake kit on one of our Burgman conversions and the consensus was that although it helped in the parking lot and low speed, none of us liked the feel of it at higher speeds. Even with our big twin conversions, I only knew of one person (who clearly had upper body issues) that opted for a rake kit. Granted, the Trinity Trike (now Yelvington Trikes) rear is super light compared to most of the others but one man's "light steering" is another man's "squirrely at highway speeds."

I'll agree with you on that issue. I have back issues and I opted for the rake kit. Frankly, I don't have the "pull" like I used to and any advantage I can get certainly helps.

As far as being "squirrelly", well, the first couple of times I hit the interstate around here it was a new experience in fear. But I was unsure how the trike would handle. I should have opted for a little more side road time before hitting them. But now it seems to be extremely smooth while hitting 70mph.

But, different strokes does come into play here.

 

[Hoghead]

Re: Unhappy Harley owner (now happy Harley owner)

The key thing there is where you said "once I made all the mods". why was this even necessary? Aren't the powers-that-be at Harley aware of the issues? Shouldn't these be taken care of by the manufacturer?

Paying in excess of 30grand for a vehicle and then either having to push it, as you stated, or having to add multiple items to make it decent enough to ride is unacceptable.

If you purchased a new car you certainly wouldn't accept the fact that you would have to get out and push it when stuck in traffic. You would be taking it back to the dealership and demanding that the problem be fixed.

I appreciate all the input and remarks and as of now I'm planning on going to Huntsville, Ala next week and try to make a deal on either a Hannigan or roadsmith. I guess I will know which one when I get there. As far as Harley's goes this Trike puts out enough heat to make a 5 room house comfortable and I see no need to have to spend another 2500.00 or more to get rid of the heat but the noise is still there. Mine sounds like an old small block Chevrolet with solid lifters and about half of them out of adjustment. I like the looks and ride of the Harley but this is the only Trike I ever rode so I may not know what I've been missing when I get on a GL1800. If Harley don't go ahead with a liquid cooled engine they are going to lose out on a lot of sales. I've had my last......And thanks very much for all of your opinions and info....

 

[Hoghead]

Jack don't worry you will be a 'Happy GL1800' owner soon!

i sure hope you're right Charles. I thought this would be my last Motorcycle I ever bought but maybe the 1800 will be......BTW I was at Boswell's this morning and they never heard of a rebate on the Tri-Glide.....If they had one it will be the first on a Harley ever that I heard of.....They did have a new 2013 out of the box priced at $34,000.00..........

 

[hbrogan57]

Re: Unhappy Harley owner (now happy Harley owner)

I appreciate all the input and remarks and as of now I'm planning on going to Huntsville, Ala next week and try to make a deal on either a Hannigan or roadsmith. I guess I will know which one when I get there. As far as Harley's goes this Trike puts out enough heat to make a 5 room house comfortable and I see no need to have to spend another 2500.00 or more to get rid of the heat but the noise is still there. Mine sounds like an old small block Chevrolet with solid lifters and about half of them out of adjustment. I like the looks and ride of the Harley but this is the only Trike I ever rode so I may not know what I've been missing when I get on a GL1800. If Harley don't go ahead with a liquid cooled engine they are going to lose out on a lot of sales. I've had my last......And thanks very much for all of your opinions and info....

Good Luck on making your choice. Roadsmith or Hannigan. Two definitely tough choices. Ride them both. And NOT just around the block.

As for Harley going with a liquid cooled setup. Unfortunately, I don't see that happening. True, the V-rod engine would be a logical choice but there are far too many old-school Harley aficionados that would scream to high heavens over that. I really feel that's the reason that engine hasn't evolved into anything more than what it is right now. Too bad as that would certainly be a GREAT choice for the bigger bikes.

 

[Chazzman]

Re: Unhappy Harley owner (now happy Harley owner)

From a Happy 2011 TriGlide owner (former Goldwing owner). Instead of loosing a bunch of money by getting rid of your Harley, You may want to spend a a bunch of money and do what I did. Change the exhaust to eliminate the catalytic converter, add a screaming eagle intake setup, add a tuner & get it tuned. My TriGlide now runs as cool as any Goldwing I have owned (4 over the years). I get around 33 to 37 MPG at 55 to 65 MPH. Love this bike more that any I have owned over the past 50 years.

I have ridden Harley off and on most all my 41 years of riding. The EVO was a more solid engine than the Twin Cam. I much rather have gear driven cam, than chain driven twin cams. The early models had cam bearing failure, 99 and 2000. The balanced engine didnt come out until 2000 and they seemed to be cam bearing failure free. There was many engine failures due to the early production. 2001 & 2002 was my favorite, 2003 brought the floating crankshaft, still see issues today. My 2005 Screaming Eagle with a 103 was a real looser, engine noise, lucky if one made it 50K miles... The real problem came in 2007 with the 96in engine and the heat issues. The band aid was program the computer to shut off the rear cylinder at stops. Now how hard is that running on one cylinder... The heat and issues continue, the 103 on a Tri Glide can run in the 300 deg range, all the work you did would probably only drop the temperature about 30 degrees so still running in the 270 range on a hot day. No way, I say it unequivocally without hesitation a 103 twin can possibly run as cool as a water cooled six cylinder. It is impossible... I have no problem with what you ride but please don't insult our intellengence.

 

[hbrogan57]

Re: Unhappy Harley owner (now happy Harley owner)

What I have always found interesting is that Honda has been making the Goldwing since it's introduction in October of 1974. Changes have been made both in engine size and in the configuration of the motorcycle itself. Becoming one of the most reliable cycles out there. Unfortunately, Harley, evidently, has not figured out yet that there are a LOT of people that would, in fact, prefer a Harley. But, due to them being overpriced and unreliable, some of us prefer the Honda.

Personally, I paid the money for my ride and what I want to do is RIDE IT. And I don't mean to and from the dealership or whatever shop happens to be close by.

Let alone the fact that you have to spend a bunch of cash AFTER your purchase just to have "upgrades" done that SHOULD have been already added to the bike.

I have ridden Harley off and on most all my 41 years of riding. The EVO was a more solid engine than the Twin Cam. I much rather have gear driven cam, than chain driven twin cams. The early models had cam bearing failure, 99 and 2000. The balanced engine didnt come out until 2000 and they seemed to be cam bearing failure free. There was many engine failures due to the early production. 2001 & 2002 was my favorite, 2003 brought the floating crankshaft, still see issues today. My 2005 Screaming Eagle with a 103 was a real looser, engine noise, lucky if one made it 50K miles... The real problem came in 2007 with the 96in engine and the heat issues. The band aid was program the computer to shut off the rear cylinder at stops. Now how hard is that running on one cylinder... The heat and issues continue, the 103 on a Tri Glide can run in the 300 deg range, all the work you did would probably only drop the temperature about 30 degrees so still running in the 270 range on a hot day. No way, I say it unequivocally without hesitation a 103 twin can possibly run as cool as a water cooled six cylinder. It is impossible... I have no problem with what you ride but please don't insult our intellengence.

 

[jcolson]

If you all don't like the Harley because it still vibrates or is hot & so on, buy Jap! I wish Harleys still vibrated like my 88 softail custom or older. Yeh I've put alot of money in my tri-glide but that's my choice. It isn't running hot & runs like hell. At least I can hear it when it starts. I've seen GWs broke down along the side of the road from overheating. No bike is perfect. If you want a perfect bike you better not ride. Harleys have been around alot longer than the other bikes. I'll stick with my American made (90%) anyway. I'm sorry ,but if you are going to bitch about them so much, DON'T BUY ONE!! I'm sure I'll get alot of slack from this!!

 

[hbrogan57]

If you all don't like the Harley because it still vibrates or is hot & so on, buy Jap! I wish Harleys still vibrated like my 88 softail custom or older. Yeh I've put alot of money in my tri-glide but that's my choice. It isn't running hot & runs like hell. At least I can hear it when it starts. I've seen GWs broke down along the side of the road from overheating. No bike is perfect. If you want a perfect bike you better not ride. Harleys have been around alot longer than the other bikes. I'll stick with my American made (90%) anyway. I'm sorry ,but if you are going to bitch about them so much, DON'T BUY ONE!! I'm sure I'll get alot of slack from this!!

Agreed. I didn't buy one. And, although my Goldwing says Honda it IS one of the ones that was made in Ohio.

Unless things have changed, the aluminum jugs on the Harley used to be machined by Yamaha and then shipped to Harley.....

 

[Chazzman]

If you all don't like the Harley because it still vibrates or is hot & so on, buy Jap! I wish Harleys still vibrated like my 88 softail custom or older. Yeh I've put alot of money in my tri-glide but that's my choice. It isn't running hot & runs like hell. At least I can hear it when it starts. I've seen GWs broke down along the side of the road from overheating. No bike is perfect. If you want a perfect bike you better not ride. Harleys have been around alot longer than the other bikes. I'll stick with my American made (90%) anyway. I'm sorry ,but if you are going to bitch about them so much, DON'T BUY ONE!! I'm sure I'll get alot of slack from this!!

We quit using that made in America years ago, even my 05 Screaming Eagle still had stickers on the rotors Made in Japan. I agree most are assembled in the USA. Most people who make this statement drive foreign cars.


Foreign automakers drive makeover of Smalltown USA - CNN.com

Honda purchases $12 billion from American suppliers of parts and materials annually and has invested $6 billion in Ohio.

Harley Davidson makes less than $6 billion in total revenue per year, and what fraction of that is purchases from American suppliers? - Obviously they put far less money into the hands of Americans than does Honda.

If feeding the families of blue-collar America is patriotic then buy a Honda.


Frame mount your Tri-Glide and it will vibrate worse that your 88 softail.

You can hear it WHEN it starts, WHEN being the key word... Runs like HELL, I believe that LOL...

 

[rap47]

Hell no, a 103 is not going to run as cool as car, er ah Honda, because it is an air cooler MOTORCYCLE. And when you are setting on top of that MOTORCYCLE engine, you are going to hear it. Do yourself a favor and buy some good ear plugs and all you will hear is that sweet harley sound, and save your hearing.

 

[rap47]

I really don't care were Honda or Harley buys their parts. But I do care where Honda's corp. headquarters is!!

 

[msocko3]

I think this thread could take on a life of its own and continue to grow with the age old comparison of Harley v Honda. Its like comparing an apple to a watermelon when you try and compare the two. Harley has chosen to stick close to its style and roots by retaining as much of the older look and technology as they can, it seems to sell a lot of Tee shirts and Motorcycles.

Honda on the other hand keeps trying to embrace technology to satisfy its customer base, how many Goldwing riders stop at a dealer to buy a Tee shirt?. They'll happily stop at a Dairy Queen if one is in the area they are riding.

 

[rmrc51]

Honda on the other hand keeps trying to embrace technology to satisfy its customer base, how many Goldwing riders stop at a dealer to buy a Tee shirt?. They'll happily stop at a Dairy Queen if one is in the area they are riding.

stop at a Dairy Queen,,,,.. lmao :laugh: Good One! ThumbUp

 

[hbrogan57]

stop at a Dairy Queen,,,,.. lmao :laugh: Good One! ThumbUp

It IS funny.

Bur I would rather have my trips revolve around OTHER things than which dealership or repair shop is closest........

 

[Chazzman]

I like Harley's and I have owned more than the majority of people posting here have ever ridden.

What I don't like is the Motor Company building such inferior quality motors even compared to 20 years ago. I have a few die hard HD friends even mechanics that are riding older EVO's due to the hot running, overheating, short life engines they are producing today. The old HD riders are me, and people like me and we don't like what Harley is doing. They need to wake up and build an engine that is decent. Most all the technicians at HD dealers ride other brands, they are disgusted as well as the Dealership owners and General Managers with HD. I even had an dealership owner behind closed doors tell me that the fix for the heat was just a band-aid for a huge problem.

Hell we had all prefer to buy American made wouldn't we, problem being Victory is closest thing to American made there is and they can build a twin engine that doesn't cut off the rear cylinder at stops in an attempt to cool the engine, what a JOKE. Not a big Victory fan but they build a better engine than Harley for those that have to have V-Twins.

I also served my country 11 years in the US Army. I am patriotic and love what America has stood for so many years. The America we live in today is NOT the American I grew up in and it's changing way too fast going in the opposite direction. My GOD help us...


"In terms of pure workmanship personally I don't like Harleys. I
ride them because I'm in the club and that's the image. All
things considered I'd rather ride a Honda ST1100 or a BMW."
*** --Sonny Barger, Hell's Angels founder

Well Barger stated his true feelings and HD's built better engines then than now.

WAKE UP HD!

 

[rap47]

Bottom line for me, been riding Harleys for 30 some years and NEVER had a mechanical problem of any kind. And yes, I would rather see Sonny Barger on a Honda or BMW! :laugh:

 

[Konrad]

One of the things I enjoy so much about this forum is the courtesy of the members in disagreement. Years ago I was in another bike forum where some members took perverse pleasure in strong and very personal disparagement.

I am very happy to say I have seen none of that here and if it were going to happen it would certainly happen in a Honda vs. Harley thread!

 

[hbrogan57]

Bottom line for me, been riding Harleys for 30 some years and NEVER had a mechanical problem of any kind. And yes, I would rather see Sonny Barger on a Honda or BMW! :laugh:

Last time I saw a photo of Sonny he was riding a Victory.