Harley-Davidson closing Kansas plant

[SportsterDoc]

I am not blind to H-D shortfalls, but my focus has been entirely on Sportsters (although I was aware of an issue with my eldest son-in-laws Road King and alerted him to it).

After posting on one Sportster forum for 10 years (mainly electrical and carb issues) and then, after its demise, on another Sportster forum for almost 6 years, I am very familiar with shortcomings.

Nonetheless, my love for the Sportster is not diminished. I have friends with iron butt certificates with well over 100,000 miles on their Sportsters.

However, until the CANBus models (2014 up), they have been relatively easy to troubleshoot and maintain.

My CB1100 (with which I am very fond, already) could easily have been another Sportster, except that the low and super low models have prevailed. H-D quit making a true Sportster. They do have a 1200R, but seating and handlebars simply do not feel "standard". I came close to buying a 2008 883R (last year of roadster in USA, until recently) in 2012, before I bought the 2012 Bonneville. Since the CB1100 took a chunk of 401K funds, it will likely be my final (#17) M/C and it seems very fitting, since I started with a Honda in 1963. Got several compliments and several questions on yesterday's ride.

Sportster wiring has become more complicated, but that is true of all brands replacing carbs with EFI.

A bit of info, for anyone interested:

2004-2006 wiring
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showt...?t=1869052

2007-2013 wiring
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showt...?t=1869053

2007-2009 issues
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showt...459&page=2

Model year observations
[url=http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=1832807&page=2]http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showt...807&page=2

CANBus (2014 up)
[url=http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=1995444]http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=1995444

OK, off my soapbox and henceforth back to the CB1100

[VLJ_imp]

pdedse Wrote:I will NOT buy a bike manufactured in 2024.
Neither will I, at least not for another six years or so.

[the Ferret]

All manufacturers have a certain number of machines that end up with defects. Hence the reason they give you a warranty. Lets say they have a 5% defect rate (number I pulled out of air btw... Although BMW once claimed their final drive failure rate was 5% so maybe that's where that number stuck in my head from) To me that means when you buy one you have a 5% chance of buying one that will end up with some kind of issue... Or a 95% chance that you won't. Considering these are machines, made up of literally thousands of parts, that's pretty good.

Although Harley is statistally rated lower than some other mfgs, we don't have hard numbers telling us what the % is, or if most of the defects end up being one piece from a certain outside supplier for one specific model dragging the rest of the numbers down. I certainly don't view HD as making unreliable motorcycles. There is certainly anectdotal evidence that many Harleys get ridden lots of miles with no or few mechanical issues. I tour a lot, and see a lot of Harleys out on the highway. Rolling, not sitting on the side of the highway.

Now back in the mid 70s (under AMF rule) they were truly bad motorcycles. It seemed there were 25 Goldwings on the Highway for every HD I saw. Today, it is just the opposite. I see 25 HDs for every Goldwing on the highway. Harley has made a miraculous come back and they would never have been able to do that if they were still producing AMF quality machines.

There are 4 or 5 manufacturers I would avoid before avoiding Harley .... almost exclusively European. But that's just me.

As complicated as motorcycles are nowadays, (everyone's motorcycles) I'm actually amazed they are as reliable as they are. That goes for cars too.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

All manufacturers have a certain number of machines that end up with defects. Hence the reason they give you a warranty. Lets say they have a 5% defect rate (number I pulled out of air btw... Although BMW once claimed their final drive failure rate was 5% so maybe that's where that number stuck in my head from) To me that means when you buy one you have a 5% chance of buying one that will end up with some kind of issue... Or a 95% chance that you won't. Considering these are machines, made up of literally thousands of parts, that's pretty good.

Although Harley is statistally rated lower than some other mfgs, we don't have hard numbers telling us what the % is, or if most of the defects end up being one piece from a certain outside supplier for one specific model dragging the rest of the numbers down. I certainly don't view HD as making unreliable motorcycles. There is certainly anectdotal evidence that many Harleys get ridden lots of miles with no or few mechanical issues. I tour a lot, and see a lot of Harleys out on the highway. Rolling, not sitting on the side of the highway.

Now back in the mid 70s (under AMF rule) they were truly bad motorcycles. It seemed there were 25 Goldwings on the Highway for every HD I saw. Today, it is just the opposite. I see 25 HDs for every Goldwing on the highway. Harley has made a miraculous come back and they would never have been able to do that if they were still producing AMF quality machines.

There are 4 or 5 manufacturers I would avoid before avoiding Harley .... almost exclusively European. But that's just me.

As complicated as motorcycles are nowadays, (everyone's motorcycles) I'm actually amazed they are as reliable as they are. That goes for cars too.

Lacing up my ice skates.

If Hades ain't froze up, the Yukon River sure is.

I feel the same way, but the BMW in my garage makes me a hypocrite. Among other things, that is.

[Guth_imp]

I've avoided Harley Davidsons because they tend to design motorcycles that do not really align with my tastes or preferences (however I do find the earlier Sportsters attractive from a visual standpoint). So again, that's definitely not a knock on HD the company.

[redbirds_imp]

I like Harleys but will never own one because they have such bizarre ergos. Every time I sit on a Harley everything seems out of place. And the sound, like an ill tuned 20 year old dump truck. I know most people rave about that Harley "potato-potato beat; guess I'm the exception. Many of my riding buddies own and love their HD's and seem to get very reliable service from them. I'm glad HD is still around and wish them the best.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

Doc, I had one of these. Man, it's a beautiful bike. Why did I sell it? Bought a Dyna-Glide. But it was huge fun.

[SportsterDoc]

Doc, I had one of these. Man, it's a beautiful bike. Why did I sell it? Bought a Dyna-Glide. But it was huge fun.

There was a time when I was considering a FXDX or maybe even a FXDXT.
The Dyna/Super Glide is now gone
The FXDX was the closest big twin to a Sportster

These were my 2002 1200 Sport ("impact blue" - never liked that name) and 2003 XLH883 vivid black).

http://sportsterpedia.com/lib/exe/fetch....tok=d5dba0

http://sportsterpedia.com/lib/exe/fetch....tok=5857cb


Shoulda kept 'em...and maybe the 2012 Triumph Bonneville.
But, I've been happy with most of my bikes. The V7II was an exception...but there was still a lot to like.

[Labrador12_imp]

I ran a 99 Sportster Sport. I enjoyed the torque, but didn't put a lot of miles on it. I'm glad I owned it. I think it was a bucket list kind of thing. We shall see how many miles my new 14 CB1100 gets on it in the next few years!!!

[SportsterDoc]

I ran a 99 Sportster Sport. I enjoyed the torque, but didn't put a lot of miles on it. I'm glad I owned it. I think it was a bucket list kind of thing. We shall see how many miles my new 14 CB1100 gets on it in the next few years!!!

Both of mine were 1,000 miles per month.
Most folks are not aware of the Sport.