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[Windjammer]

In 10,000 miles of Harley ownership, she never burped once. No warranty work.

OK, that's cool. And I'm with ya that most if not all newer Harley's could accomplish the same.

RANT ON fftopic:

I think there's some confusion in the world about what constitutes "long term reliability" on a motorcycle. In the 70's, jap bikes were mostly thought of as disposable, like a kitchen toaster. If ya got 10-15K miles on the bike without major trouble she was pretty good. If ya got 25K she was a real runner. And all of this was better than Britbikes and Harleys, which seemed to have a work to ride ratio of about 1:2 (every 2 hours riding required 1 hour of fiddling/adjusting/tightening/leak fixing).

Fast forward to current times and most bikes are inherently much more reliable (and a bit more expensive). To me, a streetbike that's ridden like a streetbike (no racing) should last at least 50K with no major engine or driveline failure, otherwise it's a POS. Assuming regular maintenance is carried out in a professional manner.

So when I see peeps posting about bikes (including the FJR) saying "8K and I've had no problems", my reaction is "so what, ya made it thru break-in. Big deal!"

RANT OFF

Now, back to your regularly scheduled Harley Slam:

well, maybe a Road Glide when I turn 80.

On that we agree 100%. If I make it to 80 and can still ride, I'll prolly be on a hog. Hopefully by then they have decent brakes as stock items.

 

[twowheelnut]

So when I see peeps posting about bikes (including the FJR) saying "8K and I've had no problems", my reaction is "so what, ya made it thru break-in. Big deal!"

I didn't mean that this was proof of anything. Just stating my experience with 1 Harley. For all I know, at 10,001 miles the new owner may have experienced engine melt down, I dunno...

As far as long term reliability, no doubt I'd go with a Jap bike every time.

 

[Windjammer]

I didn't mean that this was proof of anything.

I was already pretty sure that someone with your ownership experience wasn't offering one bike as proof. My "rant" section was directed more toward the community at large, not specifically to you. Seeing your post just reminded me that I had a rant overdue, that's all.

 

[EastTNFJR]

Put over 13K on my '03 Road GLide and she was pretty reliable, had one or two issues (like the entire shifter assembly falling off while going 90mph across South Dakota..SUCKED, had to shift by hand for 80 miles to the next dealer). Overall ran good. handled wonderfully at parking lot speeds, good for ERC courses, dragged every possible thing at speed and was pretty slow. My '01 Gold Wing prior to the HArley had frames cracking issues, overheating issues, rode like a buckboard, also dragged many parts in the curves, and felt like a piece of tupperware (3rd GW I have had, my least favorite). The Road Star prior to this had a muffler bracket recall that could fall off causing major accident, had a widely known "knocking" problem (like the "tick" also denied by Yamaha and slowly acknowledged) and was as slow as molasses, had absolutely NO ground clearance. Which brings me to the FJ1200ABS prior to this motly collection. Absolutely no problems other than a ABS pump that was replaced 5 years out of warranty ("We have never seen this happen before"). I feel like I am finally back home. Even with all of the years separating these two models (FJ and FJR) there is DNA that is shared between them. I too will not likely buy another Harley but I ride with anyone on anything with two wheels, more power to 'em.

John

 

[radman]

On that we agree 100%. If I make it to 80 and can still ride, I'll prolly be on a hog. Hopefully by then they have decent brakes as stock items.

Not that they'll do ya much good if, ten minutes after the crash, your hand finally starts gripping the lever.

 

[FastJoyRide]

Although I am not now a H-D owner, nor have I ever been, nor will I likely ever be, you would be surprised by the number of H-D's that regularly complete the 3 Flags rally every year, and a lot of these are pretty new bikes, but with impressively large mileages already racked up (50,000+)

In my first 3 Flags in 1981, I gave a ride to a Harley rider's SO, when their brand-new Sporty threw a rod through its cases 50 miles south of Las Vegas. She just wanted a lift into town as they had a chase team standing by with a pick-up anticipating that the Sporty wouldn't make it all the way to Canada and back! My 1979 Suzuki GS850 not only finished that 3 Flags, it gave me 50,000 miles of flawless service and was still tight as a drum when I traded it in on a K-75 in 1985.

Fo-Sho there are still some reliability issues for H-D, but then aren't there for everything? Read any of the BMW bike boards lately? Lots of driveline/brakes/motor issues over there too! (don't tell anyone but I hear some Yamahas tick...)

 

[sparky3008]

Reliability (every brand has its problems so really a mute point)

Performance (while I have heard many harley guys say biking isn't about going fast they are also the one's that have put several thousands of dollars of engine work to get their huge 1450cc motors to get 100hp.)

Handling (Sorry no Harley is ever going to brake or turn like a sport bike V-rod isn't a harley can you say German)

I have a lot of country boy friends that I love to hang out with and I am a Texan at heart so I fit right in. My biggest problem is the rice burner real bike comments that just makes their iq level drop to their stock hp readings. Then you get the buy american comments that make just about as much sense. Do they realize that for every 1 HD dealer we have 3 or 4 jap dealers and the employees are american with families and bills like everyone else. We have trade relations with other countries because it is good for us not because we are doing it just for them. We pay our farmers not to grow crops because it is better for us to buy it from other countries.

There is nothing about a Harley not one thing that is better than my bike.

Frame, Stronger lighter.

Engine Smaller, lighter, more power, more tq, latest technology.

Tires - Better grip traction handling

Brakes - Please don't even try it...

Wind protection - Ok, the electra glide, road kings have good protection but have you felt the weight of the front end on those things...

Don't even get me started on what a plain joe harley with no chrome costs and looks like without all the chrome.

Rant Rant Rant Rant...

 

[FJRocket]

No, the Road King does NOT have better wind protection. Not in my book. One of the reasons I made the change to the FJR.

My buddy does enjoy chain smoking on his Ultra behind all that dressing. Guess I could do that, if I road with the CB4+4 up all the time. But then, I'd have to start smoking. No thanks.

 

[velvet fog]

Got some crap from H-D riders about my FJR in Vermont this June.  Typical "jap-crap" ah, crap.  My response: "Look at the plate."  One look at the California plate and I did not hear another word.  :lol:  
boardsNbikes

B&B

I'm a simple boy for Oz what do you mean?

It would be sorta like showing up in Sydney with a license plate from Perth :B

 

[sparky3008]

No, the Road King does NOT have better wind protection. Not in my book. One of the reasons I made the change to the FJR.

My bad was thinking of the Road Glide <_< You know how it is with all those different names and stuff

 

[FJRocket]

Roger that. Road Glide is bigtime dressed. Ugh. I've seen a couple custom ones I thought looked kinda cool, but for the most part, ugh.