Harley reliability.

**Lou Girardin** · 27th January 2006, 07:29

I run the rentals at AMPS, for those that don't know. The bikes are 1 - 2 years old and average 2000 - 3000 k's per month. In nearly 2 years the sum of failures has been 2 broken drive belts through stones getting trapped in them. Plus one mysterious case of a clutch cable coming loose and wearing a hole in the oil filter. This wasn't a mechanical failure, someone had loosened the clip.
What's made me mention this was an English guy on a tour from ChCh, he and a mate have the only two Harleys. All the others are on Beemers, ALL the Beemers have had some sort of problem during the tour - Harleys nil.

**Flyingpony** · 27th January 2006, 11:52

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

What's made me mention this was an English guy on a tour from ChCh, he and a mate have the only two Harleys. All the others are on Beemers, ALL the Beemers have had some sort of problem during the tour - Harleys nil.

So you saying that Suzuki and Harleys rule the roost for undying reliability!

Good thing I own a Suzuki and dream about owning a Harley. Probably get a GSX-R 1k next though or a Guzzi.

**Lou Girardin** · 27th January 2006, 13:06

Originally Posted by Flyingpony

So you saying that Suzuki and Harleys rule the roost for undying reliability!

Good thing I own a Suzuki and dream about owning a Harley. Probably get a GSX-R 1k next though or a Guzzi.

Suzuks are on a another, much higher, level altogether. Reliable, stylish and a true indicator of good taste and discernment.

**buellbabe** · 27th January 2006, 13:22

Pre-evo Hardleys weren't exactly known for their reliability but things have definately changed since then. I have only ever owned evolution Harleys so my comment comes from reading about them and having mates on older bikes...
Buell has had some teething problems but considering they are still a relatively young company ( not to mention eager to push boundaries ) you can cut them abit of slack.
NEVER had any probs with my HOGs and my Buell has just had its 76,000 km service. It has been a blissful ride so far and looking forward to many more!

**In The Breeze** · 27th January 2006, 13:37

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

Suzuks are on a another, much higher, level altogether. Reliable, stylish and a true indicator of good taste and discernment.

I agree Lou and I also agree with Rashika too. Time have changed and for the most part Harleys have got things sorted. Not my cuppa though but they dont deserve the near 100% bad rep given

**Waylander** · 27th January 2006, 18:05

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

Suzuks are on a another, much higher, level altogether. Reliable, stylish and a true indicator of good taste and discernment.

Shame so many wankers ride them.

**Badcat** · 27th January 2006, 18:46

Originally Posted by Waylander

Shame so many wankers ride them.

yes - perhaps if they all bought overchromed chopped out prehistoric pieces of shit, they'd become much better people.
doesn't seem to have worked for you however.

**Buster** · 27th January 2006, 19:10

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

I run the rentals at AMPS, for those that don't know. The bikes are 1 - 2 years old and average 2000 - 3000 k's per month. In nearly 2 years the sum of failures has been 2 broken drive belts through stones getting trapped in them. Plus one mysterious case of a clutch cable coming loose and wearing a hole in the oil filter. This wasn't a mechanical failure, someone had loosened the clip.
What's made me mention this was an English guy on a tour from ChCh, he and a mate have the only two Harleys. All the others are on Beemers, ALL the Beemers have had some sort of problem during the tour - Harleys nil.

Clutch cable wearing through oil filter??? Who the? what the? how the?

**Waylander** · 27th January 2006, 19:34

Originally Posted by Badcat

yes - perhaps if they all bought overchromed chopped out prehistoric pieces of shit, they'd become much better people.
doesn't seem to have worked for you however.

Meh, wankers ride all sorts of bikes but from experiance, an overwhelmingly large number of them ride gixxers as apposed to most other kinds of bikes. It could be that there are just so many more gixxer riders.

**98tls** · 27th January 2006, 19:42

Originally Posted by Waylander

Meh, wankers ride all sorts of bikes but from experiance, an overwhelmingly large number of them ride gixxers as apposed to most other kinds of bikes. It could be that there are just so many more gixxer riders.

funny thats what i say about harley riders

yea dont get all excited you harley riders,my best mate rides a harley an old sporty,hes got the money to buy a big block etc but just wont change,he loves the old girl and in the face of public opinion about those old things it just keeps on going,never ever breaks down,he gives me shit about rideing a jappa i return with the harley thing but i cant fault the thing for reliability.

**SixPackBack** · 27th January 2006, 19:55

Originally Posted by Waylander

Meh, wankers ride all sorts of bikes but from experiance, an overwhelmingly large number of them ride gixxers as apposed to most other kinds of bikes. It could be that there are just so many more gixxer riders.

Perhaps you need a little help extracting your foot out of your mouth AGAIN

.........Harley's, Gixxer's and every other are cool...period!

Lou, good to know harley's are that reliable, they certainly look and sound great...the V-rod is a special bike IMO.