Harley-Davidson® 2007

Road King®, Electra Glide®, Road Glide®, Street Glide®, Ultra Classic®

 Dyna Super Glide®,  Dyna Wide Glide®,  Dyna Low Rider, Dyna Street Bob®

Softail Standard®, Softail Deuce®, Softail Fatboy®, Softail Deluxe®, Softail Heritage®

OTHER PROBLEMS CONTINUED

    We are going to start this page off with a dialogue I had with another old timer piece of scooter trash.  (I use those words only in the nicest way.  I would rather spend my time with a greasy piece of scooter trash on a rat bike than any number of "instabiker" lawyers and doctors on shiny new bikes)  Discussions like this have me wondering what my and others fascination with Harleys even comes from.  I guess mine comes from my staunch belief that one should buy American made when given the option.

11/20/2006

Enjoyed your site on problems with the 07's.  But if you really believe what you said "p.s.  I would rather be sitting on the side of the road twisting wrenches on a broken Harley than riding a "metric" bike into the wind" you probably deserve what you got.  I've been riding Harleys for forty years - nothing's changed - same crappy attitude of let the customer fix the junk Harley makes.

 
Smitty
Smitty,
   you are pretty well on the mark.  if the instabikers rode enough to actually figure this out then we could go back to the good ol days when you had to know something to ride a harley.  wouldn't it be nice if all of the lawyers, doctors and housewives went back to riding hondas?  then when we were sitting on the side of the road broke down all of the folks in cages would be scared to stop and offer assistance.  we would be bikers again and the rest would be motorcyclists.
 
    as much as i like to get on and ride i almost miss the days of packing the tool kit and a few spare parts before you worried about making sure you had a camera and sunscreen.  the thing that really gripes me is for what a new bagger costs it should run decently when you pull out of the parking lot.  i don't mind it breaking down after the sting of writing the check has faded a little.
 
  yeah, we deserve what we got to the extent that we let our buddies experinces with their 2001 thru 2005 baggers lull us into thinking that the 2007 with a new engine and tranny would be just as solid.  i have known for 20 years that you never buy a first year model of anything that rolls.  we broke that rule and got hosed.  of course now that we have gone through the required corrective measures the new bagger really is a blast to ride, especially at interstate speeds.  you just can't get the old 4 speed big twins out and pound on the superslab all day at 80 mph without feeling it in your bones.
 
  my biggest gripe is with our dealer whom we have done business with all they way back to when they were an independent shop.  they should have told us up front that we may have to do a few things to make it run right.  if they had told us that the bikes were great except for needing remapping we probably would have written the check and included the remap in the original purchase.  after the second generation of doing business with them i would have expected honesty before the sale.  that is what aggrevated me to the point of putting our experience on the web.  after the amf years i know that the moco is not looking out for us.  i appreciate all feedback and you making me think about my "p.s." reminds me that 2007 ain't no different than 1977 when dealing with the moco.
 
   i  changed dealers since this purchase just for principles sake.  i have even spent another 5k with the moco on various stuff since the purchase of the bagger but know it is buyer beware with them.  of course i can fix my new evo engine for my bike on the side of the road without having to hook it up to an o.b.d. compliant computer.  see you in the wind and if i am broken down on the side of the road instead i would appreciate the loan of a paper clip and some duct tape...
michael
Michael,
 
If I see you on the side of the road, I might have the paper clip and duct tape and maybe even a bent screwdriver.  :)
 
All the heat problems remind me of the new '79 Lowrider I bought.  I thought it was gorgeous!  Rode it about five miles down the expressway at 45 mph and it was hot as hell.  Took it back to the dealer and told them it was going to suck a valve.  What did they say?  You guessed it, "They all do that" and the explanation was that they had to run lean to meet EPA emissions standards, but no problem.  Well it sucked a valve at 3k, was repaired under warranty, sucked another valve at 5K and repaired again under warranty and still ran hot.  From there on, it came out of my pocket, but finally got it running fairly decent, except it never idled right even after many carb and jetting changes.  Oh well.  Harley is still sticking it to the customer - it's not that they don't know - they don't care.
 
Stay in the wind and good luck,
 
Smitty

    Now back to our regularly scheduled programming of folks griping about their late model Harley-Davidsons.  Ya'll read the complaints and decide for yourself if you want to ante up for a new bike.

11/22/2006

I wanted to add my experience here—I’ve been posting to the various forums on the web and am frustrated and disappointed in the number of people out there who seem to think that those of us experiencing problems with our 2007 bikes are nuts. Your comments are well thought-out and informative and I appreciate that you are not bashing HD as much as trying to spread awareness.

 I have been riding for about 25 years, all on metrics until a few months ago when I bought my first Harley. I’d dreamed of owning a Road King for many years, and I fell in love with the new Blue Suede Pearl Custom. I bought the bike and rode it 70 miles home. By the time I got there I knew something was wrong—why on earth would such an expensive and time-tested piece of engineering like this make so much noise in 5th and 6th gear? Why was it so hot? Why did it surge so badly?

 Long story as short as possible here—I went to a local dealer who did what they called a flash download to the bike which was supposed to smooth out the surging. I installed a Screamin’ Eagle stage 1 air cleaner, and put on a set of VH slips. The surging was worse. I was then told by various sources that no such download existed yet for the ‘07’s and that I’d been taken for a ride on the download. The next step was of course to get the SERT installed. Once that was done the surging went away. The bike ran much better. However, the transmission noise was still there, and recently an intermittent rubbing noise can be heard from somewhere at the back of the bike.

I’ve been told the same thing as everyone else on the transmission noises-that it’s due to the differently cut teeth. I wonder with all the complaints why it is that HD doesn’t just recall them and put in the older teeth used on the ‘04’s and the ‘05’s just to stop the complaints-they will not help the resale value on these bikes and they can’t be helping HD’s reputation. I was also told by the Service Dept manager that putting any oil in the transmission other than HD’s product could void warranty. So I’ve decided to play it by their rules for now and wait it out.

 I’m also amazed at the number of folks out there who assume we are lugging our machines—and all the postings that we just need to keep our rpm’s up over 2500. The last thing I want to have to do is keep the throttle up while cruising around on a touring bike! Talk about a killjoy. So much for cruising along at 50 mph enjoying the scenery—if you don’t want to hear the sound of rocks tumbling around in the transmission case you need to keep that throttle twisted?? Not for me. I can’t imagine what this would do to the engine long-term and it’s certainly not going to make the ride any better to do this.

The noise from the rear of the bike has not yet been identified. The service dept thought it was a tight belt, but on checking the tension it was right where it should have been. They thought the noise was something belt-related (although they really didn’t know what) and that it was being amplified by the wheel casting. They hear it, but have no fix. I am now arranging to take it to a third service dept in the hopes that a fresh wrench might figure this out.

 I am deeply frustrated that what should have been one of the best experiences in my life has turned out to be one of the most bothersome. What a beautiful bike this is and yet with so many avoidable issues. It’s almost as if they were in such a hurry to get these to market that they forgot to test them first. The transmission and rear end noises are bad enough that I think about them all the time. It shouldn’t be this way. I hope that HD is paying attention to us and that something will be done.

 Thanks for your insight and candor regarding your wife’s bike, and for giving us a place to explain and share our concerns.

12/4/2006

    Hey..If ever I wanted to slap a servive mang. its the one at this dealership. I have done mostly the same on my 07 RKClassic as your wife but did one STUPID thing I listened to them. I also put on a new set of 05 off road mufflers and now they will not look at my bike. They said NO problem. I have the SERT, Stage I and 05 off road mufflers. When she goes so do I to court.

     I've called HD C/S to getting a answer I should be talking with Best Buy..Maybe new tunes would help it run. I'll at least be able to cook burgers on it! I contacted another DEALER and got the same becasue I'm in that little computer now with my VIN.
Maybe you could read my posts under voodoothatido on  http://www.hdforums.com/m_992579/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm#997346#997346  then you will see to what harley has done to you and me..
    What a buch of real winners! I do hope they lose money from here out becasue of not taking the time to listen to their customers..Oh yes..Customer Service is like a trip to china in the winter...

Voodoothatido

12/5/2006

I read your email article on ’07 HD problems. I too had a significant issue with engine heat on my ’07 Electra Glide. However, after I ported the head and installed mufflers, SERT and air cleaner, the engine overheating problem seemed to go away. I also installed a Harley oil temp gauge at that time. Since then the engine has been running at 180.

 I also have had wobble issues at speeds over 60. Not sure of the cause. I did install fork mounted wind deflectors when I bought the bike. I think they contributed to it but it’s noticeably less with them removed. So I have left them off. This doesn’t make much sense to me.

 The wobble that I experience is on straight good roads so I know it is not coming from the road. I had the fork bearing checked twice. That’s adjusted properly. I also installed a True-Track that I don’t know how much it helped. The next thing I may try is the Sta-Bo product as the dealer has told me there is nothing wrong with the MC.

 Are you aware of the cause of these wobbles?

great site.
 
12/13/2006

I am a new h-d owner coming from Italian and German bikes ,

 
Got an 07 street glide in October.  I test rode it and was amazed by how the vibrations at idle completely disappeared as soon as I started to roll ,and from idle to 2,000 rpm and higher was fast and super smooth and when i say no vibrations I mean zero.
 
then ,a recall 0903,
 
I called Harley and told them i was on my way to Florida and they told me to do  the recall before leaving on December 3rd.

So I did ,  results...

 
The bike now vibrates thru foot pegs and bars from idle to 2,000 rpm's and takes long to get there ......also, I have vibes at different rpm,s whereas before it was super smooth.  Before recall the bike started with a bang ,like a shot out of an ak47...really, now the motor turns a couple of times before catching.  And , before I got 40 mpg and now 260 in 80 degree stop and go and 225 in interstate.
 
I think that they leaned out the bike too much ????  I called h-d and took bike back to dealer as the suggested and the dealer and a fty.  Rep claims all is excellent, no problems.
 
I suggested they put it back as it was and dealer said ok but if it breaks is your problem.  I never lug an engine and could go back ,but should something else happen due to heat,???  So here I am , I asked my dealer to take it back but he will not.
 
f.f.b.
 

12/29/2006

Hi,

Great information and down to earth honest discussion about issues that are of concern to all Harley enthusiasts.
 
A bit of background info - I am riding Harleys since 1981 and owned a range of Softails and a S&S custom I built myself. Recently moved to the UK and had to sell my two Harleys as neither of them would have been allowed on the local roads. I ordered a 2007 Softail Custom from the nearest Harley dealer here in the UK and took delivery mid November. Two issues I wish to discuss;

 

1. On delivery I noticed a continuous whining/grinding noise coming from the motor - almost like rubbing two pieces of fine sandpaper together. Consulted the dealer staff and was told these motors are running with much lower noise levels than before. Done only 86 miles and the noise became quite alarming. I took the bike to the dealer and was told by the Technician that there is a leak on the oil line to oil pump connection, allowing air to be sucked in by the oil pump causing the noise. He showed me 3 new bikes all with oil sweating around the oil suction line fitting and all with similar noise from the motor. I was told to run the bike to 1000miles and they will replace the oil seal during the first service. To me air in the oil supply = reduced oil supply to the bearings = accelerated bearing wear = motor failure. If this dianostics is true, the noise is certainly not cavitation of the oil pump and must be a dry running bearing/s. I refused to ride my bike any further and left it at the dealership to at least replace the seal, although I personally cannot believe that this is the problem.
 
2. Being concerned about the issue I phoned the local HD customer care line and was told in no uncertain terms that they only react on problems identified and reported by the dealers. A couple of hours after I left the bike at the dealership I was phoned by an extremely rude Dealer Principal telling me that there is nothing wrong with the bike as the 3 new bikes he has on the floor produces the same noise from the motors. I requested a written report from him on the issue which I may get whenever his Master Technician is available.
 
With Harley-Davidson UK's practices it is no surprise that there is no customer care from the dealership. In the mean time I sit with my finger up my backside and bike I don't want to ride.
 
I will really appreciate if you can put a summarised version describing the motor problem on your site to see if there are anybody out there with similar problems or a solution. Any recommendations on how to get some action and support from Harley-Davidson will be appreciated.
 
Thanks,
F. V.

   The tendency for the dealers to keep telling old school scooter trash that there is nothing wrong with their bike when the customer knows that there is seems so goofy that it escapes my comprehension.  The MoCo and the dealers are alienating many of their multiple repeat customers.  That is going to come back to haunt them before it is over.  Keep the feedback coming and I'll keep posting all of the information that comes my way.  Once again; if you have something to add, good or bad, email me at biners@crowderinc.com

 

Page 1 (Houston, We have a problem!)      Page 2 (Our story continues)  

 Page 3 (I hear from others with the same problem)

Page 4 (Our exact fix)         Page 5 (Other potential fixes)

Page 6 (What's up with the noisy gear box??)

Page 7 (Potential buyers are starting to freeze up)

Page 8 (Some folks are quite happy with their '07 H-D's)

Page 9 (Other problems I am hearing about)   Page 10 (other resources)

PAGE 11 (THE MOST INFORMATIVE EMAIL I HAVE RECEIVED)

page 12 (an attempt to gather my thoughts)

PAGE 13 (THE MOCO ISSUES A RECALL)

PAGE 14  (FIRE IS INSPIRATIONAL....)

LATE MODEL h-D RECALLS

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