[vntgmbk]

I just gave up my Honda to buy my first Harley as I always wanted one. I was lucky enough to find an 05 Softail Standard with only 980 miles on it and get a fair deal on it instead of having to buy one from a stealership. The 15 mile ride home was great and I was very happy with my decision to buy a Harley. It rained for a couple of days after so the the bike sat in my garage for a couple of days. I then went start it to show one of my buddies and the bike is now only running on one cylinder. The back cylinder doesn't seem to be firing. I was planning on taking it to the dealer and actually paying the $275 for the 1000 mile service but now I can't even ride it. I have 4 months left on the warranty and was wondering if you all think the extended warranty is worth buying. I had my Honda for 7 years with not one single problem but it appears that Harley's may not be as reliable. Please let me know your thoughts. Also does anyone know where I can purchase one of those extended warranties at any kind of a discount? The prices seem to be outrageous?
Thanks!
Mike

[mwelych]

I had a similar problem with mine (96 Heritage Softail Classic), although mine is the carburated version. Since I had purchased the extended warranty (I thought is was worth it), it cost only a 50 buck deductable for them to come and get it, and work on it. They found the cable to the choke/enhancer(?) was bad and replaced it, and also replaced the plugs. I mentioned that I had a fouling plug problem, and they looked at that as well. Said that it was the cable (choke/enhancer) and be careful with my start up procedure, making sure to warm it up and cut off (push in cable) choke as needed. I haven't experienced a problem with it since, but I always keep a set of plus and a wrench to replace them on the road if then ever get fouled. One of my best riding buddies (Ex-mechanic till he lost his right leg due to a cage) gave me that tip. He still rides like crazy though. Peace...

[goats_hogs]

I've found most of the extended warrenties to be in their favor, another way for them to make money. Any bike, not just Harley, can have problems. I'm glad you had 7 years without any problems on your Honda, but that doesn't mean the next guy won't make up for it. And you never mentioned how many miles you actually rode the Honda either, was it ridden alot of miles or not in those 7 years? Don't get me wrong here, I'm not slamming or you or trying to flame ya. I just really hate hearing someone with one problem on a bike... any bike, talk about how the (Brand X, choose your poison) I owned before was so much better. These things are mechanical, lots of electronics and sensors. It's a wonder they run at all.

I have a 2004 Road Glide, with 26,000 miles on it, and it's not had anything more that one engine code show up. And even that, was my fault, I washed it and got too much around the transmission sensor, and it caused a short.... only until it dried out. Have a friend I ride with that has a 2003 FLHTCI, over 60k on it and never once gave him any trouble. While I'm sure you have a sour taste right now, get the bike fixed under the warrenty, ride it some, and see how it goes. You have 4 months of warrenty left, that puts you into September, and by then you should have plenty of miles on it to know if you feel like it's a good one or a lemon.

Also, on a side note..... have you checked to see when the bike actually was purchased? If it only has 4 months of warrenty left, and hasn't had the 1000 mile service, has the bike ever been serviced? If it's still running the original oil with 980 miles on it and been 20 months, that would be bothering me more than a dead cylinder that's covered under warrenty. The longest I go is 6 months or 2500 miles.... sometimes 3k if I'm on a trip. Just my $.02, but I feel the fluids are the life blood of these things. My last bike (1996 Road King) has 75k on it now, never left me stranded, nor the guys I sold it to with 64k on it at that time. So at least some of them are fairly dependable.

I hope you get this worked out, and it doesn't give you any problems other than routine replacements. Good luck and let us know what you find out.

Later, Brent

[goats_hogs]

Oh, Mike, I just realized you are new here, Welcome!

[chucktx]

hi mike....and welcome to the forum.......im with goats on this one.......get the prob fixed under warranty....and check on the fluid situation...
chuck