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[Cat Eye]

Discloser, I got this off the Indian forum

I am thinking about getting another bike and was leaning toward a Indian.  So I started surfing their forum to get some customer feedback when I came across a thread on paint issues.  There were a couple of issues on paint flaking, mostly on saddlebag lids, under the lip, no big deal, than PA-POW.

Flaking on fenders and tanks......the poster of the photo stated that the bike was out of warranty and that Indian would not assist. Which I find unbelievable.

Anyway, just thought I would share and as the saying goes "Better the Devil you know than the Devil you don't know"

[mark]

I bought a two-tone Indian Roadmaster in March...garage kept, no paint issues at all.  When I see posts such as the one you referred to, I want to know the history of the bike, i.e., was it kept near the beach and rarely washed, did the owner store it in his shed beside 500 lbs of fertilizer, etc.? Looking at the pic you posted, it appears the leather had not been maintained by the owner too...is that an indication of his maintence of the whole bike?  Indian, like any other company, can't produce perfect products...is it possible this guy just got that "one."  I see on your pic you're standing beside a yellow SESG.  Didn't HD have to discontinue that paint scheme suddenly, in mid-year, due to poor paint?  I seem to recall many complaints on this forum about 2015 CVO paint issues.

The Indian poster also said the bike was out of warranty, so it wasn't covered by Indian.  You seem surprised; however, I wouldn't expect a manufacturer extend coverage past their stated warranty period. 

[RonandJanet]

I agree that we don't know the history and facts and heck it may even have been repainted. I also don't know how long out of warranty it is (one month or two years). If this is truly as it is presented and only a few years old I think the manufacturer should cover this.  Besides the bad press and that everyone will see it is the overall customer satisfaction that keeps customers. I know it is out of warranty and even if you never clean the bike the paint shouldn't come off like this. It looks like bad prep on the tank. An example is my current bike. My right saddle bag came off going down the highway.  This is about three months after the warranty ran out. I had already had the recall done a year or so ago but still it came off.  My dealer talked too Harley, took pictures and explained my POV that it shouldn't come off. Harley Davidson agreed and they covered the whole thing.  That is customer service. I have told everyone (including on this forum) so the dealer and HD are both getting good press.  Just my two cents!

[UK1]

Along with my `12 Skunk, I have a Dark Horse. 14 months, not one issue, including paint.

[mark]

Very cool DH.

[RonandJanet]

That is really different looking all blacked out like that!  Is the windshield as dark as it looks in the picture?

[BigLew]

Very cool DH.

X2

BigLew

[TN]

Discloser, I got this off the Indian forum

I am thinking about getting another bike and was leaning toward a Indian.  So I started surfing their forum to get some customer feedback when I came across a thread on paint issues.  There were a couple of issues on paint flaking, mostly on saddlebag lids, under the lip, no big deal, than PA-POW.

Flaking on fenders and tanks......the poster of the photo stated that the bike was out of warranty and that Indian would not assist. Which I find unbelievable.

Anyway, just thought I would share and as the saying goes "Better the Devil you know than the Devil you don't know"

I've seen cases where HD did do a goodwill gesture on out of warranty claims but not automatic. Lots of variables here. I do like to hear real world experiences in this dept.

TN

[Dr.D]

I traded away my @014 CVO Limtited for the new Indian RM. I am well pleased. The whole story is Harley paint is generally better than Indians but the 2017s are getting better. There are however categories that i would give the nod in favor to Indian over Harley.

Be careful reading forums to judge a motor company. If non Harley owners come on here and read they may think Harley is a poor motorcycle.

[UK1]

That is really different looking all blacked out like that!  Is the windshield as dark as it looks in the picture?

Not as dark as the picture looks, you can still see through it.

[grc]

Most people in the business have acknowledged over the years that the Harley factory paint jobs are better than those of their main competitors.  I tend to agree.  But the CVO paint jobs aren't done by Harley, and those have had a very spotty history no matter which outside vendor has been involved.  So don't compare apples to footballs.

In the overall scheme of things, I think I'd rather have a mediocre paint job and a good powertrain, versus the opposite.  But there again I'm not the typical Harley owner and don't prefer style over function.

Jerry

[Trapperdog]

Be careful reading forums to judge a motor company. If non Harley owners come on here and read they may think Harley is a poor motorcycle.

Absolutely true. But generally speaking, that's how most non Harly owners feel about Harley's without reading this forum.

[ChopperPilot]

Along with my `12 Skunk, I have a Dark Horse. 14 months, not one issue, including paint.

Very nice looking bike!

[smkymtnboy]

good to know! see this thread! http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=108747.msg1393697#msg1393697

[Rooster]

I thought the CVO'S were painted at the factory now rather than an outside vendor. I thought that changed a couple years back.