id·i·o·syn·cra·sy –noun, plural -sies.
1. a characteristic, habit, mannerism, or the like, that is peculiar to an individual.
2. the physical constitution peculiar to an individual
Idiosyncrasies? I would consider most of the problems experienced with the 110's as more than idiosyncrasies. It seems that the ones that give trouble, give LOTS of trouble. Tell the guy whose motor locked up, dumped him and totaled his bike that it was due to an idiosyncrasy in the motor. More like an idiot-syncrasy from the moco for releasing these motors, and continuing to release them with numerous known problems. They are by most accounts POS motors, folks are spending big bucks getting them to run right and keeping them running, and I for one am glad that I don't own one. O.K., I'm off it now.
Well let's see. The shovelheads were considered POS. Hmmm, they were around many years, with their inferior quality control, and Harley guys stayed loyal. They're still on the road. Early Evo's, porous cases, bad cams, spun bearings. The Evo was the best motor they built at that time. They still replace bad cases from older Evo's today. TC 88, bad cam bearing design, leaned out carb models that spit and coughed better than they ran. Became the most reliable motor ever. Bad 110" bikes, motors replaced. Bad starter ring gears, entire clutch assembly replaced.
I work for a major Air Conditioning manufacturer. Design a new product and get it on the streets. If it's not right, we'll fix it in the field. That's Corporate America today. Shareholders come first! Increase revenue, growth, higher profits. This is what drives these corporations, not making sure they have the absolute best, most reliable product. How a company deals with their issues, determines how they're judged and where their market share goes. Brand name loyalty has a role in this too. HD has about the highest brand loyalty that you can ask for. Don't think for a minute they don't know that. Do they take advantage of it? Damn straight. Do they test our patience and push us to the brink? Yeah, they sure seem to do that too. Do they eventually make good? IMO, yes they do. There will aways be folks that slip thru the cracks, and can't get satisfaction. They lose these customers. But the loyal ones stick with it and eventually get satisfaction.
A Harley is a labor of love and a passion. Do we put up with more than most would for other products. You bet your ass! Why? Cause we have that passion and HD knows it. Will it stop us or prevent us from buying another one. Some people yes, most people no. It depends on that level of passion you have. POS, I say not! This ain't no rocket ship! Anything on the bike can be replaced with stronger, better chit. It's a motorcycle. Relatively simple stuff. We have a fantastic site, with many brilliant people participating. We find out everything there is to know about these bikes. We know more than most dealers do about our bikes. If you're looking for a completely trouble-free ownership experience, don't buy a Harley. Would I buy anything else? F NO!!!
Yep, idiosyncrasies! That's what I call it, I stand by it, and am willing to deal with it!
Hoist!