The reason the Motor Company treats us this way is that we have let them get away with it. If any of you are familiar with the auto industry (I've worked for one of the domestic manufacturers for 33 years, in functions ranging from owner relations to zone service manager to quality engineer to assembly plant management), Harley's current attitude is very similar to that of the domestic auto manufacturers in the late 1970's. We were selling everything we shipped out the doors and running at maximum capacity, so who gives a crap if we piss off a few customers. Then 1979/1980 came along, and people stopped buying our crap. One company eventually required a government bailout to stay in business, and the other two shut down dozens of plants and put huge numbers of people out on the street. The public started buying Japanese cars, and found that the quality and reliability were much better. The domestic manufacturers have been losing market share ever since.
So, what do we do? In addition to complaint letters to the Motor Company, I personally intend to forward my thoughts to various government and consumer agencies. One example: The fuel injection map supplied by Harley is meant only to get past the EPA - they know damn well that the driveability is lousy, but for about $600-$800 more, they will sell us "race only" (wink-wink) intake, exhaust, and fuel injection modifications that will make the bike run like it should. In the auto industry, we have been forced in the past to recall vehicles that exhibited the stumbling and stalling that these bikes exhibit, because it was considered a safety defect. We have also been nailed by the Feds when we had the dealers modify the emission systems to solve customer driveability complaints. Anyone with any sense knows that Harley is playing fast and loose with the rules, and making a ton of extra profit selling us parts that do not comply with the EPA emissions and noise standards to fix their poor engineering. And we go right along with the gouging and keep sending our bucks to Milwaukee. As I stated once before on this site, God help Harley when us old farts die off and the youngsters brought up on much better quality Japanese bikes refuse to pay twice the price for Harley's inferior products.
Yeah, 'er 'uh, grc,
You intend to forward your thoughts to various Government and Consumer agencies? Have you lost your mind? Did you have the unfortunate experience of owning a Harley when AMF owned the MoCo? I don't recall having the luxury, back then, of choosing which SE High Performance Parts and components I wanted, to cure my "Speed Jones." We literally had to fabricate most, if not all, of our "Go Fast", components. As for the "Warranty" issues, you, of all people, should know that Warranty covers workmanship, and material. Warranty does not apply to worn out, jerked out, lack of lube, lack of maintenance, or abuse. There is a certain expense, we, as owners of an "American Legend", must incur for the privilege of being fortunate enough to buy, and own one. That being said, ALL, not some or most, ALL the warranty issues I have experienced over the years, with the Harley's I have had the pleasure to own, have been addressed in a friendly, business like manner, and been resolved in a timely fashion. And, furthermore, as you have probably noticed, I'm an A$$HOLE, and very particular about my "Led Sled!" Maybe you, and some others, that are whining and complaining, because the MoCo will not subsidize your Harley Riding Pleasure, then, by all means, go buy you a Honda, or Kow, or Susuki, or some other piece of chit, that will be worth just that, as soon as you title it! Yeah, and BTW, see how many heads turn, when you go by on a Honda! See how many people gather around that "cross the water chit", and say, "Man, that sure is a Good-Lookin" Motorsickle!" There endeth the lesson. Later--HUBBARD
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Topic: Lack of Moco Customer Service (Read 6050 times)