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[Black Diamond]

Thanks for that perspective. Good to know about the success stories too! 

JW

[Robmay]

SBB,

My original motor died in 2008 at 24,500 miles. HD replaced it with a 2009 motor and I now have 66,800 miles and have not had one problem with the motor. I just finished a trip from Michigan to Texas, the Southwestern GTG, Sacramento, Yellowstone, Deadwood/Mt. Rushmore area, HD Museum, Michigan UP and back to Grand Rapids. Only problem was the bearing behind the clutch making noise and it was replace under extended warranty.

My bike just has slip-ons and the SE AC so it does not make the Torque and HP that a 110 with a cam would make but then again it does not put as much pressure on the internal parts because of it.

Sorry you have had so many problems with your motor.

More and more I think this is the key. MINOR adjustments.

[56FLE]

More and more I think this is the key. MINOR adjustments.

I agree, I might not be the fastest bike but I'm fast enough to play with the big boys and when they are bitching about their bike in the shop due to major engine problems I just start my bike and go for another long ride.
  

[LoneCustom]

I have sat back playing on my BMW's for quite a while waiting on the 2011 CVO lineup. I was 95% decided to get the SEUC for the last month but after seeing them, I really can't get too excited about it. Now 3 of the SESG's are friggen perfect and I think because they so remind me of the 04-05 SEEG's. Having been away from Harley's for a year or so I assumed the 110 problems (which left such a bad taste from MoCo sent me to BMW) were history. After reading through this topic I'm a little uncomfortable going to my local stealer this week and grabbing the first SESG due in as planned. Damn, this is just like finding out there is no Santa.

I went from a BMW full dresser TO a Harley CVO.  My BMW was their "cruiser" model, so the seat height was good for me (I have pretty short legs, so any seat higher than 31" is too high).  I always felt that the BMW carried its weight too high (the top of the gas tank was almost at chest height).  The engine was 1200cc, but it only had about 56 hp (but lots of torque).  Even going up a small hill, I needed to shift down a gear.  It was a nice bike, but cornering at low speed made me very nervous.  The high center of gravity made it feel like the bike would tip over.  Not a good feeling.  
My SEUG is a much more enjoyable ride.  Stable at low speeds, gobs of power, great looks...  plus, all of the Harley history and "mystique".  
(I did go with the extended warranty, however.  Seemed like pretty cheap insurance).

[Mrs Rooster]

I agree, I might not be the fastest bike but I'm fast enough to play with the big boys and when they are bitching about their bike in the shop due to major engine problems I just start my bike and go for another long ride.
  

And it looks like this.  

Sorry John the devil made me do it.  

[Trapperdog]

And it looks like this.  

Sorry John the devil made me do it.  

   

[arcticdude]

Here's the other side of the CVO quality issues-

2001 FXDWG2- engine case didn't get sealant all the way around cases- so motor completely dissassembled with less than 1000 miles, bone stock bike

2001 SERG- pull throttle cable broike at 2000 miles, idling engine while running 65 mph on 6 lane divided highway,
main circuit breaker failed several times while riding, shutting the bike off at speed- eventually replaced as a recall because we couldn't duplicate the problem for the dealer- everybody else's had to also fail before it was fixed- all problems occurred before we did a fuelpak and knocked out the exhaust plugs (it ran MUCH better after these mods)

2006 CUSE- compensator nut came loose at least 3 different times- would have really tore everything up had I not bitched at the dealers several times about a knocking noise in the primary until the finally took things apart and saw the loose nut/bolt, was stock except for mufflers, now has SERT on it

2007 CUSE- has had the head gaskets done 5 times, hot as hell to ride, only mod is a chrome air cleaner backing plate and a K&N filter, 20k miles

as for our non cvo bikes- 95 & 97 Evo's both had base gaskets done within a couple thousand miles of purchasing bikes new, 2001 Ultra- had a hole in the front wheel casting at purchase, the radio quit and had to be replaced, it had cruise switch fail at the start of an 8500 mile trip to Alaska, cam sensor fail in Whitehorse- leaving us stranded for 3 days

As far as our non Harley's  93 Suzuki Intruder- no problems, 85 Honda VF1100s- headgasket failed after spending 2 years running the autobahns at 150+mph and it had about 40k miles on it when it did fail otherwise no issues in 55k miles, 74 Kawasaki H2 750 triple- vibrated every nut loose unless loctighted or wired- but it was a 2 stroke and ran like a raped ape.

I am not expecting NO problems, just minimal problems that should only require 1 fix.  Why is it the newer the Harley, the more problems it has?  Okay, you could argue it's got more stuff.  But the 2 newest are having issues with stuff every other bike has.  Why can't the moco at least get the basics right?  I will agree that my Ultra does give me a soul stirring ride, but so did every bike I've had.  They're all different.  Simple quality control would be nice.

[SBB]

And it looks like this.  

Your sorry I had so many problems with my motor.
Well that makes 2 of us.
And my point is that based on previous experience with Evo's and the 88", 95" and 103" my 09 SEUC 110 is the least dependable motor I have.
Would I buy another 110?
YES!
But I now know what the potential problems are and would take proactive action to insure those didn't bite me on the road.

SBB


But have never seen the 09 SEUC on a rollback. (yet)

I agree, I might not be the fastest bike but I'm fast enough to play with the big boys and when they are bitching about their bike in the shop due to major engine problems I just start my bike and go for another long ride.

[MJZ]

Chip, if I pull the trigger and buy a SESG in the next week or so, what proactive measures are you suggesting?

Thanks,
Mark Z

[HUBBARD]

Your sorry I had so many problems with my motor.
Well that makes 2 of us.
And my point is that based on previous experience with Evo's and the 88", 95" and 103" my 09 SEUC 110 is the least dependable motor I have.
Would I buy another 110?
YES!
But I now know what the potential problems are and would take proactive action to insure those didn't bite me on the road.

SBB


But have never seen the 09 SEUC on a rollback. (yet)

Yeah, like go 'head and punch and stroke it, from the get go.  I have never been mad or embarrassed when one of my Big-Motors lays down.  Those fleas come with the dog.  Back when I couldn't afford any modifications, I think I had more problems with Stock Motors.  But, then again, that was that AMF junk.  What is the main problem, if there is one, with these new 110's?  Mechanical, or electrical?    May be thinking about retiring Ol' Maudie. Please advise.  Later--HUBBARD

[miker]

Nothin a good wallet whippin wont fix...

[SBB]

 What is the main problem with these new 110's?  Mechanical, or electrical?    May be thinking about retiring Ol' Maudie. Please advise.  Later--HUBBARD

Wayyyyyy to much to type Hub, I'll call you later today.

SBB

[MJZ]

Also to address the post about advice on going back to HD from BMW; I've had 9 HD's since 1992, 3 CVO's and 4 BMW's since 07. Right now I have a K1300S, S1000RR (mostly track) and a KTM to play in the dirt. I have no intention of parting with any of the bikes I have now as they are perfect for their intended use. But I miss a Touring bike and my favorite in that type was my 05 SEEG. Do I still have a horrible taste from my past expierences with HD and my local stealer? HELL YES! Is there a touring bike I prefer to HD? HELL NO! So my returning to a touring Screamin Eagle was completely always planned but no way would I part with my track bike or my sport tourer which are both much more abusively ridden than any HD I've owned. BTW, none of the 4 BMW's have even been to the dealer ever except for regular mait. and always with an appointment that the longest I've waited for my bikes was 2 hours.  Complete services run less than $150.00 and most have been less than $100 and BMW dealers encourage you to stay with your bike as the service is performed in case you have any questions or just want to be better informed about your bike.

[BUBBLEHEAD]

SBB    I'd like to know also so if you get the time could you fill us in on the preventitive measures as you see them.
It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[56FLE]

And it looks like this.  

Sorry John the devil made me do it.  

Yep, that was 2008, bike hasn't seen the back of a wrecker since. As I said, after 2009, the motors have become more reliable, not perfect but you don't hear everyone complaining about oil leaking out of the heads or base of the cylinders.