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[Grover]

[highlight]I was there with another rider who also thought the bike looked "great."

[cigarmike]

Maybe MoCo feels that since there are only a handfull of us compared to number of bikes sold...that it must be only the most anal customers that are complaining, I still find it hard to believe that they are still delivering these bikes, and those of you who ordered one, if you dont take delivery, they must feel, well, no worries, the next guy off the street will buy it. To not disclose this to a unsuspecting buyer, while full well knowing it will become at best, a warranty issue, is fraud in my book, again, My dealership knew of this problem BEFORE I ever looked at the one I bought, one of the moderators here told them about the paint issue, as did a friend of mine who didnt know I was going to buy the bike, or he would of warned me . . So they cant say they didnt know, if this was to their knowledge and also MoCo knew of this  before I purchased my bike, and they continue to roll them out the door to date, while trying to find a 'fix', Im not sure they think we have much of a complaint. I really thought HD cared a lot more about their reputation than they are showing. I really didnt think I had to worry or check with the better buisness bureau, before trusting that HD would stand for no less than perfection of one of the most expensive bikes they put out.

   btw, anyone not as anal as I am about the way the paint looks on their 06's , has no buisness owning one in the first place, I thought thats what sets us apart ??.  8-) ok, Im all better now, I will be ok for a day or 2 , before I have to Rant again [smiley=wall.gif]

[no-rain]

Based on these posts, I need some additional advise. My bike is still due for delivery at the beginning of March. If at delivery time I am able to see paint defects, what is the best approach to take?

1. Have it notated on the sales document that the paint does not match and that buyer and dealer agree that this discrepancy should be fixed.

2. Not take delivery and potentially loose my deposit of $2500. In the big scheme of things, $2500 is not that much to loose when you are going to potentially have a long-term issue to deal with.

What I am looking for is other options? Any guidance from people who have had to deal with issues like this in the past would be greatly appreciated.

No-Rain  

[Grover]

I hear ya Cigar Mike. My warranty dude at my dealership says that you'd be amazed at the bikes they get delivered. They have to pull off fenders and stuff (once in a while on other bikes) to replace before it even goes on the floor. He said the right people don't know about the haze issues. That the lower level plant managment is letting crap slide. Our area rep was in to look at my buddys crimson/slate. He knew nothing about the problems. We gave him this site address. He checked it out at the dealership, and was amazed of the issues people are having. He said it will all be taken care of. But it's gonna take some time. So be patient, and if your dealership is messing with you go elsewhere.

Best of luck,

Grover

[110tHunDer]

No-rain, what makes you think you'd have to forfeit your deposit?  If you don't take delivery of the bike, I'd think they'd be obligated to return your deposit.

[Grover]

no-rain,
  
  Hopefully they will have the problem resolved. If you notice the paint issue on your bike, before I took delivery I'd make sure to have a rep look at it and give you in writing that it'll be replaced. If that dealership would keep your 2,500 there not worth dealing with. If you don't feel comfortable with the '06 I'd wait and see what the '07's have to offer.
  The problem will be taken care of in due time. Hopefuller sooner than later.

Good luck,

Grover

[no-rain]

No-rain, what makes you think you'd have to forfeit your deposit?

[no-rain]

no-rain,
 

[cigarmike]

They cannot keep your deposit, if you are not happy with the bike, and we are all still getting the run around on ours come march when your scotter lands...to be honest, I would'nt take delivery. But thats just me, if you are not happy with The BRAND NEW paint job, dont settle for less than a BRAND NEW paint job. Your surely paying thru the nose for this custom paint, dont settle for flaws. Good Luck with that, I hope yours comes OK, but have a feeling that your paint is already done, as are all the other painted parts that are being put on the rest of the '06's ...............Keep us updated.

[Twolanerider]

Above and beyond the bikes whose paint is obviously flawed at time of delivery we have also witnessed some whose paint had hazed up over time as the color coat continues to die sealed under the clear.  Given those things we're sure we know from simple observation and the lack or real response from the MoCo (after it now has had plenty of time to prepare one) I honestly don't understand why anyone who knows of this is still accepting delivery without a signed affidavit from the dealership specifying that final paint to the buyer's satisfaction will be the end result no matter how long it takes.  

Since no dealer principal is really likely to supply such an open ended statement I wouldn't buy one of the bikes right now.  Even if it looks perfect when you take it home you can't know the bike won't look bad in a month.  After time has passed you've then allowed arguments of environmental or other extant factors to be thrown in the mix if the time comes that Harley really digs in its heels and tries to get out of this mess as cheaply as it can.

Quite simply, given everything we know about how the color and the MoCo has performed, I'm amazed anyone is still taking these home.  Cognitive dissonance and the power of positive thinking must be wonderful things.

[grc]

Based on these posts, I need some additional advise. My bike is still due for delivery at the beginning of March. If at delivery time I am able to see paint defects, what is the best approach to take?

1. Have it notated on the sales document that the paint does not match and that buyer and dealer agree that this discrepancy should be fixed.

2. Not take delivery and potentially loose my deposit of $2500. In the big scheme of things, $2500 is not that much to loose when you are going to potentially have a long-term issue to deal with.

What I am looking for is other options? Any guidance from people who have had to deal with issues like this in the past would be greatly appreciated.

No-Rain

[Mike103]

Hey Grover and 103thunder.  To clarify, I admit that I did not examine the left saddlebag.  Had I, I may have seen a flaw.  Regarding the 103's photo, it shows the two compared surfaces with significantly different orientation and surface lighting.  My haze would show different reflectivity under those conditions, and as you may suspect, I have no issue with its paint.  That's not to imply that there is not a problem with the left saddlebag on the Chicago IMS bike, it's just that I'm usually pretty skeptical about the accuracy of photographs.

However, I did check out the right saddlebag, the right side of the tank, and the fairing of the Chicago bike, to the extent I would have at a delivery inspection.  If I had taken delivery of that bike, and if the left side looked like the right side, I would have no beef with the dealer or Moco.  If I later decided some flaw existed (that did not emerge) that my initial examination had missed, and I discussed beefing about it with my wife beforehand, she would warn me of being obsessive.
  
That's not to say either of you are being obsessive, but if you are suggesting that any painted part on the right side of that bike is worth getting worked up over, I'm afraid I'd have to agree with what my wife might say about your reaction.

Please understand I pay all due respect to those with a GENUINE problem, but the power of suggestion can be a very powerful force.  One person places a post about a paint issue, and the next minute a few dozen board lurkers are convinced they have a flaw in their bike.

With that, I will disengage from this discussion, which will allow any and all to have the last word.  Be aware, though to do so may only prove my wife's point.

[seultrarider]

To mike103, Since you do not have a blk/crimson and have not seen one up close maybe you should no be implying that some of us are just mindless drones who are easily persuaded by the "power of suggestion". I fit the description of one of those lukers who "are convinced they have a flaw in their bike". The blk/crimson under indoor lights looks fine. It is when you shine a flashlight on it or in the direct sunlight that the difference shows up and it is DRAMATIC. I did not catch it at delivery because my inspection was in the showroom just like the last 6 new harleys I have bought in the last thirty years and never had a problem like this. Also a warranty item after delivery is just as valid as one discovered at delivery. I am glad your haze is fine, I wish my blk/crimson was also. This is a great forum and a great resource for info like this and this obvious problem should not be diminshed by anyone.

[2up]

I believe what we need to do is set a date for the MOCO to come up with a solution. If by this date they have not provided a reasonable solution to our paint problem. We all come together and hit them with everything we can i.e. Better Business Bureau, Lemon Law, Class action suit, letters to the CEO, ETC.

[Mistered]

I can tell you where some of the positive responses to the paint issue came from...  

When I first looked at my bike it looked great and I responded with to the survey indicating that.      Well then I look at my bike in nice sunny conditions and sure enough I have the same paint problem on my saddle bags, the lids are fine.  I showed the dealer and he saw the same problem.  Now I am working with the dealer to resolve the paint problem.  They are working great with me and say in the end, whatever it takes, I will be satisfied.  

As far as getting the bike, well I enjoy riding it almost every day and no way would I have turned down the bike due to the saddle bag problem.  After all it is my baby and I am not giving it back to the nurse because of a birth mark.   Oh, believe me... it will be perfect when corrected, whatever that takes.  We did spend big buck and deserve complete satisfation.