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[Midnight Rider]

Having said all that...

How about putting some suspension under the bike that actually WORKS and does not make the bike handle like a '68 Buick?  It CAN be done, as many here have done it themselves.  This is not just a comfort thing, but a SAFETY issue.  I don't mean making it a sport bike, but simply something that does not jar the fillings out of your teeth when you hit normal bumps in the road, and doesn't load the front tire up with 80% of the bikes momentum when getting on the front brakes (which have been VASTLY improved, BTW), due to extreme dive and collapsing of the front fork.  You CAN have a compliant ride and good handling...the two things are not mutally exclusive.

How about better headlights from the factory?

Stop the assinine position that if we use lubricants that MEET AND EXCEED your own standards, we are somehow going to have to be concerned about warranty coverage when the engine implodes due to poor component engineering....that you already know about.

On the touring models, how about being able to adjust the Tourpak without having to purchase yet another aftermarket part?  Might cost you $50 per unit.

Adjustable windshields?  Now that's a novel concept...

[Weasels]

Nothing could be further from the truth.  We buy HD for various reasons, but one stands out above all others:  There's really nothing else out there quite like it.  Yes, there are Asian versions of V-Twin motors, and then Victory, etc...and they are fine motorcycles, and in many ways "better" than any HD.  However, they are simply just not the same.  Having said that, like many others here, there is absolutely NO reason that HD cannot do a better job putting out a product that meets or exceeds what should be EXPECTED from someone shelling out 35K+ for a two wheeled vehicle.  The only reason is poor quality control, and trying to squeeze out every dollar of profit possible by using low bid vendors, cheap parts, etc.  We bitch about things because there is no excuse for them, hoping that somebody is listening and will do something about what seems to be happening to the brand.  As demographics change in this country in the next 20 years, HD will not be able to just do whatever they want to do because they know we'll continue to drink the Kool-Aid.  The next generation will not tolerate it, and they WILL go buy another brand.  Most of us (baby boomers) grew up with cars that had to be worked on frequently to keep them running in top condition, and in fact, that is part of the appeal of owning a HD...even though it is somewhat archaic in design, we enjoy the tinkering.  However, we don't enjoy fighting with the MOCO about warranty work, paint problems, parts that are so out of spec as to be ridiculous (crankshafts come to mind), poorly designed engine components, etc.  HD could fix all of the issues mentioned here by simply eating a little bit of their profit margin and putting quality back in the equation in place of greed and the attitude of "we don't care....we don't have to".  I don't know how much money HD makes off a particular CVO, but knowing that the dealer is typically making a profit of 5K or so, you can bet your a$$ that the mother company is making at least that, if not more...much more.  You don't hear people here bitching about paying the money for the bike, only about what they are getting for their money, which is some cases is unacceptable.  If they do not change, they will suffer the consequences in the not too distant future.

When I go to a dealer with a warranty issue it always has been fixed. Some take longer than others, but they are still fixed. The meeting or GTG Howie speaks of was with the Eng. who design the CVO models. The had someone there for every model that was made for 09. There was also some management there. They where there to listen and improve things, there seemed to be more of them than CVO owners. I had my say along with some complaints and I felt they listened. I believe things will improve, but Rome wasn't built in a day. Most companies are in business to make money.

[Midnight Rider]

When I go to a dealer with a warranty issue it always has been fixed. Some take longer than others, but they are still fixed. The meeting or GTG Howie speaks of was with the Eng. who design the CVO models. The had someone there for every model that was made for 09. There was also some management there. They where there to listen and improve things, there seemed to be more of them than CVO owners. I had my say along with some complaints and I felt they listened. I believe things will improve, but Rome wasn't built in a day. Most companies are in business to make money.

I'm glad that you've had positive experiences with warranty work, and also that you had what sounds like a positive experience when talking to the Engineers.  Unfortunately, they are not the ones who get to decide what, if any, improvements might be made...but, that is the nature of the beast, and I understand that.  I have absolutely no problem with companies making money, but I don't thing anyone can say that HD is not making a pretty penny off a 36K motorcycle...no other production motorcycle that I'm aware of costs that much.  And we pay it without complaint, but do expect the highest level of quality for that amount of money.  I don't think that is an unreasonable expectation. 

[Spiderman]

Sorry if I offended you, but as you say it I also have the right to speak out.

Where did I mention being offended ?

You can't hurt my feelings, I have none, just ask anybody.



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[Half_Crazy]

I'm glad that you've had positive experiences with warranty work, and also that you had what sounds like a positive experience when talking to the Engineers.  Unfortunately, they are not the ones who get to decide what, if any, improvements might be made...but, that is the nature of the beast, and I understand that.  I have absolutely no problem with companies making money, but I don't thing anyone can say that HD is not making a pretty penny off a 36K motorcycle...no other production motorcycle that I'm aware of costs that much.  And we pay it without complaint, but do expect the highest level of quality for that amount of money.  I don't think that is an unreasonable expectation.

Again, outside looking in...
When a man buys the top of the line CVO Harley for $35,000+, is it unreasonable for him to expect not to have issues that need to be fixed under warranty? The last motorcycle to have issues should be the CVO because the high price of admission should be a guarantee that the bike is factory's best effort.

I bought a Suzuki VL1500 in 2001. Brand new, zero miles, $8500. When I sold that bike it had the original battery and even all the original light bulbs were still working. 65,000 miles of flogging that thing with nothing but routine maintenance, without a single failure of any kind, and the bike was never back at the dealership for anything. Not a bash against HD, but speaking in general, if an $8500 Japanese pot-metal POS motorcycle can give that sort of service and reliability, then a $35K+ American made factory custom should do at least as well.

Voided the warranty on the Victory 3 months after I bought it by modifying the engine and didn't care. Still, all it ever needed was a voltage regulator in the 48K miles I've ridden it. I did have a head gasket fail, but that wasn't the manufacturer's fault. I would say 11:1 compression and twenty eight 1/4-mile passes in the 100 degree heat might have had something to do with that.

You guys who ponied up the big bucks for the flagship models shouldn't feel guilty about demanding a high quality machine.

[aero8]

I completly agree!!!
Why should I be ashamed if I am asking for top notch quality???

I pay over 50000 Dollars for a CVO Street Glide here in Switzerland.
Is it not my right to ask for high end quality??

For this price I can buy four ROLEX or Jaeger le Coultre watches, witch are made by HAND and they represent the whole pride in manufacturing a precision watch by SWISS WATCHMAKER!!
They are perfect to the very last detail, accurate and without quality problems. I know that it is difficult to compare swiss watches to american bikes.........but why not?? MOCO claims to produce the best bike in the world, we say that we produce the best watches in  the world.........at a fraction of the price!!
Please understand me right....I have a deep respect of the work of other people, but it is really time to talk about quality and craftmanship "MADE IN USA".
Why should I pay a premium price, if the quality  :-[and the service from the dealer is
After 25 years of being a dedicated customer I only can hope that my KRYPTO will meet my expectations.

Aero8 / Switzerland

[Markum]

I have a Rolex GMT that needed a complete overall. It cost me $800.00 dollars for the overall but they did give me a two year warrenty. It would be nice if MOCO did the same on a repair. 

[spydglide]

I have a Rolex GMT that needed a complete overall. It cost me $800.00 dollars for the overall but they did give me a two year warrenty. It would be nice if MOCO did the same on a repair. 

Agree.  (but, when you stop and think about it, 2 year warrentee is not all that great for a watch, is it?       )  spyder

[Spiderman]

Agree.  (but, when you stop and think about it, 2 year warrentee is not all that great for a watch, is it?       )  spyder

Agreed 

Beags gave me a Brietling Hong Kong Special that lasted three years without a hitch.

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        Damn I loved that watch, too bad the real thing cost as much as a CVO

[Wild Card]

Are we aristocrats or bikers?!!   

I'm just playing, folks.  But seriously, there's no comparison between Swiss watchmakers and Harley.  That's like comparing a Ferrari to an American hot rod. 

[kb]

Can you ride a Rolex?

[Spiderman]

Are we aristocrats or bikers?!!   

I'm just playing, folks.  But seriously, there's no comparison between Swiss watchmakers and Harley.  That's like comparing a Ferrari to an American hot rod. 

I know you're playing, but going with your comment, I'd say that we are people who like to have things that are cut above the rest. For snob value ? Not from 99.999% of the members I've met. Take me for instance. I'd love to have a real Breitling because it is absolutely gorgeous, not to make sure everyone I passed by noticed it on my wrist. I bought my 1st CVO (2000 SERG B/W/O) because it was so special as compared to everything else H-D was offering in their 2000 line-up. Also it was a milenium bike (or so I thought LOL) Anyway, the real issue here is this. A very good riding buddy of mine has a brand new 2011 Road Glide Ultra Limited. It has everything a CVO would have except it has a 103 motor and not a 110 (and that's a good thing) He paid $25,000 out the door. A brand new 2011 SERG at the same dealership out the door was $42,000. This whole thread is basically about the fact that the MoCo is not delivering $15,000 of added value in their CVO line-up as compared to their upper level production models.

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     PS
         I'll take the Ferarri. I could probably manage to build a hot rod myself