My love of my scoot, will cause me to defend the MoCo every time! This is actually false statements to others as they are bashing the HD vs the cheaper Japaneese bikes, but then I watch as these motorcycles seem to go into deterioration at about 25K miles! I have 35K on my bike; have added many engine components to improve the HP and torque beyond my (high) expoectations; and have a near bullet-proof high horsepower long distance scoot. I have the performance for "around town" and the road banter I constantly fall into (I'll race anything!) for my daily escapades. The thing I protest the most about is this: The new owner (1st timer) will undoubtly believe the hype that the dealer, and the MoCo propaganda is all about. "Keep your Harley all Harley". This is a bunch of BS, but still has an astounding amount of influence on this newbie. I fell pray to this, when I bought my first doll. It was an '02 Nightrain (sfttail {Paul} ). I spent a fortune having "my dealer" do all the work and upgrades to that bike. They did so many stupid things, that I started questioning their actual ability. I had my bike delivered to me after routine service and a tire change. It appears that the technician never tightened the hold down bolts on my front axle, and as I drove away (I mean rode), I felt a bit of vibration and experienced a wobble that scarred the $hit out of me as I accelerated onto the highway. Immediately pulling over, I discovered the problem, but had to get the m/c back to the dealer a mere 5 miles away. Bring it in, I was told that they'd put my bike on their "schedule", and that I would need to come back in three days after they'd fix it. The whole thing was put on me, as they proclaimed that I must have loosened this. Yep, thats me. Old eveil kneevil I am. I love to loosen things, and then go riding for that special thrill that'll happen when you do this. I had another visit where they didn't tighten the oil filter. I had them change the oil because I believed that they were the only ones who could do so, and keep my warranty. I got on the highway (again) only to see plums of smoke develope, as the oil sprayed out from the base of the filter, and was carried consistantly, all over me, the engine, and basically 90% of the frame. It took three complete details to get all the remnants of that oil. I complained again to the owner of the dealership (San Jose H-D) and was assured that the problem was a defective filter. (Defective my butt!). The technician was deffective. Too much weed before work I say. Anyway, I took my complaints to H-D corporate, as I feel them responsible for the fact that this newbie had "his Dealer" do all the work. I had also gone through three tensioneers. The MoCo sent some rep out to check out my bike. He rode it for several hours, bring back a "clean bill of health"; that there was nothing wrong with the bike. Within 50 miles after this "ecxpert" rode my bike. The fourth tensioneer disintrigated! Boy, I believe that an "expert" should have felt that; I did. Anyway again, I couldn't believe the MoCo attitude. I was told that this particular dealer was indeed questionable in H-D's eyes (I have a friend who went to High School with Willie-G, so I had a corporate "inroad") ,and that they were considering a franchise change. Had I known this before the fact, I probably would have done things much differently.
I would love to work on my bike, but have difficulty as I am physically handicapped (mentally too), and cannot stand or bend for many hours necessary to work on her. I do do a lot of things (not Do-Do), but the harder, more technical stuff I leave to professionals. I actually spent last summer doing the fairing installation on my FLHRSEI2, along with all the goodies I installed, kept me busy post-operative from a total knee replacement (that went South also, but it is NOT a topic for this thread) so I have all sorts of capabilities. I just am complaining about the fact that the MoCo makes the owner believe that only a H-D can perform any form of service to the bike, or else you'll void the warranty. This puts the MoCo culpable when something happens, as they are the ones who steered the owner into the dealer trap. Then they wash their hands of any responsibiulity, as the dealers are "independent" of the MoCo. Just my opinion. I wouldn't buy a rag from San Jose Harley Davidson, and the reader should be aware. I have about 10 or 11 MORE stories about this dealer. The problem is that I kept going back for more, but in my defense, I had no choice, as the next nearest dealer is another 30 miles away, and you know the hassels it is to get a ride to/from the dealer...
NH
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Topic: MOCO needs to take notice (Read 9843 times)