Pensacola area has only one Harley Dealership with authorized repair. I had them up grade a few items on my 2000 Custom sportster 1200. While riding after my running lights went out, it took 3 attemps to repair the problem before it was corrected and I was without my primary transpertarion for about 6 weeks off and on. Than I had a minor accident and my insurance company had them do the estimate where they quoted a lower price than what they charged me for all the repairs. One item was an engine gaurd that they removed (I later found out they never reinstalled the forward engine mounts). I began having trouble with the ignition system on the bike, the first time I took it in I was told it needed new spark plugs, an air filter, andf they reconnected the spark plug wires (287.00) not a week later I was still having the same problems. I took it back in and then I was told the ignition relay was bad and two of the Jets in my carberator needed replaced, (another $258.00) The next day I noticed wires hanging down under my bike. I took it to a friends shop, he found the ignition relay wires were routed under the frame and were a snag hazard. The Mechinic also found the Engine mounts missing and to other bolts that held the exhaust on and one that held the ignition on. NOTE the time between the electrical problems and the accident, including the discovery of the missing bolts was 6 months. The Bike had been in the shop once a month (at least a week at a time) during this whole period of time. I was billed $60.00 (one hour of labor) by my friends shop.
I went back to Harley of Pensacola and complained. I was told "your model of motorcycle vibrates very bad, and it is your responcibilty to check all the fasteners" I told the General manager (Tom) I understood that, but because the bike had been in his shop so many times over the last 6 months, and they were the experts, they should have noticed the missing bolts. He said if I would have brought the bike back the next day to him, or his staff, they would have fixed the items they forgot to do the day before. He then said, the motor mounts had to have vibrated loose. (Motor mounts are lock style bolts and do not vibrate loose).
After getting no where with him or any one else in the Pensacola dealership, I called the Manufacture and tried to file a formal complaint. Harley Davidson (Wisconson) does not accecpt complaints, they will mediate complaints via 3 way calling to the dealer the costomer and a harley representitive. That is it. So I have an extended warrenty that I have to take to a non certified mechinic because Harley Davidson Of Pensacola does not honor their repairs, or garrentee their work.
For a company that is owed by the employees and the oldest Motorcycle manufacture in the US. (Formerly the only manufacture in the US) You would think they care about their costomers and besides their bikes are the highest priced in the world. After paying those prices, you should get the best follow on service, in the world.
When I can afford it I plan to rent the billboard in front of their establishment, so every one know to stay away, and bewhere of their dangerous mechanical practices.
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