I currently own 2 Harley's. A 2003 100th anniversary Dyna Low Rider and a 2006 XL883R Sportster. The Dyna was purchased new at Suffolk Harley in Bellmore N.Y. And the Sportster was a private purchase. Owner won it in a trade show and it was new, never registered and had 13 miles on the odometer. My poor experience's started with the dealer in Bellmore. My handlebar risers on the DYNA were corroded at delivery. I was promised this would be resolved at 1st service. After a year and several service management changes, I basically had to fight hard to get what I was entitled too. 2nd, My speedo drops out after a short stop. It reads 66 pct. Of actual speed and comes back to normal at will. The dealer never corrected this. 3rd, I invested over $5,000 in performance engine parts including SCREAMIN' EAGLE cylinder heads and a 95" BIG BORE KIT. I did all the work myself as I am a certified auto tech. The valve stem seals in the heads are faulty. Harley has a service bulletin and updated seals for this. My bike uses a quart of synthetic oil every 1,000 miles. Harley will tell you this is normal. It is not. I will fix this in the winter. My SPORTSTER had a brake master cylinder failure that exactly mimics a recall (no. 10125) issued by Harley. The recall covers the 2 previous model years, but not my '06. The piston binds in the bore leaving the lever to not fully return and allowing the brake lamp to stay illuminated at all times. After seeking help at 2 local dealers (before I found the recall) I bled the system. No help. I rebuilt the master after discovering the recall and it now works perfectly. Calling Harley Davidson for some assistance on both issues, and I called multiple times, I was told since Sportster is not in recall due to model year and work was not performed at a dealer (dealers employ the worst mechanics on the planet) and bike has no warranty history? (who are they kidding, how does this matter) also bike is over warranty, they would offer no assistance. I was asking for $59.00. The $36.00 rebuild kit and $22.00 for fluid. You would think I wanted a fortune from them. On the DYNA they will not even provide the seal kit and required gaskets for me to teardown my engine and perform the repair. They stand on ridiculous corporate policies to avoid stepping up to the plate for their defective designs. I have over $36,000 invested in these 2 bikes and they could not even cough up a lousy Hundred Dollar gift certificate or something to satisfy me. I told them I was in the market for a cruiser and would not consider Harley again without help. They will not help you. They do not care. I was ripped off. This is not about the cost of repairs, this is principle. I will tell all other biker's I meet about their lousy attitude. I hope Willie G. Davis reads this. Please know that I love my bike's, but if you buy 1, know what you are getting into and that harley will not be their for you. I am planning to sue them after my winter repairs are completed. Carl N. Hauppauge, New York.
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