Why harleys are bad

Though under a Harley logo it would have been an anathema to purists, straddled only with cruisers and tourers, Harley was boxed with a niche and small segment of the market. In India, Harley Davidson found a fierce challenger in the Royal Enfield and by all means it came up short against the local rival. In fact, the growth of Enfield in the last 10 years suggests that entry of Harley only helped it.

As its owner Siddhartha Lal says the noise and curiosity around Harley Davidson when it first entered India gave cruiser biking a new impetus in the country. Customers checked out a Harley and drooled over them but ended up buying the more affordable, lighter and easy to maintain Enfield. What hurt the American company more was that the Indian brand didn't sit idle instead. Without the baggage of needing to make only cruisers, Enfield brought out newer models like the Himalayan off-roader.

More recently, it charted into Harley territory directly with the twin cylinder cc Interceptor twins. Enfield was ripe for the taking too and its massive market share meant even a small dent would have been enough for Harley to sustain itself.

But it never even gave it a half decent shot. Dismissive at all times, Harley still doesn't have an answer to good old Enfield. If you can't beat them join them.

Harley remained in glorious isolation. The result is there for all to see. Though there were widespread rumours of a potential tie-up with India's largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp, the companies never admitted nor refuted such claims. Don't get us wrong, they all look pretty in just about every model — well, most of them at least, including this one. However, there seems to have been issues with so many different models.

There have been reports in regard to models as recent as the and , but for now, let us focus on the version which has been recalled five times in total. The reasons for the recalls were due to disengagement issues, clutch failure, and a defective master cylinder. Owners have complained about the bike's handling, or lack thereof, which often put them in dangerous situations.

There was a controversy surrounding the original release of the Ultra Classic, which led to the models themselves being less than sustainable. Critics' main concerns included the trunk being loose enough to noticeably wiggle out of place while riding. Not to mention, there's an uncomfortable vibration while riding. Harley-Davidson is the premier American motorcycle manufacturer, and here are our thoughts on the best models they've released over the years. The clutch not only allows you to change gears while you are riding but is also responsible for transferring power from the engine to the transmission and wheels.

Motorcycle clutches are prone to wear, just like any other component. However, Harley owners complain that the clutches on their bikes wear out rapidly. Clutch problems are a widespread issue among most Harley motorcycles and have led to many recalls. Below is a list showing the number of Harley motorcycles recalled because of faulty clutches:. According to owners, both the rear and front head gaskets can fail with varying consequences. On most occasions, a gasket s replacement should solve the problem completely.

A major reason these gaskets fail is continuous exposure to high internal pressure. The pressure weakens the gasket, leading to cracks and holes. With time, the oil will leak through these holes and cracks. Improper warm-ups can also lead to gasket damage. Gaskets need to expand before exposed to the pressure and friction created when you pull the throttle.

Warm-ups allow gaskets to heat up and expand gradually. As a result, it will crack and become leaky. Leaving your Harley parked in the garage for extended periods can also lead to gasket failure. In severe cases, faulty head gaskets can cause significant engine damage, requiring an engine rebuild or engine replacement to keep the bike running.

Many owners report these problems on their Harley motorcycles, especially the more expensive models. Most of the complaints about the electrical systems revolve around the malfunctioning battery. One such complaint is that the battery does not charge even when connected to a power source.

Another is that the battery drains while the bike is not in use. This usually happens when the bike is parked for the night or a long period.

Excessive battery drain will make it harder to start the bike, and in severe cases, the motorcycle may not start at all. Other components, such as the regulators, rectifiers, stators, and wiring harnesses, are also notorious for developing faults. For instance, Harley-Davidson issued a recall of around , motorcycles in The problem?

Owners were not replacing the DOT 4 brake fluid within the period specified in the service manual. As a result, deposits formed on components in the brake system, especially the ABS module. These deposits could cause the components to stick, reducing braking ability, and increase the risk of a crash. Contrary to public perception, the cost of servicing a Harley is comparable to that of an average motorcycle. Yes, scheduled service for a Harley can be expensive, especially if a dealership technician does it for you.

Couple that heavy bike with a V-twin motor, and you have a machine that can make touring a real blue-eyed pleasure. Oh, sure, Harley Big Twins are asthmatic, wheezy old things. My Blockheads only pump out somewhere in the neighborhood of 60 horsies. But they have stump-pulling torque. The copious torque lets me stay in top gear and simply roll on the throttle without even thinking about gear or speed. We don't know about this Electra Glide in particular, but lots of others from its era are still on the road.

Sure, they leak. Until recently, they were designed to, in some form or fashion. But the engines are very hardy, especially considering their lack of liquid cooling. Up through the Blockhead, the engines were almost infinitely rebuildable. Just look at former Wisconsin State Sen. While the current Twin Cam is less user-serviceable, it has proven to be a remarkably long-lived motor, if some attention is given to a few key areas. The A. Mueller shop in Milwaukee was one of the early dealers. Today, they're everywhere.

Harley-Davidson dealers are everywhere. If you burn up your Evo or Twin Cam engine, you can send it back to the factory to be rebuilt. When I am on the road and have to go to a dealer for parts for my old Shovels, they often have the parts on the shelf.