What things have gone wrong with the motorcycle?
I should mention that I bought two, brand new, out of the box, XL883s at the same time. One for me, one for my wife.
OK, well at 750 miles it left me stranded on the side of the road, at night, in the dark. As it turned out the ignition module fried and I had to call my wife to bring the truck. Due to my unfortunate circumstances, I had to buy the module from a non-harley repair shop and install it myself. Such is life I guess.
At about 2000 miles my bike developed an oil leak from somewhere under the engine. It wasn't much of a leak, but enough to leave little tracks in the garage floor. I never got that fixed.
The screws that held the side cover that covers the electronics opposite of the battery, all decided to fall out one by one. This happened on both of our bikes. I had to end up using some RTV sealant on the threads after a couple of sets of screws were MIA.
On my wife's bike, the valve cover gaskets all of a sudden began to leak like nobody's business after about two years. Instead of taking the bike to the dealership, I just bought some gaskets myself and replaced everything from that point up. It was an easy job and saved me the downtime.
After about a thousand miles, I had my 883 converted to a 1200. That was the best money I ever spent on the bike and avoided the apparently inevitable leaking valve cover gasket incident. I had the custom so the handling was OK, but not great. My wife had the hugger and it probably handled better, but, lacked ground clearance for serious canyon carving.
I found the Harley seats to be some of the best factory seats I had ever sat on. The Sportsters do vibrate. Holy cow do they vibrate. On the custom I found it to be virtually intolerable on the highway as the vibration through the drag bars was a major issue. However, for tall people the forward pegs and the drag bars feel great.
We put the Harley forward controls on the hugger. That made the bike a great little ride and for all day riding a better bike than the custom.
All things considered, if you want an around town bike that cost a little more to own than a bike from Asia, get a sporty. It is fun as heck for short trips. However, if you're looking for a bike that will be reliable and comfortable enough for some highway trips, don't even consider the pre 2005 XLs.
The 1200, before rubber mounted Sportsters became available, vibrated more than the 883 due to the larger, heavier pistons.
The excessive vibration is due to lack of counterbalancing, not heavy pistons.
I'd love to hear from someone that has bored out an 883 to 1200 in re to vibration. Does it increase? Incidentally, Wiseco makes 1200cc pistons that weigh the same as the stock 883 slugs do.
I HAD BOUGHT A 2005 XL CUSTOM 883.
My goodness, what a nightmare from the day I picked it up at the dealer. This was my first bike so I was so excited.
Well from the minute I got the bike, I had MAJOR problems.
It always had stalled when I was doing about 55 or coming to a dead stop. The dealer had the bike more than I did the first few months. I had the screamin eagle pipes put on, and constantly HAD TROUBLE WITH THE JETTING. At 2000 they did the whole top end, then at 4000 it began leaking oil. Back and forth to the dealer. The jetting would foul the plugs every month and NO DEALER would take responsibility.
I called the State attorney office and there is NO LEMON LAW ON BIKES!!! I SAID ARE YOU NUTS, SOME PEOPLE PAY MORE FOR BIKES THAN CARS. IT WAS A MAJOR MECHANICAL NIGHTMARE FOR ME..
Anyways, what a major headache for me. After 2 years of this crazyness, I got rid of it and would never go back. Sure I miss the HARLEY image, but that's all it is. AN EXPENSIVE IMAGE. I went to a SUZUKI CRUISER, and I am so HAPPY now I can't stand it... AND NEEDLESS TO SAY FOR HALF THE MONEY.
2001 883 Sportster.
My bike had 1,900 miles when I bought it. First day of riding, at about 15 to 20 miles, it started back firing and died. The bike would not restart.
After a few hours of cooling down, I went back to my stranded bike, and it restarted, and got me home.
The speedometer set a code 8, which is speedometer overvolt. After calling several dealers, any tech that was willing to give me some input, said it was the ignition module. Pretty low miles for such a major component to go bad. I wish I could go back to points.
Bought a 2002 883R, and at 2800 miles the front valve cover started leaking. The dealer fixed it and all was well for the next 2000 miles, when the rear one decided it was time to start leaking. The bike has 5k miles on it and is paid for, so I decided to do the rear one myself.
The gaskets are $22, so it isn't a major issue. However, I have never seen gaskets that were tight and sealed just start to leak. These are rubber gaskets, so it makes it all the more curious.
The 883R handles like a truck and vibrates at anything over 60mph. Long rides at highway speed are impossible without my hands and posterior going numb.
BTW - I asked the service guy what the deal was with Harleys and oil leaks; he said that people don't ride them enough and any bike that sits will leak oil. I asked what ride enough was, like how many a year; he didn't have any idea. He said that it must just be that I got a new one that had "issues".
Judging by how many brand new bikes were in the service department for repairs, I am guessing that most Harleys have "issues".
I still love my bike, even with the numb butt issue and leaks and all.
Next bike is going to be an S&S motor and a rigid frame, and I am going to build it the right way.
So, ride your Harleys or they will turn into oil strainers, and leave a trail like a snail.
HTH.
I have a 2006 Harley Sportster Custom 883. I just dropped it off for its 5k service. After reading all these comments, I thought I would add something positive. I love the bike! No leaks, low vibration and good performance.
I had a stage one kit installed and some Python pipes at about 1500 miles, and it was a great addition - adding to the sound and performance.
I have been on a few long (500 miles) rides and have not had a problem. Sportsters (the customs) look like smaller Dyna's and allow you to customize them how you wish to make it your bike.
A solid, well designed bike for a great price.
All I can say is Harleys rule. I've seen a lot of Harleys with high miles and long rides, with none to nothing but minor problems. If something's stranded, you just get your HOG membership card out and help comes to you. I am sure past Harleys had their problems, and no manufacturer is going to produce all bikes perfect, but Harleys are hand built and balanced, and they honor any defects.
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