09 piece of crap
Just a bit of advice for potential 2009 buyers. I have had 16 HD's over the past several years, and have worked at 2 dealerships as a mechanic. I went from softails to the touring line in early 2000. My first bike from the Touring line was a Road King Classic. I had several and just loved them. Working for a dealer I had the option to trade annually with not much in the way off a loss, so that is why I always changed bikes annually. In 2006 I tried the Street Glide and 07 as well. I decided the ride wasn't worth the trade off do to it's lowered suspension and went back to a 2008 RK Classic in late May of that year. It drove as good as any HD RK I ever had. Then comes the 09 Road King, new chassis, exhaust, fat tire, I just had to have it. Sold the 08 and bought an 09 RK Classic. BIGGEST MISTAKE IN MY LIFE, that bike has a ride as rough as an FLHX and the suspension isn't lowered. It is Harley's version of the 1 ton. I called customer service and discussed it with them. I also have a person that works in an engineering position at HD and we discussed it. He told me during testing, prior to production, the test riders complained of a rough ride. HD's correction of the problem was to fix all the Screamin Eagle bikes, and leave the production bikes as is. They changed the springs to a lighter rate, and dampening rods. The customer service person told me if I didn't like the ride, I should buy a Screamin Eagle. One of their techs told me to quit complaining, "you know what's wrong, quit taking the time complaining and fix it". I also have a 2009 Fat Bob, the ride on that is equal to if not better than my RK. I had several people drive it and they hated the ride. It is by far the worst HD I have ever owned, and they won't even put a set of springs in it to correct the problem they know is there. They are borderline to losing a long time customer over a few bucks. If you drive the bike on smooth roads it rocks, smooth roads are far and few between. Good Luck future owners.
Comments
Sorry to stick my nose into
Sorry to stick my nose into this. BUT didn't you take it for a test drive before you bought it? It doesn't make sense regarding their feedback, live with it, its a Fing safety issue. Also in most states you can file a complaint regarding a safety issue on a new purchased vehicles. If you work for a dealer with no help, shit what does that mean for the rest of us? You can't ignore the problem, keep escalating it and bitching. Harley after my posting and complaining they called me, they listened and agreed, what did I get nodia. My 2007 Dyna has great power/handling etc, after sale sucks, that's putting it nicely. I'll tell ya what, I think maybe Harley talked to my dealer, when I go in there now, they take my bike on the spot. The moral of the story bitch and complain to get results.
I'm responding to Ken Devries
I'm responding to Ken Devries comment on the Phil's 09 Harley comment. Ken must have a great Harley Dealer where he lives, as the one here in Oklahoma City, along with many other dealers that I know of, "Do Not" offer test rides on their new bikes that a customer may want to purchase. They may have some older clunker for you to ride, but you won't get to ride anything on the showroom floor, unless you purchase it first. Thats one of the biggest problems with buying a new motorcycle, not only from Harley, but most other new motorcycle dealers.
As for Phil's complaint on his 09 Harley, I think it's a shame that Harley will not address any of Phil's concerns on his 09 Harley. As I've said before, the product is only as good as the service, when needed, and the full support of the manufacturer. when questions or problems are put forth to them. It should not matter whether you work for them or not, a customer is a customer, and should be treated as such. I've also worked in a manufacturing plant, though not motorcycles, and have learned that once the manufactured item is designed, built, and shipped, the last thing the manufacturer wants to do is to improve or correct problems with their items. Mostly because it may cost them money to do so. They don't understand or just don't care, that they are adversely affecting their merchandise sales, present and future, over a few bucks, not to mention customer satisfaction.
I own an 04 Sportster custom and had thoughts of trading up to a newer Harley model, but now after reading of dealer's and Harley themselves treating customers with little or no interest in problem's that arise, I think I'll keep what I have for now, or until Harley and their dealers change their way of doing business. Especially when the economy is in such a rut, you would figure the last thing a manufacturer or dealer would want to do is piss off potential customers. Not too smart.
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