I owned a 1987 FLHTC that I put 120,000 miles on and the only major problem was having to have the heads redone at 108,000 miles. I have since sold the bike to a friend who is still riding it and is thoroughly pleased.

When I sold my '87 FLHTC I upgraded to a 2004 FLHTC thinking that Harley has come a long way from when I started riding and the great service the '87 gave me. Well, was I ever wrong! I took the new bike in for a 20,000 mile service and what I felt was warranty work before it ran out on me. My smaller fairing gauges such as gas, temp, volts and oil pressure would fog over after washing the bike and during humid days, even in the winter with temperatures at 25 degrees. I asked the dealership to replace the gauges and the problem I was having with them. I quote "The gauges are not sealed and this will happen even if we replace them and to just park it in the sun. Oh and by the way this problem is known and not a warranty covered item". Needless to say I was fuming and when I got home called customer service for "The Company". I was basically told the same story. I asked for the CEO's address and will write them and see what transpires.

At this time I am considering a BMW touring bike and am pissed at the Motor Company and the lack of caring for the consumer. Why not reveal this flaw when selling a bike, because sales will then decrease and the stockholders will then be pissed instead of the consumer who spends his/her hard earned dollars and can not afford the stock that keeps the Motor Company's profit at record levels!!!

Mike "Smooth" Elliott
Shawnee, Kansas