R3T Transmission Trouble

[slidderhd]

I have had 4 Harleys and at around 40k miles, the bottom end needed work on two of them. I am with you on the water cooled engine. I looked at the Kawasaki 2000, but they had both exhausts on the same side. No room for bags. If they were to make the 2000cc like the 1700cc nomad, I would have jumped on it. I need torq for what I like to do.

 

[muleskinner]

I have had 4 Harleys and at around 40k miles, the bottom end needed work on two of them. I am with you on the water cooled engine. I looked at the Kawasaki 2000, but they had both exhausts on the same side. No room for bags. If they were to make the 2000cc like the 1700cc nomad, I would have jumped on it. I need torq for what I like to do.

Yea the biggest problem I had with the Metrics from Japan was they tried "Too hard" to copy Harley. They could never get the look right. The bikes were spacey looking, with pointed turn signal lenses and protracted fenders and a ton of chromed plastic! But they have great engineering. The Yamaha Road Star line was not bad, but still had way too much chromed plastic and weird looking fenders for me. The Raider is a good looking bike though if you are looking for an around town hot rod bike. But it would not be for me on long trips.

The Triumph Rocket caught my eye, as it had a look of it's own. I wanted a Honda cruiser in 1800CC's in the worst way, but they were ugly! Harley has the look and always will. Unfortunately someday they will be forced to go to a water cooled engine for emissions and unless done right, they will loose the look. The V-Rod engine has too short of a stroke to make low end torque like the Twin Cam. I've not ridden one, but I hear they are a high reving engine with little low end grunt.

 

[slidderhd]

The V-Rod engine has too short of a stroke to make low end torque like the Twin Cam. I've not ridden one, but I hear they are a high reving engine with little low end grunt.

I rode one of the V-Rods when they tried to make it a naked sport bike. It felt awkward. The front wheel feels to tall and to tell you the truth, at 6'3", 270lbs it is too small. That is the issue I have with the Victory Cruisers. The frames are too small. Just my 2 cents. I love that I don't look to large on the Rocket III Touring. It fits.

 

[reinie]

One Yamaha out there, a bit outdated...

I actually had one once, a 2003 Royal Star Venture full dresser. It has the old watercooled V4 derived from the original V-Max and still has carburetors. The styling is pretty traditional cruiser and very little plastic chrome (tank badges). MSRP on a new one is over 20 grand but they can be had for under 18 grand if you shop around. This bike is the only one with a full 5 year warranty. Yes it's a bit outdated but if you're interested in a full dress bagger it's a lot of bike for the money. I might consider going that route, just undecided right now.

 

[mport]

I didn't mean to bash Harleys but you made my point for me. Not all bikes sold by any company will be perfect. If you are not happy with one dealers service, try another. It's not always the the manufacture causing the problem. Not all Triumph riders are having the same problems. I have had several Triumphs and will continue to buy them because of the great reliability I have experenced. I think harley builds great looking bikes and if they ever build a watercooled cruiser with the power/torque my rocket has, I'll buy one!

 

[slidderhd]

I think harley builds great looking bikes and if they ever build a watercooled cruiser with the power/torque my rocket has, I'll buy one!

Better be ready to fork out some serious money if they do. They are not an efficient cost minded company.

 

[reinie]

Tommorrow........

No word yet. Today is September 17th and tommorrow will mark 40 days of not having my bike. It sucks big time!! I'll call the dealer tommorrow. This is not my idea of what good customer service should be. From any company or and dealer for that matter.

 

[muleskinner]

No word yet. Today is September 17th and tommorrow will mark 40 days of not having my bike. It sucks big time!! I'll call the dealer tommorrow. This is not my idea of what good customer service should be. From any company or and dealer for that matter.

Ya know what,,,,I think it's time you go have a face to face with the actual owner of the dealership. Not the GM, but the owner. I would DEMAND they at the very least, extend your warranty or pay your payment if you have one, for the time the bike has been down.

If you get NO satisfaction from the owner, I would then seek out the advice of an attorney! It's not my bike, but at this point, I would worry about the work performed also!

 

[bullsco]

persevere

I can not imagine the level of frustration and anger you must be feeling, from what I read, I know I would not have the same level of patience and salute you for apparent cool-headedness. Like many others, i have been following your trials daily (like every day or second day I am waiting and hoping for a positive outcome for you). I thought I was an informed consumer and biker,,, if it helps, your experience has truly opened my eyes to the area of warranty work, dealer accountability and company accountability in this area. It has weighed heavy on my intentions to purchase a R3 touring model.

Thank you for posting in an apparent open and unbiased fashion the events as they unfolded in your private life as they involve your bike.

 

[laraza]

I put well over 20,000 trouble free miles on my 07 Street Glide. And there was a dealer in every town I traveled to in case I needed one. My wifes 05 Road King is approaching 30,000 miles and has been trouble free also. You can bash Harley all day long, but the product is a lot nicer than you might think. The only reason I sold mine and bought my R3 is I wanted to get away from the air cooled motor. I liked none of the Metric cruisers or I would have bought one.

My Dyna needed a new motor at 4000miles, lucky it was under warranty, got it repaired and sold it two days later. There are horror stories about every brand but what you rarely hear about are the thousands of trouble free miles people ride as you don't tend to come in from one and immediately tell everyone which is what you do when you have an issue. JMTCW