How reliable

[Bmarchant]

I've put 10,000 on my 2003 chopper this year. Changed the oil and fluids twice, and just had to put new brake pads in the front. I ride it EVERY DAY.Then again, I actually go over the bike every weekend, and make sure everything is sound. Part of owning a bike. My bike is very reliable..... Its now got 22K and I'm not done for the season yet.

As far as the "custom" comment.... I agree with orange Skullz to a point, but since our bikes (at least my 2003 chopper) is made with the same stuff these "custom" bike shops are building bikes with, I'll take my Big Dog, made by a factory with people who I know have at least an idea of how to build, over the custom overpriced stuff I've seen. Every Bike build off I've watched over the last few weeks has very little Custom to the bikes.

Feel free to correct me, but they all seem to be using the same motors, frames, wheels, front ends and other parts... They are just assembling a bike and doing a paint job on the thing. A very small few of them actually make it from the ground up. Orange County puts them together for 60k with these same parts.

 

[RubWhore]

The only thing custom about them is the paint.

I woodnt say that .....Front end,frame,primary,tranny,sheet metal and the Electronics haint standard nuthing but BigDog and thats just the tip of the Iceberg try and build one with aftermarket HD parts I no as I did it and just started building me a nother one

 

[aspen874]

reliable

I don't like the rants either, there is always a way to get something done on your bike. there are a lot of smart people on this forum that are always willing to
help someone else. I'm not a wrench, (i'm lucky to identify a crescent wrench two out of three times), so I have to pay someone to wrench on my bike. I have learned a lot on this forum and I appreciate being a member.

By the way, 10,000 miles on my scoot, never failed to start or ever leave me
stranded

 

[jaybird]

Thanks. the recall just said that the rear wheel can crack and it will be 9 months to replace. My dog has never let me down and I love it and would buy another tomorrow. Maybe BDM could sell stock to the public and help them. It helped Harley out in 83 when they went public

 

[Finn]

I woodnt say that .....Front end,frame,primary,tranny,sheet metal and the Electronics haint standard nuthing but BigDog and thats just the tip of the Iceberg try and build one with aftermarket HD parts I no as I did it and just started building me a nother one

Yeah but everyone of them has the same stuff on it. Every K-9 at the dealer is exactly the same as the one sitting next to it, except for the paint. Not busting on Big Dogs, just the whole "custom" comments. The word "custom" means..."made to order". Unless you mean the other definition of the word which is..."A habitual practice of a person or group of people" which would then make sense. Putting the same air cleaner/controls/engine/trans/etc/etc/etc on every bike you make, would be a habitual practice and therefore I guess it would make them a "custom".:2thumbs:

 

[PaulHart]

I know one thing. Almost every time I'm out on mine someone asks me if it is a custom.

 

[2004BC]

If I was to "customize" a Harley I would use many of the "custom" parts that are OEM on Big Dogs. So a BD is engineered and manufactured from "custom" parts. Does that make it a "Custom" Motorcycle? Furthermore I have "customized" my "Custom" 04 BD by changing out the pipes for EVO upswepts, machined mini risers for the bars, fabed a vertical license plate mount, etc etc so is my BD now a "custom" because I "customized" it?

Before you sprain your brain on this keep in mind these are rhetorical questions and I'm just being a wise ass.:2thumbs:

Now back to our regularly scheduled Whine-A-Thon already in progress! (WARNING: Just another wise ass comment. Please disregard if offended.):lol:

 

[RubWhore]

Yeah but everyone of them has the same stuff on it. Every K-9 at the dealer is exactly the same as the one sitting next to it, except for the paint. Not busting on Big Dogs, just the whole "custom" comments. The word "custom" means..."made to order". Unless you mean the other definition of the word which is..."A habitual practice of a person or group of people" which would then make sense. Putting the same air cleaner/controls/engine/trans/etc/etc/etc on every bike you make, would be a habitual practice and therefore I guess it would make them a "custom".:2thumbs:

I see your point but its like all motorsickles... you are buying potential as mine dont look like the average K9 I switched pretty much everything but the gas tank tranny and frame .A custom is defined when you change stuff purfect example is everybody removes the reflectors but you are right everyone at the dealer is exactly the same but dont most all customs start that way?? I atribute all of my issues to my modifications had I just built a stock by definition bike I woodnt be ripping trannys out for example or when I
installed dual oil coolers and lost oil preasure due to a collapsed line
Main point being if I had to do it all over wood I??
Answers obvious I wood have built a 145 not a 124 the thrill is second to none......the wine of the belt drive the rear view mirror when you crack the throttle and produce a Rooster tail of smoke Ect

:up::up::up:

 

[Brew]

Rub your bike is defiantly a redneck engineering custom. I don't know anyone that has pipes, and air cleaner on the left and the primary on the right. So not doubt a custom...:roll::roll::roll:

 

[RubWhore]

Rub your bike is defiantly a redneck engineering custom. I don't know anyone that has pipes, and air cleaner on the left and the primary on the right. So not doubt a custom...:roll::roll::roll:

Thank You Sir

I was asked the other day if it was a new Yaumehau

:roll::roll::roll:

 

[Brew]

Nice...:roll::roll::roll:

 

[scubaman15]

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::roll::roll::roll::roll::roll:

How much for the doggie on the window :lol::lol::lol::lol:

Sounds like someone who can't wrench for shit. Fix it or get it fixed or sell it and move on. We have helped many BDM riders on here and it seem there is alway that one asshole who can't get enough warranty or free work. Always looking for that free bee. I have owned my dog for 5 years now and not once has it left me on the side of the road. I fix and maintain my own no warranty or recall for me. I find out what the fix is and get er done. I also have two HD (2009 Sporty & 2010 FatBoy) and they are dependable,, but so is my dog. The only difference between my dog and the HD is power which is no where to be found on the trusted HD. Oh the HD's have a fuel gauge :lol::lol: I love to ride either of them and when I hit a snag I fix it. Why pay to have someone else fuck it up for you when you can do the same for less :lol::lol:

Move on if you don't like Big Dog, tired of hearing BDM this and BDM that. Sell it, give it away to Toys for Tots, put some money in it and stop whining.

Carlos

I could not have said it better ... I have only let a stealer look at my 07 chop for the dreaded speedo and after the first one I just replaced with the Dakota Digital .. I bought new in 07 have had my share of problems that I worked out "I hate letting anyone work on my bikes" !!!! I really think BD should charge MORE $$ Just to keep them out of the reach of just anyone ! You all have heard the old saying $30000.00 and a bike don't make you a biker! If you want a bike that is fool proof and requires little or no maintenance ... you should look elsewhere these bikes are not for everyone and should STAY that way!!!

 

[Moespeeds]

Comparing a BD to a HD is like apples to oranges. In the cookie cutter chopper market, BD is the one to have. Look at Bourget or Swift or Ironhorse. All junk. No matter what, a bike with a big inch solid mounted motor is going to tear itself apart, you just learn to carry tools and do the work yourself. If you can't handle that part of it, sell the thing and get a Harley or a Honda. Dealer support is gonna suck because BD is small, mechanic turnover is high, and it's a specialty product that's still fairly new in the market place.

 

[OrangeSkullz]

Look at Bourget or Swift or Ironhorse. All junk.

Do you have any first hand experience with any of these bikes? ...Then I'll kindly disagree.

 

[Fibersnake]

I see nothing wrong with the occasional bitch, however ones problems does not reflect everyones problem nor dies it reflect the majority of products out there.

As has been pointed out before, we hear of allot of problems on here and many are very common, however the views here only represent a minority of the representation of the many thousand of BD out there. Many owners are not one here to vent of cheer and many of those bikes may have had no issues at all as well as some would have some of the common that many (though not all) have had here.

I have had a few issues, but nothing major and with the exception of a bad seal on the first starter and maybe the misalinged guides on the original TP valve train, the rest could be caused by some of my own doings. This would be items such as not making sure that I did a pre-ride check or maybe modding something and it not working out. Who knows, but what I do know, is the Mastiff only left me on ther road once and after trouble shooting I found root cause was due to short in power harness. Was it a concidence, bad build, who knows. But maybe, just maybe it was due to me removing the harness many times to grease the connectors with di-electric, disconnecting for working on, or other issues that may have caused it to get weak and short.

Fender falling off is bad, but is not a well known issue, sucks for those that had it happen. That said and without knowing the facts, may a good pre-ride check have seen a loose bolts or a cracked mount and prevented it from coming off???

Same can be said of many other problems though not all.

As far as getting another, yes a Honda may be overall more reliable, but even those have had problems, just do some research on the NHTSA recall and TSB for such (including Gold Wing frame issue a while back). I also have a Buell (1125R) with an Austrian Based engine design and though I have had no issue yet, there are some having problem with the alternator leading to a TSB to add a piece to the harness, other issues are seeping water pumps, leaking clutch, high temps and the list keeps on growing. A buddy is a big fan of KTM and his 900 had to have the water pump changed right after he bought it and then had to have a clutch piston replaced and his list keeps growing. Let also not forget the first 6 speed bikes from Harley where there was recall to shave the caliper due to bad clearances.

Oh long time Toyota fan and even my newest Tundra had a recall for an accelertor concerns (anyone notice that no one hears anything on that anymore, even thought all they did was put a shim in and/or remove the floor mat-notice how after the recall there was a stream of people still having so-called problems and yet when they went and pulled black box information, all seem to relate to drivers error?).

Any vehicle can and a good chance has some problems, the key is good maintenance and using as designed. Anything outside of that will increase likelyhood of issues and that maybe something as simple as a common mod or using something outside the Manufacture recommend parts or fluids.

Nothing wrong with venting and truly sorry for those that have problems, however IMHO it is not accurate to make some problems that we have be a accurate reflection of the true problems of all the units out there. I have a gut feeling that there is many more BD that have had no problems than there is that have had, but as human nature most of the people will tend to discuss the bad issues while few will preach the good and problem free rides they may have.

 

[Tattooedirish1]

Bottom line is... if it has moving parts, Then something is gonna fail. Everything has a life span. I can't begin to tell you guys how many light bulbs Ive changed over the years in my homes. But hey, I still replace them. I know the guy was just venting and some took it as a personal attack against there beloved dogs but that is why this forum is a good as it is. You CAN complain, and then when you calm down you CAN find answers, At the end of the day The one thing we all have in common are our bikes.. .

Oh and 1 more thing.... Arguing on the internet is like running in the Special Olympics.... Even if you win, you're still retarded!!! ( No Offense to anyone)

 

[imthewildman]

thats funny irish1! Well, in my earlier post I never said that ALL bdm products were junk (at least not that I remember, and I really dont feel like re-reading everything I have written), I was just venting on what I have went through since owning this bike and agreeing with the guy with the back rim issue, Im glad everyone else has had great luck with these motorcycles, maybe I got a lemon, maybe not, doesnt matter anymore cause its paid for and if it doesnt run then whatever, guess I havent reached my breaking point just yet cause its still in my garage, like I said before, I love my bike when its running, but when its not I get really pissed at myself for buying it, so therefore, you wont hear me complain anymore on this site.

 

[Bmarchant]

Look at Bourget or Swift or Ironhorse. All junk. .

Do you have any first hand experience with any of these bikes? ...Then I'll kindly disagree.

I think it was a little over the top to call these junk. I've seen some real nice AIH's and Bourgets. Though my friends Bourget is a bitch to do anything to. Takes an hour to get the damn seat off the thing. But they are all using the same engines, and trans. At least on his Low Blow. Its an S&S with a baker 6 speed.

 

[Mickeetwo]

I do think there pretty reliable. But I don't ride mine everyday, usually only ride it on day trips 200 to 500 miles or rally's. Just got back from BBBQ rally, 1100 miles. So far mine has never left me stranded, but I'm sure it will happen eventually. When it does I'll get a ride or rent a truck and go home and fix it. Stuff happens, I don't know of anything that is 100% going to get you there and back. And by the way.......I have a early production 06 K9....EHC....TP rockers....Oringinal clutch cable and 16000 miles.

 

[BadBrad]

I do think there pretty reliable. But I don't ride mine everyday, usually only ride it on day trips 200 to 500 miles or rally's. Just got back from BBBQ rally, 1100 miles. So far mine has never left me stranded, but I'm sure it will happen eventually. When it does I'll get a ride or rent a truck and go home and fix it. Stuff happens, I don't know of anything that is 100% going to get you there and back. And by the way.......I have a early production 06 K9....EHC....TP rockers....Oringinal clutch cable and 16000 miles.

Now you're just braggin'!!! Count your blessings while you're at it. Knock on wood too! I think you may have just jinxed yourself Mickee2. But, I'm on the BDB riders assistance list if you get down this way and drop a rod.