Well I have an 2005 (yea so called worse year), basic mod is a 600 cam, pipes and that is it. I have gone through 3 EHC, the first was replaced in perfect working condition due to TSB and changed to newest type, that one had a pin broken by me during a cleaning of the connection causing the oil pressure light to not work, I removed it and saved it and replaced with new, that one got fried due to chaffed wire on power harness, replaced with saved old second one.
That one went fine and still is good (minus oil pressure light due to brokne pin caused by me), but replaced with PDM to try it out and so far that is good.
First starter went out due to bad seal and was repalced within the first few months, the current one is the second and has been going strong with no issues or leaks for over 6 years.
On third battery and none of them have been anything more than plain Jane types.
Just short of 30k on the bike now, would not hestiate to go anywhere on it.
May be lucky, but I have a feeling that I am more like typical BD owners (not only forum members) than most would think.
It is not perfect, but I do not consider it a POS of shit either.
I also have a Buell 1125r that was built under HD leadership and they have been known to have stator going out way too early (I have a new EBR modified one sitting on the shelf for when it does). Had to have the ECM reflashed already, had to have charging systems modified under Recall (to address the charging issue). It has less than 4k on it, but would not trade it either.
My bud just got a new HD Delux and had to have it back in shop within the first month due to the wire spokes were coming loose and throwing balance out (common issue). He is enjoying it also.
Point is with the excpetion of my wifes old Honda 750 ( 2003 zilch problems, litteraly zero problems, even same origianl battery), most bikes can give good days and bad days. I do not feel that HD is any better than BD, nor worse.
Most are realiable if left as designed with many years of enjoyable use, when mods are done, some benefits may be gain but many times, some realiability is lost. When one has the work done by others, good chance that those others may not be as good as one thinks and that they are paying them for.
Best to learn to work on it yourself, keep it maintained, keep it simple and go out and enjoy the ride, when they break down, fix them and get back on the road.
If you do not work on it yourself and do find a good mechanic that knwos what they are doing and just not spinning wrenchs but have no idea of how to really troublshoot, feel blessed. Way too many parts changers out there with a shingle out be it MC, Autos or what not.
Hell I just had a conversation with a Honda Service center the other day trying to give me BS about how threads typically wear out for the drain plug and thus that is why they were fixing the drip from my wifes ooil pan with a Fing Helicoil. Of course I reminded them that I took it in after last oil change complaining of a small drips and at that time they set it was residue from the change. had to remind them what a Fing Torque wrench is for and why Honda has a spec for such-if the Helicoil fix start leaking they will be held to replace the pan due to their inept mechanic tht just took the old feel and tighten the drian plug down (and most likely didn't change out the seal-thus tighten it beyond specs) and not to proper torque until the threads eventualy failed.-(Yea Certified my butt)-oh did I fail to mention that the Honda dealer is the only that has ever touched the car for service. Off soap box-BTW
Eveyone go riding, and have a good ride for me and aftewards a good drink.