08 Ridgeback on fire, never again!

[dba777]

Hello, I have 2008 Ridgeback with 2000 miles on the bike. I purchased this bike in the fall of 2010, and its been a disaster. As I purchased the bike in september, I had it fully serviced at harley shop with 1000miles package. I did put about 500 miles on the bike since Sept 2010, and it already cost me over a grand in repairs. Here are the issues tha I have with the bike:

1. Transmission could not switch into neutral while bike is in motion. Had mechanic tighten the clutch and adjust the primary.

2. Took bike on the road for about 60 miles after the above service, transmission would not switch to neutral again. Took bike to fix the neutral issue to Bourget dealer (as there were no Big Dog dealers aroud). Picked up bike from service, went on the 300 mile ride in FL. Bike would switch gears up, but wont downshift from 5 to 4th gear. Transmission gets stuck in 5th gear. Waiting for the weather to warm up to take bike for repairs to BD - $$$

3. Two turn signal covers fell off and broke. Replaced covers.

4. Seat suction cup broke. Replaced both seat suction cups.

5. Battery did not charge properly. Replaced and installed new battery.

6. Bike almost went on fire today. Melted wires, electrical shortening. I live in midwest, and store bike covered at the garage. Turned bike on today to warm it up, charge up the battery. Left bike running in the garage for 10 min, then shut it off. Returned to garage 10 min later to find out its full of burning smoke and light flames under the bike. Easily put the flame down, and found out that double wire insulations has melted, and wires were burning (or insulation was burning). Attached are the pictures of the damage.

This is a list of issues that I cought after owning the bike for just a few months and riding it for only 500 miles. I suspect more things will break over time.

I have owned several german and japanese bikes over last 15 years, and never seen a bike that would have such serious issues at 2000 miles mark. I think big dog will be the last american made bike I ever owned. I am very very disapponted in Big Dog quality, will not buy this big dog sh*t ever again!!!!!


Your thoughts and comments are welcome.

 

[KLRDOG]

Bike looks filthy. Clean it they run better when shiny.

 

[KnotSo]

Sorry to here of your issues.
Did you buy the scoot from a dealer or a private party?
Sounds like the previous owner did not take care of the bike at all.



5. General rule of thumb is new battery every 2 years

1. Getting into neutral has been an issue and has been covered in several threads on that topic

2. Trans issue could be several things

6. There has been an issue with the voltage regulators and a fix was offered by BDM thru the dealers.

3/4. Lenses and suction cups breaking is not common

Harley mechanics generally are not up to speed on these dogs

Might want to pick up a service manual and go thru the scoot and give it 100% check up.

 

[chacha]

Unfortunate -

Agree with Knotso's recommendations plus one more.

Never leave a motor vehicle running unattended. Never/Never leave an air cooled V-twin siting idling -- inside a building no less -- for more than a couple of minutes. At least in traffic you have the possibility of wind helping cool the motor. This was almost certainly the cause of your fire, which from the pictures was probably the result of a VR failure.

These bikes are not for the timid and I no longer recommend them for folks that don't do their own wrenching.

 

[Dawgboy]

Bike looks like a cover is on it. If so, was that the case when it was running?

 

[pknowles]

Use a trickle charger

 

[ZEDisDEAD]

I haven't owned mind very long, but i knew i would be doing all the work myself.I read someone's quote"why let someone else screw your bike up when u can do it yourself" I have never put a wrench to anything before,but with the help of this site and everybody on it I can figure it out.If you bought an amer.V-Twin and didn't think you would have to work on it ,you must have been born after the 70's.Sorry to hear about your problems.

 

[racer1]

Sorry to hear about your bike.

Sometimes there are recalls on them and only a dealer can tell you what the recalls are.

I just got my 2005 Ridgeback last August. I went to my local dealer just to get a spare key and found out it had a few recalls. One was a voltage regulator and another was a rear wheel. Mine has the 300 tire and they installed a new wheel.

Harley is not the same. These are performance bikes and you must plan on working on them. I do as much as possible myself.

This forum is great! I have learned a lot about Big Dogs so far. I used a link on here to purchase a service manual and it is some of the best money I have spent. My point being that if you don't have a dealer close by you might consider that route.

Good luck with your repairs and I hope it all works out.

There is nothing like cruising around on my Big Dog!

 

[erldawg]

It's sad to hear about your problems with the Ridgeback.

Pick up a service manual and adjust the clutch per the manual. Some of the aftermarket motorcycle shops may not be up to speed on the BDM's. This should take care of the getting into neutral problem if not then you may need to take it to a BD dealer if your not mechanically inclined to troubleshoot it.

Sounds like you have not been keeping a battery tender on the bike which is an important requirement for these machines. In addition, the battery is two years old and very close to it's end of life. I've not had any issues with the bike and charging / starting system to date and yes it's on a tender if I have not taken the bike out in more than 3-4 days. Looks like you'll need a new VR from pics. I'd also check the charging system after replacing it.

When you remove your seat you should release the suction cups from the fender by the little tabs on them if not they will break.

The turn signal covers should stay on without issues. Is it the front or rears falling off I'm just curious here? I'd put a couple of small dabs of clear silicone on the turn signal cover tabs then install them. I've heard of another brand (not big dog) that blew out bulbs and covers on the turn and running lites but I don't think it's all that common of an issue. Again maybe a BDM dealer could solve this issue.

The dealer should have a key or you could order one from Lena at Strokers or Bikers Dream of Atlanta.

 

[PaulHart]

Mines always been tough to go to neutral also. I've found if I give a quick pop to the throttle coming up out of first or down out of second it'll go in every time. You may have not had a problem to begin with and they have actually screwed it up now.

Keep it on a battery tender. Make sure you connections are tight. Yep looks like the voltage regulator went. Good luck don't give up yet.

 

[phatchopper300]

Agree with all that has been said. If bike is still under waranty I would take it there before I let a HD tech mess with it. It will save you money even if you have to drive 2 hours away to a BD dealer.

 

[bdmridgeback]

Obviously, when the battery wasn't charging properly and you replaced the battery, you should have immediately checked to make sure that the new battery was charging properly, you would have found it wasn't either. At that time you would have found that the VR had already failed.

The trans shifting is a matter of a correct adjustment being made and looks like whoever is working on it doesn't know anything about these adjustments. The trans not shifting is not a common problem, but something that happens from time to time and usually a simple fix.

 

[Five Five]

I love my Big Dog and I have had my share of problems....Just saying.

:2thumbs:
"five"

 

[BBChopper]

Obviously, when the battery wasn't charging properly and you replaced the battery, you should have immediately checked to make sure that the new battery was charging properly, you would have found it wasn't either. At that time you would have found that the VR had already failed.

The trans shifting is a matter of a correct adjustment being made and looks like whoever is working on it doesn't know anything about these adjustments. The trans not shifting is not a common problem, but something that happens from time to time and usually a simple fix.

X2!

 

[BDWB]

Sorry you are having problems - I have an 07 and "knock on wood" it has performed wonderfully - I would buy again in a second - I am not satisfied with the quality - there are many areas for improvement - just look at the number of issues constantly discussed on this site. But I can deal with the negatives to enjoy the positives.

 

[BadBrad]

dba777,
Sounds like you need to change your username to SOL666. Alright, that's just a bad joke, but read all the previous advice and with some help from the forum, you can do most of this work yourself. I've walked in your shoes and been through a lot worse, but I've learned to work on mine and my wife's Dogs. Today, it's running great! Tomorrow, who knows, but I'll cross that road when I get to it. For the 500 miles of riding you did, how was it? You won't get that feeling from a metric bike. There's no doubt that if you go buy a Honda, you'll probably do a lot less wrenching, but you'll never get that feel or look from passers by that you'll get on your dog. Don't think that most of us have not cursed these damn dogs, kicked them in ass and had some regrets, but we're still riding them today. I'm just a little horse from cursing and my toe still hurts from kicking, but it is what it is. Probably not what you want to hear, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Hang in there, get the kinks worked out and put some miles on your RB.

 

[RADAMS445]

"I think big dog will be the last American made bike I ever owned. I am very very disappointed in Big Dog quality, will not buy this big dog sh*t ever again!!!!!"
Your frustrated beyond believe, have a beer or two and when your ready we will get you straighten out. As for me ...Ive had all these problems with metrics and American cycles. Just work through it!

 

[Jones]

Sad

Sorry for the problems. Get it all fixed right and see what happens.

I have the same ridgeback......not one issue what-so- ever. tranny is smooth as silk. neutral hits home all the time. (I did put in the bakker recommended fluid) shifts fine up and down.

On trickle charger. I check for unusuall temps on the machine every time I park it. Nothing super hot anywhere.

Good luck. Regards Juice.

 

[Moespeeds]

Your only option is to figure it all out on your own. If you think you are just going to take it to the dealer every time something goes wrong like you did with your old bikes, you're in for a very rough ride. It's the price you pay for cool, think of it as owning a muscle car.

 

[barhopper]

You know, sometimes people and Dogs don't get along. Take the bike back to the pound, get a cat(pussy bike). Maybe the Dog didn't like you. Just saying.