...to BD or Not to BD...that is the question.

aspen874 · Apr 2, 2019

They are great bikes, they do require more maintenance but it's worth it. I have over 30K on my 07 Mastiff and it's had it's fair share of issues but has never left me stranded.

I say this to anyone who is looking to buy one, Bigdogs are like having a mistress, they are beautiful, high maintenance and you don't always get to ride them.

pknowles · Apr 3, 2019

I love mine :hi:

41bigdawg · Apr 3, 2019

Once you ride a Big Dog you will never look back. There are some issues with any bike. My Harley has it issues sometimes and so does my K9. These Big Dogs take a certain amount of extra care so you must be willing to learn how they work and how to work on it by yourself. There is no Big Dog Dealer to drop it off at so they can mess it up for you, this is all on you. If you are OK with wrenching on your own bike then you will never regret owning a Big Dog...There is nothing else like it in my opinion. I wouldn't trade mine for anything :chopper:

An added bonus if you own a Dog you get to hang out with all the great people on this forum and that is priceless.

SKOGDOG · Apr 3, 2019

To bd or not to bd——that is the question. “Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles. And by opposing end them.”
Actually that quote works quit well here——If you buy a BDM, be prepared to keep it up and running. They are the greyhound of the bike world. If you want a Chihuahua, go get one. But don’t buy a Chuhuahhua and then complain that it isn’t a very good greyhound.
This is a great place for those of us who love these bikes and are willing to suffer the ‘slings and arrows’ of keeping them tip-top. We bend over backwards to help like-minded individuals. You don’t have to be a wrench—just willing to learn and be part of this community.
We aren’t too disposed to go to a lot of trouble for one who buys one of these bikes and then trashes the company or the bike when something isn’t working right.
We do take up arms against then slings and arrows and defeat them (bike troubles).
Buy the bike and welcome to the pound. We’ll help you keep it up and running—these forum guys have carried me for the past ten years, which means anyone can do it.....

SB03chopper · Apr 3, 2019

Remember when you get one how old it is. The shake a little, so things work loose, but that is not always a problem. Electrical they have problems (age), and things need to be changed out. Put they are so much fun, you will always look at the bike and smile. Parts can be had without to much problem, thanks to Donna and Derrick in Chase Kansas. Good luck on your buying, and place a picture on here so we all can see your beauty.

Brent Herridge · Apr 3, 2019

I was also worried. Like you, I missed riding for way too long. I wanted a chopper really bad, but was worried that it would be too extreme to really enjoy riding. I finally decided that it didn't really matter if it was the wrong bike - it was all I wanted and I just didn't want to ride anything else.

I could not be happier that I took the chance. It is a joy to ride. It only had 6600 (indicated) miles and I've already put another (indicated) 1100 on it since October. I say indicated because the speedo/odo only works about half the time. A quick search will confirm this is a very common problem. Just plan your fill-ups ahead of time and you'll be fine.

Pull the trigger - you'll be the envy of everybody who sees it.

chubs · Apr 3, 2019

SKOGDOG said:
To bd or not to bd——that is the question. “Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles. And by opposing end them.”
Actually that quote works quit well here——If you buy a BDM, be prepared to keep it up and running. They are the greyhound of the bike world. If you want a Chihuahua, go get one. But don’t buy a Chuhuahhua and then complain that it isn’t a very good greyhound.
This is a great place for those of us who love these bikes and are willing to suffer the ‘slings and arrows’ of keeping them tip-top. We bend over backwards to help like-minded individuals. You don’t have to be a wrench—just willing to learn and be part of this community.
We aren’t too disposed to go to a lot of trouble for one who buys one of these bikes and then trashes the company or the bike when something isn’t working right.
We do take up arms against then slings and arrows and defeat them (bike troubles).
Buy the bike and welcome to the pound. We’ll help you keep it up and running—these forum guys have carried me for the past ten years, which means anyone can do it.....

Sounds like something Prince Hamlet of Denmark would say.

awg · Apr 3, 2019

Geez....if you got to ask then its not for you.

roadie1389 · Apr 3, 2019

In 2005, a ridding buddy got a BDM. I have a crusier. I was "how the hell is that even comfortable?" Fast forward. I have a chopper now and ride it way more than my Roadstar. I even rode it from TX to KS an extra 500 miles just because. It had issues that the prev owner caused all kind of havoc. Do your homework. Inspect it over and assume nothing. Check it cold and after a ride. Make sure it all works and turn over strong. It is not a Honda or BMW (no idea what you rode before). Its a VTwin air cooled push rod engine. Needs love, makes noise, and will throw you if you dont hang on. As for the 06, check which rocker boxes it has. The TPs are known to have issues. Do a search here and you will find it.

liferider · Apr 3, 2019

In 2004 I pulled the trigger and bought Da’ Black Bitch. A 03 BDM Chopper. She’s never won POTM but is 100% reliable everyday rider! Absolutely love this bike. It will be in my garage when they pat my grave with a shovel!

Letbigdogintocanada · Apr 3, 2019

aspen874 said:
They are great bikes, they do require more maintenance but it's worth it. I have over 30K on my 07 Mastiff and it's had it's fair share of issues but has never left me stranded.

I say this to anyone who is looking to buy one, Bigdogs are like having a mistress, they are beautiful, high maintenance and you don't always get to ride them.

Very well said

francoblay1 · Apr 3, 2019

Todd Erskine said:
Hi All,
I’ve been riding for almost 40 years with the lest 16 on a break for kids. Got permission from myself to get a bike this spring and Im looking at buying an 06 k9 and am really looking for some reassurance from folks who know.
Man you can sure find a lot of negative writings out there on these gorgeous machines that would lead a guy to believe that maybe they make better museum pieces than road bikes.
Hoping I can I get some thumbs up or some other kind of note from all y’all telling me that you love your bikes. I sure would like to hear the other side of the story.
Hoping to join the club,
Todd

Maintenance? Yes. what machine does not require maintenance??? (also, click on the link in my signature block).

I bought my 06 K9 eight years ago and being based in Spain it has been/is a lot harder to get parts, etc. over there than in the US... BUT that has not stopped me, or any Big Dog over in EU ( MEMBERS - EUROPE ) to do loads and loads of trouble free miles!!!

Would I buy it again? without a doubt, in a heart-bit!!!

Welcome from Spain. :cheers:

Trainguy · Apr 3, 2019

SKOGDOG said:
To bd or not to bd——that is the question. “Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles. And by opposing end them.”
Actually that quote works quit well here——If you buy a BDM, be prepared to keep it up and running. They are the greyhound of the bike world. If you want a Chihuahua, go get one. But don’t buy a Chuhuahhua and then complain that it isn’t a very good greyhound.
This is a great place for those of us who love these bikes and are willing to suffer the ‘slings and arrows’ of keeping them tip-top. We bend over backwards to help like-minded individuals. You don’t have to be a wrench—just willing to learn and be part of this community.
We aren’t too disposed to go to a lot of trouble for one who buys one of these bikes and then trashes the company or the bike when something isn’t working right.
We do take up arms against then slings and arrows and defeat them (bike troubles).
Buy the bike and welcome to the pound. We’ll help you keep it up and running—these forum guys have carried me for the past ten years, which means anyone can do it.....

That's exactly what I was going to say but Rick said it first so let's go with that.

Nukeranger · Apr 3, 2019

I haven’t done any more maintenance on my Ridgeback then my other bikes. The trick is to get a good one but that is true of any bike. If it has issues, then you have to fix them. Once any bike’s problems are corrected, then there is no reason they can’t be an everyday rider and 100% reliable. Every bike has a battery to maintain and replace, tires to change, oil to change. Big Dogs are no different. If you buy a Big Dog as a Museum piece to park in the living room, then it becomes a piece of art. If you ride it thousands of miles, then it is a bike you ride a lot.

If you get a Big Dog, ride it frequently. I have a 2001 Custom Bonneville that is not ridden like she should be. Last year the carbs had to be rebuilt and battery replaced to get her back running. Now, her petcock leaks from lack of use. I haven’t had these issues with the Big Dog. Know this tho....you can kill a battery a lot easier with the large displacement Big Dog Engine. So, keep that battery in tip top shape.

woodbutcher · Apr 3, 2019

Tis better to have BD'd and lost than to have never BD'd at all.

Blackie · Apr 4, 2019

Welcome....Just do it!!!

Minuteman · Apr 4, 2019

I own a 1957 Harley chopper which was converted from a basket case to a really nice machine back in the early 70's. I put a bolt on hardtail on it with a springer front end. Rebuilt the top end many times and the lower end once during the years ridden. Back then did not need all the fancy stuff of today to get inspection, but rode that chopper for 10 years and estimated around 60,000 miles, then the springer front end started giving me problems and I blew the top end to the motor. I still have that bike and going to get on with a rebuild soon. My son got me involved with Big Dogs when he moved to Texas and I rode his while there and immediately fell in love with riding a chopper again. Like others have mentioned, most of us own other bikes as well, but the chopper goes out way more then the others. Yes maintenance is part of owning any bike, but I will always ride my chopper over the other bikes. Last but not least the value that exist along with the help and meeting the people on this forum is nothing but 1st rate. Tons of help here if you do pull the trigger.

bikeone · Apr 7, 2019

Searched a Big Dog Bull Dog - don`t find the Right one.
Saw the Pit Bull - made my test ride - less than Five miles after I knew shifting works with my leg
it was clear.
Ride my Dog some years and miles - No long Journeys - but in Season my most ridden scoot.
In sight of parts I go conform with Franco it is a Little complicated to get them - get spare parts take riding time.
And it takes a Little more maintenance because no dealer/Service Shop is at every Corner.
If U Need that - Buy another Bike.
Those Bikes are absolutely worh all.
And for Keep ur dog running - this Forum is the best choice.

...to BD or Not to BD...that is the question.

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