'06 Fit and Finish

Energy One
MadMarx

MadMarx

Active Member
Ok I Didn't say this, but I need to ask you guys what you think. This is probably the wrong crowd to ask, but I'm hoping you'll be honest with your answers.
As you may know I'm currently looking to buy an '06 Mastiff so I'm talking to as many people as I can.
I was told that the fit and finish of the Big Dog motorcycles is less than perfect. (The few that I've seen in person didn't appear this way to me) Specifically, parts don't line up perfectly and they are not constructed to very high standards. Bikes "falling apart" (I didn't get details of that comment) in only a few years.
I've never been a big fan of Harleys, plus they don't make anything close to a Mastiff.
 
E

Eric

Banned
MadMarx said:
Ok I Didn't say this, but I need to ask you guys what you think. This is probably the wrong crowd to ask, but I'm hoping you'll be honest with your answers.
As you may know I'm currently looking to buy an '06 Mastiff so I'm talking to as many people as I can.
I was told that the fit and finish of the Big Dog motorcycles is less than perfect. (The few that I've seen in person didn't appear this way to me) Specifically, parts don't line up perfectly and they are not constructed to very high standards. Bikes "falling apart" (I didn't get details of that comment) in only a few years.
I've never been a big fan of Harleys, plus they don't make anything close to a Mastiff.
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where did you get this info.... maybe a furby is more your speed....:lol: I think thay are great bikes for the $$$
 
E

exvtx

New Member
I just bought a new 06 Mastiff yesterday, and I'm very pleased with the fit and finish. Obviously, I haven't put many miles on it but after talking to the dealer, it sounds like it just takes a litte more maintenance (tightening connectors) due to the vibration. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so the idea of taking time to go over the bike once in a while doesn't bother me.
 
BBChopper

BBChopper

Supports 2 Disabled Vets
Troop Supporter
Who told you that Bull Shit and what does he ride????? Let me guess a cookie cutter HD!!!!!
 
MadMarx

MadMarx

Active Member
Eric said:
where did you get this info.... maybe a furby is more your speed....:lol: I think thay are great bikes for the $$$
Click to expand...

Thanks... you replied as expected.
I didn't say it. I just wanted to see if his comments held any merit at all.
 
MadMarx

MadMarx

Active Member
exvtx said:
I just bought a new 06 Mastiff yesterday, and I'm very pleased with the fit and finish. Obviously, I haven't put many miles on it but after talking to the dealer, it sounds like it just takes a litte more maintenance (tightening connectors) due to the vibration. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so the idea of taking time to go over the bike once in a while doesn't bother me.
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Thank you!:cheers:
This is the kind of answer I was hoping for.:2thumbs:
I joined this forum hoping to learn as much as I could before making a purchase.
I'm not trying to put Big Dog down, remember I want to buy one, but like with anything there are pros and cons. I don't want to drop a pile of cash and be kicking myself every time I go out for a ride.
 
Fibersnake

Fibersnake

Banjo Playing PsychoBilly
BDM are not perfect but than again nothing is. I will say though as far as fit and finish goes, they are very very good. One of the best if not the best in regards to beautiful finish, paint, billet, etc. The fit of those parts are very tight and do reflect the care of attention and in general is hard to beat for any bike that is a production.

Right up there with a well done custom that had pride in it the build.

There is some issues on some and during your research you should get some feel of some general that may arise (EHC, Starter, Etc). That said I have a 05 Mastiff and have been very happy with it and would gladly by another.

It has never stranded me and I am not afraid to go anywhere with it. Does take more TLC than a Honda, but in general so do other similar types of bikes. Back to the original post, it is bad info on the fit and finish for Big Dog is tops on that and if you research the mags and review from third parties, you will find of all the things, the fit and finish is top of the line.
 
W

woodbutcher

Mr. Old Fart member #145
Staff member
as with any high performance custom production vehicle, there are going to be more situations that involve maintenance than lesser performance items. i am sure if you were to sit , say a bourget, a harley, an american ironhorse, a big dog, a west coast chopper, and maybe a big bear next to each other and go over them with an open mind, you would walk away with the same opinion as just about all those on this sight have. BDM has the best parts, the best fit and finish, the best performance, the best company backing of any of the competitors. just sayin'.
 
KaptinAmerika

KaptinAmerika

Guru
Don't buy a BD thinking its a Honda becuase they aren't.
These are real bikes for real men.
And I say that in all seriousness.
Men like :flag:Raywood:flag: who served his country for 30 years and :flag:LDO:flag:, who is currently serving his country, and every other :flag:hard core bad ass mother:flag: on this site that loves to ride a real bike that doesn't look lke every other joe blow out there.
BD had its problems but so does every start up. My 03 Chopper was a piece of shit. My buddies, however, has served him beautifully and he has put little effort into it. For me I feel it was destiny. I bought the 03 Chopper but what I was really supposed to have was my current, bad ass, KaptinAmerika 06 K9. I marked my territory and now she is sittin up and begginn for more. Just got back from a straight, but for gas, 280 mile hop with nerry a squeak, cept my damn heatshield screws won't stay in.
So if your a real man and you want a real ride then saddle up a Dog and get f'n busy. :angry:

:up:
 
Brew

Brew

Troop Supporter
I own a 2008 and haven't had any major problems. I've had one speedo replacement due to failure. I've had to adjust my clutch several times, but that's a given for as much as I ride it. I usually ride year round and have over 16,000 miles on the bike now. It'll be two years old this summer. Maybe I'm just lucky. I also own a 2009 Harley softtail deluxe, the Harley doesn't compare to the Dog. The Harley is painted two tone with the same orange and black color as the dog except no flames and is loaded with chrome. I do get looks with the Harley but not as much as I do with the dog. If you were to ask me which I'd rather ride? I'd have to say sorry Harley you stay in the garage for another day. The pup and I are going out for a ride. As Fibersnake said BDM does have it corks, but so does all the others. You're bound to get a lemon out of any batch. Don't know if this helps you or not, but your doing the right thing by asking. Keep doing your research; it's the best way to come to a decision. I researched for over a year before buying. I looked at Saxon, Big Bear, Thunder Mountain and even road tested several Harleys before getting my dog. I'm so confident with this bike and if I was in the market to buy another bike, it would be another Big Dog. Not sure if this helps you or not, but the market is right for buying. Don't wait too long, it'll slip through your hands...:up:
 
H

hollywoodjohnny

Banned
Guys who put down Dogs usually ride H-D's or Honda's, Big Dogs are "Hot Rod" bikes that require maintence, but the pride of ownership makes it all worth it !, it really comes down to your level of commitment, dogs are not the kinda bikes you just ride and put away, theres maintence involved just like anything custom, as for the fit and finish comment that is total bullshit my 06 K-9 has outstanding fit & finish, sure I've had the typical problemsn EHC, clutch cable, spedo fogs, so what, that has nothing to do with "fit & finish" the pride of ownership far out weighs the cons my:zz2cents:
:cheers:
 
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Tomtang aka Reptilejim

Tomtang aka Reptilejim

Well-Known Member
Tomtang here, a proud bigdog owner. If you want a Bad Mother@#$%&*in' Bike get a Dog. Sometimes when there's alot of bullshit comin at ya, ya have to let your nuts hang! Get A Dog and join the Pound!!!
 
dingo

dingo

First 50
hollywoodjohnny said:
Guys who put down Dogs usually ride H-D's or Honda's, Big Dogs are "Hot Rod" bikes that require maintence, but the pride of ownership makes it all worth it !, it really comes down to your level of commitment, dogs are not the kinda bikes you just ride and put away, theres maintence involved just like anything custom, as for the fit and finish comment that is total bullshit my 06 K-9 has outstanding fit & finish, sure I've had the typical problemsn EHC, clutch cable, spedo fogs, so what, the pride of ownership far out weighs the cons my:zz2cents:
:cheers:
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Second that :2thumbs: !!
 
V

Vegas

Well-Known Member
I'm an anal analytic mother fucker and I feel it's a notch above anything else out there. It's on par with how I'd build it.
 
G

Gas Man

Cool isn't cheap
Calendar Participant
I'm with Fiber and Wood on this.

WIth Kapt on the part about doing buy it if you want a Honda ridability.

If you want to ride a BDM, you are required to work on it. They go hand and hand.

BDM bikes, much like any other similar bike brand. Are NOT "turn key". If you want that, you better look HD or Metric and probably FI.

Look around here...

Then good luck!
 
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