Has your BDM been reliable?

[Stimey131]

I just want to kinow if I purchased a lemon or do a lot of BDM seem to constantly break stuff. I bought my 07 Mastiff last Dec and have spent more time wrenching on it then riding it. When I mean wrenching that also covers all the reading and learning how to fix what actually broke, looking for the best way to to fix it before I just jumped into it, ordering parts, waiting on them to get shipped to me. Don't think that I don't like my mastiff because I do. Also another reason I have spent more time than what a bike shop would fix it in is because theres the learning curve for me. I just like to fix it myself if i can, becusae I like to know it was done right even if I end up having to redo do it a couple of times until it is correct. I realize that these are kinda of a hot rod bike, but I would much rather be spending my money on upgrading my bike instead of just trting to keep it road worhty. In fact I've actually not been able to ride it for a continous 100 miles without something needing fixed and this stuff is adding up. At some point I want to feel confident enough in my bike that it going to do what its supposed to without constantly worring if it's going to break something new today. Also I would like to start taking these attractive women that these bike pull for a ride, but I'm not going to offer them a ride and it breakdown and strand us becuase that would be a real bad mood killer.

Just want to know if other BDM owners seem to expeirence this with thier Big Dogs or do you guys think all this should smooth out soon. Let me know how good or bad your dog has been to you.

 

[stinger1]

Your not in a boat on your own fella, every year my 05 bulldog seems to need a couple of thousand dollars spent on it one way or another. I bought the bike in 06 had it shipped to here in england but since then have spent approx £20,000 so roughly $15,000. had enough realy but have too much money invested to sell the bike.

 

[Nukeranger]

I am fairly certain that I can get on my bike any day and ride over 500 miles. It pays to be familiar with your bike.

 

[pknowles]

I just want to kinow if I purchased a lemon or do a lot of BDM seem to constantly break stuff. I bought my 07 Mastiff last Dec and have spent more time wrenching on it then riding it. When I mean wrenching that also covers all the reading and learning how to fix what actually broke, looking for the best way to to fix it before I just jumped into it, ordering parts, waiting on them to get shipped to me. Don't think that I don't like my mastiff because I do. Also another reason I have spent more time than what a bike shop would fix it in is because theres the learning curve for me. I just like to fix it myself if i can, becusae I like to know it was done right even if I end up having to redo do it a couple of times until it is correct. I realize that these are kinda of a hot rod bike, but I would much rather be spending my money on upgrading my bike instead of just trting to keep it road worhty. In fact I've actually not been able to ride it for a continous 100 miles without something needing fixed and this stuff is adding up. At some point I want to feel confident enough in my bike that it going to do what its supposed to without constantly worring if it's going to break something new today. Also I would like to start taking these attractive women that these bike pull for a ride, but I'm not going to offer them a ride and it breakdown and strand us becuase that would be a real bad mood killer.

Just want to know if other BDM owners seem to expeirence this with thier Big Dogs or do you guys think all this should smooth out soon. Let me know how good or bad your dog has been to you.

If you look at some of the first post I put on this forum about my bike, you would see a trend. I haven't had to spend that much( WIRE PLUS AND MEDALLION TACH) fixed most of my problems. the side covers are a piss-poor design and the chin spoiler is impossible to keep looking good. Today, I wouldn't hestitate to jump on it and headout just about anywhere. I will get better. :2thumbs:

 

[BWG56]

I am fairly certain that I can get on my bike any day and ride over 500 miles. It pays to be familiar with your bike.

X2 Not that my a$$ could handle it, but the bike would. 4 months in the garage (as eye candy) for winter and the first nice day, unplug the tender,check tire pressure, 3-4 twists of the throttle and off we go.

 

[phatchopper300]

I am fairly certain that I can get on my bike any day and ride over 500 miles. It pays to be familiar with your bike.

X3

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[erldawg]

I get on and go no worries.....Your just working the kinks out of it...

 

[BOBE]

I purchased my 04 chopper last March (11) and the only issue has been a tranny bolt leak. I would go anywhere if my back and azz could handle it. Good luck!

 

[CCRainman]

It's very common so don't get discouraged. Once you iron out all the kinks you'll be a happy camper like nothing ever happens. The upside is that your learning about your bike.

 

[woodbutcher]

I get on and go no worries.....Your just working the kinks out of it...

Earl, must be something about the black cherry bikes. :2thumbs::2thumbs:

 

[Moespeeds]

My '04 Chopper was a nightmare until I rewired it completely. Once that was done, other than some kinks with the cheap internal throttle I installed, it ran like a top. A lot of local guys bring me their Big Dogs to work on, and while some bikes seem to be completely trouble free, others just break constantly, like they are cursed. Some guys just don't take care of the bikes or don't pay attention, so shit comes loose and causes issues, but other guys just got lemons. I've also seen bikes go years without a problem, then suddenly start breaking every week. You fix one thing, then next week it's right back with some other problem. I'm the type of guy who won't sleep until I figure out a problem that's challenging me, so over the years I've accumulated the tools and knowledge to fix pretty much any problem that may arise. I have to say, it's really liberating to know that when you leave for a trip, nothing short of a flat tire or broken drive belt will stop you. So the short of it is, tackle the problems as they arise, take the time to learn the bike inside out, and when it does break down it's no big deal. If you absolutely can't fix it, find a local mechanic who can and pay him a little extra to let you help/watch. I won't piss on 90% of the shops out there. Mechanic turnover is too high, and their pay system is structured in a way that makes them rush the job and encourages them to be careless. Small one man shops are the best. There isn't a single issue that can arise that hasn't been covered to some degree on this website, you just have to be willing to take the time and make the effort.

 

[Wills67]

Gotta agree with the responses so far. Spent my first couple of months with the bike on a lift. Changed all the fluids, had the rear drive pulley re-done, chose to add a sissy bar, and a few other things. As others have said, get intimate with your bike. That said and done, I just go now. No worries!

 

[Olddoger]

So far, so good. Had my '06 Pitbull a month now and put about 1000 mi on without any problem. Had to change the plugs right away but other than keeping it clean and making a few changes, I love it. Get on every day and ride somewhere. I think if you work on anything yourself you have more confidence in knowing how it's done and done right. But make sure it's done right so you don't have to mess with that item again. Take your time and spend the dime to do it right the first time. There isn't anything that can't be fixed right. Keep the faith and enjoy the time working on it, after all, that's why we have these types of bikes, isn't it? Good luck and enjoy!!!

 

[Knuckles]

I can't say that my '07 K9 has been reliable...even thou I have over 20k miles on it.
I've been left stranded many times...and it usually was over 100 miles from home!
Clutch hub nut
Broken main shaft
Defective bearing after having Baker rebuild the tranny
The list goes on. Many itemswere covered under warranty, many were not.
My latest seems to be an electrical issue I'm trying to track down. If it is the ehc going to be a real bitch as wire plus is working on a 6 week lead time...assuming you can actually reach them. Now I hear many units being shipped are bad and takin forever to correct.
While I hate BDMPP and swore I would never give them another dollar, I might end up going with the PDM if needed. Only problem, they too are at a 6 week back log.
All that shit aside, I still like my bike. It would be nice however to take a long trip and not have to worry about a breakdown.

 

[Kiwirider]

Mine has been lets just say "tempermental". When I first got it she ran fine, get on and go. Then when I started caring for it I started to find things wrong and stuff started to go wrong. Alot of electrical problems, then all of a sudden things went right. (was a bad VR that caused all my electrical problems). It took about 2 months to get things right, but its just general maintenance/servicing now.

 

[Fibersnake]

I have had mine for 7 years now, only once did it not get up and go. That was due to short on the power harnes that fired the EHC. That was after 5 years going on 6.

I have had issue over the time and especially the first year, nothing that held me up and all taken care of by my steeler under warrenty. Since it went out 95% of any work is done by me and the other 5% would be if I had more time.

Recently changed to the BDM from the EHC, but that was by choice and not necessity.

Key IMHO is good maintenance, careful of mods and if done make sure they are done smartly.

Would not hesitate to take it across country the min I get a chance and fully expect to possibly do that later this year (once I am out of Taliban Land).

Have taken it previous on trips of up to almost 3000 miles with no issues, even once rode around 750 in one day without issue with the bike (my old body was a different story).

Still very happy with it going on 30k mile and 7 years.

 

[liferider]

With all stuff cars trucks ect.... you will have general maintinance. With my 04 Chopper, I had to replace my primary seal at least 12-14 times. But after a ride where I would romp on the throttle here we would go again drip drip drip. I finally said screw it and went to an open primary. No more drip. The shocks went out last month so I replaced them. And for some odd reason, we think my bike was built late 03 but got a 04 VIN# my bike had no compression releases which cost me 3 Spike's starters. But Now I have compression releases and my 107SS is a bappy power plant. Just like everyone has said," work through the kinks"!!!!

 

[Cecil]

My buddy's 05 Bigdog Ridgeback has been until now, Clutch basket was never upgraded, so orther than that no break downs.

 

[erldawg]

Earl, must be something about the black cherry bikes. :2thumbs::2thumbs:

Yes :2thumbs::2thumbs:

 

[Brew]

Pretty good luck since purchase in 2008. Only trouble I had was a bad batch of gas that I purchased at the local Chevron station. Other than that, only normal ware and tare... :2thumbs: