Hate It or Love It!

[Keith S]

I am with everyone else here. I love my Big Dog. That being said, I have done my fair share of wrenching on it. I enjoy the time I spend working on it (mostly). This forum and the group of people on it are fantastic. If I need help, a quick post and my questions are answered and explained. I try to repay that with helping others, but I always feel like I have received more than I have given.

 

[JeffM]

If you think working on your Dog and forking out greenbacks to keep it on the road in a country that has easy access to parts and mechanics is hard work.
Spare a thought for the rest of us scattered throughtout the world and in love with our Dogs.
We rely on the good members and vendors on this here forum, wrenching it ourselves is the ONLY option.
I for one don't mind getting my fingers dirty, figuring out how this and that works, and cursing the idiot that invented something i can't fix.
I enjoy. getting a beer from the cooler, turning up the tunes, draining the oil, adjusting the clutch or sitting polishing something. I find it quite therapeutic after a streesfull day at work.
I doubt i will sell my K-9, unless it is to get another.

 

[BadDawg Bill]

I have built many bikes in my time and this 2004 chopper is the first bike I have ever bought built by someone else. I love the looks of it, the S&S 107 motor, Baker 6 speed, the custom wheels and tank. I love to ride it. It reminds me of the 1999 chopper I built and never should have sold.

The downside for me is the priority parts BD used. Since they are out of business this worries me. I have bought some extra parts on Ebay to stock up on but I can't afford them all. I bought a set of handle bars and I'm going to customize them to come back about 2" more and have 1" grips so I can use stock Harley parts. I put a wire-plus system in it, Crane ign, Curtis LED headlight bulb (hey Curtis send it to me) and next week a 3.5 belt drive is going on.

I hope all the changes makes it more reliable because I really LOVE this bike and I didn't even build it!

 

[dba777]

I have built many bikes in my time and this 2004 chopper is the first bike I have ever bought built by someone else. I love the looks of it, the S&S 107 motor, Baker 6 speed, the custom wheels and tank. I love to ride it. It reminds me of the 1999 chopper I built and never should have sold.

The downside for me is the priority parts BD used. Since they are out of business this worries me. I have bought some extra parts on Ebay to stock up on but I can't afford them all. I bought a set of handle bars and I'm going to customize them to come back about 2" more and have 1" grips so I can use stock Harley parts. I put a wire-plus system in it, Crane ign, Curtis LED headlight bulb (hey Curtis send it to me) and next week a 3.5 belt drive is going on.

I hope all the changes makes it more reliable because I really LOVE this bike and I didn't even build it!

*****

Overtime parts for BD will become a scarce commodity. I am also seriously considering stocking up on some parts just in case. There were number of chopper manufacturers such as American IronHorse and Bourget that went out of business in a recent years, and left its bike owners stranded. Were most of the parts for Big Dog manufactured by Big Dog or supplied by vendors?

 

[Tomtang aka Reptilejim]

Honda spoiled me as far as working on all aspects of a bike. I've always did the brakes, cables, tires and some carbs. Purchased an 06 Ridgeback in 09, that's when all hell broke loose as far as working on a bike is concerned. But I quickly got in the groove, because the average bike mechanics can't seem to do the right thing. I've only used a mechanic one time and I don't regret it. The counter-shaft bolt had broken. I took my bike to Strokers in Dallas and got with Gene Slater. They did a great job. But before I contacted anyone I contacted (bigdogtech1) but he was making some career moves at the time and could not help me. Since then I've had a series of things to happen but I take my own time and repair them. As a matter of fact, as we speak I've installed the RIP Electronic Module from KMW and also the Thunderheart Programable Ign. Ask me why I do this shit. Because I Love this bike. I always wanted a chopper now I have it. I thought a chick turned her head all the way around looking at my bike. Lol. There's some great information on this forum and some great guys guys to help you when you need it the most. I'll be up and running in a few days! I learned everything I know about Bigdogs from these guys on this forum. Later

 

[FrankBDPS]

Well said Marvin. They are special machines and the guys who own them are special also.

 

[ChopperJeff]

Hey Big Dog Forum,
I want to post this to a forum to share my experience owning a Big Dog and want to hear your experience owning a Big Dog.

I own 2008 Big Dog Ridgeback, had this bike for about 3 years now. I absolutely fell in love with the design of a Big Dog and Bourget choppers after seeing one at the bike show. A wide 330 tire and 9 ft. frame w/ extended fork is an attention catcher; bike turns heads everywhere I go. Sometimes it’s even too much attention. People want to take pictures with it; tourists snap photos every time I ride this beast downtown @ magnificent mile. Loud Vance & Hines 2-1 exhaust announces arrival better than any siren. To me bike looks absolutely stunning.

To keep Ridgeback at its best, I baby the bike, and meticulously maintain it to keep it in the finest possible condition. Chrome is polished, and cleaned. Paint has fresh coat of wax protectant. I keep maintenance religiously up to date, oil change once a year etc... Looking back over 15 years of owning and riding motorcycles, I haven't spent and dedicated so much attention to any of my earlier bikes. Today bike runs perfectly as a fine machine.

On the other hand, over 3 years of ownership, I had quite a few issues with the bike. In 2013 transmission went bad, could not get it in neutral or into high gear. Over the term of a year, had 3 different professional mechanics to repair it. After nearly 1k spends between mechanics in labor and part, I finally had transmission removed and send to manufacturer - Baker Drivetrain. Total rebuild w/ installation came out to be 2K. Overall 3K spends on transmission. In 2012 break cables went bad, replaced front, rear and acceleration cables. In 2013, rear brakes misaligned causing a pads and disks to overheat. Replaced front/rear pads. Same year, after inspection mechanic located 2 engine mount bolts missing. Small things keep falling apart such as two suction cups for rider seat fell off. Passenger peg support bracket tends to become loose after few hundred miles. Battery went bad, replaced. Today a speedometer plastic reset button fell off. Many other things I had to fix, tune-up, adjust and replace over the years. Thanks God (knocking on a wood) S&S engine still running w/ no issues. Overall I feel like bike is falling apart and I am constantly on the lookout if anything else will break.

A Big Dog is not a cheap toy considering a price tag of 25K+, bike looks amazing, but mechanically it feels to be such a shitty designed machine. It’s a motorcycle that I want to keep in the garage just to look at, and not to ride it. I am tired and frustrated of constantly fixing it and waiting what else will fall off the bike or will break.

Yesterday I went to Honda dealer, and test rode Goldwing F6B model. Honestly guys, as much as I love Big Dog, I really enjoyed a ride on F6B. I realize there is no comparison to Ridgeback, but it was a pleasant test ride. Comfortable ride, powerful engine and its reliable. But its not an attention catcher, and no wow factor with F6B.

It feels like a crazy love affair, I love the Big Dog bikes, but hate the fact there is always something to fix.

What is your experience with Big Dog bikes? Love it or hate it?

Feeling the same way now with my used 2007 K9. Within months of buying it, spent just over 3 grand due to the transmission seal leaking, bad wheel bearing, and bad ring gear bearing that all needing replacing…and a new starter. Oh, and the exhaust bracket broke and needing welding.
Then the clutch cable broke.
This is minor, but the sissy bar came loose as a result of one of the boots being broken. Replaced the bolts.
Then, within 5 months, the clutch cable broke AGAIN! And, AGAIN, the exhaust bracket broke.
Just about a week ago, the odometer stopped working. Still troubleshooting that.
The sissy bar is again loose, and it appears a bolt broke AGAIN.

As much as I love riding a chopper, I’m beginning to think I just need a bike I can trust, and not be repairing every other week!

Problem is, it’s not just a weekend joyride type of a bike, as I commute to work with it that is about 50 miles round trip, so I’m putting about 1000 miles a month on it.

So yeah, I feel your pain!

 

[Mickmorris]

Feeling the same way now with my used 2007 K9. Within months of buying it, spent just over 3 grand due to the transmission seal leaking, bad wheel bearing, and bad ring gear bearing that all needing replacing…and a new starter. Oh, and the exhaust bracket broke and needing welding.
Then the clutch cable broke.
This is minor, but the sissy bar came loose as a result of one of the boots being broken. Replaced the bolts.
Then, within 5 months, the clutch cable broke AGAIN! And, AGAIN, the exhaust bracket broke.
Just about a week ago, the odometer stopped working. Still troubleshooting that.
The sissy bar is again loose, and it appears a bolt broke AGAIN.

As much as I love riding a chopper, I’m beginning to think I just need a bike I can trust, and not be repairing every other week!

Problem is, it’s not just a weekend joyride type of a bike, as I commute to work with it that is about 50 miles round trip, so I’m putting about 1000 miles a month on it.

So yeah, I feel your pain!

But… you are the coolest commuter on the road when you are on it. BigDog Motorcycles are awesome & need attention by the owner. I think it’s definitely worth the extra effort & cost. Like HMAN says “Being Cool Ain’t Cheap”! Hope you keep your Dog!

 

[HMAN]

Think of it this way. You can drive a Bug and get from point A to point B. OR, you can drive a Corvette and get from the same 2 points. As always, ur choice. Bigdogs are like old school muscle cars. A blast to drive but you gonna work on them. Perhaps parts from another manufacturer may last longer? I get it, Id rather ride than wrench but with a Dog its unavoidable. Just part of owership and Mick is 100%, Cool aint cheap. But its a whole lotta fun!

Edit: dont forget the loctite when replacing parts. Helps keep stuff from falling off.

 

[ChopperJeff]

But… you are the coolest commuter on the road when you are on it. BigDog Motorcycles are awesome & need attention by the owner. I think it’s definitely worth the extra effort & cost. Like HMAN says “Being Cool Ain’t Cheap”! Hope you keep your Dog!

Yeah, got to admit that it‘s fun being the coolest commuter as I head to work. But, aside from the coolness factor, there is something about riding a chopper style bike, as the feeling is more like being IN the bike rather than ON the bike. Hope that makes sense. I mean, the low seat height and the tank and bars coming up in front of you gives you the feeling you are down in the bike. I love the long rake too.

 

[ChopperJeff]

Think of it this way. You can drive a Bug and get from point A to point B. OR, you can drive a Corvette and get from the same 2 points. As always, ur choice. Bigdogs are like old school muscle cars. A blast to drive but you gonna work on them. Perhaps parts from another manufacturer may last longer? I get it, Id rather ride than wrench but with a Dog its unavoidable. Just part of owership and Mick is 100%, Cool aint cheap. But its a whole lotta fun!

Edit: dont forget the loctite when replacing parts. Helps keep stuff from falling off.

Yep, it is fun, and it’s fun that I just wouldn’t get with a non-chopper style bike.

 

[Snuffy]

Yeah, got to admit that it‘s fun being the coolest commuter as I head to work. But, aside from the coolness factor, there is something about riding a chopper style bike, as the feeling is more like being IN the bike rathe than ON the bike. Hope that makes sense. I mean, the low seat height and the tank and bars coming up in front of you gives you the feeling you are down in the bike. I love the long rake too.

I know exactly what you mean. That’s what I tell people when they ask how it is riding a chopper. You feel like you’re a part of the bike instead of sitting on top of it. I honestly don’t like riding anything else since my first chopper back 15 years ago. Endure the drawbacks because the rewards are so much better. Good luck

 

[lowrider47]

Love my 03 chopper, yes I have had problems with it but being 77 years old it gives me something to do! I also have two Harley.s that have also given me much greater problems.

 

[Snuffy]

I have a sticker on my helmet that says it all. “ If it has tires or tits it’s gonna give you trouble” wouldn’t want to be without either one tho.

 

[Snuffy]

Hell there’s many things in life we spend a lot of money on just for enjoyment. But you can’t ride your wife for two hours and still have a smile on your face. My point is if you do the math the percentage of money spent on your bike is minimal compared to other things in your life you don’t get as much enjoyment from. So ride it like you stole it, the hell with the little bit of money it cost, you can’t take it with you and enjoy your life. Safe travels everyone

 

[SKOGDOG]

Sounds like a great idea, Snuffy. As a matter of fact Blacktopper and I (and 2 HD riders) are leaving for Dallas, Houston and Galveston tomorrow!! Planning to visit Strokers and see Rick Fairless—then on to Galveston and great rides there and of course fresh seafood(hard to come by in NW Arkansas haha

 

[Mickmorris]

Sounds like a great idea, Snuffy. As a matter of fact Blacktopper and I (and 2 HD riders) are leaving for Dallas, Houston and Galveston tomorrow!! Planning to visit Strokers and see Rick Fairless—then on to Galveston and great rides there and of course fresh seafood(hard to come by in NW Arkansas haha

You & Roger are truly living BigDog Legends. Your adventures together are amazing & I certainly look forward to your pics & travel updates. Hope you all have a Great & Safe ride to Texas!

 

[SKOGDOG]

Well Mr. Murphy came calling—-Went out to finish packing this morning and found a flat back tire—filled it up and found a small screw in the tire. Don’t know The service locations here very well yet so I had to make a few calls, but should have it back on the road by noon tomorrow. Good thing you guys taught me how to work on the damn thing………and thanks to Paul Knowles for the nifty rear wheel aligment tool.

 

[ChopperJeff]

Hell there’s many things in life we spend a lot of money on just for enjoyment. But you can’t ride your wife for two hours and still have a smile on your face. My point is if you do the math the percentage of money spent on your bike is minimal compared to other things in your life you don’t get as much enjoyment from. So ride it like you stole it, the hell with the little bit of money it cost, you can’t take it with you and enjoy your life. Safe travels everyone

WOW! Excellent points!
It's like my one friend was telling me, in that I could spend way more money on a brand new, reliable Indian motorcycle cycle, which is what I've been toying with getting, but then again, why not spend the few hundred dollars here and there to keep my Big Dog running, and in the long run, save money AND have the enjoyment of riding a chopper!

 

[LittleMike]

Hey Big Dog Forum,
I want to post this to a forum to share my experience owning a Big Dog and want to hear your experience owning a Big Dog.

I own 2008 Big Dog Ridgeback, had this bike for about 3 years now. I absolutely fell in love with the design of a Big Dog and Bourget choppers after seeing one at the bike show. A wide 330 tire and 9 ft. frame w/ extended fork is an attention catcher; bike turns heads everywhere I go. Sometimes it’s even too much attention. People want to take pictures with it; tourists snap photos every time I ride this beast downtown @ magnificent mile. Loud Vance & Hines 2-1 exhaust announces arrival better than any siren. To me bike looks absolutely stunning.

To keep Ridgeback at its best, I baby the bike, and meticulously maintain it to keep it in the finest possible condition. Chrome is polished, and cleaned. Paint has fresh coat of wax protectant. I keep maintenance religiously up to date, oil change once a year etc... Looking back over 15 years of owning and riding motorcycles, I haven't spent and dedicated so much attention to any of my earlier bikes. Today bike runs perfectly as a fine machine.

On the other hand, over 3 years of ownership, I had quite a few issues with the bike. In 2013 transmission went bad, could not get it in neutral or into high gear. Over the term of a year, had 3 different professional mechanics to repair it. After nearly 1k spends between mechanics in labor and part, I finally had transmission removed and send to manufacturer - Baker Drivetrain. Total rebuild w/ installation came out to be 2K. Overall 3K spends on transmission. In 2012 break cables went bad, replaced front, rear and acceleration cables. In 2013, rear brakes misaligned causing a pads and disks to overheat. Replaced front/rear pads. Same year, after inspection mechanic located 2 engine mount bolts missing. Small things keep falling apart such as two suction cups for rider seat fell off. Passenger peg support bracket tends to become loose after few hundred miles. Battery went bad, replaced. Today a speedometer plastic reset button fell off. Many other things I had to fix, tune-up, adjust and replace over the years. Thanks God (knocking on a wood) S&S engine still running w/ no issues. Overall I feel like bike is falling apart and I am constantly on the lookout if anything else will break.

A Big Dog is not a cheap toy considering a price tag of 25K+, bike looks amazing, but mechanically it feels to be such a shitty designed machine. It’s a motorcycle that I want to keep in the garage just to look at, and not to ride it. I am tired and frustrated of constantly fixing it and waiting what else will fall off the bike or will break.

Yesterday I went to Honda dealer, and test rode Goldwing F6B model. Honestly guys, as much as I love Big Dog, I really enjoyed a ride on F6B. I realize there is no comparison to Ridgeback, but it was a pleasant test ride. Comfortable ride, powerful engine and its reliable. But its not an attention catcher, and no wow factor with F6B.

It feels like a crazy love affair, I love the Big Dog bikes, but hate the fact there is always something to fix.

What is your experience with Big Dog bikes? Love it or hate it?

That's exactly how I feel about my bike, I've been stranded once, it was EHC related, I actually bought a larger trailer so in case I do get stranded I can put it in the trailer and get her home, so I always try to make sure the trailer is empty when I go out for a bike ride cuz I may have to hook it up to the truck and go get my bike, yeah I have a couple of friends who have Honda furies and custom pipes they sound good powerful and like you say reliable and you know it'll get you home but it just doesn't look like a big dog