Of people that have a PDM installed, how is it performing"

[Fibersnake]

Oh the few that have a PDM installed, either retro or original, trying to get an idea of how it has been performing so far.

If you have one, please indicate was an original BDM install, one you did your self or had some do. Also mileage on it so far, if problems please give a little info on such.

Thanks

 

[Fibersnake]

Oh for me I put one, got a few miles on it and no issues. Installed myself, but need to put many more miles on it to be sure.

 

[Mickeetwo]

I've got one on my 06 K9. Installed by Rodney's in Little Rock (Former BDM dealer) Have done about 200 miles. No problems so far.

 

[minermark]

Just came from citrus heights indian cycles, don and i discussed it and pretty much sold me on the PDM installed, a grand, give or take, so we shall see, lookin like 4 weeks out . its going to be a long month......

Owning this for just 6 months w/10k miles already on it, at least one electrical problem a month, and three trips home on a AAA flatbed,yeah im pretty well pissed at this point so it's worth a grand to make things right.
Option #2 throw it in the sacramento river and call it stolden.....

 

[05 old dog]

no issues but ive only got 300 mi on it...damn winter...self installed and wiring scares me to death...

 

[Mickeetwo]

no issues but ive only got 300 mi on it...damn winter...self installed and wiring scares me to death...

Don't let 05 old dog fool you.....Billy got some skills when it comes to the dog. If he lived closer to me I would bug him to death.

 

[Bushpilot]

Does all the electronics work on the bike after you install this? I am hearing it messes with the turn signals.

 

[05 old dog]

you simply have to manual turn signals on and off...sometimes i feel like a blue hair when i look down 5 blocks and see blink blink blink...

 

[Fibersnake]

The self canceling turn feature and emergency flasher will not work with the PDM. Much the same as most other bikes out there. Though I did enjoy that feature and it would have been nice if they could have kept them. That said, maybe technical reason why they didn't.

If the PDM will give me many miles without issues, I can live without that feature. Hopefully that will be the case, so far 500 miles on mine and no major issues. There was a bad fitting on the doubled up wire to the speed sensor, but got that taken care of quickly and now everthing is looking real good.

Oh just to clarify the double wire for speed sensor to PDM came about yesterday after I had done a little cleaning up on the wire managment. Previously it was making contact, but just moving it around found the weak connector and appeared to be due to trying to crame two wire into one pin that was small and maybe not getting both to get continuity. A simple removal of the JST connectors and hard wiring the sensor wires with soldering and proper twist, shrink wrap on each and then bigger on set, took care of the problem. figuring not needing to change out the speed sensor too often anyway and if I did, would most likely need to hard wire anyway or add a connector.

BDPP if you are reading this, may want to get with your suppliers and have them make sure that the double wire into one pin are very solid, a little tighter QC on their part will only help improve the product if it does show to be a good bet.

Happy with mine so far, but not quiet ready to give it the 5 star approval without seeing many more real world miles on such.

 

[bdmridgeback]

It's funny that BDM didn't leave the self cancelling turns or 4 ways on the PDM but they did leave the shitty voltage sensing, auto change, headlight feature in case the low or high beam burns out. (Or, so you can't put any other choice of a headlight in your bike!)

...Some of the shit BDM comes up with. Hell even most Jap bikes have self cancelling signals.

 

[Fibersnake]

It's funny that BDM didn't leave the self cancelling turns or 4 ways on the PDM but they did leave the shitty voltage sensing, auto change, headlight feature in case the low or high beam burns out. (Or, so you can't put any other choice of a headlight in your bike!)

...Some of the shit BDM comes up with. Hell even most Jap bikes have self cancelling signals.

Not sure what you mean you cannot put in any other choice of headlight in. The bulb is a standard halogene. To the best of my knowledge you can put any of those in without a problem, now maybe there is some issue with HID, but then again Big Dog is not the only that has had issue with such kits and from reading some of the post of even the ones you sell that have been used with Wire Plus, there has been issues.

Not saying the the PDM is the cure all or even the best, still to be determined, but to the best of my knowledge no issue with headlight unless possibly changing to HID and that is not just a Big Dog Problem, especially with non OEM direct fit kits.

Yes some JAP Bikes have self cancling feature and it would have been nice if they could have stayed with such. Still in fairness not all do and hell I have a 2009 Buell that does not. Still will agree that it would have been nice and if one really wants one, it can be converted with some third part stuff.

As far as shitty crap that BD comes up with, that is opinion and not a fact. True it could be found to be a fact, but for now it is just an opinion and I for one do not agree with you.

You sale Wire PLus and have helped many people on here and I thank you for such, however the constant calling other things crap without any real information is BS and as stated before. Many folks haver been very happy with the WP and I do salute you for helping so many with installs and trying to resolve some issue and from other post on here, you support the product more than the Manufacture has recently. All said though, based on post here, there has been some issues with some of the WP, some maybe install, some maybe other factors, but some issues nonetheless.

I wish you no ill will and must emphasize that you have helped many and continue to do so, but the constant trend of everything is crap or the installers are screwing up, IMHO does make me feel most of your post in regards to other products is not just part of making sure to protect your sales.

Only thing I suggest is let the product speak for themselves and if one is a piece of crap, the actually product placment will determine.


I have one, and so far it is very good and no major issues and the ones I have were due to poor connectors which I was able to figure quickly and troubleshoot in no time. Not too thrilled with that and do hope that BDPP gets with their supplier and push a higher QC on some of those terminal connections. Now to be honest, the whole thing may bite the big one tomorrow and if it does on my end, I will be sure to post such. But for now it is to be determined and for me it seems to be working out.

Best to you and appreciate if you can clarify your statement for to the best of my knowledge, you can install any headlight or similar types without any issue, HID is another matter all together and as stated such is not limited to BD or PDM and easily searched on many motorcycle forums of common issues with retro-fit kits for HID. Of course I replied to a thread on that before that other can search (assuming it was not deleted) and educate themselves.

Disclaimer, I have no dog in this hunt, do not sell PDM, get any freebies from BG, do not sell Headlight Kits or anything else, just trying to pass on accurate information and my real experience to other forumn members to try to help them out.

 

[stlmikie]

Jake. When I flamed you the otherday I was flat out wrong. And I apologize. I flamed you publicly so I will apologize publicly. After reading Fibers post I understood what point I was trying to make. I was hot and am not nearly as eloquent as Fiber either. No need to beat up big dog. Everyone knows the strengths and weaknesses. The wire plus is a great product from what I read and hear. Your costumer service is second to none for the most part. Let it sell itself. And members that are happy with the way things have panned out will do your work for you.

I'm sorry for that flame Jake.

 

[BBChopper]

Not sure what you mean you cannot put in any other choice of headlight in. The bulb is a standard halogene. To the best of my knowledge you can put any of those in without a problem, now maybe there is some issue with HID, but then again Big Dog is not the only that has had issue with such kits and from reading some of the post of even the ones you sell that have been used with Wire Plus, there has been issues.

Not saying the the PDM is the cure all or even the best, still to be determined, but to the best of my knowledge no issue with headlight unless possibly changing to HID and that is not just a Big Dog Problem, especially with non OEM direct fit kits.

Yes some JAP Bikes have self cancling feature and it would have been nice if they could have stayed with such. Still in fairness not all do and hell I have a 2009 Buell that does not. Still will agree that it would have been nice and if one really wants one, it can be converted with some third part stuff.

As far as shitty crap that BD comes up with, that is opinion and not a fact. True it could be found to be a fact, but for now it is just an opinion and I for one do not agree with you.

You sale Wire PLus and have helped many people on here and I thank you for such, however the constant calling other things crap without any real information is BS and as stated before. Many folks haver been very happy with the WP and I do salute you for helping so many with installs and trying to resolve some issue and from other post on here, you support the product more than the Manufacture has recently. All said though, based on post here, there has been some issues with some of the WP, some maybe install, some maybe other factors, but some issues nonetheless.

I wish you no ill will and must emphasize that you have helped many and continue to do so, but the constant trend of everything is crap or the installers are screwing up, IMHO does make me feel most of your post in regards to other products is not just part of making sure to protect your sales.

Only thing I suggest is let the product speak for themselves and if one is a piece of crap, the actually product placment will determine.


I have one, and so far it is very good and no major issues and the ones I have were due to poor connectors which I was able to figure quickly and troubleshoot in no time. Not too thrilled with that and do hope that BDPP gets with their supplier and push a higher QC on some of those terminal connections. Now to be honest, the whole thing may bite the big one tomorrow and if it does on my end, I will be sure to post such. But for now it is to be determined and for me it seems to be working out.

Best to you and appreciate if you can clarify your statement for to the best of my knowledge, you can install any headlight or similar types without any issue, HID is another matter all together and as stated such is not limited to BD or PDM and easily searched on many motorcycle forums of common issues with retro-fit kits for HID. Of course I replied to a thread on that before that other can search (assuming it was not deleted) and educate themselves.

Disclaimer, I have no dog in this hunt, do not sell PDM, get any freebies from BG, do not sell Headlight Kits or anything else, just trying to pass on accurate information and my real experience to other forumn members to try to help them out.

Well put!!!!

 

[bdmridgeback]

fiber...Had a K9 250 in the shop two weeks ago (factory PDM kit in this bike). Customer wanted more headlight. Stuck a Hid kit in, and just like some select bikes with the EHC still in them, turn on the key and the headlight automatically switches to high beam and bike will not start. Pulled the kit, and for kicks, had a 80/100 watt high output H4 Bulb I wanted to see if customer would be happy with, have used them before. Stuck it in, turned on the key, same thing, no start. Put stock wattage H4 back in and all was good. Just to show the customer, I had a 2006 mastiff sitting here with a hid kit in it and the ehc still in it without issue.

I was just saying... if BDM was going as far to build the PDM kit
to fix all the electrical issues in the bike, they could have left the damn voltage/draw monitor crap out of the headlight circuit to eliminate the issues they have had in that part of the bike as well, but they didn't.

I only choose to sell the wire plus, because I know it is the best... I have worked with both. I know how the PDM is built, who builds it and what it has built into it and know it isn't worth the $600 that they are selling them for.

HERE IS MY RANT...
BDM sold all of us, that bought our bikes new, a $30k+ bike, of which we paid for the piece of shit over priced EHC in it. Now, these ehc's fail to work in 50% of all bikes and in half of those bikes it has taken 3 or 4 ehc's in them to get right. Now BDM comes out with this fix for these broke bikes and calls it the PDM. Instead of selling it for $250, $350 or even $400, like they could, they have this thing priced at $500-$600. OK...fine, but at that price it better be a 100% fix all! ... but it isn't, it has issues and it isn't right that they are marketing this kit this way. AND anyone that doesn't feel this way...obviously doesn't care, or bought their bike used at $10k with the intent to invest money to make it right.

There... that is the only thing I have against the pdm. And if tomorrow I quit selling the wire plus product, I will always feel this way and tell everyone to buy wire plus because it is the only true fix worth the money it is sold for. I am not a salesman...I am a very, very honest person just trying to make EVERYONE happy, ask anyone that has carried on a phone conversation with me.

 

[KnotSo]

Not sure why you are posting your rant on a poll for "OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE A PDM INSTALLED, HOW IS IT PERFORMING" unless it is to push a product you prefer and sell.

ehc's fail to work in 50% of all bikes

However, that is a pretty bold statement and wonder where you get your facts from and where we can see this for ourselves to verify? 14000+ Big Dog motorcycles have had their ehc fail at least once? In your own POLL of the (only) 535 people who voted, almost 58% are running the original ehc. Not 50% is it? So of the 28700 plus bikes produced it is hard to see where the 50% figure comes from. Now perhaps it has been your experience and from talking to others and estimating and so one, but I would love to see that 50% figure written somewhere / anywhere else. Then there is the statement

in half of those bikes it has taken 3 or 4 ehc's in them to get right

, to which you figure over 7500 motorcycles have had 3 or 4 replaced? No denying the ehc has not lived up to expectations in all motorcycles and without seeing these numbers listed elsewhere, I seriously doubt your numbers are accurate..
Toss up a link to these numbers you tossed out.

 

[KnotSo]

Not sure why you are posting your rant on a poll for "OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE A PDM INSTALLED, HOW IS IT PERFORMING" unless it is to push a product you prefer and sell.


However, that is a pretty bold statement and wonder where you get your facts from and where we can see this for ourselves to verify? 14000+ Big Dog motorcycles have had their ehc fail at least once? In your own POLL of the (only) 535 people who voted, almost 58% are running the original ehc. Not 50% is it? So of the 28700 plus bikes produced it is hard to see where the 50% figure comes from. Now perhaps it has been your experience and from talking to others and estimating and so one, but I would love to see that 50% figure written somewhere / anywhere else. Then there is the statement , to which you figure over 7500 motorcycles have had 3 or 4 replaced? No denying the ehc has not lived up to expectations in all motorcycles and without seeing these numbers listed elsewhere, I seriously doubt your numbers are accurate..
Toss up a link to these numbers you tossed out.

PS: Saving a copy of this thread in case it disappears so it can be re-posted.

 

[Fibersnake]

Jake,

I will take your word on the voltage sensing bulb and issue with PDM. But without knowing, if BDM did install a load circuit that sense the headlight on the PDM like the original EHC, I guess that they did so trying to make it has near to original function as possible. Why they did so, not sure, but could be they may be trying to protect the circuit from, in the case you referenced, a way overloaded and illegal bulb. I mean 80/100 watt for MC is not DOT approved and since the amperage on the high side is 80% greater than the design draw, such could be an issues.

So yes based on your experience may not allow one to put in a headlight bulb that they wish, but to clarify my understanding with the new information, as far as I know BDM will use any Headligth bulb with no problems as long as such is within the design of the systems and DOT approval. So maybe hooking up a set of Ciba 500 watt halogen may not be a good idea.

I am not sure why the original was an issue either, headlight worked fine as design and yes if you had a low go out it went to high and gave indication of the problem and to the best of my knowledge, to fix such was just a matter of replacing with a proper sized new bulb.

As far as pricing goes, have no idea of what their cost is, so hard to judge if they are overpriced or not. So anything along those area are just as you said rant, not facts. Now I will say that they are comparable to the WP you sell. Now what to do you get with the PDM that the WP does not give you, well you do get a whole new wiring harness, as well as controls, PDM that simple fuses and relays to protect the circuits, somewhat simple system for troubleshooting, etc.

The WP; and I do not want to lead anyone to beleave I think WP is POS, for I do not know and many are happy with it, however you do not get a wiring harness, have a few extra relays to take care some of the functions, does not have simple fuses and relays and cost as much and requires much more time to install and leave even more potential headaches in the install due to all the field made connection that need to be done.

So cost factors seem to be a little off unless you know of the cost to make, sell and know the overhead and profits. Do not know for a fact and I am not going to come on here had say otherwise, but if one was to break down what it takes to make a WP, it would most likely be fair to ask why they cost so much too.


So for me, the only issue which is not an issue is the loss of self cancleing turn singals and to be truthful a few minor connection issue which were quickly fixed and found.

The same philosphy could be in fairness just based on forumn user comments on many threads and post here as well as the poll, could be applied to the WP. I mean there has been more than one that has had issue with the hand controls, HID install, etc. Does that make WP 100% for post and numbers show different.

On you break down of numbers, they do not add up as Knotso has pointed out.

Personal experience with EHC, my only true failure on one was not due to EHC but short on wire that took it and battery out. Headlight was the same, had one burned out, put in the proper sized one for it and had no problems.

If the PDM fails me and does not hold up for the long term, the next will be ole skoll and that way I have no concern with any systems.

 

[bdmridgeback]

PS: Saving a copy of this thread in case it disappears so it can be re-posted.

I bet you BDM has sold twice as many EHC's as they have 04-11 bikes built!

OK, and notice I removed my links below, so you can't bitch about me advertising in a post,
even though I pay to do so! (oh..and I did not vote in this poll)

 

[Fibersnake]

I bet you BDM has sold twice as many EHC's as they have 04-11 bikes built!

OK, and notice I removed my links below, so you can't bitch about me advertising in a post,
even though I pay to do so!

Very possible, but you nor I have insight to those numbers. Of course lets be honest, many of the EHC that were replaced were not bad to begin with. Not trying to say EHC were great, but it is well know that allot of the problems that were attributed to the EHC, were not directly due to EHC failures.

Hell there is and was shops that would change those out like candy due to not being able to do basic troubleshooting. Unfortunately that is not just limited to EHC either for there is many shops out there that IMHO are just parts changers (like many of the automotive shops today) that keep leading a customer for new parts until the problem goes away (all at a profit too).

No one that I know was asking you to remove your banner. You are a supporting member and that is good. You sell a product and support such product and that is good also and have help many member out with issues. Salute you for such,

For me, the biggest issue, is that you seem to bash anything else with heresay, skewed numbers, limited facts and to be truthful anyone that does such, makes me shy. In fairness though you have done good for many, so let the products speak for themselve. No need to oversale a good product by constant put down of alternative. If the alternative is truly crap, the product will show so.

I am not the sharpest tool in the shed, but will say that I am a ME, specialize in critical facilites (that involve UPS, DC plants, PLC processes, CRAC, Genset, swithgear and many many other systems to keep something running 24/7 with no failures) and have close to 40 years turning wrenchs for a living or overseeing other that do, so from my limited experience, I have seen many shops rip off customer with poor work and problems that get missed due to proper trouble shooting and hacks working on such.

I am sure many of the EHC failures were do such as stated above. Will say though IMHO it was a good design systems that was not built for the enviroment it was used for. But the basic of the design are solid but maybe better on a airplance and not something that is exposed to all the enviroment, constantly being vibrated, etc.

 

[Mickeetwo]

I've only had the PDM in for a couple hundred miles, so really can't say if its great or a piece of crap yet. If I have trouble with the PDM I will let everyone know. And trust me if its going to happen it will happen to me. As far as the EHC goes I had the updated EHC installled in my dog in 2006. I got 5 years and almost 20,000 miles out of it and it was still working when removed. Nothing wrong with my EHC, still got it on the shelf.