Predictable Problems and the Pragmatism of The Well-Informed

bruce · May 11, 2013

I think some of the earlier bikes, had more problem. I have 2006 K9 about 40000 miles and very few problems. remember most of the problem you hear on this site are a small percentage, they are looking for help to fix there bikes. I think if you do get a bigdog, make sure to also get a shop manual, S&S manual on engine, and the info on carb. which you can print off S&S website for free. that is if you get one with a carburetor. almost all the problem I had were in the early days, when I had other people working on it.

erldawg · May 11, 2013

bruce said:
I think some of the earlier bikes, had more problem. I have 2006 K9 about 40000 miles and very few problems. remember most of the problem you hear on this site are a small percentage, they are looking for help to fix there bikes. I think if you do get a bigdog, make sure to also get a shop manual, S&S manual on engine, and the info on carb. which you can print off S&S website for free. that is if you get one with a carburetor. almost all the problem I had were in the early days, when I had other people working on it.

I would agree with Bruce. My K9 had 19550 miles on it with no electrical problems. If you keep an eye on maintenance and catch any potential problems first you'll ride longer and farther.

ground pounder · May 11, 2013

I have a 2009 efi k-9 and had only a problem of the engine control module when it was new and been great ever since. Have about 12,500 on it!!!

Mr. Wright · May 11, 2013

I have a 03 chopper I store for a guy in my shop. It has been rode hard, rode wet, put up wet, power washed, he doesn't warm it up before he rides it. It's been on a half dozen rode trips to the east coast, and gulf coast. It is very seldom on a battery tender, and I wouldn't hesatate to jump on it right now and ride it on an Iorn Butt run. And it doesn't leak a drop of oil. (knock on Wood). My guess is it wasn't built on Monday or Friday.

mzinna · May 12, 2013

All I can say is, I purchased a Big Dog Mutt '08 brand new and have not had a single issue with it to date. I now have 22,000 miles on it and have only had it in the shop for routine maintenance ie..tires, oil changes, tune ups, 10,000 mile checkup...upgrades... but no issues with the bike whatsoever!!

Love my Dog!!! :2thumbs:

DynoDave · May 12, 2013

zenBD said:
Hey guys... As some of you know, I've been searching for the perfect Bull Dog K9 to take home. I have read tons about these bikes, and I have solicited advice from the patrons of this forum. I am grateful for all of the information and insight I have received, as well as the neighborly offerings...from where to find a lead, to offering to check out potential buys that are far from my house.

Throughout all of this, I have learned that there are quite a few afflictions that have plagued these beautiful bikes throughout the years: Computer/electrical problems, tank liner problems, frame stability issues, etc. although I know that the forum can cause each probelm to seem more far-reaching and pervasive( you dont hear as much from the guys with bikes that dont have them), they do concern me.

I am wondering if anyone knows if there is a cut-off year when these problems (by-and-large) have been resolved. I thought it might have been 2008, but since then I am sure I have read about 08 electrical problems. Could it be 2009? Do even the 2010-2011 years exhibit these issues?

Like the unicorn.......the perfect motorcycle doesn't exist!
That's my Zen wisdom for the day!

BigDogRick · May 12, 2013

I have had my Vintage for 13 years and started out riding it long, hard, rain or shine. I stored it for the winter in a horse barn in Michigan for three years in a row, have power washed it a couple hundred times, have had to store in Florida twice, once under a tarp in Phoenix, all with my mechanic at least 1200 miles away when something went wrong. I relied on the best v-twin shop I could find and have only had those electrical issues that go with wear and tear (battery, stator, coil, ignition key switch, regulator) - still have the original module. I have had my share of "stuff" go wrong and will admit I was the fortunate benefactor of a zealous warranty enforcement by Mike at SW V-Twin in Grand Rapids, MI for the first two years. Getting ready to fly to Phoenix to ride her up here to Wisconsin in four days and do not have a doubt in my mind I will make that trip without significant issue for the sixth time. So... seems to me the cut-off date is sometime in 1998.

Srodden · May 13, 2013

BigDogRick said:
I have had my Vintage for 13 years and started out riding it long, hard, rain or shine. I stored it for the winter in a horse barn in Michigan for three years in a row, have power washed it a couple hundred times, have had to store in Florida twice, once under a tarp in Phoenix, all with my mechanic at least 1200 miles away when something went wrong. I relied on the best v-twin shop I could find and have only had those electrical issues that go with wear and tear (battery, stator, coil, ignition key switch, regulator) - still have the original module. I have had my share of "stuff" go wrong and will admit I was the fortunate benefactor of a zealous warranty enforcement by Mike at SW V-Twin in Grand Rapids, MI for the first two years. Getting ready to fly to Phoenix to ride her up here to Wisconsin in four days and do not have a doubt in my mind I will make that trip without significant issue for the sixth time. So... seems to me the cut-off date is sometime in 1998.

Love that cutoff date :bang::2thumbs::roll::loony: my 05 mastiff has not given me any issues.

Relic · May 13, 2013

I've got 2 Dogs & I'm very happy with both. With that said, if you had to label a certain year as being a "problem child", it would be the 05's & early 06's.

Lots of changes were made in 05 & it took it took a while for some things to get worked out.

jjarkys · May 13, 2013

Mr. Wright said:
My guess is it wasn't built on Monday or Friday.

Whole lot of truth in that statement.

Wills67 · May 13, 2013

Someone else would have to chime in about the correct year, but the "older" bikes with the 107's, like my '04 Mastiff, didn't have to meet all the EPA stuff. They already have hotter cams and such. So, if you are looking for performance out of the box, you might want to look at that. That said, the later year bikes went to RSD and fatter back tires and do have more styling. Hmmmm choices, choices

CurtK · May 13, 2013

My thoughts

I think most of the problems with Big Dog bikes are the guys that removed there reflectors and down-tube stickers.:roll:

I thought the same thing when I started looking for my BigDog. Questioned the issues that I read here on the forum. Someone here once said which I thought was good wisdom. The more you change stuff on your bike the more stuff can go wrong. Lots of guys attempted to modify there bikes and ended up causing problems.

Do as I did and find yourself a bike that is still stock with no mods and you should be good to go. I have not had any issues with my '07 K9 since my purchase 2 years ago.

And remember, do not remove reflectors/down-tube stickers..:lol:

Curt

BWG56 · May 14, 2013

I purchased mine on looks alone, didn't know anything about the company or this forum before I pulled the trigger. A little PM goes a long way, polish n change oil, ride, polish n change a tire, ride, polish n new cam, ride, polish n new pipes, ride, change head light bulb, polish n ride n ride n ride.
How many people don't have problems and don't post. :whoop:

Wills67 · May 14, 2013

Yup. I think I have suggested before; pick the style you like then pick a paint scheme you like. The rest is a lot easier to deal with if you love the look of the bike.

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