The first 7700 miles with BigDog Mastiff in Europe

[HotDog700]

Experience after riding BigDog Mastiff (2007) 7700 miles mostly on Spanish mounting roads and on Finnish country roads.

Unfortunately there has not been any BigDog workshop in Europe and HD dealers are reluctant to help. BigDog has finally started to build its dealer network in Europe, too, which is very good news. BDM // Big Dog Motorcycles // European importer of American Custom Motorcycles There is no dealer in Spain or in Finland, yet.

The repair history?

1. 2500 miles and I lost the kickstand somewhere during the riding when the axel nut opened by itself. Well I never liked it with its ugly external spring. I parked the bike on two two-by-four lumbers under the chassis and it stood on them very stable – I recommend this if you experience similar problem situation. I ordered new much nicer telescopic kickstand from Arlen Ness with hidden internal spring.
   
2. 5000 miles and this time exhaust system nuts were loose and that is why it broke exhaust gaskets and neoprene isolators of the muffler.
   
3. The biggest issue so far has been when two bolts of the left rear fender strut broke and I didn’t notice it early. Only during the change of the oil at 7500 miles I saw two broken bolts. So I drove for a while (or very long time based on corrosion in the intersection?) with only two bolts of the right hand side keeping the rear fender up and preventing me to sit on the rear wheel in full speed. Had I somebody sitting on the back seat this would have crashed for sure and created grande catastrophe! I cross my fingers! I noticed afterwards that there is a recall for this problem but my bike is in Europe…. It took for a while to get the two broken bolts out.

There are still problems which have been there from the very beginning: :bang:

1. The speedometer often fails to work. This is probably due to the interference of the starter confusing the controlling electronics. This happens for sure if the start is not “smooth” but makes some jerks. Well, the new start up helps.
   
2. Another problem of the speedometer is that it is not water tight and collects humidity during washings if not protected separately.
   
3. The automatic compression release valves sometimes get stuck but luckily you can release them manually before starting the engine and now I have taken this manual release as normal operation before starting.

Am I happy with my BigDog?

Well, I used to be HD fan and I still have my highly customized HD FatBoy…. but for some reason I prefer to ride BigDog. We ride mainly on Spanish mountain roads having tight curves and it surprising how well BigDog Mastiff behaves. I have to lean more than my fellow HD riders but it is nicer this way.


Do I recommend BigDog in Europe?

There have been so many people admiring my BigDog wherever I park it. For sure I recommend as soon as there is a workshop near by. :up:


Tyre replacement?

I changed Metzeler ME 880 Marathon tyres and their grip is much better than with original Avon tyres.



Lessons learned?

Check all the screws, bolts and nuts before every ride!

 

[Fibersnake]

Lessons learned?

Check all the screws, bolts and nuts before every ride!

Truer words can never be over stated!!

 

[Germanbiker]

Hi,

good to know there are BD in Europe.

I'm currently checking the US-Market to import a BD on my own. Pricing of the EU-importers are ridiculous :bang: . By today a Pitbull with base paint is 42000 $ :loony:.

The only problem is to have the BD changed to fit European laws - emissions, noise, lights, strenght of wheels & frame.......

You know, that the crazy Germans always overdo these things :loony:.

I got a 09 Rocker C in blue - nice bike, but nothing compared to a BD. And the motor is an airpump, even with stage one and Thundermax.

I'm not sure whether I will go for a K9 (real chopper styles are very rare here) or a 08+ Pitbull. But I'm not sure whether the rigid frame will fullfill my needs in roadholding.... Today our streets here are more like Californian highways with all their bumps and wholes . I just am concerned to be thrown off the bike when riding in a fast turn with bumps in it .

What do you think??

Jochen

 

[hoat]

get a k9 without a doubt

 

[fmschatz]

K-9 is the way to go

 

[BWG56]

welcome nice write up and I really like the paint job, is that silver or gold on the top of the tins?

 

[1BADK9]

Jochen, K9, I mean hell just look at it. SEX ON WHEELS. Spent a great deal of time in Europe several years ago I would have killed to have a motor bike like this over there.

Oh and Hotdog, great looking Mastiff, no wonder it gets so much attention. Oh and there is a rubber plug in the backof your speedo you can remove to help it from fogging so much. Do search on this site for info on how. ENJOY

 

[HotDog700]

BWG56, you have very nice paint, as well…. mine is silver.

I must have DogDementia… I forgot one main repair in the history:

The clutch stopped co-operation at 7500 miles and the problem proved to be that the main clutch nut on the axis opened and this way the whole clutch assembly was finally loose. This is strange as the nut is with left-hand threat – may be it was never tight or the assembly guy forgot Loctite at the factory?

According to this forum, there might be a solution for my speedo problem by re-flashing the EHC but it may be impossible by myself as there is no workshop available near by?

Tanks 1BADK9 for the rubber plug hint! :up:

Even if like my BigDog, I think there are too many problems in comparison to the other bikes I have got. There might be room for quality improvement or was my bike assembled on Monday morning after a wet weekend?

 

[BWG56]

BWG56, you have very nice paint, as well…. mine is silver.

I must have DogDementia… I forgot one main repair in the history:

The clutch stopped co-operation at 7500 miles and the problem proved to be that the main clutch nut on the axis opened and this way the whole clutch assembly was finally loose. This is strange as the nut is with left-hand threat – may be it was never tight or the assembly guy forgot Loctite at the factory?

According to this forum, there might be a solution for my speedo problem by re-flashing the EHC but it may be impossible by myself as there is no workshop available near by?

Tanks 1BADK9 for the rubber plug hint! :up:

Even if like my BigDog, I think there are too many problems in comparison to the other bikes I have got. There might be room for quality improvement or was my bike assembled on Monday morning after a wet weekend?

I think most of us here had the dreaded clutch nut come loose.
as far as your speedo, I had mine back to the dealer to reflash and they couldn't do it because the EHC was not the lastest version, so they replaced it with a later version so they could download the new program. What it does is actually has the speedo do a double swing of the needle so its not self diagnosing while you try to start the bike. Has to do with the draw on the battery during start up.
I also removed the plug in the speedo and haven't had a problem since.

 

[1BADK9]

Oh and Hotdog, if you have absolutely had enough of that speedometer, you can get a Dakota replacement. Dan a member of the forum from Value-Tec can hook you up for around $260. I plan to get one someday. Living in Florida, my speedo fogs a lot....:angry:

Oh and I know it a bit of an addition investment but from what I have read getting rid of the computer (EHC) and replacing with the "wire plus" device can illiminate the need for certified Big Dog repair shop.

Stick with that Big Dog work out the kinks and you'll be a very happy man in Europe!

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[Lone Dog]

Well, all I can say is loctite, shop manual, and creativity. I had my Pit in Italy for almost three years with half the issues you have bud. Biggest issues I had over there was traction and chicks. She's on a boat headed out here to Sin City to meet me soon, can't wait.

 

[TCALZ06]

Red loctite is your friend.

You have to check bolts more often. After you use the loctite you shouldnt have problems. I have over 17000 miles on my 07 K9 and only till 500 miles did I have loose bolt issues.

The speedo and clutch nut do seem to be fairly consistent mentioned problems.
Since I'm in Arizona I dont have the speedo problem and I never had the clutch nut problem.

You might want to get a spare clutch cable a lot of people have had them break.

Remember.....this hot rod is no harley. you are riding a rocket!!!:2thumbs::2thumbs:

 

[Germanbiker]

I had my Pit in Italy for almost three years with half the issues you have bud.

Where have you been in Italy? Piacenza with the Air Force?
I'll spent 2 weeks in Abruzzo in July - looking forward :2thumbs:!
Jochen

 

[chihuasbigdog]

Lessons learned?

Check all the screws, bolts and nuts before every ride!

X2 :2thumbs: