So Long Money Pit

**VARider07** · 06-15-2018, 11:52 AM

Well, after eight years, I sold my last Harley, '05 Road King with 23K mi. - Took it for inspection, it passed, but stalled several times on the way to the shop, and died on the way home. A friend trailered it and offered to buy it. He did, got it home...the ignition and ECM are fried. It needs the cam chest repair for cam chain tensioners. Anywho, he's going to fix it and give me first right of refusal to buy it back. I probably won't; in my opinion, a Harley is a money pit. If it isn't one thing, it's something else. Did I love it? Oh yeah...it was like sitting on a rock. But I'm old now, have the Nomad, and think it really is a superior bike. I am on two Harley forums; I got bashed, of course, for selling it. Hey, I love to ride; I got stranded cold by the Road King. That's it...no more. Happy trails and thanks for reading...we can all pat ourselves on the back for owning a reliable, fun, beasty, Nomad.

**JD Hog** · 06-15-2018, 12:44 PM

Been there, done that

I owned two Ultra Classics. one was an '01 and the other was an '08. I sold the first one just before the warranty ran out because I couldn't afford to own it without the warranty. It left us stranded a few times and had several warranty fixes during that time. The second one also had issues but I was only able to keep it for about two years before I had income issues and needed to sell it for money to pay bills.

When I got back into riding again I bought an '05 Nomad and that was so reliable that when I wanted to get back into a touring bike I bought the Voyager and never missed the Ultra's.

The Harley's are nice bikes but not for me on a fixed income.

**Eagle Eye** · 06-16-2018, 08:55 AM

We have quite a few Harley owners on here, don't we?

Chuck A. · 06-16-2018, 10:32 PM

EE, even they remember the good, worry free times on a Kawasaki.

**VARider07** · 06-17-2018, 08:47 AM

Thanks for the replies. I road 15,000 miles on my two Harleys. The Nomad has been better than both, and will probably be the last bike I own in my life. Thanks folks, it was this web site that steered me toward buying it in the first place.

Johnny Y · 06-17-2018, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VARider07

Thanks for the replies. I road 15,000 miles on my two Harleys. The Nomad has been better than both, and will probably be the last bike I own in my life. Thanks folks, it was this web site that steered me toward buying it in the first place.

Well, I don't feel so bad now. When I bought my Nomad in "14" I had to think long & hard between the Roadking or another Kaw. Over 20,000 & not a lick of trouble.

**JD Hog** · 06-17-2018, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle Eye

We have quite a few Harley owners on here, don't we?

No disrespect to Harley owners at all, I logged about 60,000 total miles on them and loved the bikes but not all the repairs. After l retired I needed a bike that I had faith in to take me past the warranty period with reliability.

**VARider07** · 06-18-2018, 08:39 AM

"SELLING POPCORN FOR THOSE THAT CAME TO READ THE COMMENTS"

Thanks for that. I got bashed and trashed on the Harley website. Maybe I'll edit this and add that...it was kind of funny...sorta. Will save space here:

You, sir will be greatly missed! Your comments and suggestions on this site were nothing less than insightful! We laughed, we cried! It's been a long winding road but alas, it appears we have reached our final destination. Close can not even describe how our relationship has grown. There will always be an empty space on this forum. You sir, have left your mark! You defined the term "member". When we ride our bikes, be it today, or tomorrow, we will see you at the front of the pack, leading the way. We take our helmets off to you, give a salute, and say: "What a dumb **** that guy was". Good by my friend.

But...I bashed them back saying I am on a Kawi forum and they are actually friendly. I am in the school of it doesn't matter what you ride. Respects to all riders for risk and common fun of riding, as we all know it's dangerous out there complete with idiots. Thanks folks.

miltonsain · 06-19-2018, 01:44 AM

someone needs to be on a metric bike, he will be the one to go get parts for the Harley

eagle · 07-19-2018, 07:47 PM

I guess it all depends what bike suits you and makes you feel good.

And yes... Harleys are money pits. Lol

ponch · 07-22-2018, 12:14 AM

Thing is, motorcycles have moved on since then. New HDs and other touring bikes make the 2000s bike look long in tooth. Sure your 2007 nomad is better than a 2005 HD, but not the newer stuff and that's just comparing cruisers.

blowndodge · 07-22-2018, 11:05 AM

People that love Harley's don't care about reliability. They own a Harley!

ponch · 07-22-2018, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blowndodge

People that love Harley's don't care about reliability. They own a Harley!

I think they've done a lot better in the last 5-7 years. Their reliability is better than BMW's, so at least you know they aren't at the bottom.

06-15-2018, 11:52 AM	#1
VARider07 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 156	So Long Money Pit Well, after eight years, I sold my last Harley, '05 Road King with 23K mi. - Took it for inspection, it passed, but stalled several times on the way to the shop, and died on the way home. A friend trailered it and offered to buy it. He did, got it home...the ignition and ECM are fried. It needs the cam chest repair for cam chain tensioners. Anywho, he's going to fix it and give me first right of refusal to buy it back. I probably won't; in my opinion, a Harley is a money pit. If it isn't one thing, it's something else. Did I love it? Oh yeah...it was like sitting on a rock. But I'm old now, have the Nomad, and think it really is a superior bike. I am on two Harley forums; I got bashed, of course, for selling it. Hey, I love to ride; I got stranded cold by the Road King. That's it...no more. Happy trails and thanks for reading...we can all pat ourselves on the back for owning a reliable, fun, beasty, Nomad. __________________ VARider07 07 Nomad 1600 Ultimate Seat Harley Bagger Muffs Christian Motorcycle Rider Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-15-2018, 12:44 PM	#2
JD Hog Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Placerville, CA Posts: 2,948	Been there, done that I owned two Ultra Classics. one was an '01 and the other was an '08. I sold the first one just before the warranty ran out because I couldn't afford to own it without the warranty. It left us stranded a few times and had several warranty fixes during that time. The second one also had issues but I was only able to keep it for about two years before I had income issues and needed to sell it for money to pay bills. When I got back into riding again I bought an '05 Nomad and that was so reliable that when I wanted to get back into a touring bike I bought the Voyager and never missed the Ultra's. The Harley's are nice bikes but not for me on a fixed income. __________________ Jim Diebolt 2015 Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS The Black Kaw 2005 Vulcan Nomad Sold 2006 Honda 1800 VTX (Freebie) Sold 2008 Harley Ultra Classic Sold 2001 Harley Ultra Classic Sold Hangtown, Kalifornia VBA #2625
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06-16-2018, 08:55 AM	#3
Eagle Eye Join Date: May 2012 Location: Southern Alberta Posts: 663	We have quite a few Harley owners on here, don't we? __________________ VBA #02217 06 Nomad Buy the ticket, Take the ride.
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06-16-2018, 10:32 PM	#4
Chuck A. Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Hartselle Alabama Posts: 990	EE, even they remember the good, worry free times on a Kawasaki. __________________ Have A Good One, Chuck Patriot Guard Riders Sons Of Liberty Riders Alabama Road Captain 2015 Voyager 2003 1500 NOMAD FI sold 6/19 VBA #2993 RUSSELL DAYLONG SEATS ROCK!! DAMMIT TOOL: Any handy tool that you grab and throw across the garage while yelling "DAMMIT" at the top of your lungs There is no substitute for laminar flow in which a helmet is the primary disturbance. SO MANY ROADS, SO LITTLE TIME.
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06-17-2018, 08:47 AM	#5
VARider07 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 156	Thanks for the replies. I road 15,000 miles on my two Harleys. The Nomad has been better than both, and will probably be the last bike I own in my life. Thanks folks, it was this web site that steered me toward buying it in the first place. __________________ VARider07 07 Nomad 1600 Ultimate Seat Harley Bagger Muffs Christian Motorcycle Rider Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

06-18-2018, 08:39 AM	#8
VARider07 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 156	"SELLING POPCORN FOR THOSE THAT CAME TO READ THE COMMENTS" Thanks for that. I got bashed and trashed on the Harley website. Maybe I'll edit this and add that...it was kind of funny...sorta. Will save space here: You, sir will be greatly missed! Your comments and suggestions on this site were nothing less than insightful! We laughed, we cried! It's been a long winding road but alas, it appears we have reached our final destination. Close can not even describe how our relationship has grown. There will always be an empty space on this forum. You sir, have left your mark! You defined the term "member". When we ride our bikes, be it today, or tomorrow, we will see you at the front of the pack, leading the way. We take our helmets off to you, give a salute, and say: "What a dumb **** that guy was". Good by my friend. But...I bashed them back saying I am on a Kawi forum and they are actually friendly. I am in the school of it doesn't matter what you ride. Respects to all riders for risk and common fun of riding, as we all know it's dangerous out there complete with idiots. Thanks folks. __________________ VARider07 07 Nomad 1600 Ultimate Seat Harley Bagger Muffs Christian Motorcycle Rider Last edited by VARider07; 06-18-2018 at 08:44 AM.
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06-19-2018, 01:44 AM	#9
miltonsain Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Lincolnton, NC Posts: 106	someone needs to be on a metric bike, he will be the one to go get parts for the Harley
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07-19-2018, 07:47 PM	#10
eagle Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ajax, Ontario, Canada Posts: 291	I guess it all depends what bike suits you and makes you feel good. And yes... Harleys are money pits. Lol __________________ 2001 Nomad 1500 FI - Sold 😟 2005 Harley Davidson Road King Classic 2003 Honda GL1800 Goldwing
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07-22-2018, 12:14 AM	#11
ponch Sr. Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Way East Valley Posts: 12,015	Thing is, motorcycles have moved on since then. New HDs and other touring bikes make the 2000s bike look long in tooth. Sure your 2007 nomad is better than a 2005 HD, but not the newer stuff and that's just comparing cruisers. __________________ Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad \| 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic \| 1984 GPz750 \| 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09\|Prairie Du Chien '10\|Crescent City '11
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07-22-2018, 11:05 AM	#12
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	People that love Harley's don't care about reliability. They own a Harley! __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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