Topic: I just ordered a 2016 Harley-Davidson XL1200 CA

[Wobbly]

It can be here in as little as ten days. I also placed a parts order with Harley-Davidson military sales, but it might take six weeks before the parts will arrive. I will turn the bike into a Café racer and hope that it will be more reliable than my BMW S1000RR--which is still in the shop, waiting for another engine (the third engine failure was fatal). Soon, there will be salt on the passes in the Alps and Dolomites, and I don't take the Honda in these conditions. The BMW quit on me six times in five years. In 38 years, the Honda only left me stranded once with a flat tire. I guess, that's progress for you.
My new winter bike looks like this until my parts come in:

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Congrats. Hope your Harley is as dependable as mine was. No problems in 10 years and 45,000 miles.

[WhyNot2]

Hope so too.

Mine is 2006 Heritage Softail 53,000 miles and no issues.

Do all my own maintenance.

[Vinhead1957]

05 fatty.  72k. Minor issues

[Wobbly]

Thanks for the positive feedback. It is my understanding that the Evolution engine is bulletproof. That would be quite a change to the BMW. I keep you updated with some "on-the-road pics" once the bike gets here. In the mean time, my trusty old Honda will keep me going--another long trip is just ahead of me.
I owned Triumphs, a BSA, and even a Laverda 1000 before, but this is my first Harley. Perhaps, I just get old. Or, as my friend and committed Harley rider tells me: I am getting wise.
But my true love will always be my CB750. Everything else is just an "affair" on the side.

[Stev-o]

Congrats.  Give us a ride report after you take delivery.

[MoMo]

Nice looking HD you have, hope it gives you better service than the Beemer...Larry

[dusterdude]

Of course it will,its not a beemer.aint that right cal?

[simon#42]

looks a nice bike , it would be hard to imagine anything more different to the bm though .

[Wobbly]

looks a nice bike , it would be hard to imagine anything more different to the bm though .

That's the idea. BMW in "action."

[MoMo]

Never seen bearings  disintegrate like that in ANY HONDA , or any Japanese bike for that matter...Larry

[Wobbly]

Never seen bearings  disintegrate like that in ANY HONDA , or any Japanese bike for that matter...Larry

The word "never" is something you can forget when you own (one doesn't ride it much) a BMW. This was my first and last BMW. The bike just recently came from service, during which both tires were replaced. Upon confronting BMW about that, I received the following answer: "Checking the wheel bearings is not listed on the inspection sheet. They never go bad." No problem because on the last two trips, the BMW was towed anyhow and is now a total loss although under warranty, accident free, loaded with carbon, and looking like new (piston dropped, new engine is 10,500 Euros, same I just paid for the new Harley). The warranty pays 80% for parts (because of mileage)--but only from the current value (they offer 4,900 Euros but only if I repair for 10,500 Euros).  I bought the bike new in 2010 (U.S. specs, military sales)--always serviced by BMW. Six breakdowns to include three engine failures. It was parked in the shop more than it spent days on the road. Again, I alternated between the RR and my 38-year-old Honda. The Honda always made the trips without a problem (I only do long-distance travel all rear round).

Carefree travels:

[Vinhead1957]

Many bearings are being produced in China and expect future quality issues.   You pay for quality.  I don't think it is just BMW.

[WhyNot2]

Where did you get those handles bars?

They look neat.

[simon#42]

yes there is a price to pay for all that performance , i prefer my slow old bm's  have just retired my r75 from continental duty having put 330 thousand miles on it am now using the 'new' r80 st that has only done 160 .
will be interested to see what you make of the hd as i do have a hankering for a buell which i think shares the same engine .

they look like what we call jota bars over here

[WhyNot2]

they look like what we call jota bars over here

Cool, thanks...............looked them up and am reading up on them now.

[Wobbly]

they look like what we call jota bars over here

Cool, thanks...............looked them up and am reading up on them now.

They are called Brevettato Bars--and have been there before the Jota

[Wobbly]

Many bearings are being produced in China and expect future quality issues.   You pay for quality.  I don't think it is just BMW.

Right on. But manufacturers have a choice--and choose the cheapest. Furthermore, they force the supplier to lower prices every year. The idea is to force them to keep producing more economically. The reality is, that quality is compromised. Reputation doesn't seem to mean much these days. I am disappointed of the quality of my BMW. But I am outraged about the way BMW Munich treats me as a customer.
I am not surprised that BMW motorcycles have the worst reliability rating now. Someone else posted this here before:

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/22/consumer-reports-motorcycle-reliability-report/

[Desert-SOHC]

The Kawa ZG1200 Voyager has similar bars.

[BPellerine]

88 sporty,rebuilt at 70,ooo just to refresh it,by po.bill

[hotdog]

Many bearings are being produced in China and expect future quality issues.   You pay for quality.  I don't think it is just BMW.

Just pulled these rear bearings from a local guys KTM that I'm going over for him - he was riding in the bush like this....?


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