Hows the quality of a harley davidson bike?

Someday I would like to own a motorcycle and yea the first that comes to mind is a Harley, however many people have told me their quality is low and are prone to frequent repair. is this true? even on newer models?

I've been buying HDs since 1959 and have no problems what so ever. With a little maintenance they should last forever. The last 3 bikes I had, each had over 60K mile and I never had to replace anything, that includes brakes, light bulbs, etc. The batteries even averaged about 4 yrs. All I replaced was tires and oil. I have an 08 Street Glide now.

I love my Harley. I have a 2008 Deluxe and it's awesome! I started out on a 2005 Sportster 883L and traded up to a 2007 Sportster 1200L after 1 1/2 years. Then after about 1 year I traded for the Deluxe. Nothing wrong with the Sportsters, but I wanted something a little bigger and with a bigger tank. (Hubby got tired of me having to stop to fill up after only 90 miles when he still had almost a 1/2 tank of gas). I've had this bike for about 9 1/2 months now and I am keeping this one. I have got to say that I am having a blast! This bike is great and handles like a dream. Definitely go try one out. Alot of the dealerships have rentals that you can take out for a 1/2 day or more. Have fun and ride safe. Oh, back to your question: haven't needed any repairs yet with any of my Harleys........... Not even warranty work.

Amazing Joe B hasn't popped off on this one? As far as quality? HD owners say the quality is #1. Others say they are terrible for leaking and cutting off. I personally never owned one so I don't know much about them. I can say that I priced one and it priced out at twice the money I paid for my Honda Shadow. I guess if you can afford a bike that costs as much as a Harley does you can afford to fix it when it breaks? I will say this, they damn sure sound sweet and look good though!

Hey ninebadthings ,I'll put my 2001 88Cubic Inch Harley Night Train up against anything you own any day of the week (and I'll steal your girlfriend with it too ! but shes ugly sooo... nevermind ) I am at 33,000,miles with no worries. I have owned bikes all my life ,and NOTHING compares to a Harley Davidson.

TOP QUALITY !!! Except for the AMF years. All the crap you hear about frequent repair and leaking oil is true of the AMF years, but not now.

Sure, you will pay top dollar.....and part of that is for the name Harley Davidson, but you will not be disappointed.

Other bikes are good, but if you already have ur heart set on a Harley, the others just wont do.

Sheeesh your really asking for it!Just wait til the usual suspects see this!The newer harleys are fine.It was the 70's ones that gave Harley such a bad name.
Wow not one basher answer yet,how is that possible?
They'll be along soon i'm sure.Come on Joe i haven't had a good laugh all day.

A friend of mine has a 2007 Road Glide and it runs very well.

I used to own a '78 Superglide I bought new and I never had any problems with it at all. Sold it back in 1982 and I wish I still had it.

By the way, mine was made during the AMF years and didn't leak a drop of oil.

The quality is awesome. My dad has 2 harleys and their both running awesome. And it also depends on what model you get. My moms is a sportster. And it is perfect. But do some research and test ride some.

Quality, top of the line engineering & craftsmanship not to mention HOT looking!!
My BF owned rice burners, then BMW's, then has upgraded to '08 Street Glide & says nothing compares. It's an investment!!

Harley was very poor quality for a number of years when the company was owned by AMF. The employees bought the company in the late 80s and quality has been very good ever since.

One thing I can say nice about Harley is they have top notch quality and parts availablity.

They dont handle, or preform like other machines, so I guess you can have everthing.

Get a serious motorcycle,buy a BMW.you'll never look back. My friend's is 25yo,260K on the clock and still ticking like a clock.

Had a lot of bikes from Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha from sport to touring...love my 2003 Road King Classic the mostest!

Can you say smoooooth?

The new Harleys are great! Dependable and really hold their resale value.

Harleys are as good as it gets.

Just fine But Im staying with my 63 Pan
My next will be one of those kit bikes With a up to date Stroker Pan Engine

Don't ask. Just . DO . NOT . ASK.

I TOLD you not to ask. Boy, are we in for a shirt storm now!

Its a nice smooth ride

AMF tried to introduce quality control back in the 70s, but since the employees bought it they continue to have issues and problems that he oldest motorcycle manufacturer shouldn't have. Lots of times the dealership won't admit a bike has a problem until it is too late. We are talking major repair at 15-20,000 miles.

I think they are probably built pretty well.

But part of quality are a bikes qualities or performance. As far as performance the harley is 70 years behind the times. Designed at the same time radios had vacuum tubes and there was no such thing as TV or jet engines. A modern bikes is a snake in the turns and has a rocket engine, a Harley is a heavy, slow two wheeled tractor. It is the worst performing bike in the worst class of bikes.

A Harley's qualities are pathetic.

Jim W....this is embarrassing....The Harley friendly page only gives that thing 63 horsepower. at $20K, whew. You wouldn't be competition for an 1980 CB 1000. http://www.moto123.com/motorcycles-specs... But I'm sure your bike makes tons of noise at the stoplight and you look really cool in you assless chaps and doo rag.

You are right, you can't really compare Harley to any other bike. Nothing else has such low horsepower, is so overweight and yet costs so much money. I think no other bike is using that gay belt drive any more either.