Great job as always Bill. This guy is the real deal. I have called his shop a couple of times and regardless of how busy Bill is he somehow finds the time to answer questions and shares his thoughts. Keep things rolling Bill. There are only a handful shops out there who honestly care about the customers wants and needs.

@hdmiko1

7 ай бұрын

Thank you

It wasn’t long ago I had some work done at my local dealership. It was simple stuff, probably something I could have done myself, but didn’t have time. Among other things, they were installing some new speakers on my tour pack. Well, the right speaker fell out going down the road within a week. It fell out on my saddlebag and scratched it up a little. I took it back to them. They “fixed it”. Then, it fell out again. I took it back to them. Next, the left one fell out. I’m sorry, but this is unacceptable. It took 3 or 4 times for them to finally get it right, but I had so many hours into this, so much time lost. I’m doing my business somewhere else now.

Totally agree with you. I just had a bad experience at a HD dealership. The solution to the problem could have been easily fixed but they didn’t care so I told them I would not go back. They lost a customer and they didn’t care. It’s true poor customer service.

@hdmiko1

7 ай бұрын

Sorry for your experience. Thanks for watching

Glad to see a mechanic that knows his stuff. Awesome video!

Why would a 2022 HDRG need a new clutch and a transmission in the first place. Insane!!!

@davidbrayshaw3529

7 ай бұрын

That's what I was thinking. But a 130 hp tune might be the answer.

@richardcasey7521

7 ай бұрын

135 HP isn’t a big number these days. There are at least 6 new bikes today making at or near 200 HP with reliable transmissions. My opinion, based on observation the H-D engine is too big to push its thumping power pulses through its original transmission with those fine pitch gear teeth and wobbly bearing surfaces. The stock gearbox is too small for the amount of thumping torque the engine produces. There is probably a limit to how big an unbalanced large displacement V-twin can realistically produce successfully. My humble opinion of course.

@eddiestanley135

7 ай бұрын

It's a Harley.

@DTR4IN

5 ай бұрын

135 hp on a shitty stock hd transmission will never work

Great video man. Your right on dealers, if you find one that is individually owned it does make a difference.

@hdmiko1

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching. Really appreciate everyone taking time to comment.

The Top Guys are Probably at Black Rock and Vanguard.

Bill, you are absolutely 100% correct about Dealership Customer Service.........they just don't care. I can only assume that they feel they have enough business and are just not worried about losing yours. I no longer go to my local dealership after several poor customer service and repair experiences. They really have an arrogant attitude. Anyhow, I happily drive 45 minutes to the next nearest Dealership for all of my service and purchases - not out of spite, but just because they treat customers respectfully and offer far better service. It's more than worth the extra time and distance.

@hdmiko1

7 ай бұрын

Some dealers are great, sadly some aren’t. Thanks for the comment

Like your video. Your old school business mentality. I love it. I miss the good old days. Keep up the good work.

Excellent explanation of dealer shortcomings and great professional technician’s savy !

My 07 RKC needed a new trans 4 years ago at about 65,000 miles. I’ve owned the bike since new and got decent life out of the stock trans. I opted for the dd7 and installed it with a friend who owned a repair shop prior. Pretty good directions and a great product, 25, 000 later and still as solid as day 1. I’d rather own a Honda than deal with the dealership so luckily I’ve been mostly self sufficient, with a little help from friends! Go BRUINS!

@normangraber1047

7 ай бұрын

65k is decent life on a transmission? Quit riding Harleys almost 20 years ago, I might take one if it was given to me. Switched to Victory the most trouble free motorcycle I've owned in 64 years.

@benodie02760

6 ай бұрын

@@normangraber1047 Enjoy the victory if that’s what you like, they’re gone though. Don’t love lots of things that HD does but the fact you can get 2-3 aftermarket trans makers that make improved full transmissions means my HD has no shelf life. HD has every manufacturer beat because of the aftermarket parts manufacturers, look at how many companies make any given component.

@normangraber1047

6 ай бұрын

@@benodie02760 Jut don't need 2-3 aftermarket trans options because Vics just very very seldom have any trans problems and will stand abuse like no other bike I've owned. Yes, they may be gone but I've yet to have any trouble finding any part that I want/need. The crank in these bikes are good to about 200hp with no modification unlike H-D. where you have to mod the flywheels to accommodate even the mild hp upgrades. With H-D you can't even install gear driven cams on most of them because of pinion shaft runout, not to mention cam plate and oil pump etc. Currently building a 2013 Judge, cams, valve springs, performance intake from Thirdgear customs and Bassani exhaust. Should be a fun machine and absolutely dependable.

It really says something when the vp of the company doesn't get his bike worked on by a dealer of his product

I understand some customer service problems from auto repair shops. It's been so bad for me that I will not buy a new car. It took me a long time to basically understand what I drive and so I want to keep it. I have to work on it myself as much as possible. I even rebuilt the differential myself, the whole thing. So, I won't buy a new vehicle, and mainly because of auto repair shops. I have to be able to repair it myself, as much as possible, and the new ones have too much technology on them. They are too complex. One thing often affects another in this world.

@jdc8352

7 ай бұрын

Lol, that's me too. A few old rigs that I can mostly work on myself. I also don't want a car payment

You Bill are a very honest man keep up the great work you are doing

Good and true info, just installed a grudgebox in April, badass transmission

Buddy Stubbs is a great family owned dealership. Their service department is awesome. Service at any Harley dealership is Never a Bargain, but there are a few HD dealerships that still understand good customer service.

Excellent stuff love it

Bill, I am new to the channel and finding you but I can spot trust and reliability when I see it. Great job in your daily commitment to integrity and your craft.

A '22 Road Glide and it needed a new tranny. Makes me glad I don't beat the f*** out of my bike. Good job, Bill.

Howdy from New Zealand Bill 👌👌 good information bro.

Only time I have ever had a dealership work on my bikes was for warranty work. Period. I do my own work when I can and have a trusted mechanic to do what I can’t

As soon as you said “tires for life” and poor customer service, I had a pretty good idea which group owns the dealership your customer was dealing with… lol

I'm lucky that my local dealer is family owned and has an excellent rep. I'm also an MSF RiderCoach for the Harley Rider Academy there. Honestly, in all my 50 plus years, I've never used a dealer unless I absolutely had to. I've always had a trusted local mechanic that was a former master tech. Sadly, my last guy had health issues and I need to find another guy now.

At last count I believe there are 11 Harley dealerships in Arizona. Only three of them are privately owned. Buddy Stubbs, who took over the only Harley dealership in Arizona from Bill Kennedy's Harley at 13th. Street & E. Washington St. in 1965 or `66. Mr. & Mrs. Kennedy were very elderly and needed to retire. Buddy was a champion competition rider and was offered the dealership by H-D. I bought a 1964 Sportster XLCH in 1966 and Buddy serviced it. The other two I believe are the one in Mayer Az and the one in Bellmont, just East of Flagstaff near the Navajo Army depot. All the rest were bought up from Colter Cadillac people by one conglomerate. They all seem to add a list of excess fat onto their purchase contracts that I find difficult to buy into. I've wanted to buy another Harley (Sold my last two, a 2001 Road King and a 2006 Sportster Roadster about 10 years ago.) My 1200 Sportster was bought used from Arrowhead (formerly Glendale Harley-Davidson on Grand Ave. in Glendale.) Don't feel I got a bad deal at all back then. Loved the bike and got good service. So why is it so difficult today? I may buy a used one from a private owner and just read the seller. I've owned 22 bikes in my lifetime since high school (1958-`62 when Cushman's, Vespas, Lambretta's, Mustangs, Tige Cubs and Harley Hummer's (125's & 165's) were king) and pretty much know what to look for. I'm 79 and still ride with my buddy on one of is Harleys.

I'm very lucky, our HD dealership is ran by a straight up honest guy and his service guys are top notch. Roundhouse Harley in Altoona PA is the best

Old school Harley Rider since 1970. Still riding a 1949 EL Panhead. Your channel was in my feed. Subscribed.

@davidbrayshaw3529

7 ай бұрын

As soon as you've got the pan head paid off, you'd be in a good position to move up to a bike with an electric starter. Modern bikes are wonderful.

As always, I really enjoy your videos. Your video quality and content is among the best on KZread and any other medium I can find. You would be one hell of an awesome teacher. enjoy the holiday.

@hdmiko1

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the kind words. Happy Thanksgiving

@hdmiko1

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching and commenting

I expect these issues. I had the same sort of YOU NEED THIS from new car dealerships in service departments. It was down to the individual dealer management every time.

Last time I went to Harley dater ship for anything was in the 80s. It was just too much money and not enough service. Well, I went to one in the 70s. And asking for some fantastic symptoms to shovel at gasket. S I'm troubled, I've gasped. And they tried to tell me that I didn't know what I was doing. I ended up driving going on a picture, but a knucklehead looked on. Like

I was hoping you would explain how a transmission could be the cause of slipping?? You showed how it could pop out of gear but the customer said it was slipping.

Curious on the mileage on that bike when it needed a new trans. I got to 60k before 3 gear started slipping

Short answer - The term stealership didn't just come from nowhere

$800 to replace the fuel pump in my Sporty in Chandler. I’ll never go there again. I’d go to your shop in a heartbeat!

Nothing but positive to say about my harley ,BMW , honda dealer.

Only take my bikes to a private technician who owns the shop. Reasonable prices, good work and honest. HD Dealers were always overpriced and the guy doing the work is only there for his hourly wage and often doesn't really care about the quality of work. Owner-Operated, his biz relies on his quality of work and pricing. He too has so many loyal customers it sometimes takes time to get it in.

You are absolutely correct about dealer treatment of customers. It’s across all motor vehicle companies. No one seems to care about the customer.

As a rider for over 60 years, I miss the individual owned shops.

It’s crazy that the bike needs a new transmission in a year. What the hell has happened to Harley Davidson? And shouldn’t that bike have a warranty? I saw a comment about what the mileage is. I’m curious about that as well.

Let's Go Harley !!!

I take mine to Vagabond Cycles in Sierra Vista AZ. He worked at Tucson Harley for 15 years.

Customer Service is key. Without it me and my wallet are going elsewhere. Its ashame about that staff issue. No many people want to take the time to learn. LIke some old school apprentiship style learning.

Yep I work for one and it's all about the money

Thanks

I heard that Bakers used to make a 6 speed for Sportsters, but not for my 2008 Buel Thunderstorm ..

The eternal struggle between customer value and business value.

10:15 would have loved more forensics on that factory transmission, since it was slipping, but I guess choppy editing was a better choice for that part... Curious if those heat patterns of the main shaft hinted that his primary drive has excessive run-out. Tell him we said hello when he's back for a new comp?

Hi! Bill, great channel. Thanks for your time. I'm just curious about the freight charge is this a true price?????

I wish we have garages like yours in London England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 . Open one here in London

WebJul 31, 2009 · Bruce Rossmeyer, the owner of what is billed as the largest Harley-Davidson dealership in the world, was killed today in Wyoming while riding with friends from the Harley dealer meetings in Colorado to Sturgis, …

@lpd1snipe

7 ай бұрын

Because of him and his money, Robison Harley-Davidson in Daytona Beach lost his franchise. Robison was an old-school dealer.

@mikeskidmore6754

7 ай бұрын

@@lpd1snipe HD Corporate wants Mega Dealers.. My Local Dealer Kalamazoo / Portage MI owned by the same Family for 98 years is shutting down in December. The owner is only second Generation and I think he and his wife are in their 80's . They had 3 small very modest location then in about 2002 they bought 10 acres and built a very nice 40,0000 square foot Building. Nice Employees and a good reputation. I don't know what they will do with the building. I think HD has to approve all Franchise purchases. I see that clothing sales were off 30% this year or last year .. When your $50.00 T shirt falls off 30% it's going to hurt some.

Great video Bill. I'm just curious of the woodys logo on your shirt where you ride your snowmobile in Arizona? 😂

... LOVE the G Gordon Liddy banner - I have a 2018 street glide - took it to the dealer for a 10,000 mile nut n bolt look over and new tires - the next time I rode it the info-tainment system took a crap - talked to them about it - they said there was nothing they would have done to harm it - told me for $800 bucks they'd replace it ....... wondering if you've seen any of these info-tainment system issues in your shop ? worked fine for 2 years - then wont even turn on - frustrating

@BillonBikes. I loved the video, so I subscribed. Thanks!! :):)

My local dealer got bought out by a Milwaukee dealer promise to build out by the interstate never did screwed us, another Milwaukee area dealer is owned by a conglomerate of like 16 dealerships mostly Illinois, not good there either, thank God the head mechanic from my local dealer opened up a shop right down the block from me otherwise I would not even own a Harley, we do have an Indian dealer downtown, bought a bike from them good experience

Shockingly while i was at the 120th i asked the HD team of the King of the baggers if they run stock transmissions and they said yes

It seems to be today's modern proble with poor upper management causing the rest of a business to suck. Spend a dollar to save a nickel. Fire an employee because the employee won't break the law.

Same issues happen here in AU at certain dealers however we have laws here that protect consumers from this BS where we can take action.

I'm confused....How will a bad transmission make the clutch slip ? Enlighten me.

@stephengibbs4372

7 ай бұрын

The only thing i can think of that makes sense is that it isn’t the clutch but the dog teeth on the gears chopping out cos of end float , as he showed but it would feel terrible with vibration instead of normal smooth clutch slip.

@48grizzly

7 ай бұрын

@@stephengibbs4372 Ah. Makes sense.

Does the baker have that 5th gear whine like the HD transmission?

A significant downside to many corporately owned dealerships is their mission is to extract the most revenue and profits from sales to please shareholders, and meet a bottom line. Privately owned shops, aka small businesses, are more likely to focus on service and value with their customers, establish meaningful relationships, which earns them repeat business. Getting harder for small business to compete with a corporation's superior capital and resources by offering teaser rates and discounts to lure customers away from small business. The small business inevitably goes out of business, or, becomes incorporated. When this happens, the consumer is now faced with limited options and often stuck with impersonal service and costly products. Shades of monopoly vs outright monopolies (illegal) are great for corporate America and its shareholders but can limit consumer choices. The future direction of buying goods and services will increasingly become consolidated with limited choices for the consumer. When this does happen (maybe within another generation), where else will you buy, or obtain service? You will be relegated to your internet computer, or, go shop inside large corporate owned buildings and warehouses.

where my 80s ami brothers at ... dying breed

what is your view on dealerships that won't work on anything over 10 years old. the 3 nearest dealerships to me all have that policy. my harleys are a 71, a 2000 and a 2018. my everyday rider is now a 2022 goldwing

@dougallan1771

7 ай бұрын

We do where I work,I'm working on an 86 sporty today.

"Former Dodge" in more ways than one.

I ride 70+ miles to the Dealer I enjoy. There is a conglomerate 35 miles away. Problem is Harley is obsoleting parts. My 2010 FLHRK the induction module is already obsolete.

I would use auto repair rules and not install customer supplied parts and along with that - one should diagnose the problem the customer is presenting.

Slipping transmission or popping out of gear?

Stock comp on it or aftermarket??

Weird as a rider of German, Austrian and primally Japanese motorcycles I am often blown away by Harley issues of all kinds.. clutch, transmission? Maybe in a beat hard motocross bike.. wheel issues? Never.. Harley is engineering that is just decades behind and the dealer support network should be the strongest but instead it's fragile and flawed at the very least..HD makes lots of beautiful motorcycles but performance and all the BS don't have them even on my radar.. and the LiveWire and PanaAmerica dual sport are footnotes.. neither got any traction in the market.. Harley Davidson doesn't think outside the 40-50 year old box they are trapped in!!

Large corporations don’t care about customers or employees. Try working for one. Everything is a fight.

I stopped buying Harley in 2007 and recently I noticed our local Harley dealer just closed the doors 🤦🏻‍♂️

'22? Still under warranty.

The dealer your talking about does not own Huntington Beach Harley in Orange County California does he?

Hell if I had a chance I'd work for you. I'm wasting away here in hell city. I'm always told that I am a very good worker.

Over the last 20+ years dealers are now all corporate rather than enthusiast, much to the disadvantage of the customer.

Maybe it's time to bash dealers... Fed up with 'let's not point the finger' etc etc... This is getting ripped off for no small change... I also take my bike to a privateer mechanic like yourself and the trust level is awesome. I pay less,, always feel looked after and don't feel ripped off. I couldn't imagine taking my bike in for service where it was bought. Nice work Bill.

at my shop the saying is "FTD" 🤣🤣🤣 the dealer is why I have a shop. Not really the dealer. Its the motor company. 03 was the last year they attempted to care. you can keep those new davidsons and FTD!!!

Shame you couldn't stop by Armando Magri's back in the day.

This is WHY I left Harley....

@charlesprice7608

7 ай бұрын

Exactly. Bought my first bike in 1990. FXRS then an FXLR, had issues with both but Harley actually stood behind their products then. Now they want you to pay to fix their issues that should be covered under warranty. I now ride a Honda ST1300. 60,000 miles nothing but routine maintenance.

You think Harley would stop that dealership big buyout They are getting away from there grass roots not good 😐

It's too bad you can't get good help but it goes the other way too. I'm a motorcycle mechanic and have went to a few shops and asked to work for free a couple days a week for the experience and knowledge. I get turned down every time

Seems to me a set of shifter fork assemblies is all that was needed. Unless you saw unacceptable wear on the gears - or - you think the tranny is not able to handle the power of the engine. If the latter is the case it’s sad Harley is designing transmissions that are too weak to handle base HP and reasonable performance upgrades.

Or get a Honda where you don’t have to replace the transmission in the first place

Too many burnouts?

I wouldn’t let my local dealership change my spark plugs

Sooo….what’s the draw to own a Harley?

the days of good tec , mechanics is gone.

A grand for a clutch? You're a pirate.

Harley Davidson Stars and stripes langhorne PA. Yes yes I will never go back. I was robbed without a gun. Did not call me to verify The parts they put on my bike. And disrespectful. wow

I have been a parts guy for 30 years been at penske for 10 not one harley parts guy no what there talking about and service is the same way. now my m8 is 170 hp so i don't use hardly any Harley parts.but my cousin is a salesman at a harley dealer so i go see him just to shoot the shit and when i go to service you can tell the guy doesn't no what he is talking about I just laugh because they no I build engines and cant bullshit me on anything.o and i run a stock 6 speed because I dont abuse them.

A 22 needed a new clutch? That's unacceptable. A metric bike clutch can last a lifetime.

HD has had ups and downs over its history...............and is now steeply downward !!

San Jose Harley wouldn't work on bikes more than ten years old. Dealerships don't care, and HD is the worst.

G. Gordon Liddy? Seriously? Seriously Dude?

They are careless it’s all about the money . The sales guys are the worst .

Is that not peculiar that a tech would recognize wear on a "fresh clutch?" If it looked good, and didn't duplicate the issue on a test ride, they would say it passes. You're siding with John Q that just strolls in with $$ and says "Do what I say, no questions." ?? Good luck with that... It sounds like you had the benefit of knowing that the clutch job you did, privately, did not resolve the customer's complaint, therefore had an easier time concluding the transmission was to blame. The dealership may have still started with recommending the clutch first, (since this customer is both hard on their bike and not good at sharing helpful information) for cost reasons, maybe others, but a new trans shouldn't go in with a beat up clutch, so best case; it's a package deal anyway. Your guy is just bouncing back and forth, embarrassing himself and blaming others for not "dealing with him, correctly." Haven't we all been on both sides of this enough to learn the glaring lesson!? Customers need to be better at being responsible for their own experiences; if you're not filling out a questionnaire or answering a bunch of pertinent inquiries about your visit, how do you know everyone is on the same page? Instead, we hear a bunch of "the manager didn't help me.." You didn't help yourself! I watch reasonable people, that know how to have constructive conversations, and have room in their brains for new information, get 100% customer service EVERYTIME. Try it...

This is the reason I will never buy a new Harley Davidson. The corporation doesn't give a shit about their customer base. So I will just buy a new Honda gold wing. Its a much better bike anyway.

Sure hearing a lot of crappy HD dealership stories lately. Don't see how it's worth it, just buy a different brand of bike

A clutch and transmission on a 2022 bike? That’s bullshit! Harley makes crappy bikes if you’re having transmission failures after a year.

This is why people are moving away from Harley .

god, that bloody music makes this video unwatchable. sorry.

Buy a HONDA.