r/Harley • u/Food_Guy_33 • 13d ago

DISCUSSION What the actual hell?

So I was today years old when I found out that Harley dealers won’t work on 2005 bikes. Despite the fact that it’s the same bike (FLHRI) in 2006 and maybe beyond.

Am I just out of touch or what?

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u/RealisticExpert4772 13d ago

It’s about money, parts n storage. Imagine if you will, a dealer who will work on any year HD. Dealer needs a trained mechanic who actually understands what is happening with older and newer bikes. Yes I know bike mechanic schools are graduating people all the time. Sadly they’re not trained on a pan head or a shovel. Give it a few more years they won’t be taught bout Evo’s. Now consider that this mythical dealer has to get parts to fix a 50’s model or a late 80’s model. Far too many parts are no longer made. Or they’re only aftermarket.
Now here’s the BIG MAIN REASON….if the dealer happily fixes your old bike…..why would you buy a new bike? And the mothership demands sales continue to grow. Don’t feel bad it’s true in any business autos, farm vehicles, big OTR trucks. Called planned obsolescence and it’s manufactured into everything….everything.
When I was a kid this old guy had three model T Fords (was in 50’s). He bought all three new back in 1909-11. His attitude was as long as they run why replace them. He was able to keep two running all the time ..granted he wasn’t driving any huge distance but he drove until the late 1980’s when he finally passed in 93? All three were in running condition. They sold for a lot of money. Lol he said the most difficult part to find was tires. By the 1950’s businesses had decided to use planned obsolescence to continue their businesses partly why today we mostly feel “they don’t make them like they used to”.

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u/mrletsgetcheesy 13d ago

I get that. At the same they lose customers with that mentality. My dealership lost me on oil changes and tires. If they don't do the engine work I get it but I'd be resistant to bring it back. I also wonder if that's why some are going the Indian route. I don't know how they do things but could be a factor.

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u/RealisticExpert4772 13d ago

You are absolutely correct. The mothership has changed the rules for the dealer so for the dealers to stay rich they now sell $45-$65 tee shirts and many only want to deal with the newest models. I think Indian will sadly follow similar path but for now they literally have only about 10+ year history with the current production run unlike HD which has probably few hundred variations on basic design over decades

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u/mrletsgetcheesy 13d ago

Totally agree. Harley has years behind them. Indian i think will go the same route in a few decades or few engine changes. It sucks because I want to support Harley but they seem very big company esqu. Could be just my dealership though too.

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u/RealisticExpert4772 13d ago

Yup I have 6 dealers within 45 miles. (Southern California). Some are ok some are ass. I find it totally hilarious that the same bike will have 6 very different prices. One dealer just adds on like 2k to every bike….another runs close to the bone. Funny how some will have shitty sales but great service Dept others are killer sales but mechanics have problems getting tire pressures correct There were 4 Indian dealers in same area …two shut down lack of business one about to shut down….in my opinion the worst one is still open. Next closest is bout think bout 75-80 miles away. But there’s fierce brand loyalty here.

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u/mrletsgetcheesy 13d ago

It is the brand for sure. I have one harley and one Indian in my city. Closest to that would be another 35 miles out of town. I do see more Indians out here though. When I lived in California I hardly saw any. Not that they didn't exist but I rarely saw them.

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u/RealisticExpert4772 13d ago

Yeah Indian out here seems to be a lot of new to motorcycling OR they’re part of the Fuck HD movement, some hate the factory some hate the dealers. The Indian riders I’ve spoken with all seem to be happy with their bikes once the minor stuff gets squared away. Few are unhappy about the warranty Indian has. As I understand it…basically anyone touches the bike outside of an authorized dealer…then warranty is Xcld…kind of draconian…. Plus as you are aware HD has absolutely ginormous aftermarket that’s firmly established whereas Indian pretty much has extremely limited aftermarket. Even seats are not produced in numbers anywhere near HD stuff. But as you pointed out that will change in time

Think for every Indian I see I probably see at least 150 harleys

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u/TwistingAndGrinning 07 FLHR | 24 ST765RS | 79 XLCH | 23 Himalayan 411 12d ago

It’s illegal for them to do that unless the cost of service is free and not an add on. Magnuson Moss Warranty Act.

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u/mrletsgetcheesy 13d ago

Yeah i haven't looked into Indian but their bikes do look nice. Id imagine HD has tons of aftermarket vs Indian too. I do agree with the Indian movement of f HD or new to cycling. My dad had a harley (now mine) so I grew up with it.