Mavagrand
Senior Member
....and am proud to report, not a single problem. Not with the engine, not with the tranny, not with the bike. This is the most mileage I've put on any bike without having some sort of problem. Other than a fuel filter housing recall back in '08, this bike has not seen any none mod related work. None. (with the exception of a Stage 1, she is stock).
I post this because there were times over the last three years I had convinced myself she was "about to blow". Some of this is attributed to my initial ignorance about HDs and their air cooled engines, while even more of this attitude is the result of all the anti-HD hate out there, more about that later.
As I read posts about the unfortunate few who experienced problems with their bikes I convinced myself my bike had the same symptoms. Engine running too hot, gonna melt; tranny too noisy, gonna implode; that new vibration in the floorboards..well thats the crank shaft run out running out; gonna destroy the tranny/oil pump (by the way that seemed to be a combination of a broken fairing bracket and a loose heat shield on the right side).
As a former Marine and current LEO, I'm used to getting unsolicited and rude comments, most stem from petty jealousies and are ignored. (many times I've had to endure explanations from some guy as to why he didn't join the Corps or become a cop). I did not realize the large and vocal population of HD haters out there. When I bought my bike, they came out of the woodwork. "Spent twice the money for half the bike" seemed to be the common expression. I always thought this rude as I'm a ride what you want kinda guy. I have to admit over the past three years, I've let some of that talk get to me. I half expected my bike (which was/is expensive) to break down around 20k, even started looking for it. It was getting so bad, it began to affect my attitude toward the bike.
This past weekend I had a "come to Jesus" meeting, just me and the bike. I began by reviewing my maintenance log. I soon realized it was just that..a maintenance log. There were no expenditures for any repairs..none. Now, I put hard miles on my bike, wife and I have taken two trips to Deals Gap, NC and one trip to Cape Hatteras, riding 70 -80 two up all the way from Central Florida in August. Never a hiccup, never a problem..rock solid. You can include numerous overnight and weekend trips here in Florida as well. 25k of fun filled, worry free miles.
I then reviewed how I felt about my bike. I love it. I smile when I think about riding. More improtanly, my wife loves it too. She enjoys a weekend jaunt more than I.
Thanks to this forum, I've learned how to maintain my scoot, so after this weekend, I've decided to ride and not worry about every little vibration or rattle that pops up.
By the way, I was at a friends house yesterday who owns a 2004 Suzuki Intruder. 1500 I think. We were talking bikes and he seemed surprised that I had 25k on my bike (08 EGC) seemed to think Harley riders didn't ride that much. I told him there were guys on this forum with much more. His bike has 45k on it, by the way.
Anyway, I say this to thank you guys for your patience and understanding. I suspect there were times ya'll rolled your eyes after reading one of my posts. So hats off to glider, hoople, jack Klarich, Boddie, and many others who have offered advice in the past. gotta get to work.
I post this because there were times over the last three years I had convinced myself she was "about to blow". Some of this is attributed to my initial ignorance about HDs and their air cooled engines, while even more of this attitude is the result of all the anti-HD hate out there, more about that later.
As I read posts about the unfortunate few who experienced problems with their bikes I convinced myself my bike had the same symptoms. Engine running too hot, gonna melt; tranny too noisy, gonna implode; that new vibration in the floorboards..well thats the crank shaft run out running out; gonna destroy the tranny/oil pump (by the way that seemed to be a combination of a broken fairing bracket and a loose heat shield on the right side).
As a former Marine and current LEO, I'm used to getting unsolicited and rude comments, most stem from petty jealousies and are ignored. (many times I've had to endure explanations from some guy as to why he didn't join the Corps or become a cop). I did not realize the large and vocal population of HD haters out there. When I bought my bike, they came out of the woodwork. "Spent twice the money for half the bike" seemed to be the common expression. I always thought this rude as I'm a ride what you want kinda guy. I have to admit over the past three years, I've let some of that talk get to me. I half expected my bike (which was/is expensive) to break down around 20k, even started looking for it. It was getting so bad, it began to affect my attitude toward the bike.
This past weekend I had a "come to Jesus" meeting, just me and the bike. I began by reviewing my maintenance log. I soon realized it was just that..a maintenance log. There were no expenditures for any repairs..none. Now, I put hard miles on my bike, wife and I have taken two trips to Deals Gap, NC and one trip to Cape Hatteras, riding 70 -80 two up all the way from Central Florida in August. Never a hiccup, never a problem..rock solid. You can include numerous overnight and weekend trips here in Florida as well. 25k of fun filled, worry free miles.
I then reviewed how I felt about my bike. I love it. I smile when I think about riding. More improtanly, my wife loves it too. She enjoys a weekend jaunt more than I.
Thanks to this forum, I've learned how to maintain my scoot, so after this weekend, I've decided to ride and not worry about every little vibration or rattle that pops up.
By the way, I was at a friends house yesterday who owns a 2004 Suzuki Intruder. 1500 I think. We were talking bikes and he seemed surprised that I had 25k on my bike (08 EGC) seemed to think Harley riders didn't ride that much. I told him there were guys on this forum with much more. His bike has 45k on it, by the way.
Anyway, I say this to thank you guys for your patience and understanding. I suspect there were times ya'll rolled your eyes after reading one of my posts. So hats off to glider, hoople, jack Klarich, Boddie, and many others who have offered advice in the past. gotta get to work.
