[BHigerd]

Dave, your issue sounds like a more pronounced manifestation of the same problem. HD must know at this point that the 12-volt batteries are not being properly managed.
These bikes were not cheap. Seems like we may need to organize and put pressure on HD to recall our LWs and resolve this.

 

[BHigerd]

Trdowns, you definitely didn't hijack this thread from me. It seems so easy for HD to add a jumper with a diode (to protect the bike) as a means to plug in and trickle charge the 12-volt battery while not risking the warranty for those of us with essentially no problems but having a bike that doesn't do what the manual says it will do when stored. For those having bigger problems, if related, I hope HD addresses this 12-volt battery maintenance issue at a level above dealership mechanics. This seems nothing shy of a design flaw.

 

[BHigerd]

I want to add that while I may have better tempered my frustration over this 12-volt battery and also probably gave HD a defense on things that were questionable, I bought a Ford recently, a pretty sophisticated 4WD, and we have a forum that Ford engages on. Those who have noted it are correct. Harley Davidson, if you are monitoring this website, you owe it to your client base to engage with Us. Please.

 

[BHigerd]

Given we bought what I assume to be the most expensive motorcycle on a per- pound/kilogram basis that HD will ever make (worldwide inflation pending), I'd like those same issues addressed as well. My mirrors are upside down so I'm not staring at my arms and just guessing if there's anyone behind me. Without a gambling addiction, it's not as fun as it sounds. I even considered a small camera and handlebar mounted screen so I could just take the mirrors off. Underneith isn't ideal, but it works.

Regardless of the mirrors, the designed hole in the fender, and the lack of stuff to add to the bike (even clothing...what's up with that HD? That's easy money?), my beef is the same as many on this site who share in the thrill of this machine: the 12-volt battery dilemma. If I were to ask HD one single thing for all the money I paid for this bike, please fix the 12-volt battery management issues. Please!

If HD isn't monitoring this site, that's a shame. They ignored my letter to corporate last year as well, Oldun. Seems like Harley Davidson Corporate is running from this 12-volt battery issue. Even if they never read a word on this forum, never read our letters, never read my emails..., they have service departments keeping impeccable records on repairs that would be idiotic to ignore if you want to retain brand loyalty. There's no reasonable way to conclude that HD Corporate is unaware of this 12-volt battery management problem. Inconceivable.

My 2 cents, the world has changed. Bill Burr made that point years ago in a segment about how we all somehow got jobs at the grocery store, Walmart, etc. We're all now accomplished checkout clerks, thus eliminating the whole issue of customer service. Unfortunately for Harley Davidson, people spending this much have the right to expect Harley Davidson to respond. We have certainly done our part, Oldun!

Should the 12-volt battery become a plague to many more, there's always a class action lawsuit. It's one thing to ignore letters, this forum, emails... But it's an entirely different thing to be dragged into court in a very public way.

 

[BHigerd]

Those of you who have attempted to contact Harley Davidson or have service records related to this 12-volt battery issue, please keep good records. If this is truly a design flaw and Harley ignores us, we need good records for an attorney to make a solid case. Hope it doesn’t come to that, but I’m fine if it does. I’m an engineer, but I know what a talented attorney can accomplish.

 

[BHigerd]

There's always a part of me that wants to add the reluctance I have to be overly critical of Harley after they created what is one of the most amazing machines ever. Maybe it's like HD's reluctance to engage on this site. For that matter, this effort to seemingly distance itself from one of the more notable feats HD has ever achieved fits somewhat into all this. Bummer, as the war on hydrocarbons has only just begun.

Regardless, the Livewire is something I'd be proud of if I created it. I'd be all over this forum, bragging about the little "roller coaster" (to copy one of you) I made. I'd be all, yeah, that was me.

 

[BHigerd]

NoPipeCommute,
Please keep us posted on what they find.
And sorry you have to deal with that.
Brad