2010 Ultra Limited question.

B

Bryan W Gaint

New member
Guys I am not new to bikes but this is my first new one and first Harley. I went big for me. I got the Ultra Limited with the 103 motor. I LOVE this bike Just picked it up June 30th and have about 2600 miles on the clock so far. The problem I am curious about is the engine is getting louder. I have been reading that there is a standard amount of engine noises that are normal on the Harley engine. My problem is it is getting louder / worse. It happens at about 2,000 to 2500 RPM and now I can hear it over the exhaust and radio and I know it was not that way at first. The other thing is my mileage as went to crap. The first 1500 miles I was getting about 240-250 miles to a tank before fill up. So about 45 to 48 mpg. Great! Well the last three tanks have all been 35 to 36 mpg. Seems to be vibrating a bit more too. Dealer says it is my riding style and everything is normal. My riding style has not changed. Tough to change a riding style running down the slab at 70 mph with the cruise on. He would not even come out to listen to it. Says he could put it on the scope to check the air fuel mixture but that is $70. My baby is only eight weeks old at this point. Wouldn't Harley cover that? Anyone else have any problems similar? Should I just try a different dealer?
Thanks for the advice guys.
 
You just bought a brand new bike less than 3 months ago and the dealer won't work with you on addressing your issues (whether he thinks they're real or not)? I think you may have problems other than with the bike. Where they make a lot of their sustainable profit is on continuing service.

I'd see first of all if you can't deal with the service department of your dealer. Only talk to the service manager. Explain the drop in mileage. Be as specific as you can in terms of what you're experiencing. If they won't at least make an attempt to check out the engine, then try another dealer. But if you go this route, I'd write a letter to the owner of the dealership and explain why he's losing your business. I doubt he's doing so great in this economy that he can afford to wave goodbye to guys who walk in and buy new bikes off his showroom floor.

Sounds a little bizarre.

Best with that,

Doc
 
I guess I am just frustrated. After all I spent a lot of money on this bike and it is not running the way I thought it should. It is not running the same way it was at the 1000 mile check up. I did take it to the dealer for that service and everything was fine then. I mentioned the valve train noise but thought it might just be normal in this engine. It was not much at all at this point and my mileage was still as expected in the high 40's highway. So this last Sat I told him about the milage and he says he only gets about 37 and that is normal. The sales brochure says 54 so expecting high 40's highway should not be a stretch to expect. Especially since up through the first checkup I was getting that kind of range. But my big concern is this ratteling is getting worse. Sounds like maybe a lifter?? I am not an engine guy so not sure. Dealer says there is nothing to adjust, they are hydrolic on this model. To be honest I did not notice things were getting worse till this weekend. And last I spoke with the dealer was last weekend. So to give credit he did not know the problem was changing. However is it normal for them to say it is going to cost me $70 for them to check it out? Shouldn't the guy at least check it out and tell me he agrees or not that there is a problem?
 
Yes he should be checking this out for you at no charge. I would at the very least want this documented. Did you speak with the service mgr? If so I would ask for the owner and at least let him know why your taking your business elsewhere. After dropping I assume about $28,000, I would expect better service!
 
On my 2010Ultra Limited I noticed a drop in gas mileage as the outside temperature reached 90 and above. I took the lower leg fairings off and that improved my gas mileage a great deal. But without hear the noise your are talking about. I can't really help you with that.
 
No call for this smart ass comment. The OP is trying to find out some info based on limited experience with a Harley. Being as you are so smart maybe you could help him out.
 
If they refuse to help you out drop the dealers name. Bad PR spread across the net is NOT something any business wants. Tell them that you are on the forum and their not working with you will not be good for their business. JMO....
 
Temp and humidity changes will cause large changes with the fuel milage. However, I would be pissed if my service manager told me he was going to charge for checking something out on my under warranty bike. I would be having an ass chewing talk with the sales manager, general manager, service manager, and owner if possible. Then I would be calling the regional Harley rep. Then I would post here about the treatment good or bad and pick a new dealer.
 
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