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Any common problems with the 2011's?

26K views 33 replies 26 participants last post by  ToMang07 
#1 ·
I'm considering trading my 07 in for a 2011 so are there any issues that seem to be common with them. Thanks for any info.
 
#8 ·
My 2011 with the 103ci pings constantly on hot days on the slightest incline. Drives me nuts and the dealer doesn't think it's a problem. My bike is stock.

My completely stock 2007 never pinged once in the time I owned it.
 
#9 ·
There have been issues with the neck bearing adjustment to eliminate steering shake. There have been recalls on the brake switch for rear brake and some gas tank mounts. I had an issue with the gasket on the oil filter adapter for the oil cooler that leaked. I have replaced the bars and windshield but as a matter of personal preferance not operational failure. Oh, and I also had to have the throttle position sensor replaced because of a failure . I now have 20K miles on it in less than 2 years so I'm not complaining. Would'nt trade it except for a new one!
 
#10 ·
No issues - made changes that I wanted to improve ride, performance, handling - my choice, so far bike has no issues - 9K on this one

This is the second 2011 first was destroyed by Hurricane Irene, that one had 10K with no issues.........
 
#13 ·
My 2011 has been trouble free since day one....I have a rear brake switch recall to get done....eventually i will take it in for that :)
 
#14 ·
The only significant problem comes if you buy one with the Sedona Orange paint. People stop you to look at it, women throw themselves at you begging for a ride .... there's probably other things but this is where I usually wake up.

Seriously, brake light switch recall done, trouble free other than that. I don't understand the pinging issue some have complained about - I run 87 octane and am always carting 300 lbs. around and have never once experienced any pinging.
 
#15 ·
I don't understand the pinging issue some have complained about - I run 87 octane and am always carting 300 lbs. around and have never once experienced any pinging.
You're lucky! Not an '11...my '12 103 pings constantly in temps over 90. Which is every day here in the summer, and means that I worry what kind of damage I'm doing to the engine every time I go out. The dealer's answer is throw more money at it (tuner & dyno) that I don't have right now. So, I'm doin my best to take the attitude of just ride it and if it ruins the engine so be it. Got another year and half on the warranty. So since there isn't anything the dealer can do now, then at least there's something they can do if it craps out.

The real problem with all that is I don't want to ride it until I can get rid of the ping. I don't want to screw up the engine and it eats at me each and every mile when I take her for a spin. Totally ruins the ride!!! End result...now the bike sits in the garage unless I'm just running to the store or around the corner.

All I can say is I can't wait for fall and cooler weather!!! I've got a lot of missed summer rides to make up for!!!!
 
#16 ·
Don't mean to step on any toes but could the pinging be from running rpms too low
 
#20 ·
Yes, that is a possibility. But unfortunately there's no way to find out if that's the cause for everyone who's experiencing this.

I can only speak for myself, so here's the skinny. The only time I can see that I may have lugged the engine is on the highway. I would set the cruise at 60-70 mph in 6th gear. Might have been more ideal that I would have kept it in 5th instead and saved 6th for 70+ mph. That said, the bike ran smooth and it never felt like I was putting any strain on the motor.

Not that I've ridden much since the pinging started, but 6th gear is useless now. Once the engine gets to temp it pings like all hell on the slightest incline. Regardless of RPM/speed...ping, ping, ping!!!

In the other gears it only pings at certain RPMs. For example, it will ping when I pull from start and shift into 2nd at 2500-2800 RPMs. If I change gears at lower or higher RPMs I don't hear any ping. But between 2500-2800 it's guaranteed...ping, ping, ping. Don't misunderstand me here, typically I shift to 2nd between 2800-3100 RPMs. 2500-2800 is where the ping occurs.

I'm definitely open to more advice. I've dug deeply into this matter and have tried EVERYTHING that I can afford. Unfortunately, the ping is still here and it seems the only way to eliminate it is to drop serious coin.
 
#18 ·
Like Bottle cap says: I've had hell with the Pinging since day 1. (Dec 2010) It didnt make any difference if I was running 2000 rpms or 3500 rpms when I give it the throttle like going uphill it pinged so loud my wife would ask what was wrong! I put up with it for 1 1/2 years in and out of the dealer several times. To make a long story short I got away from Harley and went to Fuel Moto for the fix. Bike now runs great. Anyway to answer your question other than this problem with the pinging its a hell of a ride. Love the way it runs and handles better than any bike I've had. I've got 18K on it now. Good Luck!
 
#19 ·
Like Bottle cap says: I've had hell with the Pinging since day 1. (Dec 2010) It didnt make any difference if I was running 2000 rpms or 3500 rpms when I give it the throttle like going uphill it pinged so loud my wife would ask what was wrong!
Exact same scenario for me... right down to the wife asking what that awful noise was. Playing the game with the dealer now, and I'm not spending a bunch of money on stuff to fix a problem that shouldn't be there to begin with.
 
#21 ·
Hope I didn't offend, it was not my intention. I have a buddy with an 05 sg and the pinging is driving him nuts also. Granted his isn't fuel injected and he runs his between 2000 and 2500 so that is why I thought of rpm range being the issue. My next thought would be ethanol blended fuels. I will concede that MANY on the forum are miles ahead of me when it comes to the technical side of bikes and autos. Just throwing my thoughts out there
 
#22 ·
No offense taken here... my situation is almost identical to what BottleCap described. I have never used anything other than 91 or 92 octane, and I avoid the ethanol blends. My bike will ping at 80mph in 6th gear on a flat road with just a headwind.

Sorry to get away from the OP's question... Other than this issue, I absolutely love my Glide. I've put 10,000 miles on it since I bought it in January.
 
#29 ·
Pinging has been an issue for me as well - various RPM from 2500 - up past 4500 and with ambient temperatures of 50 degrees up. Even had some pinging occur with 93 octane fuel. Dealer tried different downloads, and even had a top end rebuild at 10000 miles for a failed leak down test. Finally got rid of most of the pinging when the dealer put in a SERT (under warranty) Fuel mileage dropped down to average of 35 MPG but no pinging except under full throttle. Stator burned out at 12000 miles - warranty repair. Have had the bike for 16 months - about 2 of which have been in the shop.
 
#30 ·
In hot weather, removing the fairing lowers is a must do. Even then don't press your right leg against the air cleaner if you value your skin.
Every first time I stop more than a few seconds in very hot weather the bike goes into the cooling mode where it shuts off fuel to the rear cylinder. I was a bit surprised by it the first time it happened because my 96ci Electra Glide never did do it although it had the same feature built in.
Recall on the rear brake switch is a no cost item and I went to a different windshield from Cee Baileys for my own preferences. The BAL-1 brake light upgrade was something I felt was worthwhile but it is also optional.
 
#31 ·
Don't know about the 11's but with 3,200 on the 12 RGC 103 in the past three weeks with temps from 99 to 105 with out any pinging.

Then in the same temps I put 1,100 miles on the 110 CVO with the same results.

I run three others with TC96's with a combined mileage of 30K up mountains and through Death Valley in the summer afternoon temps of 120 without pinging.

I run 89 in the TC96's and 91 in the 103 and 110 that does not have any alcohol in it.

Saturday I head to Sturgis with the RGC and will wean it of the 91 and run 89 and even 85 in the Hills.

I don't understand how I could experience a different result. But even my son did not believe me and since I let him use them and follow me across the country on these rides he started using 89 in his also.
 
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