The I hate my HHR Rant Thread
Member
Joined: 01-06-2010
Posts: 40
From: Baltimore
People don't buy Harleys because they are "American," or because they are good bikes. Which for the most part, they are not. Buying/owning a Harley has become some kind of weird religious cult.
Member
Joined: 01-06-2010
Posts: 40
From: Baltimore
Woody, AMF owned H-D only between 1969 and 1981. The company was bought back by an investor group headed by Willie G. Davidson and Vaughan Beals.
Admittedly, the AMF-built Harleys were some of the worst ever, and things didn't start to turn around reliability-wise until the company rolled out the "Evolution" engine around '84.
The Japification of the company does not appear to have had much to do with any of that, although H-D downplays it as much as they can.
I've always found the bikes cumbersome and overpriced. The latter has to do with the company's well-honed technique of building about 10% fewer bikes each year than the projected market demand.
The only other motor company I know that manipulates customers and markets with such wild abandon is Ford. And that is one reason I am reluctant to own another Ford product, no matter how good it might be or how fairly priced. But I don't want to hijack this discussion further with a rant about them.
Admittedly, the AMF-built Harleys were some of the worst ever, and things didn't start to turn around reliability-wise until the company rolled out the "Evolution" engine around '84.
The Japification of the company does not appear to have had much to do with any of that, although H-D downplays it as much as they can.
I've always found the bikes cumbersome and overpriced. The latter has to do with the company's well-honed technique of building about 10% fewer bikes each year than the projected market demand.
The only other motor company I know that manipulates customers and markets with such wild abandon is Ford. And that is one reason I am reluctant to own another Ford product, no matter how good it might be or how fairly priced. But I don't want to hijack this discussion further with a rant about them.
New Member
Joined: 08-04-2009
Posts: 14
From: dayton OH
Stan M,
with all do respect you are talking out your butt concerning harley. the more american parts, on the now assembled in japan goldwing, is total bs. yes, there are parts from the pacific rim on a harley because that where the majority of mc are made. like you said, "supply the data". by the way i love my hhr-ss.
with all do respect you are talking out your butt concerning harley. the more american parts, on the now assembled in japan goldwing, is total bs. yes, there are parts from the pacific rim on a harley because that where the majority of mc are made. like you said, "supply the data". by the way i love my hhr-ss.
Senior Member
Joined: 12-30-2006
Posts: 1,141
From: Lake Conroe, Texas
91K on my 06lt with no issues except the brakes but that was an easy fix with Autozone Rotors and pads. The oil filter cap has sprung a small leak but thats easily replaceable as well.
It does seem like however; that people that do have problems with their HHR's have lots of em.
It does seem like however; that people that do have problems with their HHR's have lots of em.
Senior Member
Joined: 01-02-2008
Posts: 1,529
From: Nashville, TN
There isn't a car made -- by any car company -- that is 100% free of defects and requires only the regular, basic maintenance. People will rave about this car or that one, having had no issues whatsoever. Others will take legal action against the manufacturer of those very same vehicles because they've had nothing but problems. I agree with the earlier post: I'm sorry you've had such issues with your HHR, and I wish you well with your next vehicle.
My '07 has been trouble free thus far. I still smile every time I get into it. It really upset me when I was hit by a flying object on the interstate last week and I am making sure that it gets repaired flawlessly so that no one will ever know it happened. I cannot stand to see that dent in my hood.
Let's remind ourselves that people with complaints or problems are far more likely to speak up than those who have no issues. Because we see a lot of people with complaints or problems with their HHR posting on this forum we should not construe this as being anything other than that -- the negatives seeing more discussion time than the positives.
Full disclosure: I drive a Harley, too. The Harley being built today is not the same cycle built during the '80s when their quality was in the crapper. I enjoy riding my Harley. It's far more substantial in look and feel than other bikes on the road. I, for one, prefer the feel of a larger, heavier bike. Yes, it takes more effort to ride and handle, but the experience is far superior to riding smaller, lighter bikes when touring.
There aren't many things built these days that use parts made all in one country (I'm referring to major items here like cars, bikes, appliances, etc.). We're a global economy now, and pieces and parts come from all corners of the globe. Some may dislike this reality, others embrace it. Everyone's entitled to their opinion. And opinions are like a**holes -- some stink more than others.
My '07 has been trouble free thus far. I still smile every time I get into it. It really upset me when I was hit by a flying object on the interstate last week and I am making sure that it gets repaired flawlessly so that no one will ever know it happened. I cannot stand to see that dent in my hood.
Let's remind ourselves that people with complaints or problems are far more likely to speak up than those who have no issues. Because we see a lot of people with complaints or problems with their HHR posting on this forum we should not construe this as being anything other than that -- the negatives seeing more discussion time than the positives.
Full disclosure: I drive a Harley, too. The Harley being built today is not the same cycle built during the '80s when their quality was in the crapper. I enjoy riding my Harley. It's far more substantial in look and feel than other bikes on the road. I, for one, prefer the feel of a larger, heavier bike. Yes, it takes more effort to ride and handle, but the experience is far superior to riding smaller, lighter bikes when touring.
There aren't many things built these days that use parts made all in one country (I'm referring to major items here like cars, bikes, appliances, etc.). We're a global economy now, and pieces and parts come from all corners of the globe. Some may dislike this reality, others embrace it. Everyone's entitled to their opinion. And opinions are like a**holes -- some stink more than others.
Platinum Member
Joined: 01-09-2007
Posts: 16,081
From: SE USA
Woody, AMF owned H-D only between 1969 and 1981. The company was bought back by an investor group headed by Willie G. Davidson and Vaughan Beals.
Admittedly, the AMF-built Harleys were some of the worst ever, and things didn't start to turn around reliability-wise until the company rolled out the "Evolution" engine around '84.
The Japification of the company does not appear to have had much to do with any of that, although H-D downplays it as much as they can.
I've always found the bikes cumbersome and overpriced. The latter has to do with the company's well-honed technique of building about 10% fewer bikes each year than the projected market demand.
(snip)
Admittedly, the AMF-built Harleys were some of the worst ever, and things didn't start to turn around reliability-wise until the company rolled out the "Evolution" engine around '84.
The Japification of the company does not appear to have had much to do with any of that, although H-D downplays it as much as they can.
I've always found the bikes cumbersome and overpriced. The latter has to do with the company's well-honed technique of building about 10% fewer bikes each year than the projected market demand.
(snip)
It was AMF's deep pockets that kept Harley from going under. Yes they put quantity before quality..
That being said, AMF also hired engineers that began working on 2 new Harley motors, back around 1975-'76...
One was to become the EVO aka Evoloution.
The other was the V4..
So Willie G & his croonies did not come up with the motor that made Harleys so desirable that every Doctor, Lawyer & Indian Chief wanted one..
Yes Willie G & croonies did motgage everything they owned to do the buy-back of $100K.
But they came back in power with empty pockets. & had to decide which motor to put into production. Not being able to afford to do both, they went with the EVO. (sticking with the V-2 OHV style, which essentially began in 1936),
& they got Fat off it too..
Unfortunately for them, they did not put enough design Patents on the motor. So it became one of the most 'cloned' HD motor to date.. HD didn't like this so they quickly came up with the Twinkee motor. Patened out the ying yang.
But they can have that motor. Poorly designed & runs TOO hot..Heads flow 10% less than an 80" Evo, etc, etc, etc... Not to mention the law suits over the twinkees' problematic motor.
EVO is new as I will ever own, & I have 2 of em, & 1 Flathead stroker..
One has 237,500 miles on it & the other has over 79,000 miles on it.. & either will smoke a twinkee no problem....
Oh, last thing, in New HDs' greed they flooded the market w/twinkees.. & they sit on dealer floors now..
sleeper