[palermor]

I just got my VROD on Friday and today Sunday it won't start, dead battery. So I take off the front cover to discover a cracked coolant fill cap. Aren't they suppose to check these these out before they deliver a bike? My guess is the battery was not properly charged. The alarm was not set, and the bike was in a garage.

Thoughts? Or just a crappy dealer?

 

[VRODScout]

Dealer...All of your problems have been happening (not a lot, but enough to make the "papers") but your stealer should come get the bike, do all of the repairs to standard, and redeliver the bike to your home...no questions asked. I am assuming, of course, that the bike was brand new... but that aside, selling a bike that won't start is unbelievable to me!
Mike

 

[VrodG]

Is this new bike a 03.....04?

 

[palermor]

Is this new bike a 03.....04?

Its an 03 brnad new....10 miles. This is such a pian in the ass....we are finally getting some good weather...and I'm dying to ride.

 

[sslegend]

Where did you get it from?? I went to Woodstock and have been very happy with their service.

 

[palermor]

Where did you get it from?? I went to Woodstock and have been very happy with their service.

I got it from Oaklawn Harley on the Southside of Chicago. There is more to the story. I don't want to air all of it on here. I will call them tomorrow. There is another dealer closer to where I live so all of this should be covered under warrenty.

I guess thats another question, how good is the warranty coverage? From my perspective, they should come pick up the bike fix it and return it....right?

 

[Ricky G.]

I just got my VROD on Friday and today Sunday it won't start, dead battery. So I take off the front cover to discover a cracked coolant fill cap. Aren't they suppose to check these these out before they deliver a bike? My guess is the battery was not properly charged. The alarm was not set, and the bike was in a garage.

Thoughts? Or just a crappy dealer?

You can chalk it up to OUTSTANDING TRAINING AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL FROM THE DEALERSHIP....I REST MY CASE.... :banghead: :banghead:

 

[Vinny]

Paler,
Have them come and get it fixed.Then go to another dealer for the servicing.

 

[ElrodontheV-Rod]

Chew the GM's a$$I did at my purchasing dealer and the a$$ chewing flowed down hill.I don't know about you but I have a life time 20% discount on ALL parts at my dealer and did not want to go to another and pay list.



Elrod on the V-Rod

 

[Vinny]

Chew the GM's a$$I did at my purchasing dealer and the a$$ chewing flowed down hill.I don't know about you but I have a life time 20% discount on ALL parts at my dealer and did not want to go to another and pay list.



Elrod on the V-Rod

you lucky dawg :thumb:

 

[danafwelch]

Same happened to me. The dealer was 68 miles north of me and I picked the bike up with a trailer. I insisted on a new battery and they shipped one to me UPS next day. Once the battery is dead, it should be replaced and you should insist on a new one that was properly serviced. The installation can be a bit tricky since it's located at a 45 degree angle at the neck and requires you remove the lower half of the airbox. The owner's manual provides sufficient instructions. Also, a Battery Tender is worthwhile and this is the time to install the Tender's battery leads. Good luck with your new V-ROD!

 

[silver bullet]

I had the same problem with my 03. I bought it as a new leftover in February. After driving it for a month, the battery was suddenly dead every time I tried to start the bike. I jump started it and drove it to the dealership. They replaced the battery under the warranty.

 

[curlysir]

I guess I must have a pretty good dealer after reading this.

When I went to get my 03 V-Rod the General Manager told me that it had started a little sluggish when he went to bring it around front and he was having the service department install a new battery. The fuel flange recall had already been done, and the coolant fill cap had already been replaced with the new style.

There is a difference in dealers for sure.

 

[BUTCHVROD]

same thing happened to me....i filled out my "quality" questionaire and sent it back to the dealer..you figure you spend this much money on a bike that is DOA dead on arrival what a crap

 

[Max]

I'm not sure what Harley's policy is on new stock unit batteries but it may be similar to GM's. With a GM dealer if a new car sits in stock and the battery goes bad from lack of starting or maintaining then the battery is the responsibility of the dealer to replace. If it fails after the car is sold then it is covered by GM. As bad as it is dealers still will give you a car that has been on the lot for a year with a known bad battery so they don't have to buy it.

Max

 

[IndianaSteve]

The same thing happened to me. My 03 was produced in 10/02 and I bought it new in 5/03. A couple of days later (parked in the garage without the alarm turned on) the battery was dead. The dealer came and picked up the bike, kept it for 3 days trying to find if there was a voltage leak, and ended up putting in a new battery - at no charge to me.

Of course, it was on the way home from that repair that the engine quit at just the wrong time and I ended up with a broken leg. But that is another story.
:banghead:

I've used a Battery Tender Jr. since then and have had no further battery problems.

 

[Rich Moran]

I would recommend also getting with the owner of the dealership. Find out who he as as he needs to lay it on the staff to be sure that everything is taken care of and the the screw ups are not perpetuated.

GM's come and go, but the dealership owner stays until they retire from the works, or stay on till death do they part.

I would not let that one get away either, as that is a reflection on his ability and responsibilty to be sure his dealership is up to snuff.

 

[wykkd]

Hey Palermor, in regards to the dead battery, did your dealer inform you about the tendency of the compact battery supplied with your bike to not hold a charge for long periods of time? Does your bike have a plug-in lead stowed away behind the left-side vented cover? Did your dealer provide you with a battery tender? Check for the battery charging lead behind the cover first. If your bike had this installed from the factory as mine did, go back to your stealer and demand that he supply you with a battery tender free of charge. My stealer was gracious enough to provide me with this information and the tender at the time of my delivery. Obviously this has been an issue although I'm not sure if all v-rods came with the battery leads. Good luck!

 

[curlysir]

Does your bike have a plug-in lead stowed away behind the left-side vented cover? Did your dealer provide you with a battery tender? Check for the battery charging lead behind the cover first. If your bike had this installed from the factory as mine did, go back to your stealer and demand that he supply you with a battery tender free of charge. My stealer was gracious enough to provide me with this information and the tender at the time of my delivery. Obviously this has been an issue although I'm not sure if all v-rods came with the battery leads. Good luck!

Installed from the Factory? Is this something new or did the dealer add it? From what I have read in other threads most people have had to add their own.

I had to add my own on my 2003.

 

[wykkd]

Installed from the Factory? Is this something new or did the dealer add it? From what I have read in other threads most people have had to add their own.

I had to add my own on my 2003.

To be honest with you I'm not quite sure at this time. Most dealers will not invest any more than they have to without charging you for it. Regardless, if your not riding your bike or even starting it at least once a week, you will most likely experience a dead battery situation. If your dealer claims no knowledge of this "condition" with the battery, invest in the battery tender and insure yourself a no hassle start next time you want to get on the road. Good luck!