The switch that toggles the odometer/trip reset just stopped working on my 15 RGS. I took the housing off, looked around. Blew it out with compressed air. Nothing. I even tried using it to access the diagnostics. Nothing. Only 13K on the bike.
Before this I had a 13 Breakout that wouldn't start with the clutch pulled in. The dealer told me that the switch was bad. That only had 12K on it.
The switch that toggles the odometer/trip reset just stopped working on my 15 RGS. I took the housing off, looked around. Blew it out with compressed air. Nothing. I even tried using it to access the diagnostics. Nothing. Only 13K on the bike.
Before this I had a 13 Breakout that wouldn't start with the clutch pulled in. The dealer told me that the switch was bad. That only had 12K on it.
I use the switch at fill ups (reset the odometer). Other than that I don't use it.
I rarely get caught in the rain and when I wash it I use a garden hose and a bucket. It's stored in my basement. Cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Just seems ridiculous. I've never had a vehicle (car/truck) that has had an electrical issue like this with such low mileage.
I just replaced a set of switches in my 30 year old Softail (they still worked fine), but there is no comparison between the old switch type and the new switch packs....
The switch pack in the OP`s bike costs about $285.00 :frown
Yes, the switches are sh1t, so is the hydraulic clutch, the lifters, the foot boards, the mufflers, the seats, the gauges, etc., etc. That's why so many keep buying and riding them.
Not trying to be flippant but by now you should know that bikes are a different animal than most vehicles. Different environment, operating conditions and so on. Higher levels of maintenance and failure rates. On average. Its part of the deal, the nature of the beast. You gotta live with it or quit riding. Although, its not as bad as it used to be. Remember the days of replacing a drive chain once a year? Sprockets every two? Oiling a chain once a week? Adjusting clutches 3-4 times a year? These beasties have gotten much better than they used to be.
Personally I enjoy doing my own maintenance and repairs. I like a couple times a year going over it stem to stern checking fasteners, adjustments, service items. It makes me one with the bike. Ommmmmm. Ommmmmm. Just repeat the following mantra over and over, faster and faster and you too will achieve oneness:
Must also be why I kept my first HD for ~20 years, and current one for ~15 and counting, while jap bikes I've only kept a couple years before getting rid of them..... Hard to give an accurate number for how long I keep cars cause 10 years of my life I only had a motorcycle, no cars.
Cause in late 80's - early 90's cars were craptacular! Didnt even want one!
Keep on hating. Doesn't matter. Seems like quite a coincidence that I had a switch pack go bad on my Breakout and my RG. They aren't inexpensive motorcycles.
I really enjoy my bike and will most likely buy another HD.....doesn't mean they don't cheap out in some areas. Out of curiousity I checked with the head tech at the local dealer, he said it wasn't uncommon for this to happen.....having said that I suspect most of what he sees as a tech is bikes with problems so there's that.
I’ve tried tried to read as many of the tech postings as I could during the last 8 years since I discovered this forum. In my observation, I haven’t seen many, if any, complaints posted about the switches on these bikes unless there has been some type of modification. I have, however, noted many problems associated with switch and wiring problems experienced after modifications or disassembly, even when it’s not readily apparent that it could be related to the work done. In my personal experience, when tracking down or diagnosing a problem, it’s usually most productive to work backwards from the last area that there was any work done.
In my experience with an older, and abused, RK and my current lower mileage RKC, I haven’t experienced problems with the OE components of either bike. I have, however, created some self-inflicted wiring issues when I made my mods (handlebars, etc). I just think that we create more problems ourselves than these bikes have as inherent problems. And like the OP, I’ve loved both my bikes and it’s not likely that a few problems will change that.
My .02¢ and my experience only. I've had two consecutive bikes 2015 and up with clutch switches go bad. Other riders and members of the dealership/service staff have indicated similar results.
While my bike was in for repairs after the accident, I asked them to take care of the clutch switch while it was there. It worked fine the day I got it back, then it didn't work sporadically for a few days, and now it works fine. FWIW, I haven't washed it since I got it back, but I did ride it in the rain this weekend.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Harley Davidson Forums
1.8M posts
96.6K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to all Harley-Davidson model owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, builds, maintenance, classifieds and more!