18k on mine now, nothing other than maintenance stuff like tires, oil, coolant and battery. Bike runs great.
Who has or has not had problems with their 900?
I have owned four of these bikes now and was wondering what other owners who have actually accumulated some miles have or have not seen for problems with these bikes.I have a tendency to switch bikes often so have never really put a lot of miles on any of the four.I did have a 2009 that dripped some coolant at about 3000 miles which I resolved by tightening some hose clamps under the gas tank.Also had small amounts of oil form (same bike) on the wiring harness that runs to the regulator.Never did resolve that problem.I never had any of the frequently talked of belt noise and never experienced stator failure but I never put more than 4500 miles on any of the four bikes.Please state year,mileage,and whether modifications may have caused the problem when responding.
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Yes I love all the normal maintenance, so easy to do, oil change, brake pads, break fluid, air filter, spark plugs, oil of course, once you get used to taking off the tank, changing the coolant is a snap to, I don't like the valve job, but that's still easier than changing an air filter on a Honda Goldwing, the air filter took me 8 hours to change on the wing18k on mine now, nothing other than maintenance stuff like tires, oil, coolant and battery. Bike runs great.
Mine's an '09, now with 59,000 miles on it. I'm on my 4th set of tires now (counting the factory tires it came with) and my 3rd battery. Just regular maintenance, with no major problems other than last fall I was riding home from work and my clutch cable gave out, it was down to a few feeble strands of metal holding it together so I got that replaced. Then a few weeks ago the shifter linkage broke and I had a new part (I think they called it a "knuckle") replaced as well. Kind of wear and tear type stuff. But otherwise is still running smooth!
Pretty impressive.You may hit 100000 miles with that bike.Thank you for posting.Mine's an '09, now with 59,000 miles on it. I'm on my 4th set of tires now (counting the factory tires it came with) and my 3rd battery. Just regular maintenance, with no major problems other than last fall I was riding home from work and my clutch cable gave out, it was down to a few feeble strands of metal holding it together so I got that replaced. Then a few weeks ago the shifter linkage broke and I had a new part (I think they called it a "knuckle") replaced as well. Kind of wear and tear type stuff. But otherwise is still running smooth!
I'm curious, have you adjusted the valves on the suggested interval?Mine's an '09, now with 59,000 miles on it. I'm on my 4th set of tires now (counting the factory tires it came with) and my 3rd battery. Just regular maintenance, with no major problems other than last fall I was riding home from work and my clutch cable gave out, it was down to a few feeble strands of metal holding it together so I got that replaced. Then a few weeks ago the shifter linkage broke and I had a new part (I think they called it a "knuckle") replaced as well. Kind of wear and tear type stuff. But otherwise is still running smooth!
Got my 07 with 17,000 on it. Right now it's around 28,000 and no problems at all. Runs like a champ.
A little under 50k on my old 900, before I traded it in. Had to replace the stator; common on '06 and '07 models. Few sets of tires. A battery. That's it really. Stator was a 90 minute job and around $200 in parts.
Here's some data on my 08 900. At about 15k I start doing my own maintenance. It's over 65k now and still running strong. Even though I have a couple other bikes, my 900 is still my favorite.
--- CHANGED
Oil & Filter
date = 03/13/14 - OD = 20,024
date = 05/09/14 - OD = 21,800
date = 07/20/14 - OD = 23,633
date = 10/31/14 - OD = 28,573
date = 03/14/15 - OD = 34,406
date = 05/07/15 - OD = 36,790
date = 05/22/15 - OD = 40,712
date = 08/30/15 - OD = 46,090
date = 11/30/15 - OD = 50,646
date = 03/01/16 - OD = 55,755
date = 04/25/16 - OD = 60,968
Cluch Lever
date = 11/22/15 - OD = 50,646 - replaced
Clutch Cable
date = 11/22/15 - OD = 50,646 - replaced
Headlight
Sylvania H4 9003 Basic - date = 02/12/16 - OD = 54,913 - replaced
Stator
date = 05/09/14 - OD = 21,800 - replaced
date = 11/30/15 - OD = 50,646 - replaced
Battery
date = 05/9/14 - OD = 21,800 - replaced
Coolant
date = 12/11/15 - OD = 51,002
Valve Adjustment
date = not recorded OD = 21,800 - no adjustment needed
date = 12/10/15 - OD = 50,995 - rear cylender exhaust -
Brakes
Brake Pads
Back - Volar VMF A231, OD = 47,557
Back - Volar VMF A231, OD = 52,050
Front - EBC fa229v, OD = 63,280
Back - EBC fa231 / 2v, OD = 63,280
Rotor
Back - EBC md4085, OD = 52,050
Dunlap
Front - factory
Rear - factory
Dunlap
Front - data not recorded
Rear - data not recorded
Metzler
Front ME880 130/90H-16 Blackwall Tire, Tread Dept - 5.5 mm - OD = not recorded - date = not recorded
Rear ME880 180/70HB-15 Blackwall Tire, Tread Dept - 8.0 mm - OD = not recorded - date = not recorded
Pirelli
Front Night Dragon 130/90HB-16 Blackwall Tire, Tread Dept - 5.56 mm - OD = 22,330 - date = 05/26/14
Rear Night Dragon 180/70HB-15 Blackwall Tire, Tread Dept - 6.35 mm - OD = 22,330 - date = 05/26/14
Pirelli
Route MT-66 130/90HB-16 Blackwall Tire, Tread Dept - 5.56 mm - OD = 36,790 - date = 05/07/15
Route MT-66 180/70HB-15 Blackwall Tire, Tread Dept - 8.73 mm - OD = 32,690 - date = 02/23/15
Shinko
Tour Master 130/90V-16 Blackwall Tire, Tread Depth - 4.76 mm - OD = 47447 - date = 09/20/2015
Tour Master 180/70H -15 Blackwall Tire, Tread Depth - 7.14 - OD = 47,557 - Date = 09/21/2015
Tour Master 180/70H -15 Blackwall Tire, Tread Depth - 7.14 - OD = 52,050 - Date = 01/14/2016
Metzler
Marathon 888 130/90 Blackwall Tire, Tread Depth - 4.9 - OD = 57,958 - Date = 03/31/2016
Marathon 888 170/80 Blackwall Tire, Tread Depth - 6.9 - OD = 57,958 - Date = 03/31/2016
--- CHANGED
Oil & Filter
date = 03/13/14 - OD = 20,024
date = 05/09/14 - OD = 21,800
date = 07/20/14 - OD = 23,633
date = 10/31/14 - OD = 28,573
date = 03/14/15 - OD = 34,406
date = 05/07/15 - OD = 36,790
date = 05/22/15 - OD = 40,712
date = 08/30/15 - OD = 46,090
date = 11/30/15 - OD = 50,646
date = 03/01/16 - OD = 55,755
date = 04/25/16 - OD = 60,968
Cluch Lever
date = 11/22/15 - OD = 50,646 - replaced
Clutch Cable
date = 11/22/15 - OD = 50,646 - replaced
Headlight
Sylvania H4 9003 Basic - date = 02/12/16 - OD = 54,913 - replaced
Stator
date = 05/09/14 - OD = 21,800 - replaced
date = 11/30/15 - OD = 50,646 - replaced
Battery
date = 05/9/14 - OD = 21,800 - replaced
Coolant
date = 12/11/15 - OD = 51,002
Valve Adjustment
date = not recorded OD = 21,800 - no adjustment needed
date = 12/10/15 - OD = 50,995 - rear cylender exhaust -
Brakes
Brake Pads
Back - Volar VMF A231, OD = 47,557
Back - Volar VMF A231, OD = 52,050
Front - EBC fa229v, OD = 63,280
Back - EBC fa231 / 2v, OD = 63,280
Rotor
Back - EBC md4085, OD = 52,050
Dunlap
Front - factory
Rear - factory
Dunlap
Front - data not recorded
Rear - data not recorded
Metzler
Front ME880 130/90H-16 Blackwall Tire, Tread Dept - 5.5 mm - OD = not recorded - date = not recorded
Rear ME880 180/70HB-15 Blackwall Tire, Tread Dept - 8.0 mm - OD = not recorded - date = not recorded
Pirelli
Front Night Dragon 130/90HB-16 Blackwall Tire, Tread Dept - 5.56 mm - OD = 22,330 - date = 05/26/14
Rear Night Dragon 180/70HB-15 Blackwall Tire, Tread Dept - 6.35 mm - OD = 22,330 - date = 05/26/14
Pirelli
Route MT-66 130/90HB-16 Blackwall Tire, Tread Dept - 5.56 mm - OD = 36,790 - date = 05/07/15
Route MT-66 180/70HB-15 Blackwall Tire, Tread Dept - 8.73 mm - OD = 32,690 - date = 02/23/15
Shinko
Tour Master 130/90V-16 Blackwall Tire, Tread Depth - 4.76 mm - OD = 47447 - date = 09/20/2015
Tour Master 180/70H -15 Blackwall Tire, Tread Depth - 7.14 - OD = 47,557 - Date = 09/21/2015
Tour Master 180/70H -15 Blackwall Tire, Tread Depth - 7.14 - OD = 52,050 - Date = 01/14/2016
Metzler
Marathon 888 130/90 Blackwall Tire, Tread Depth - 4.9 - OD = 57,958 - Date = 03/31/2016
Marathon 888 170/80 Blackwall Tire, Tread Depth - 6.9 - OD = 57,958 - Date = 03/31/2016
Other than the Stator being replaced around 12K+/- No issues 38K miles, do all my own maint. and all before MOM guide lines.
12-15 oil & filters
4th rear tire
3rd front tire
Stock dunlops 404's (170-80-16 on rear)
steering stem & swing arm bearings and seals looked great.
May change clutch cable soon
12-15 oil & filters
4th rear tire
3rd front tire
Stock dunlops 404's (170-80-16 on rear)
steering stem & swing arm bearings and seals looked great.
May change clutch cable soon
Wow I would be upset if I lost a stator, I've got twenty thousand on mine, looks like a bigger problem than what I realized from these posts! That's a major isn't it? What was the cost replace, or was your still under warranty?Other than the Stator being replaced around 12K+/- No issues 38K miles, do all my own maint. and all before MOM guide lines.
12-15 oil & filters
4th rear tire
3rd front tire
Stock dunlops 404's (170-80-16 on rear)
steering stem & swing arm bearings and seals looked great.
May change clutch cable soon
Wow looks like your best tread on your tire was from the Pirelli? 15000 miles on your rear? Why on Earth did you go with any other Tire? After that kind of mileage?
Trying to find that perfect tire, I guess. The Pirelli MT-66's did win top honors for longevity, smooth ride and no observable cupping but their soft sidewalls tended to be a little squirrely riding 2 up on the Tail of The Dragon. The Metzler 880's came in second on longevity (about 12,500 miles), ride wasn't quite as soft and did develop some cupping, but they do feel good in the curves. No swagger and stuck to the road like glue. The down side is they're getting hard to find. Metzler is pushing the 888's now. The Metzler 888's are very stable but don't grip as good as the 880's. They're also almost too hard. You feel every pebble in the road. Not sure about mileage or cupping yet. Only time will tell. The Pirelli Night Dragon's had a soft comfortable ride just like the MT-66's and felt good in the curves, but mileage wasn't all that great. Especially since they were priced up in the Metzler price range. Mileage wasn't that great on the Dunlap's either if I remember right. Six or seven thousand was about all I got out of them. And lastly, the Sinko's were pretty bad. Mileage was only four to five thousand, cupping, took more weight to balance, and run-out on the front tire was right on the edge. They did really grip the road though. Of all the tires, I think they were the softest. LOL, you could see rubber left behind just pushing the bike out the garage.
Take this with a grain of salt. It's just one man's opinion.
Take this with a grain of salt. It's just one man's opinion.
Trying to find that perfect tire, I guess. The Pirelli MT-66's did win top honors for longevity, smooth ride and no observable cupping but their soft sidewalls tended to be a little squirrely riding 2 up on the Tail of The Dragon. The Metzler 880's came in second on longevity (about 12,500 miles), ride wasn't quite as soft and did develop some cupping, but they do feel good in the curves. No swagger and stuck to the road like glue. The down side is they're getting hard to find. Metzler is pushing the 888's now. The Metzler 888's are very stable but don't grip as good as the 880's. They're also almost too hard. You feel every pebble in the road. Not sure about mileage or cupping yet. Only time will tell. The Pirelli Night Dragon's had a soft comfortable ride just like the MT-66's and felt good in the curves, but mileage wasn't all that great. Especially since they were priced up in the Metzler price range. Mileage wasn't that great on the Dunlap's either if I remember right. Six or seven thousand was about all I got out of them. And lastly, the Sinko's were pretty bad. Mileage was only four to five thousand, cupping, took more weight to balance, and run-out on the front tire was right on the edge. They did really grip the road though. Of all the tires, I think they were the softest. LOL, you could see rubber left behind just pushing the bike out the garage.
Take this with a grain of salt. It's just one man's opinion.
Good stuff here! Thanks May check out the Pirelli after all, I was looking at the Michelin commanders, I had those on my other Vulcan and we're pretty good, I was thinking about Dunlop as I like the stock tire back there, but you can't find it in the 180 size anymore , at least not as a right reasonable price. But no way do I want to change this thing again and 8000 Miles. Thanks for all that information!
Fuel Mileage data collected 2015
I collected fuel mileage on my 900 from the last part of 2014 to the end of 2015. You may notice a lot of variation between fill-ups and there really was. Some of the biggest factors were different cruising speeds, wind direction / velocity, and inaccurate pump metering. One of the things that didn't make a difference ( and I really thought it would ) was fuel grade. After a couple thousand miles I started running 87 octane all the time. You will notice a slight dip in the first couple months of 2015 where I ran a 34 tooth sprocket. In early March 2015 I put the OEM sprocket back on. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but all it did was make the bike feel sluggish and may have hurt the gas mileage during that period.
I collected fuel mileage on my 900 from the last part of 2014 to the end of 2015. You may notice a lot of variation between fill-ups and there really was. Some of the biggest factors were different cruising speeds, wind direction / velocity, and inaccurate pump metering. One of the things that didn't make a difference ( and I really thought it would ) was fuel grade. After a couple thousand miles I started running 87 octane all the time. You will notice a slight dip in the first couple months of 2015 where I ran a 34 tooth sprocket. In early March 2015 I put the OEM sprocket back on. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but all it did was make the bike feel sluggish and may have hurt the gas mileage during that period.
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Yeah 87 runs fine in the 900. It's all it needs. The manual suggests 87 anyway; and generally unless you adjust ignition and fuel timing; there's no real benefit to running a grade of fuel higher than what's listed in the manual. (And; because this often comes up; some manuals list 91RON; which is equivalent to 87 R+M/2 as it's labeled here in the states).
well I miss spoke on my Custom, yesterday riding 2 up when turning left my kick stand started dragging.
Spring broke?well I miss spoke on my Custom, yesterday riding 2 up when turning left my kick stand started dragging.
My used 900, had 16 thousand miles on it, when I bought it my kickstand was Dripping a little bit, bought about 5 different Springs from auto parts store, for $5, got the tightest one, and fixed. Works great, had it on there for 3000 miles , nice and tight!well I miss spoke on my Custom, yesterday riding 2 up when turning left my kick stand started dragging.
The output shaft bearing replacement would have cost about $1,700 but the extended warranty covered it.Wow, how much did that repair cost? Engine removed and case split? wow.
The stator was however was another story, about $900.
Since I paid 3500 for the bike, I would just junk mine and buy another one!, lolThe output shaft bearing replacement would have cost about $1,700 but the extended warranty covered it.Wow, how much did that repair cost? Engine removed and case split? wow.
The stator was however was another story, about $900.
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