Susan & Claude's FLH Survey Results Page

For those readers wondering about the Canadian flag and Manitoba flag appearing on this page, it's quite simple.  The idea for the FLH survey concept came from Susan & Claude Caron - two of Canada's finest residents and founding members of Electra Glide Egroup.  With Electra Glide Down Under taking on more of an international theme in the past four years, it's only fitting we give credit where it's due.  The website is managed from Australia so it's theme will always remain heavily steeped in Aussie culture.  Elle MacPherson, Sydney (October 2004)

To all Harley-Davidson FLH owner/riders out there, here are the results after the first one hundred responses from our Survey Page (a further one hundred responses still being processed).   One vital aspect of our survey is to get certain information out there to FLH owner/riders so we can help each other.  I think the following issues are important for on-going publication:

• particular items or consumables that owner/riders have had problems with,
• items which may be advisable to purchase, plus
• comments from owner/riders on what they like (or would like to change) with their Harley-Davidson FLH's.

How many months per annum do you ride?
Maximum period - 12 months (most of the Australian responses reflected this due to mild winter conditions).
Minimum period - approximately 4.5 months (Manitoba, Canada).
Mean period - approximately 10 months (on worldwide basis).

How long have you owned your bike?
The average period of ownership for current bike is 2.6 years, with one owner still riding his 1978 Electra Glide Classic since buying it new.

Is your current bike your first H-D?
I'm happy to say that 60% of respondents say they own/ride their first Harley-Davidson (which tends to indicate a gravitation from an alternate brand).  The remaining 40% are people who've come back to buy their favourite brand once again.

How many other H-Ds have you owned?
Of those who've returned to buy a Harley, the statistics show they've owned an average of one other machine.   Of course, the numbers do vary - with one respondent having owned five H-D's before this current one.

How far have you ridden since buying your bike (miles or kilometres)?
From the 100 responses to date we had 98 people who entered a figure for distance travelled since buying their bike - with a total figure of 3.4 million kilometres (2.12 million miles).  That calculates to an average of 34,748km (21,596 miles) since buying their bikes.

This is no doubt an incorrect statistic as the total figures were bolstered by a 230,000 mile owner in the northern hemisphere and a 230,000km rider in Australia.  If we make a correction for these riders it returns an average of 29,221 kilometres (18,161 miles) for the rest of us.

One statistic I found interesting was looking at total distance travelled by each rider, introducing the time period that people had owned their bikes, then considered the number of months throughout the year we could ride due to geographical and climatic conditions.  The riders in the cold ravaged northern hemisphere average 991 miles (1,595km) per month, whereas we in sunny Australia average 868 miles (1,397km) per month.  Obviously, when the weather is suitable, they make the most of it and ride as much as they can.

What brand/model of front tyre do you have fitted?
The most popular choice of front tyre for your FLH based touring Harleys seems to be those decribed as Dunlop, Dunlop 402 or Dunlop OEM; these accounting for 75.3% of responses.  The second most popular choice would have to be the various Metzeler models totalling 9.6% of responses   Other choices of front tyre comprised models/brands described as:

What brand/model of rear tyre do you have fitted?
The most popular choice of rear tyre seems to be those decribed as Dunlop, Dunlop 402 or Dunlop OEM; these accounting for 71.2% of responses.  The second most popular choice again would have to be the various Metzeler models totalling 9.5% of responses   Other choices of rear tyre comprised models/brands described as:

Have you ever had any problems with particular consumables?

• Avon tyres with their alleged handling problems.
• NGK spark plugs (95 Electra Glide Classic).
• Only when I’ve used aftermarket items.
• Screamin’ Eagle split-V electrode performance spark plugs (which are non-resistor type) cause interference with CB transmission/reception on Ultra Classics (99 Electra Glide Ultra Classic).
• Splitfire plugs found to be expensive and of no extra benefit.

Would you recommend any particular parts/accessories?

• Alarm system
• Bubba's lowered brake arm
• Different handgrips
• Display stand
• Fairing - fairing mount mirrors (3)
• Fairing - lower screen (96 Electra Glide Standard)
• Firestone tyres
• Highway pegs (3)
• Hog Lift (or similar brand of bike jack) – vital for cleaning/servicing
• Lights - brighter headlight bulb
• Lights - Halogen Passing Lamps
• Lights - PIAA 85/135 headlight bulb
• Lights - lighted rear turn-signal bar
• Marine accessory plug (great for camping)
• Pannier inner bags
• Progressive Suspension Micro Pump (for accurate air suspension settings)
• Seat - fitting an Electra Glide seat (97 Road King)
• Seat - lambs wool seat covers
• Seat - Mustang seat
• Seat - rider backrest (5)
• Seat - Road Zeppelin Air Seat
• Tour Pak Lid Organiser (2)

Would you advise against any particular parts/accessories?

• After-market carburetor kit (Rev Tech) stuffed up the bike’s fuel economy.
• Anything with a stupid eagle or "Live to Ride" on it! They cause problems with my credibility!
• Seat covers. Ensure that they do not cause any stress points on the seat base (98 Electra Glide Standard).
• Stage 1 Engine Kit is very difficult to tune, will not idle properly when first started.
• You may need spacers if you choose to run a bigger tire such as a 140/90-16 otherwise the tire may rub on you rear belt. Such was my experience.

Discussion - wet weather gear?

• Drizabone for me buddy.
• Dry Rider and Rain Rider.
• Harley-Davidson brand wet weather gear is crap (1 response).
• Harley-Davidson is good gear (2 responses).
• I buy all my wet weather gear in mountaineering shops, and adapt it for bike use. Most bike wet weather gear is crap, (BMW stuff apart) HD Stuff is a joke. I would however recommend Reusch and Shoei gloves.
• I wear cheap pullovers (been lucky I guess).
• I now only wear Harley-Davidson rain gear and Rocky Eliminator boots.
• I only use light nylon, as it’s easy to carry.
• I use Harley-Davidson brand foul weather gear and have no complaints.
• Rain gear is essential but remember to put it on before it rains (feels much better that way).
• Rain suit and leathers.
• Rivet brand.

Discussion - electric riding apparel?

• I don’t need any in New Orleans.
• Gerbing brand (vest & pants).
• Never tried any, us Canucks are tough.
• Heated handlebar inserts.

What do you like most about your H-D tourer?

What do you like least about your H-D tourer?

Legal Disclaimer
All comments or opinions expressed above, including those recommending or advising against the purchase and/or use of any commercially available brand, model or item, are not necessarily those of the managers, authors or designers of this website.  The comments are those returned from an anonymous survey conducted over a period of two years (2002 and 2003).  All survey results are available for the perusal of any bona-fide legal representatives of any manufacturer, importer, distributor or retailer if the authenticity or accuracy of such results are ever questioned.