2004 Harley-Davidson reviews

This was my first Harley. I kept her for a little over a year and over 5,000 miles. I really enjoyed the time we had, but the more I rode the further I wanted to go and the more my wife wanted to ride with me. The sporty was great for me (at 245 pounds). Then you add my wife (at 105) and it was time for a Street Glide. Show less

I was out of the bike scene for 20 years and I came back on a XL1200C. I had that bike for one season, went into buy gloves and this gold and black Heritage was on the showroom floor. After 20 trips to the dealer and three weeks later, the bike was mine. The prior owner only had 3,500 miles on her when I bought her in 2013. We're at 5,200 now. The bike rides like a Buick, stops corners and accelerates like one. It's the ultimate cruiser / ez touring bike. In stock form, she's very comfortable to ride, and does everything well. She's not a sport bike nor is she meant to be. In stock trim, you could go all day on this. Tell ya this, stop for gas, you'll draw a crowd. The bike is Gold/Black 2 tone and is striking. After the upgrades mentioned below, it's a masterpiece. It's a super nice bike even 2-up. It has EFI which I love (some don't). The TC88 has enough juice for anything and the 5-speed is way more than adequate. Show less

I have not been on a bike for two years or so and just got one again. I seem to like to be back on a bike again which is always missed when you have and are not. I would say I don't know yet on the overall but it is not a Honda so by association it is a better bike. Show less

I love this girl and some day she will be my grandsons. Brakes and tires are the only replacements due to the riding. She is semi-retired because there is a 2011 Ultra Limited in my garage with only one mile on her. I can't wait for our Michigan snow to melt! Show less

This is the best all-around standard bike available! At under 600 lbs., it is easy to maneuver around town but heavy enough to be comfortable on the highway. It's plenty quick and easy to handle. The paint job and chrome work are first class. You can customize it to your personal taste with tons of aftermarket/Harley parts. Make no mistake, this is no "starter bike". I had a metric bike prior to this and while I enjoyed it, I like my Harley better. It has character, class, and a mechanical feel to it that to me is what a motorcycle should be. Show less

Traded my 04 XL1200R for an 08 FXD just cause I wanted a big twin. The XL had 50K miles on the clock at trade in time but was able to get good monry on my trade-in. The XL had taken me to work every day, rain or shine, on weekend excursions, and short trips and long trips alike, even off-road on occasion. Only problem I ever encountered was the starter motor failed at 32,000 miles. New unit installation was time consuming but not difficult at all. Averaged 52 MPG (stage1), powerful enough to wheelie, fun to ride and surprisingly comfortable with a sundowner seat. I miss her. Show less

Most all of the other reviews on here are from 2004 when the motorcycle was new. This is a review of a motorcycle that is 5 years old and has 14000 miles on it. I purchased it used with 7000 miles. It was beautifully maintained. In the time I've had it I've ridden it 7000 miles in a little over a year. There has not been one issue nor inconvenience with this bike. It has been simply fabulous to own and ride. It is great around town or even on a 1000 mile trip. The only thing I really don't like is the small front tire and fender but then again that's what makes it a Dyna I guess. Show less

I've had this bike for almost 6 years now. For all practical purposes there have been no real issues. Routine maitenance is all that's been required to keep her running like new. The only thing not original on the bike is (of course) oils and front brake pads. Probably the most maintenance free bike I've ever owned. Fit and finish remain top notch. Chrome does require some polish now and shows no dulling or pitting. If comfort and reliability are important to you look no further than the road king. Wife loves it too. Show less

This is the sweetest machine I've ever ridden. I rode from here through the passes of the Rocky Mountains to Longmont, Colorado without a problem. 102 degrees coming back and again no problems. Comfort was excellent. Of course Harley's run a little hot, but seat comfort, vision and pickup-and-go were all excellent. It is a fine machine for someone my size. My riding buddy who is well over 6 feet tall and over 250 in weight also prefers this machine over his own Harley dresser. Show less

3rd bike. 1st: '97 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 (fantastic bike also for the size) 2nd: '98 Suzuki Marauder 800 (a complete mutt, like riding a wet washcloth, unresponsive, washy, unresponsive) Customized and sold. Now, the good news!!! I was looking into an older 1400 Intruder. Very pretty motor, and tons of power, also look great when a good customizer takes ahold. But to be honest, I LOST MONEY ON BOTH JAP BIKES. Even with the 1000-2000 I dumped into both of them... I took a bath. Only one option then...Harley. Because although Victory is an American owned company, they do not hold value like the Harley. 2nd issue: Who wants to spend 20 grand on something that will sit for 4 months during the snow??? This left the Sportster. And I did my homework too. 2004 WAS THE YEAR!!! Every issue addressed. Vibration, gone, great braking, hellishly fast, stronger frame, better cooling, where do I stop??? But then there's the guys who say that it's a chick's bike. BS. This bike has more HP per pound of motorcycle than the 1450's. Fact. You can also lay it into corners like a track bike. I put highway pegs on it and it's everything I was looking for in a motorcycle. JUST THE ROADSTER. The Customs look a little to jappy for me. The OLD, RETRO, PEANUT tank is what gives the bike that nostalgic look...the way a motorcycle is supposed to look. The Roadster has the non too baffled factory exhaust too. Loud enough without just being an a*hole to your neighbors. And motorcycles are SUPPOSED TO SHAKE. It rumbles and shakes like an angry mental patient waiting to rip someone in half when idling. don't get me wrong, I like the Superglides and the Springers in the big ones...But most of the guys who will run their mouth about this bike, haven't ridden it. It's my bike, not my girlfriend's...hence the solo seat is how it is meant to be outfitted. No saddle bags, or big two up seats with studded backrests. It's a track bike. And the factory seat sucks...so what? You can buy a comfortable one. Personally, some bikes are made for saddle bags, windshields, two up seats, leather tank bags...and all that crap. I am a purist. On a purist motorcycle. You, the road, the bugs, the speed, the smells, and the fact that you know you are riding something SOLID. I have friends who own 1300 VTX's and 1100 V Stars...And they all say the same thing when they ride mine. That bike is SOLID. And if you're a chrome freak (I was), this probably isn't your bike either. But if you love motorcycles, you want to get your money back out of the bike, if you like deep corners, great responsive speed, the Harley rumble, and knowing that when you go to start it...it starts everytime, then this is the bike for you. My only issue. There is a design flaw with the mechanism controlling the front brake lever...I read about it, and it doesn't happen to everyone, but some of them, including mine...has a constant signal sent to the brake lights because of play in the brake lever. Rubber band??? Back spring (my choice) and you're good. don't waste 500 dollars for Harley to tell you some crap I just did. You can bleed your brakes for improved pressure, but you still have the play that turns the brake light on. I've had bicycles with more problems. OH yeah, the easiest oil change of any bike I've had yet! You can do that yourself too. GREAT BIKE...1st Harley. I'm never going Jap again. I can lose money at the casino. Show less