Big Dog Motorcycles Chopper reviews

I purchased my 2006 Big Dog Chopper in May and it has been awesome!! I have approximately 1200 miles on it and no problems what so ever. Performance has been great the Baker drivetrain is unbelievably smooth. When most people think "Chopper" they think uncomfortable and poor handling. With this bike that is far from true in fact it is very comfortable and fun to ride. The furthest I have gone in one day is about a 200 mile ride. You feel as if you are part of the bike instead of just sitting on it. The first day I test drove one I was doing slow tight turns without putting a foot down. The balance of the bike with the balanced right side drive is great! Quality with fit and finish is top notch. I recently had the opportunity to look at some Thunder Mountain Cycle Customs (basically Harley Customs) and the Big Dog in my opinion is much nicer and about 10,000 cheaper. If you want something to jump on, have fun and turn heads hear you go!! Show less

I'm not sure where all these other guys bought their bikes but I haven't had any problems with my bike or the dealership... Every time I have taken it in for the service, I haven't had any problems. Oh, I take that back - the spring broke on the brake pads and they switched that and the pads with no questions... Treat me with respect also, I had a Titan a few years ago, which was a totally different story. GREAT BIKE Show less

I've ridden bikes all my life and raced motocross when my friends were playing football. I've owned several Harleys and enjoyed every one of them. My last was a Road King Custom that I put a Dragonfly fairing on and built the motor. I sold it so I could buy a Chopper and a Gold Wing. I bought the Chopper two weeks ago. I initially looked at pro street bikes then started sitting on choppers and really liking the way they felt. I looked hard at American Ironhorse and Big Dog; two established companies with nice bikes and warranties. I ended up test riding the Big Dog K9 and the Big Dog Chopper. The K9 was beautiful; however, it was difficult to ride and turn with the 300 tire. I rode it back to the dealership and was convinced a chopper wasn't for me. I then rode the most popular Big Dog, the chopper. It felt great and much easier to ride than the K9. I took it into a parking lot, did u-turns, and slow turns without a problem. I was sold at that point. I took it out on the freeway, kept it under 3000 for the break in, and shifted to sixth gear at 70 mph at 2200 RPMs. What a treat that sixth gear is; something every H-D should have. Mine is solid black with chrome and billet aluminum. So far, I am really impressed. I'm going to buy a Gold Wing for the long, long rides, but it's going to be hard to keep me off this thing. When I'm riding on the freeway, it nearly stops traffic it's such a good-looking bike. Big Dog has done a hell of a job with fit, finish, and components it uses. I'm extremely pleased with the bike so far. I can't wait until it's broken in because it feels like it wants to go and it's really fast now. Show less

Recently (10/2005) purchased a 2005 Big Dog Chopper. I have ridden a H-D Road King for 6 years, had over 60K trouble free miles and do a lot of long distance riding. I wanted something different, that being a chopper. I narrowed the field down to the Big Dog and the American Iron Horse. I must say, for looks and first impressions, the Iron Horse wins hands down. I was initially leaning that way. Reviews were positive for both bikes and manufacturers. I finally made my decision based on two items. One was handling. I teach the MSF course and I was an instructor for Police Motorcycle Operator course. So, to me, handling and manuverablility was an important issue. When it came to handling, the Big Dog won hands down. I rode the American Iron Horse and liked the straight line ride, but you had to really focus and set up your turns and corners. The AIH does not to lean for turns. The Big Dog has no problem and while it takes a little getting used to and you need to think about your curves, it handled more like a convential bike than any other chopper style I had ridden. I was even able to make the 20' box (one of the range exercises where a figure 8 is completed within a twenty foot wide rectangle), with the Big Dog Chopper. Nothing on the left side even touched and on the right side, the bottom of the lower pipe would contact when really leaned over. The box was not possible on the AIH. On the left side, the kick stand really dragged as soon as you leaned left and the frame contacted on the right side. The second consideration was the dealer. I had done my research and read as many reviews as I could find. I found a number of dealers who were offering the same bikes (both Big Dog and AIH) at considerably less pricing. The AIH dealer would not consider even coming close to other prices and even insinuated that purchasing a bike elsewhere would jeopardize service because there would be no dealer / customer loyalty. On the other hand, the Big Dog Dealer was more than willing to match other dealer prices. Not only that, but the dealership even went so far as to say that any Big Dog, regardless of place of purchase, would be welcomed for servicing and after market needs. The Big Dog dealer said to find the lowest price any dealer had to offer, bring it in and they would make every effort to meet it, which they did. They really went out of their way to make the customer feel like they were willing to work with them and provide the best service possible, before and after the sale. Another thing I liked about the Big Dog was the custom windshield. Because I do long distance riding (often 1,000 plus miles straight, stopping only for gas), I like having a windshield for those long trips. Big Dog offers several windshields maded specifically for the Chopper. It looks nice on the bike and comes off quickly. AIH doesn't offer a windshield and the only thing the dealer could recommend was to "rig" something up using a generic windshield.
So, now with 500 miles on the bike it is ready for it's first service. Everything has worked smoothly, I have been impressed with the looks, feel, performance and handling. Now, only 95K miles left before I get another... Show less

I purchased a new 04 leftover three months ago and have put 1200 miles this bike. I have enjoyed this bike so much that I have ordered an 06 chopper. The style, the looks, the custom paint, the perforamce is all there. Is really nice when someone is drooling over it, but it's really cool when people in there 60's and 70's compliament you on the bike. The tampa big dog dealer is second to none. Service is fast and detailed. Everyone there tries to help you in every way they can. They would much rather see you on the road than in their shop. Show less

I gave up on my Big Dog dealer and took my bike to the local Swift dealer. Well all the little proablems that the Big Dog dealer couldn't fix are now done and the bike is working great. The problem is that I spent about 500.00 fixing Big Dogs proablems. They said I had to go to a Big Dog dealer. But after two hours of drive time in each direction and tree trips with no results the 500.00 seems like a bargin. Show less

I purchased my '03 Chopper used. I felt Big Dog and my dealer could have told me to go away when I had some minor problems. Instead I received the best warranty and service I have ever experienced. When you have a custom bike you have to expect there will be issues arising. Both the factory and the dealership earned themselves a life long customer. As far as the bike, it is totally bad-ass. Not only is it fast and comfortable, but attracts all the attention you would want. Show less

So far, I have been very pleased with my '04 Chopper Dt. I have logged 500 miles with no problem. As of right now, I have a small leak coming from around the oil filter or the hoses that connect them. I feel this will be taken care of when I bring it in for the 500-mile check up. The bike has been a dream so far, and as far as vibration, it doesn't have near the vibration as my Harley Fat Boy did. I am Enjoying It. Show less

Just got my 2005 Big Dog Chopper a couple weeks ago, and I already have about 640 miles on it. Would have more if the weather cooperated. The bike handles very well, especially for being a Chopper. My previous bike was a 2001 Harley Dyna Wide Glide, and the only thing I miss about the Harley is the lack of vibration. The Chopper does pretty well as Big Dog has tighter specs on the engine than S&S does, resulting in less vibration. With the 6 speed transmission you can usually get the RPM's down to a level that minimizes the vibration though. The only problem so far has been a broken exhaust shield clamp, which is not affecting the riding and is being fixed by the dealer. My only complaint is that I wish the mirrors were the convex type, as convex ones would probably make the vibration less noticeable, and the stock non-convex ones make it look as if I'm looking thru a magnifying glass at the car behind me. Show less

I was impressed with the quality of this Chopper's components and paint. I rode 150 miles with ease and no fatigue. The bike ran well except for the oil filter vibrating loose and seeping a little oil. This was easily fixed by tightening it up. So far my only complaint is for myself being long legged, I will extend the foward controls for more comfort. Show less