Harley-Davidson XL1200L problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
5,578 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 to 2007 model years. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 7 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 14.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 14.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 14.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 1; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Structure: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2006: 1; 2007: 3; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10162664 · 2006-07-14 (July 14, 2006)
2006 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER TRANSMISSION MADE NOISE AT 556 MILES. *TS WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE MOTORCYCLE, HE DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION'S DRAIN PLUG HAD A MAGNET WHICH HAD METAL SHAVINGS STUCK TO IT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC TOOK IT FOR A RIDE. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS EXCESSIVELY NOISY AND IN HIS OPINION THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE MOTORCYCLE TO WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED TO VOICE HIS AND CONCERNS AND AFTER 2 HOURS OF DIAGNOSTICS, THEY…
Owner-reported narrative. 556 miles reported. Look up ODI 10162664 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11015065 · 2017-08-14 (August 14, 2017)
I WAS RIDING MY STOCK 2007 HD SPORTSTER 1200 YESTERDAY ON A PAVED ROAD APPROX. 35 MPH WHEN I RAN OVER A ROUGH PORTION OF ROAD. THE RIGHT FOOT PEG / REAR BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY CAME OFF FROM ITS MOUNTING POSITION ON THE LOWER FRAME AND WAS DRAGGING ON THE ROAD. I PULLED OVER TO DISCOVER THAT THE TWO BOLTS THAT HOLD THE BRACKET / ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME HAD SHEARED OFF. I WEIGH 185 LBS AND THE MOTORCYCLE DID NOT BOTTOM-OUT ON THE ROUGH ROAD, NOR DID THE BRAKE / FOOT PEG ASSEMBLY STRIKE THE ROAD. THE BOLTS APPEAR TO HAVE SIMPLY SHEARED OFF FROM MY…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11015065 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10192248 · 2007-06-01 (June 1, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON XL1200L. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 06V476000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR). HE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE COMPONENT IS ON BACK ORDER. PRESENTLY, NO FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 200. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10192248 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10200128 · 2007-08-20 (August 20, 2007)
5 DAY OLD HARLEY, SPORTSTER FAIL TO START. FUEL PUMP OUT. NEW PART ON 20 BACKORDER. NOT ACCEPTABLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 534 miles reported. Look up ODI 10200128 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3 |
2006: 1; 2007: 3