How do you guys feel about Big Dog Motorcycles?

[V8Thrasher]

With all the talk of Harleys, Big Bear, etc, I was wondering what you guys thought about Big Dog Motorcycles. I really like their line of bikes, especially the Coyote (at 22k I think thats a steal! compared to the 40k+ price of normal "customs"). The Rave reviews of just about every single model they have are some good signs this company knows what they are doing, I was just wondering if anyone has ridden one? I know down here in Cali one of their dealerships is located on PCH, so you can ride along the beach in one of those headturning beauties!

[exfed12825]

First let me say that all bikes are nice,from the 50cc Honda that I learned to ride on 50 years ago, to the chopped bagger I ride now. Next they all need to be treated with respect, things can go terribly wrong in less than a heartbeat. Big Dogs are a nice looking bike there are some issues with the rear tracking on turns as there are with all bikes when running a narrow front tire and a wide rear tire, meaning that if your going around a sharp turn at 70 mph your rear tire is going to take a different line than the front and is going to want to wash out. Personally I've found that the owners of bikes that spent more time building them than they do cleaning tend to show more respect for what they have under their seat. I've also wittnessed owners of Big Dogs and other factory built choppers and Kit bikes being thrown out of bike shows because they want to call them customs. My oppinion is if you want a chopper take your $22,000.00 and buy a nice engine tranny belt drive combination, a rolling chassie, and some chrome parts off ebay you'll have around $7,500.00 left, pay for a nice paint job, and buy some tools if you need them. Take the remaining $5,500.00 and buy BEER. You'll be a lot happier and have somthing you can be proud of.

[cbdallas]

Cool looking bikes. I have a friend with a Mastiff (not sure of the year..not very old). He's had several problems with his. He's replaced the entire ignition system, and his clutch basket came unbolted on the highway, just to name the two that I can remember. The bike is 100% stock and had never been touched / opened up prior to these incidents, so I'm not sure what / who's to blame for the troubles he's experienced. He's dropped some serious coin keeping it on the road in the last 3 years.

[XL250]

Personally I am not drawn to Big Dog bikes, I do think ExFed has a great suggestion and I do agree that you will completely know your bike after building it.

I have toyed with the idea of building from scratch, never know, winter is coming soon, might be a good time to do it!

[V8Thrasher]

My tastes have changed since back then, lol. I still think Big Dogs are great looking biks, but the prices and the mechanical problems are a huge turn off :/

[Stryker]

I prefer scratch build too, even made my own front end and frame. tTo each his own though. on BD's, check every nut and bolt they don't locktite anything, and some have had wiring issues toodue to poor routing....

my 2c

[LMK]

Big Dog is a nice bike. But every thing Stryker said is true. I will say for a "chopper" style sled they are not to bad for all day rides.

[CharlesW]

Hasn't Big Dog motorcycles closed their doors?
I thought I read something about them taking bankruptcy.

[xjsc182]

Good dog and good bike

[distantThunder]

This thread is old and dead.

BD made some very nice bikes - expensive but nice.
They shut their doors and are out of business.
You can still pick up good BD bikes on EBay and other for-sale forums. Prices have come down a LOT because they are no longer supported by the company. But if you are willing to do a lot of maintenance yourself, plus searching around for parts, it might be worth it.

I always liked the BD Pitbulls a lot.
The Wolf was nice too - a big bike :-)

dT

[rebel]

Know a guy that had one with air ride.