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 updated: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Owner-reported patterns
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.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
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.
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
Component breakdown data
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.
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
Reported problems by failure mileage data
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.
2006
1
2007
3
2008
1
2010
1
2017
1
Complaints over time data
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.
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…
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…
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
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
7 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
57.1%Usable mileage4 / 7 records
100.0%Valid incident date7 / 7 records
100.0%Valid filing date7 / 7 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates7 / 7 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
Component complaint heatmap
Component
2006
2007
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
120.0%ODI 10192248
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
I PAID FOR A BRAND NEW 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200XL, ON JULY 28, 07. I PICKED IT UP FROM STUBBS HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER ON JULY 30, 07. THE DEALER FAILED TO DISCLOSE A RECALL ON THE MOTORCYCLE WHICH WAS ISSUED IN JUNE 07 FOR THE HEAT SHIELD MANIFOLD. SUBSEQUENTLY, I BURNT MY LEG ON THE PIPES, AND INCURRED A LOT OF PAIN, AND A SCAR ON MY LEG WHICH IS PERMANENT AND UNSIGHTLY. I FOUND OUT AFTERWARDS, THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY OWN FROM INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENT. THE DEALER NEVER TOOK ANY INITIATIVE TO NOTIFY ME ON THEIR OWN. I B…
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
120.0%ODI 10239164
I PAID FOR A BRAND NEW 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200XL, ON JULY 28, 07. I PICKED IT UP FROM STUBBS HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER ON JULY 30, 07. THE DEALER FAILED TO DISCLOSE A RECALL ON THE MOTORCYCLE WHICH WAS ISSUED IN JUNE 07 FOR THE HEAT SHIELD MANIFOLD. SUBSEQUENTLY, I BURNT MY LEG ON THE PIPES, AND INCURRED A LOT OF PAIN, AND A SCAR ON MY LEG WHICH IS PERMANENT AND UNSIGHTLY. I FOUND OUT AFTERWARDS, THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY OWN FROM INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENT. THE DEALER NEVER TOOK ANY INITIATIVE TO NOTIFY ME ON THEIR OWN. I B…
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…
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…
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…
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
Component failure mileage distribution
Component
Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)
Median
Usable records
Examples
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal
Too few reports for a range
556 mi
1 (sparse)
ODI 10162664 · 556 mi
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…
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…
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…
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2006: 1 complaints · 2007: 4 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2006
1
1
1
2007
4
4
4
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2006
2
0
0
2007
5
0
0
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
Component co-occurrence matrix
Component
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Power Train:Manual Transmission
Service Brakes
Structure
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
—
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
0
—
1ODI 10239164
I PAID FOR A BRAND NEW 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200XL, ON JULY 28, 07. I PICKED IT UP FROM STUBBS HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER ON JULY 30, 07. THE DEALER FAILED TO DISCLOSE A RECALL ON THE MOTORCYCLE WHICH WAS ISSUED IN JUNE 07 FOR THE HEAT SHIELD MANIFOLD. SUBSEQUENTLY, I BURNT MY LEG ON THE PIPES, AND INCURRED A LOT OF PAIN, AND A SCAR ON MY LEG WHICH IS PERMANENT AND UNSIGHTLY. I FOUND OUT AFTERWARDS, THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY OWN FROM INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENT. THE DEALER NEVER TOOK ANY INITIATIVE TO NOTIFY ME ON THEIR OWN. I B…
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
0
1ODI 10239164
I PAID FOR A BRAND NEW 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200XL, ON JULY 28, 07. I PICKED IT UP FROM STUBBS HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER ON JULY 30, 07. THE DEALER FAILED TO DISCLOSE A RECALL ON THE MOTORCYCLE WHICH WAS ISSUED IN JUNE 07 FOR THE HEAT SHIELD MANIFOLD. SUBSEQUENTLY, I BURNT MY LEG ON THE PIPES, AND INCURRED A LOT OF PAIN, AND A SCAR ON MY LEG WHICH IS PERMANENT AND UNSIGHTLY. I FOUND OUT AFTERWARDS, THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY OWN FROM INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENT. THE DEALER NEVER TOOK ANY INITIATIVE TO NOTIFY ME ON THEIR OWN. I B…
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…
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…
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
1 patterns with matching reports.
Brake response concerns
1 mentions · 14.3% of complaints
Median mileage: 10,600 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 11015065 · 10,600 mi
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…