Two Harleys in 24 Hours

[@NTF101]

Just had the same issue on my Harley. Cold weather. Just brought a Solar Battery trickle charger...and yes it works in the winter cloud cover.

[@FreddieDobbs]

Very interesting- great tip

[@nockianlifter661]

@@NTF101 I read a while back that these batteries require waking up in cold weather by leaving the headlamp on for a while before attempting to start them.

[@dickieb2233]

@@nockianlifter661 Ha ha ha, that's so funny. So how are you getting on with this idea?

[@Alex_mkII]

You paid how much for a bike that can't start if it's a tad nippy!? I guess one's born every minute 😂

[@tubemeikel]

@@dickieb2233 the basic idea is to warm up the lithium battery but the current drawn by a (LED) head lamp would never achieve that

[@Thegeordiemonkey]

Too heavy, too much tech, too much hassle, too much money, looks nice parked up though

[@Drive_Camp_Ride]

I cant believe they sent a man, with a van, to drop off and collect a bike with a dead battery, WITHOUT a jump pack.....He could've had it running in minutes.....poor effort! Well I certainly dont envy you riding to Birmingham in sleet and slush. Stay safe brother!

[@tubemeikel]

It boggles the mind when one sees the lack of basic knowledge on either side. A jump start cable at Halfords for 20 quid or even Freddie's starter battery pack would have sorted it. Lithium Batteries ar not recommended in low temperatures under 10ºC.

[@THEO-bv2vz]

Had 2 x Ultra Limited's - beautiful bikes and awesome to ride. Moved to a 2024 street glide now but still love the UL. Enjoy!

[@ericlips2420]

It went clean in! Good commentary by M.

[@simoneastwood3779]

That Harley is all bells and whistles, it does everything............... but start! 😂

[@SherKhan-b1kes]

Brilliantly and professionally funny 😆 Can’t remember when I laughed so much Thankyou Monika and Freddie for sharing this 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@ianseddon9347]

Should have had the Benny Hill music !

[@minimilo25]

Hi Freddie, you have to get that Ultra back for a test!

[@iggyzorro2406]

not to be mean, F.D., but the way you did your standard Harley rave for 8 minutes, then - CLUNK CLUNK...hysterical! I've never been a Harley fan - I'm sorry - that giant office desk thing over the front tire just looks ridiculous.

[@T4ToWeRz]

That Road Glide is BEAUTIFUL 😍

[@T4ToWeRz]

people keep saying how awful Harleys look these days, I used to agree! The Pan, CVO, Road glide have all grown on me 😄

[@JahKingdom420]

2 harleys in 24 hours, they've come a long way with their reliability 🤣 still nice to look at though!

[@lanceoverton5919]

What a brilliant dealer, sending a bike out to a customer with a flat battery

[@wboeren1]

Monica laughing was a 10 out of 10.

[@lynnbroadhurst4807]

😅😂😅 .... the ending was hilarious 😂. Thanks for keeping it real and cheering up a snowy Thursday evening in Manchester 😊

[@FreddieDobbs]

We honestly though the bike was going to topple😆

[@lynnbroadhurst4807]

@FreddieDobbs it was the guy when he was sat on it! 😱

[@TriumphRascal]

A fantastic opportunity to ride such a beast. Im glad they supplied you with a replacement. I hired an Electra Glide (in 2017) from Eagle Rider in Las Vegas for a tour to San Francisco and down to Los Angles. You should try a tour like that. I had a chuckle at the old footage on you trying to start the Bonnie, I felt for you on that one. My good friend Scotty and I were very pleased to meet you at the NEC, thanks for taking the time to chat with us it was a pleasure. Looking forward to seeing your next video on the Harley.

[@viktorask]

87 bhp and 400kg. Seems extremely little Hp

[@adamormesher9964]

A Harley and a Jeep Wrangler, you look like you are in the wrong country Freddie 😆

[@FreddieDobbs]

I was thinking this😆 I’m very torn between both Defender/Wranglers, and Harley’s/Triumphs. So different in vibe, yet so so similar

[@adamormesher9964]

@@FreddieDobbsyes indeed. The triumph is such a civilised bike, I couldn’t see you on a Harley, maybe your evil twin?

[@rgmemo001]

Hahah❤❤😂😂

[@tubemeikel]

@@FreddieDobbs Why didn't you use the car;s battery to jump start the HC?

[@Rubuz]

In 2019 I rode a Harley Ultra Limited from Orlando, Florida to LA, California. Cca 7000km in 14 days. Best time of my life. Me and my friend were super comfortable and super happy with it. Perfect bike for a trip like this.

[@travish3130]

Our garages are looking remarkably similar this week!

[@Biggles83]

Easily done Freddie.. I had a bike delivered once that had the ignition left on in the van.. 3 hour drive down and the battery was too flat to start. The company were mortified but I just got the delivery driver to give me a push and bumped it. Half hour ride and it was back like new!

[@johnnythefox9830]

Haha. The only good thing about that bike is Monikas face when shes coming on the back! 😂

[@FreddieDobbs]

Thank you Johnny!

[@mikeyardley9463]

Good to see you at the NEC, Freddie - I think I’d have given up!

[@stevezahn8056]

Oh man Freddie, I’m just laughing watching this. Don’t they have trailers in England. That poor delivery guy. They should have just brought you a new battery. It’s a shame you didn’t get to ride that tourer. Monica would absolutely fall in love with it. I have seen women on the backs of those bike totally asleep. Rolling down the highway at 85 mph. Watching you try to get that bike in that little room brought me back to the days when I rented a duplex with no garage, and I had to put my panhead in the kitchen. When the landlord would come for the rent, me and my wife would push it out the kitchen door 😂. I hope the bike they gave you is ok. You know green is bad luck on a Harley

[@tbillington]

You need to get your hands on a Goldwing test bike Freddie, the one with the big pillion seat, to give Monika a taste of ultimate pillion comfort.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

and be certain it will start, keep going, and everything will work on it...

[@terrellgarren7125]

Enjoyable video. That Road Glide looks like Miata and a Sportster had a drunken night of debauchery around nine months ago.

[@angelocadena7094]

as always, freddie's enthusiasm wants to make me ride the whole world and back. thanks freddie and monica!

[@FabulousWanderers]

Hiya Freddie & Monika, the earlier models came with a kickstart with propulsion into the stratosphere if you got it wrong 🤣🌟🌟👍👍

[@peikon77]

Funny situation! 😂 It reminds me of my September trip throughout Santander on my R18. It was my wife’s first attempt travelling on a bike and the rain went into the starting button box leaving the bike totally death. We called the motorbike insurance for a tow truck but a van came, the same kind of van as you show us on the video. I was as anger as a hungry monkey, but the man who came on the van was used to move such a heavy weight.

[@nockianlifter661]

Have to love the Americans that save a couple of Kg of battery weight on something so heavy.

[@johnlenart597]

I was thinking the same thing. I'm sure the weight savings was never noticed even with 4 people pushing. 😱😱

[@FreddieDobbs]

Every kg counts😆

[@nockianlifter661]

@ It seems to me that HD assume value is directly related to the weight of the product-the heavier the better. Has they bunged a couple of marine lead acid batteries in those capacious panniers they could have charged £60K.

[@SMSBJM1981]

My advice, don't start the bike if you aren't riding. Too draining on the battery.

[@MiaKamrens]

Your videos always stand out from the crowd. Thank you for your unique vision and professionalism!🍻😕💘

[@ChancellorBeeHaw]

Harleys aren’t necessarily my favourite bike. But as you say, theres always that kick in the back of your mind, the idea of a harley. I think this bike does it for me. Cant afford it, but if i ever could, id get it. something about the comfort, versatility, and freedom. Having a regular bike, then perhaps this one as the bike you use to drive on a long holiday. The type of bike you think about after having parked it after the journey, wanting to hop back on and do it all again

[@paulfastbikes361]

Reminds me when I booked a test ride of a Harley in mottingham turned up they wheeled it out and it didn't start.. Lol great advert

[@biker_dan]

Oh dear, typical Harley's, so delicate. But you must try the Honda Goldwing, another heavy bike but because of the boxer 6 cylinder and fuel tank under the seat, it feels light weight. But a much better ride and reliability that Harley. Don't get me wrong, I do like Harley's, but preference is the Goldwing.

[@m.f.m.67]

While I wouldn't recommend it for the Hardknott Pass, it's perfect here in the states when you have a thousand miles of motorway to cover in a day or so.

[@ricatiman]

A normal M/C battery has a voltage of 12.6 volts when fully charged and the engine is off, and 13.5 to 14.5 volts when the engine is running: Fully charged - When the engine is off, a fully charged car battery measures 12.6 volts, which is known as the "resting voltage". Running - When the engine is running, the battery voltage increases to 13.5 to 14.5 volts due to the alternator charging the battery and powering the vehicle's electrical components. Here are some other things to know about mc battery voltage: A battery that is below 12.4 volts may need to be charged or replaced. A battery that is below 12 volts may not be able to start the vehicle. A battery that is below 12.6 volts may need to be charged with a battery charger. A multimeter can be used to measure a car battery's voltage. To get an accurate reading, the headlights should be turned on for about two minutes and then turned off to remove any surface charge from the battery.

[@davidgroat3625]

Don’t you own a set of jumper cables ?

[@Jamesulchip]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="516">8:36</a> Greatest cut to commercial gag yet

[@aaroncox3340]

That's a shame you didn't get to ride the ultra, I've got a 21 Ultra and love it, took awhile to grow on me, and did a few changes but it took myself & my wife on many trips, never missed a beat.

[@sanatandharma4435]

I rented one of those in the States! It was nice to ride and reliable! It did put me in hospital with a kidney stone though! hahha! Great content Freddie!!

[@SFSomega]

Brand new bike won't start. Truly Americana at it's finest 😂

[@viktorask]

Plus, it can't even trickle-charge or boost-start.

[@m.f.m.67]

Come to the Sturgis Rally and say that. While I'm thinking about it, how's the British Motorcycle Industry these days?

[@dreamcrusher112]

@@m.f.m.67 Triumph sells thousands of bikes and has the top spot after the GS - Harley is closing down dealers, abandoning brands and laying off staff. How many Americans die at the ralleys each year drunk and helmetless? So defensive because the bike has a flat battery.

[@davidwood974]

Shots fired! 😂

[@m.f.m.67]

@@dreamcrusher112 Yes. Thousands of bikes made in Thailand. I wonder how many Brits lost their jobs when that decision was made. I for one don't blame a company (or a country for that matter) because of a dead battery (one that, if I had to guess, was made in China.)

[@purasangrethrash]

The black Street glide is way more beautifull of a bike than the road glide they gave you. Apart from that both are amazing bikes! Cheers Freddie!

[@FreddieDobbs]

I LOVE black Street Glides! I rode one in Vegas and ever since then….🖤

[@purasangrethrash]

@@FreddieDobbs That is awesome! I have never ridden one before but i bet they are km eaters!

[@Wojtekpl2]

So ugly and heavy looking front on the green one. Soo.. it's easier to replace a motorcycle than battery. Just a sign of modern times: replace not repair.

[@m.f.m.67]

Take one bike that's been sitting too long + cold temps =🤯 well, I think Freddie knows what it equals!

[@NTF101]

Beautiful bikes. For me a just a speedo , open faced helmet No detractions for your ride. Most roads here in the uk are signposted.

[@ashermil]

Sheesh! At least wear a jacket, too!

[@leeandjancruise]

Brilliant, as a coincidence I called into my local Harley Davidson branch only yesterday just for a look and was surprised by how much the display models had been thinned down. With your HD delivery I had the same problem when I had my Ducati delivered, flat battery, what is it with these dealers?

[@hudsonrilke]

OMG I bought a roadglide ultra in the summer (with tourpack and big pillion seat) It scares the crap out of me when moving it around the slippery garage floor etc. Mine is 2018 and doesnt have the vehicle hold which can be a pain with a pillion stopped on a hill. So easy to ride once its moving. Those lithium batteries arent the done deal yet. The ignition switch needs to move one more step to accessories position then it wont drain the battery so quickly, not sure how long you had it switched on when you were filming etc but 11v too low to start. These take time to fire up as they push the oil round the engine before firing so i think the battery takes some hammer each start up. I dont know how you managed to move it to the lock up. youd think they would equip the HD guy with a charger

[@FreddieDobbs]

Great to hear from an owner! This is a really interesting insight- thank you for sharing🙌🏻 I was also surprised the delivery company don’t carry battery chargers as standard

[@Mike-jm5wt]

My dad has owned three of these and now rides the trike version after dropping it and breaking his leg. For an 80 year old to still be riding god bless him but Harley is ripping these old codgers off.

[@PDCRed]

11v is far too low. But most basic chargers will charge lithium these days. Optimate, Oxford etc.

[@FreddieDobbs]

I realised that after trying to start it- I should’ve checked before the delivery driver left

[@MrUled]

To understand motorbikes (brands), you need to understand the country and scenery where they're made. This is why Harleys are Harleys - armchairs on wheels for cruising 1000s of km on perfectly straight boring motorways. Does it make sense on small european roads? absolutely not. Horses for courses. Conversely one can imagine a japanese sportsbike not working for that american context well either. PS : thanks for not cutting out the bike issues, its good content and also informative!

[@davidmartin7589]

It’s not the HP , it’s the torque

[@danielmartin4956]

Hey Freddie, good to meet you at motorcycle live! What did you think of the new RE Bear? Think it could be the best looking they've built to date!

[@FreddieDobbs]

A pleasure to meet you, Daniel! The Bear and BSA Scrambler are a ferocious head to head pairing! I love both🖤 The green frame Bear is my personal favourite- so retro and unique

[@Ribozombi]

I think Harley Davidson not just a simple motorcycle. it's more like a tremendous living machine. Damn i need beer. I couldn't handle to watch this video without alcohol :(

[@FreddieDobbs]

Thanks Ribo😆

[@ianpizey586]

Asking the Mrs to lift the back of that elephant. Were you serious ?????

[@jobucklandbuckland8031]

chuckle brothers spring to mind ,To you to me to you............ ,lol

[@davidskaggs9914]

Remember the Honda Transalp situation... Every bike has a battery just like your Bonneville...jump start that Harley bro, 🎉I use to do it often until I learned about the trickle charger. They likely have a tracker on the bike that is draining the battery so trickle charge it and wait 8 hours or jump it and ride it around for a while😂

[@FreddieDobbs]

It’s true- batteries are the constant issue on bikes. I’d definitely need a trickle charger if I owned an Ultra Limited

[@ShouldKnowBetter]

Freddie, I am 6 minutes in. Watch that side stand, its leaning backwards! Going back to watch the rest now. Good job.

[@FreddieDobbs]

Appreciate the heads up🙌🏻 😳

[@slumpsg1901]

Unlike most bikes the stand locks into position once the bike leans over. You can even park it downhill. I think early Moto Gazzi's had a similar stand.

[@stevezahn8056]

Jiffy stand baby!

[@simoneastwood3779]

Who said comedy was dead? (Harley puts a smile on your face for all the wrong reasons!!) 😂

[@richardbartlett6932]

Could you have not A. Pop to Halfords and buy the correct charger( a mechanic could have talked you through the process to getting to the battery) Or B. Jump start it off the wrangler (as above) Or C. Call the AA Or maybe D. HD send a bloke over on a bike with a spare battery. That and Seeing you all manhandle a 30k bike into the back of the van makes HD look extremely and worryingly unprofessional.

[@ChadWinters]

Harley’s gotta Harley

[@haxan6663]

Do you have to pay extra for one that starts?

[@sirkitchalott]

🏍️ Your face... Need that on a t-shirt! Great vid!

[@FreddieDobbs]

😆

[@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm420]

Making content in the UK in autumn/winter is a bit of a challenge.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

Not with a Honda it isn't.....or a Kawasaki, or a Suzuki, or a Yamaha...

[@BizVerseTv]

saturday at dobb`s !

[@aidebethune]

Second ones starts but is fugly!😂

[@greyriddance64]

I thought it was foolish to have single-use oil pans, but man, replacing the whole motorbike is on another level 😂

[@biker_dale]

That is one big bike Freddie, and yes why not, it does look awsome. You've got to try them out to be able to have an honest opinion. However when you need instructions to use a bike, you 've lost me already 😂 I must admit I do hate too much tech on a bike, must be getting old 🙄

[@jorgegarcia-wy2gd]

Freddie,just jump start it...🤣🤣🤣

[@FreddieDobbs]

Honestly… I didn’t have the guts or strength to get it up a hill!

[@WilliamGCooke]

LOL, what a hog! You were right, Freddie: that's no bike but a two-wheeld car, anda] a crazy one at that.

[@a2bmotorcyclemovers2]

It's actually an electra glide Freddie and you should have asked us to deliver it... no problem with loading and unloading, no courier should ask for help lol

[@FreddieDobbs]

Thanks for this🙌🏻 I did wonder what the difference is between Electra Glide and Ultra Glide(?)

[@liamjames4921]

No, this is an ultra limited, not an electra glide.

[@ashermil]

This story is Harley Davidson in a nutshell.

[@azizulzulzaha]

Harleyyyyy come onnnnn

[@oliabid-price4517]

The motorcycle courier van doesn't have a winch?

[@nikoscosmos]

The new Benny Hill show!

[@rogerwredford]

Years of loading all sizes of bikes into vans solo begs me to ask the question, why didn't you stick it in gear as you were standing next to it, feather the clutch and let the engine do the work getting it up the ramp? Works even with heavy old lumps, too

[@rogerwredford]

Walking it up and in as oppose to riding it in i mean.

[@rogerwredford]

Jeez, I’ve just remembered the battery was dead… I’ll get my coat.

[@aidebethune]

Great Harley reliability. That's done them no favours!! Wouldn't touch newer ones with a barge pole.

[@andrewhayes4246]

11 is well flat!

[@smallam49]

Could you have swapped the battery out to the other one.....while it went up the ramp ?

[@FreddieDobbs]

We were looking for the battery… but couldn’t find it (I’m embarrassed to say this)

[@ashermil]

@@FreddieDobbslol.

[@JohnnyXoz]

New series with Joe...getting a new Harley going again...step 1: New battery.

[@FreddieDobbs]

😆

[@johnlenart597]

Given that it was a press bike and the coldest time of the year, the dealership should have checked the battery strength before letting it off the property. Blaming or laughing just because it's a Harley isn't proper. I've never owned a Harley but had to replace the battery in my BMW and John Deere this year. Both great machines, but without spark you have a good looking paperweight. 👍👍

[@whollymindless]

HD Support should have had an American accent.

[@viktorask]

87 bhp, very little for such a heavy bike.

[@raimax1977]

Why? You only need HP for reaching higher top speed. The riding from start till top is all about torque.

[@paulsilson2148]

Time for a house with a garage freddie

[@FreddieDobbs]

That is my dream😀

[@zkawaz9005]

Harleys are supposed to be put on transport mode or else the alarm system keepson going off during transportation and kills the battery

[@efword1200]

Are your Jeep parking space, bike lockup, and apartment all in three separate buildings in the same complex?

[@ogasi1798]

excess beyond belief and what a bike - no wonder they are all shutting down on our little island though, wonderful machines but they have no place here in fairness

[@Frogboxer]

why not swap battery to load it?

[@richardjohnson3463]

No wonder Harley Davidson are going BUST! 🤔🙄

[@goldilocks913]

My dream bike if I lived in the states. At £30k it’ll be a dream still.😂

[@FreddieDobbs]

It’s in my dream category too. I’d love to do a huge euro trip on one🤘🏼

[@goldilocks913]

@ hope you get to do it very soon Freddie 👍

[@daytona1965]

Why didn't they send a mechanic with a new battery ?

[@daver3110]

I was thinking that - would have thought that would be much easier than finding a new bike, are you not allowed to just plug a charger on it?

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

better still send a bike that worked...oh, I forgot, it's a H-D so that's difficult to begin with...

[@rumien1383]

Or just talk him out of it to begin with😊

[@FreddieDobbs]

The logistics company think that possibly the bike wasn’t parked in the right mode when being transported, and the tracker/alarm may have been going crazy in the back of the van. I wasn’t allowed to use a charger because it’s a lithium battery, but I was surprised the logistics company didn’t have one

[@rumien1383]

@ they elected trump Freddie. The warning signs were all there😁

[@andrewhayes4246]

416kg? Thats about 200kg more than I can accept a bike weighing. Dont drop it or you will tear your rotator cuffs in your shoulders. DAMHIK!

[@ChancellorBeeHaw]

thats quite the intro hahahaahahah

[@Paul-lc4io]

30k for a bike?? And I just bought a lovely Goldwing with 74000km on clock for £2k..vastly better bike than any harley

[@ChadWinters]

I’ve got friends with Harley’s but I just don’t get them, the fairing looks like you the front off a small car

[@G3A3]

you don't have the best of luck with these press bikes🙃😊

[@sonnyf1213]

Funny I luv it

[@steinarbrevikknudsen1546]

if you live in US...

[@ChadWinters]

I just don’t understand bikes that heavy

[@eddiemizen3703]

what's the size of the battery amps etc , get Monica a license 😁

[@FreddieDobbs]

I think it needed to be 12.5, and it was 10.5-11. A Vespa first… one day😀🙋🏻‍♀️

[@eddiemizen3703]

That's two small for a barge ⛴🛵

[@rgmemo001]

Lol ❤❤

[@768509]

Stupid question Freddie. Wouldn't it have been easier for them to bring a replacement battery instead of a replacement bike ? It's a pity you couldn't use the Benny Hill theme tune for the bike loading scene.

[@FreddieDobbs]

That’s a very good question. Harley (nearly all biking brands, actually) use logistics companies to look after their press fleets. I was surprised they don’t carry mobile battery chargers, or have spare batteries at the depot

[@kernow..exp.]

Hi Freddy have you checked out million-dollar bogan he drives in Harley-Davidson across the Australia outback plus he's been over to America Canada and the UK

[@FreddieDobbs]

I have- his stuff’s brilliant!

[@Merc-Rover]

Seriously, I wouldn't have a Harley given. They just have zero appeal to me.