Harley-davidson Street Glide (2006–2020): what actually fails
The documented failure patterns on used Harley-davidson Street Glides — the mileage window where each shows up,
and what the repair typically costs at an independent shop. This is the same data NoLemon's Brief checks
against every VIN.
PHOTO: THESUPERMAT · CC BY-SA 3.0 · WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
2006–2006TYPICAL 15k–60k MI$500–$1,500
Twin Cam cam chain tensioner shoe wear
First-year Street Glides still use the Twin Cam 88's spring-loaded cam chain tensioners, whose plastic shoes wear through and shed debris into the oil system; the inner cam bearings often fail with them. Ask for inspection records — shoes should be checked every 15,000-25,000 miles. Done right means H-D's hydraulic conversion or a gear-drive kit with upgraded bearings; ask for receipts.
BEFORE YOU BUY Ask for repair records covering this item. If it hasn't been addressed and the
car is in or near the mileage window, price the $500–$1,500 repair into your offer — or make it the seller's problem.
2007–2013TYPICAL 0k–80k MIUP TO $600
Excessive engine heat (rear cylinder)
Lean-running, catalyst-equipped Twin Cam 96/103 touring bikes run notoriously hot in traffic — hot enough that H-D recalled 2009-2012 bikes (11V-506) for rear brake-light switches cooked by exhaust heat. Idle the bike in place on your inspection and note the heat off the rear cylinder at your right thigh. Verify the brake-light switch recall is closed; many owners add a tuner, fan kit, or oil cooler to live with it.
BEFORE YOU BUY Ask for repair records covering this item. If it hasn't been addressed and the
car is in or near the mileage window, price the up to $600 repair into your offer — or make it the seller's problem.
2008–2011TYPICAL 0k–80k MIUP TO $150
ABS front brake failure from old fluid (recall 18V-076)
Recall 18V-076 covers all 2008-2011 ABS-equipped Touring bikes: aged DOT 4 fluid can corrode ABS valves and cause sudden, total front brake failure. The dealer flush is free, but the real requirement is a fluid change every two years. Run the VIN for open recalls and ask for brake-flush receipts since the recall.
BEFORE YOU BUY Ask for repair records covering this item. If it hasn't been addressed and the
car is in or near the mileage window, price the up to $150 repair into your offer — or make it the seller's problem.
2014–2015TYPICAL 0k–60k MIUP TO $400
Hydraulic clutch will not disengage (recalls 13V-515/14V-537/15V-216)
Harley issued three recalls in two years because the hydraulic clutch master cylinder can lose pressure and fail to disengage the clutch, sometimes after the bike sits only a few days. Run the VIN and confirm all clutch recalls are closed. On inspection, let the bike sit cold, then check that it drops into first gear without lurching or stalling.
BEFORE YOU BUY Ask for repair records covering this item. If it hasn't been addressed and the
car is in or near the mileage window, price the up to $400 repair into your offer — or make it the seller's problem.
2017–2018TYPICAL 0k–60k MIUP TO $400
Clutch master cylinder failure (recall 18V-734)
Recall 18V-734: the clutch master cylinder may not generate enough lift, so the clutch will not disengage — dangerous when stopping in gear. The rebuild is free at any H-D dealer. Run the VIN and confirm the recall shows closed before you buy.
BEFORE YOU BUY Ask for repair records covering this item. If it hasn't been addressed and the
car is in or near the mileage window, price the up to $400 repair into your offer — or make it the seller's problem.
2017–2020TYPICAL 0k–45k MI$400–$900
M8 oil pump wet sumping
Early Milwaukee-Eight engines can fill the crankcase with oil faster than the pump scavenges it back ('wet sumping'), sapping power and pushing oil out the breather into the air cleaner — H-D service bulletin M-1450 and revised oil pumps address it. On a highway test ride, watch for a power fade and check the air filter for oil residue. Ask for receipts showing the updated oil pump was installed.
BEFORE YOU BUY Ask for repair records covering this item. If it hasn't been addressed and the
car is in or near the mileage window, price the $400–$900 repair into your offer — or make it the seller's problem.
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