Big Dog Motorcycles?

Question

Anyone have experience with these bikes? I'm just curious about reliability, comfort, etc. I’m mainly looking at the Mastiff (softail) but considering the Pit Bull (hardtail w/ springer seat) also. Don't want to spend 30K on an unreliable bike. Is there another production custom you feel is better?

http://www.bigdogmotorcycles.com/index.php

Answer 1

Magz and I do not agree that much in bikes, but this time I am forced to agree with him. Big dog in nothing more than a kit bike that some company put together. For the cost of 1 big dog, you can buy 2 kit bikes and pay a family run shop to put them together and still have money to spare,

If you are dead set on spending $30.000+ on a motorcycle, Search around and get one from a real customizer.

Answer 2

Go to Orlando Harley , they have Thunder Mountain , go to seminole harley they have big dog

Answer 3

Kato, you seem like a fairly smart guy, I've read aot of your answers. But asking this crew a question like that ain't the best move in the world. lol

Answer 4

I know two guys that have them, don't know what models they are (softails with pretty large rakes).  Actually, it is the second bike from Big Dog that each of them have owned.  They swear by them, but I would have to expect that because they own them.

I have heard from others that Big Dog puts their stuff together very well. I look thru the classifieds from time to time, and it seems like their value holds much better than most of the other 'factory customs' out there.

If I were looking to get something like that, they would be at or very near the top of the list.

It would be hard not to check Kendall Johnson's shop too, just to see what I could get for about the same money.  You should definitely make that one of your stops.

Answer 5

I know a guy who knows a guy who has one. Actually, he has his second one. The first one he had was nothing but headaches. Motor, starter, suspension, you name it. For some unknown reason he got another one. From what I hear, it's treating him well.

Answer 6

production custom? wtf? what is custom about those bikes? that fact that they are mass produced and still call themselves custom. Pretty custom idea. Personally, I don't care if its custom or not, I just don't like things "as is".

Answer 7

My Dr. owns a Ridgeback and just added a Pit Bull to his collection. He tells me that they have been a much better investment then anything else he owns {counting his Harleys} and I can attest that they'll kick the c**p out of any Harley.  He said that when he was in the market for a "Semi custom" he looked at about every brand out there and settled on the Big Dog because of warranty and workmanship/quality.  Big Dog got started as a small shop in Wichita KS. and about the same time they were expanding, the airplane industry was laying off employees. They hired a bunch of employees who were used to building planes to very exact specs and this applied directly to building damned fine bikes.  His Ridgeback had a head problem at about 1800 miles and it was replaced that day and covered under the warranty. The only thing I will say bad about them is you don't want to pull up on the right side of one and have them crack the throttle.!  Do your research before buying any brand, who has the best warranty etc..

Answer 8

they're nothing special just another $$$$$ sign riding in the wind. Really not custom either more like production.



Whatever happened to the true meaning of "CUSTOM"? Buy what ever makes you happy but a production bike is not one of a kind !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

i don't know about reliability or comfort, i've never ridden one.  but don't listen to most of these guys.  if you like the bike, and you can afford it, then get it!  they are cool looking bikes.  and people saying that they look just like a ton of other bikes, what do they ride?  magz rides a rocket, which all look the same no matter who makes it.  the "production customs" from one company don't look any more like the same genre from another company than all the different cruisers out there.  they make it sound like you'll see a bike that looks just like it at every stop light...

Answer 10

Big Bear Cycles. Good style and durability.

Magz, I swear that your mama must of run off with a Harley rider or you got chained! Get over whatever your problem with the Harley is and realize that it is and probably will be the greatest and most imitated bike on Earth you dweeb!

Answer 11

not heard anything about reliability, but that's not why you buy one anyway..

it's a cookie cutter "poser" bike....

calling it "custom" is a slap in the face to the word custom...

andy: what part of my answer mentioned harley?

Answer 12

If you want reliability from a production bike (check out JD Powers ratings) and custom style look at the Victory,  Arlen or Cory Ness models. They list for around $23K. The 2008 models are based on the Jackpot. 2009 models will be announced at the end of the month. For an additional $3,500.00 you can have the kewlmetal 45 degree prostreet front end on it and be totally custom with bulletproof reliability and over 300 dealers to service

Answer 13

Kato,

You have gotten a bunch of bad information. Big Dog is probably the most reliable "factory custom" out there, having built well over ten thousand bikes (that mark was hit over two years ago). They use S&S motors and Baker trannys  and manufacture many of there own parts, including their frames which are CNC bent and robotically welded. A far cry from "kit bikes assembled by some company". While each individual model is basically the same, each has a one of a kind paint job and other accessories you can customize with. What is the alternative... a $150,000 one off??? If you opt to not get a chopper, do it because the custom craze has pretty much run it's course, and custom baggers are the in thing, not because ill informed people have bad mouthed BG and factory customs. Also look at Big Bear, Rucker Performance, Swift... American Iron Horse was just recently bought out of Chapter Eleven bankrupsy by one of their large dealers.