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2017 Harley-Davidson FLTRXS Road Glide Special — Common Issues & Known Problems

Known Issues & Owner Reports

These are the most commonly reported issues and concerns from owners, mechanics, and community forums for the 2017 Harley-Davidson FLTRXS Road Glide Special.

Engine Sumping
High

Oil accumulates in the crankcase instead of returning to the tank, causing power loss, overheating, and potential engine failure.

Most prevalent on bikes ridden hard or at sustained high speeds. Fixed by installing the 2020+ redesigned oil pump.
manufacturer tsb high confidence
Fluid Transfer (Migration)
Medium

Transmission fluid moves through the clutch pushrod into the primary case, potentially overfilling the primary and starving the transmission.

Harley released a primary vent kit as a solution for affected bikes.
expert builder pattern high confidence
Spark Knock / Pinging
Low

Audible metallic pinging under heavy acceleration or when riding in hot weather.

Often resolved with a better fuel map/tune or using higher octane fuel.
community pattern medium confidence

Used Buying Inspection Checklist

What to look for when buying a used 2017 Harley-Davidson FLTRXS Road Glide Special.

Primary Oil Level / Transfer

Check if transmission oil is 'migrating' into the primary case. Look for a vent tube installed on the inner primary—a common factory-authorized fix.

Oil Line Clamps

Ensure the 2017 safety recall for oil cooler line clamps was performed to prevent sudden oil loss onto the rear tire.

Infotainment Screen

Check for 'ghost touches' or delamination (bubbles) on the Boom! 6.5 screen, which is expensive to replace.