I've had my bike, an o6 model, for three years now, and this is just the conclusion that I have come to with my bike. It seems that our bikes weak area is the front end. We just have to pay a little more attention to front end maintenance. Mine needed adjusted around 10,000, and again around 18,000. That's more often than the manual says, but has been the way my bike has been.
Whether it is the bearings themselves, or what, I don't know. I do know that if I keep the neck bearings adjusted, and keep my tires aired, and balanced properly, My bike handles pretty good. But, it is still a big ol heavy bike. If you don't stay on top of things, it will bite you!

As someone else mentioned, these bikes come in a crate, and are put together at the dealer. I've seen a couple of the mechanics that made me cringe, hoping that they were not the ones putting these bikes together. So, if you have a new, or low mileage bike, and the front end doesn't feel right, adjust it, or get it checked right away. Could be something as simple as tire wasn't balanced right.

Next time I adjust my neak bearings, I think I will do what Clifford suggested, and fill neck with grease. Should really simplify neck maintenance.

You know, all things have their weak area. The HD touring bikes weak area is the rear end, ours just happens to be the front end. I've come to know my bike pretty good, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. This little tractor is here to stay.