Harley recalls 111,600 motorcycles

[Bob]

Harley-Davidson has informed the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of a potential defect, affecting some 111,600 motorcycles. Harley is recalling the 2009-10 Touring, CVO and Trike motorcycles due to a hazard in which the fuel tanks may leak after a severe crash and could cause “fire, injuries, or fatalities.”

A replacement will be made fitted free of charge.

Models affected:

Model Year
H-D / FLHP 2009-2010
H-D / FLHPE 2009-2010
H-D / FLHR 2009-2010
H-D / FLHR Shrine 2009-2010
H-D / FLHRC 2009-2010
H-D / FLHT 2009-2010
H-D / FLHTC 2009-2010
H-D / FLHTCU 2009-2010
H-D / FLHTCU Shrine 2009-2010
H-D / FLHTCU W/SC 2009-2010
H-D / FLHTCU4-CVO 2009
H-D / FLHTCUSE4 2009
H-D / FLHTCUSE5 2010
H-D / FLHTCUTG 2009-2010
H-D / FLHTK 2010
H-D / FLHTP 2009-2010
H-D / FLHX 2009-2010
H-D / FLHXXX 2010
H-D / FLTR 2009
H-D / FLTR3-CVO 2009
H-D / FLTRSE3 2009

[CookMySock]

Eh? Don't ALL fuel tanks leak after a severe crash? Everything leaks after a severe crash.. thats why they call it "severe."

Steve

[crazyhorse]

Maybe Harleys and Holdens have something in common - they both get recalled

[James Deuce]

Why do you guys get so bent out of shape over recalls? It speaks volumes for the integrity of a manufacturer who actively seeks to rectify something they view as a problem and actually go to the bother of recalling bikes for a fix.

Read Hitcher's saga about the Shiver's speed sensor and Instrument pod to see how things are done by other manufacturer and distributor networks - say and do nothing until someone complains a LOT. I'd rather own a bike from a manufacturer who cares about my safety (no matter how unlikely the scenario).

[Bob]

Eh? Don't ALL fuel tanks leak after a severe crash? Everything leaks after a severe crash.. thats why they call it "severe."

Steve

Just did a spot more research and came up with the following:

“The front fuel tank mounts may distort in reaction to severe frame damage from a frontal collision. This condition may cause a fuel leak at the weld of the front bracket to the tunnel. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire, which could lead to injury or death to the rider,” the report reads.

The safety recall is expected to begin soon, and, just as expected, the manufacturer will take care of this problem, free of charge. The Harley-Davidson dealers across the US will install left and right front braces to reinforce the front mount and therefore reduce distortion in an event of a crash.

“Dealers will install a left and right brace, which are intended to reduce front mount distortion during certain crash conditions. This repair will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about December 14, 2009.”

So there you have it. Problem found, notice out quickly and remedial action in place.

[Badjelly]

Just did a spot more research and came up with the following:

...Totally illegible lime-coloured text...

So there you have it. Problem found, notice out quickly and remedial action in place.

I think your point will be lost on those in the Light Universe.

[bogan]

Why do you guys get so bent out of shape over recalls? It speaks volumes for the integrity of a manufacturer who actively seeks to rectify something they view as a problem and actually go to the bother of recalling bikes for a fix.

Read Hitcher's saga about the Shiver's speed sensor and Instrument pod to see how things are done by other manufacturer and distributor networks - say and do nothing until someone complains a LOT. I'd rather own a bike from a manufacturer who cares about my safety (no matter how unlikely the scenario).

I'd rather have something that was designed properly first time, thats why I ride hondas!! But I see your point, if somethings wrong its definitely better to do a recall than let it slide, full credit to harley

[Bob]

I'd rather have something that was designed properly first time, thats why I ride hondas!!

Oddly enough, a few years back, I had to do some research on recalls for a news article. That year (2004 or 2005 I think it was), guess who had the largest number of recalls? Yup, Honda. The lowest number that year was Harley-Davidson.

The key is, get out there, get it known and get it sorted!

[Edbear]

Eh? Don't ALL fuel tanks leak after a severe crash? Everything leaks after a severe crash.. thats why they call it "severe."

Steve

Well, without stating the obvious...

Oddly enough, a few years back, I had to do some research on recalls for a news article. That year (2004 or 2005 I think it was), guess who had the largest number of recalls? Yup, Honda. The lowest number that year was Harley-Davidson.

The key is, get out there, get it known and get it sorted!

I'm feeling left out here! Is there something wrong with Suzuki's that they don't suffer recalls...?

[NordieBoy]

I'm feeling left out here! Is there something wrong with Suzuki's that they don't suffer recalls...?

Just this huge mound of carpet that looks like stuff has been swept under it?

[steve_t]

Fight Club quote: "A new car built by my company leaves somewhere traveling at 60 mph. The rear differential locks up. The car crashes and burns with everyone trapped inside. Now, should we initiate a recall? Take the number of vehicles in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure, B, multiply by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don't do one."

[cs363]

Why do you guys get so bent out of shape over recalls? It speaks volumes for the integrity of a manufacturer who actively seeks to rectify something they view as a problem and actually go to the bother of recalling bikes for a fix.

Read Hitcher's saga about the Shiver's speed sensor and Instrument pod to see how things are done by other manufacturer and distributor networks - say and do nothing until someone complains a LOT. I'd rather own a bike from a manufacturer who cares about my safety (no matter how unlikely the scenario).

Couldn't agree more.

Though I tried....

[AllanB]

James is right.

It's not really a fault - just Harley covering their arse in the USA - if a accident happens over there and a lawyer points fingers at a perceived fault they could be up for Millions in damages.

As a point of interest I too am prone to spilling fluids in a severe impact. No recall will be issued however as I am way out of any implied warranty, plus I have been abused a few times!

[slofox]

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire...

I'd never have guessed...


Reminds me of some of the Japanese workshop manuals I used to use many years ago - some of the translations were "interesting" to say the least...

e.g. "Lack of oil to the engine can apparently cause damage..." Like, we don't believe it ourselves but that's what they tell us...


Overall, if there's a fault, recall and fix, I reckon. Sales depend on reputation and rep can be ruined by unresolved faults. I've had the odd bike I'd never buy again due to crap design faults.

[Motu]

Most recalls are like this,millions spent on the remote possibility of failure.Sometimes there has never been a fault,just a perceived possibility of it happening if X meets Y.Brands like Honda and Toyota have recalls swept under the carpet....some like Mitsubishi and Harley Davidson get a media beat up instead.

Currently we are doing a recall on Triton U bolts.We fit new ones and retorque to a revised setting.There has never be a failure in NZ.....but possibly in some 3rd world country one was carrying 147 bales of hay with 14 passenger and a U bolt broke.

And so they do a recall on that remote possibility....good on them eh.