Harley recalls 111,600 motorcycles

[AllanB]

We run Mercedes Vans at work - there must have been 8 recalls on them - the latest one last week is to "prevent the possibility of the rear window falling out".

We have 6 of them - 4 have around 150,000 kms on them. Their rear windows are still there.

[Bob]

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.

Ahem - that is a direct quote from the New York Legal Authorities - like anything else wrapped up in 'legalese', no chance of it making any sense to the rest of us!

[davebullet]

Either Harley have recalled them to protect the lives of their customers, their brand reputation, or their pockets from a high profile multi-million dollar American lawsuit.

[crazyhorse]

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.

Well, a few years ago now, they recalled Suzuki TL1000's - so it does happen to all manufacturers, Even Lexus had a recall not too long ago....

[James Deuce]

Well, a few years ago now, they recalled Suzuki TL1000's - so it does happen to all manufacturers, Even Lexus had a recall not too long ago....

I just thought I'd get in before people started bagging the Motor Company. Harley-Davidson always publicise their recalls. It goes to Distributors and Dealers, trade, general press release and to motorcycle publications for inclusion in their news section.

The TL1000 recall to fit a steering damper was almost entirely manufactured by a couple of muppet UK test riders with a lack of respect for their right wrist in certain situations. If the rear shock's damping fades to nothing, do you then deliberately go pitching through a few corners at high speed and aggressive attitude? The ensuing big arse tank slapper was due to the rear rotary damper overheating thanks to a lack of oil volume. Throwing a steering damper on the TL masked the real cause of the issue which would have been solved by a conventional shock or a big remote reservoir for the rotary damper.

This recall has been generated by Harley-Davidson's legal department as an arse covering exercise and doesn't appear to be based on the Fight Club equation.

Other manufacturers will put tiny adverts in the classified ads section of a trade magazine to fulfill their communication requirement and to a certain extent rely on dealers to act ethically.

[crazyhorse]

.........The TL1000 recall to fit a steering damper was almost entirely manufactured by a couple of muppet UK test riders with a lack of respect for their right wrist in certain situations. .........

Well, they actually recalled the tl's for various issues - one was a problem with their frames cracking, another one was a problem with the petrol tanks,

I remember a anit-TL site set up and Suzuki realised they needed to correct issues from people all around the world. My ex had major problems with his, and he was in a position to do alot of harm to local Suzuki sales, so they stepped up to the mark and for $1,000 difference offered him a new tl1000s - or $2,000 a new tl1000R.

[James Deuce]

Yes, I know. But the most famous one was the least needed from a "safety" perspective.

[vifferman]

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.

Indeed.

Take f'rinstance the VFR 800; that was subject to recalls for wiring, brakes, and some other stuff, but outside of Mrka, dealers don't seem to know about or give a rodent's rectum about these faults.

But I agree that it's a good policy on H-D's part to acknowledge a fault like this and 'step up to the plate'. They can't really afford not to, what with sales being down heaps since there's fewer accountants and investment wankers bankers buying themselves a biker lifestyle.

[pete376403]

Kawasaki NZ (Lyntech) have been pretty good with the recalls on my 08 KLR 650 - muffler bolts loose potentially allowing muffler to fall off and jam rear wheel, indicator mountings falling apart, chafed wiring insulation that could potentially cause short circuits, niggly wee things like that. Pity they wouldn't do a recall over the piston ring fault that causes oil consumption in the 1.5 - 2 litres per 1000km range...

[roadracingoldfart]

Another aspect to consider is the type of "recall" being actioned.
There is a safety recall which must be notified to the owners , media and motor watchdog groups.
Then you have the "field service action type.
These are not crucial campaigns that are inspected and re-worked at service time. If a car / bike is within Warranty then generally the dealer will do this often without wanting to or telling you about such work.
I personally let all my customers know we have done some type of work to thier car as they then dont have to come ask if it affects thier car when they do hear about it from another source. Honesty still works best to cover arse.
A few years ago Mazda did a complete front coil spring refit due to the coating of the originals being affected by salt spread on roads during winter. We dont have that issue here really but it was done as a total recall with full notification.

Generally the re-works are done to make legal parties happy but they are still valid .
I was replacing warranty recall bits on Honda bikes in the 80s , 90s and there were some really big safety recalls that were un mentioned at the time . Im glad the industry has changed in that regard.

Paul.

[p.dath]

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

They don't last long enough to get recalled.