A newly released Harley Recall notice

[Eck]

(Copy / Paste)

Riders of some Harley-Davidson touring bikes should be wary about what they carry in their saddlebags until a newly announced recall is addressed.

 

The motorcycle company is issuing a campaign affecting 185,272 examples of its 2014 and 2015 products, including the Road King, Street Glide, Electra Glide, and many other models (full list below). On the affected cycles, the hardware holding on the bags might not secure them properly, and this can lead to the storage areas falling off while riding.

 

 

Full PR text:

RECALL Subject : Saddlebags may Separate from Motorcycle

 

 

Report Receipt Date: JUL 06, 2015

NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V427000

Component(s): EQUIPMENT

Potential Number of Units Affected: 185,272

All Products Associated with this Recall

Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s)

H-D FLHP 2014-2015

H-D FLHR 2014-2015

H-D FLHRSE 2014

H-D FLHTCU 2014-2015

H-D FLHTCUL 2015

H-D FLHTK 2014-2015

H-D FLHTKL 2015

H-D FLHTKSE 2014-2015

H-D FLHTP 2014-2015

H-D FLHX 2014-2015

H-D FLHXS 2014-2015

H-D FLHXSE 2015

H-D FLTRUSE 2015

H-D FLTRX 2015

H-D FLTRXS 2015

Details

Manufacturer: Harley-Davidson Motor Company

SUMMARY:

Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Road King (FLHR), Street Glide (FLHX), Street Glide Special (FLHXS), Electra Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU), Ultra Limited (FLHTK), Police Road King (FLHP), Police Electra Glide (FLHTP), CVO Ultra Limited (FLHTKSE), 2014 CVO Road King (FLHRSE), and 2015 Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low (FLHTCUL), Ultra Limited Low (FLHTKL), Road Glide (FLTRX), Road Glide Special (FLTRXS), CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), and CVO Road Glide Ultra (FLTRUSE) motorcycles. The affected motorcycles have saddlebag mounting receptacles that may not adequately secure the saddlebags to the motorcycle.

CONSEQUENCE:

If a saddlebag is not adequately secured, it may separate from the motorcycle while riding, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:

Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected saddlebag mounting receptacles with updated receptacles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 27, 2015. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0166.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

 

 

[cowpuc]

Gotta hand it to The Motor Company, they have made some major improvements over the years.. Back in the Shovel days I used to pick up enough parts along the trail to the Sturgis Rally to be able to leave home on my Low Rider and come home riding an FLH ... Now adays it seems like the trail is only covered with Tee Shirts, Scull Caps and an occasional pair of riding gloves.. Glad to hear they are finally returning to the old days (I am a retro kinda guy), I will be keeping an eye out for some saddlebags this year - thanks for heads up Eckster!!

[Yammer Dan]

Gonna have to move the Boss to the back of the Pack!! Them bags flying around could be Hazardous!!!:backinmyday:

[djh3]

i have to laugh. Last week or so I have read a few articles on how HD sales have fell off. they have lost XYZ amount of sales (boo hoo) but yet they have no plans of lowering their prices to compete with Victory, Indian Honda etc, because they feel their "quality" product wins out. Now after like 3 recalls on same vintage bikes, clutch, I think some kind of key or electrical issue and now saddle bags falling off maybe they need to rethink their strategy. I figure maybe the falling off bags is just the motor companies way of getting folks to stop in and buy a few more shirts, hats, underwear as theirs is now lost somewhere between where they started and the hotel they are headed to. MAN would that suck. Your cruising down the road and clunk your bag falls off. PLOOP it hits the road and explodes with all your clothes scattering. Maybe some safety wire is the fix.

 

This toad on the other hand shouldnt have much problems.

http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/InZDhIamXkjdWTAJQPz_.w--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NQ--/http://media.zenfs.com/en-us/homerun/us.autos.rideapart/e535a1493f517be174dfb1a5bcb87a49

[Eck]

The amount of recalls on Harleys are no different than the amount of recalls on Goldwing's. They "all" have their issues no matter what type of bike it is (or cage).

Example: Honda "STILL" has not come up with a fix on the locking rear brake systems on the Goldwing 1800's..And yet this is a SAFETY issue!!!

 

I did not post this thread in an attempt to BASH Harleys. Every bike out there has their issues, Kawasaki, Indians, Suzuki, you name it...

If I ever get another bike it just might be a Harley. I think they are really nice bikes and have come a long way.

[Great White]

This toad on the other hand shouldnt have much problems.

http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/InZDhIamXkjdWTAJQPz_.w--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NQ--/http://media.zenfs.com/en-us/homerun/us.autos.rideapart/e535a1493f517be174dfb1a5bcb87a49

 

I swear, it's like natural selection has taken a couple decades off or something.......

[djh3]

WHY????? WHY would you even get on your bike this way?? I wont even hardly reposition mine in the garage with flip flops on. I just sort of glad he dont have a helmet on. Why would you want to protect that brain?

[bj66]

There is an aftermarket item called Bagger Bolts being sold. Several guys purchase them because the twist style lock pins can eventually loosen and fall out. Not something entirely new, I've heard of these replacements for years. I kind of applaud them for admitting they have a problem, and if it was me, rather than replacing them with factory, I'd replace them with the bagger bolts.

 

When you talk about saddlebags, that's the only real problem I had with my RSTD. Opened the lid and I saw hardware laying in bottom of bag. Bike was almost new because I never had any stuff in bag yet. I still had bag lid in my hand and didn't let it flop open. Good thing because the hardware that was laying in bottom held the fabric strap to the lid. If I would've let go of the lid, I'm guessing I would've had some scratched paint from the lid slamming into the side of the bag....at least the bag wouldn't have fallen all the way off.

[djh3]

The amount of recalls on Harleys are no different than the amount of recalls on Goldwing's. They "all" have their issues no matter what type of bike it is (or cage).

Example: Honda "STILL" has not come up with a fix on the locking rear brake systems on the Goldwing 1800's..And yet this is a SAFETY issue!!!

 

I did not post this thread in an attempt to BASH Harleys. Every bike out there has their issues, Kawasaki, Indians, Suzuki, you name it...

If I ever get another bike it just might be a Harley. I think they are really nice bikes and have come a long way.

 

Sorry if got off task. I thought Honda had published a fix for the brake problem here a few months back. MAybe it is just a stop gap procedure. I agree with you any large manufacture is bound to have a run of poor production and design failures that just cant be played out in simulators. It just takes mile. Hd just seems to be more in the news with them lately I guess.

[Barrycuda]

Sorry if got off task. I thought Honda had published a fix for the brake problem here a few months back. MAybe it is just a stop gap procedure. I agree with you any large manufacture is bound to have a run of poor production and design failures that just cant be played out in simulators. It just takes mile. Hd just seems to be more in the news with them lately I guess.

 

we as a society have been brain washed that nothing.....nothing except HD is acceptable in this country and its unAmerican to ride anything else.( even though the majority of HD parts and equipment are not made here) They spend billions on advertising to brainwash people. Now, I myself am intrigued and attracted to some of the HD, but I can't drink the kool aid of buying one and having to do all sorts of stuff and spend even more money to make it as reliable and trouble free and the RSV, GW, Vulcans etc. I think we ( as a motorcycle riding entity) like to see HD struggle simply because they and many, not all, but many of the HD riders have a holier than thou persona that they can't been seen with any other bike or owner that isn't HD. Propaganda machine at its finest. I will say, I have met several THINKING HD owners who are not like that. However, by and large sadly, that's not the case, at least from my experience...

[bj66]

OIt's just more visible in the motorcycle industry, because Harley dominates the market. Let's talk pickup trucks, Ford/Chevy/Dodge. Just as many guys who are overboard in their brand choice. Only difference is The big 3 have to fight harder for market share. Boats, around here if its not a LUND or Warrior walleye boat, its inferior.

 

It's not a "Harley" thing. It's a "Guy" thing. Guys brag about their toys, and some guys love to brag to the point of being blindly obnoxious.

 

Better yet, lets talk NFL football, everyone knows someone that utters the phrase "We're gonna win it all this year!" And the team wins 3 games. One of my best friends is a Vikings fan and I hear it every year. My reply is how many stadiums is it gonna take for them to win a Superbowl? My guess is 4....

 

I walked into a HD dealership in 2010, was just looking. Salesman came over to Road Glide I was looking at, asked what I rode. Told him RSTD, his reply was "well at least it's 2 wheels". He didn't mean it to be bad, but the tone in his voice was talking down at me. I let it rip on him and chewed his ---. I walked out and bought my 2011 at different dealer. Love my Road Glide, not because its a HD, but because its a RG. But some people just can't help themselves. By the way I don't get into the Ford/Chevy debate either, I run a Dodge....☺

 

I'll end this ramble on this note. If you think HD people are bad, be a farmer and listen to guys talk about John Deere! I think HD learned from JD. Those guys are insanely loyal. It costs even more to run green paint. I have neighbors where every piece of equipment Is JD right down to the weed eaters. Unbelievable that they are so inflexible that one other brand of equipment won't do the job.

 

Oops.....picture me trying to steer this thread back to the topic at hand!

Edited July 25, 2015 by bj66

[cowpuc]

OIt's just more visible in the motorcycle industry, because Harley dominates the market. Let's talk pickup trucks, Ford/Chevy/Dodge. Just as many guys who are overboard in their brand choice. Only difference is The big 3 have to fight harder for market share. Boats, around here if its not a LUND or Warrior walleye boat, its inferior.

 

It's not a "Harley" thing. It's a "Guy" thing. Guys brag about their toys, and some guys love to brag to the point of being blindly obnoxious.

 

Better yet, lets talk NFL football, everyone knows someone that utters the phrase "We're gonna win it all this year!" And the team wins 3 games. One of my best friends is a Vikings fan and I hear it every year. My reply is how many stadiums is it gonna take for them to win a Superbowl? My guess is 4....

 

I walked into a HD dealership in 2010, was just looking. Salesman came over to Road Glide I was looking at, asked what I rode. Told him RSTD, his reply was "well at least it's 2 wheels". He didn't mean it to be bad, but the tone in his voice was talking down at me. I let it rip on him and chewed his ---. I walked out and bought my 2011 at different dealer. Love my Road Glide, not because its a HD, but because its a RG. But some people just can't help themselves. By the way I don't get into the Ford/Chevy debate either, I run a Dodge....☺

 

I'll end this ramble on this note. If you think HD people are bad, be a farmer and listen to guys talk about John Deere! I think HD learned from JD. Those guys are insanely loyal. It costs even more to run green paint. I have neighbors where every piece of equipment Is JD right down to the weed eaters. Unbelievable that they are so inflexible that one other brand of equipment won't do the job.

 

Oops.....picture me trying to steer this thread back to the topic at hand!

 

 

Very well put BJ!

To go a little deeper with your point, IMHO, us guys seem to be a little more stimulated by vision than our counter parts. I will say this though, I am surrounded by a group of ladies who are just as deep into the Harley mode as their men folk. Funny you mention the NFL BJ cause that same "group" of ladies are just as passionate about their football team (gooooooo Packers is all I hear from them when its football season).

Personally, I think when it comes to marketeering that Harley has done an amazing job and a lot of the Harley craze has been a result of that lifelong campaign on their part. When you think about it in it's purest form, they have single handedly managed to keep an air cooled tractor motor on two wheels for a very long time. Not only have they managed that small task (tongue and cheek of course) but have done so in such a way that the ol air cooled motor of theirs has been so tweeked that it is not only able to be as reliable (in most cases) as it's modern water cooled counter parts but it IS the most sought after motorcycle in biking history. It's copied over and over again by every other manufacturer in the world (what the heck - copy catting to the point that HD even had to protect the "potato potato" sound from their competitors) and it still maintains to be the most sought after engine/frame/style design in the history of biking - not just in North America but the world over.

In the end though, I still think there is something about the raw eye candy appeal to the mighty HD Big Twin that most bikers find appealing. Perhaps it does have to do with some brain washing thru marketing of the masses like Barry mentioned, perhaps it has to do with something called nostalgia in some folks minds, perhaps it has to do with wanting to look cool for some people..

All I know is that when I see someone on their HD (or whatever) out enjoying the CTFW like the guy in the pic that DJ posted, I am inspired to lean back on Tippy's torso, stretch out my legs and put a foot up on a bar, lock my throttle, let the worry's of the day disappear and fill my mind with the thrill of enjoying another day of CTFWing all while listening to the wonderful song of "potato potato potato" for hours and hours on end.

[JohnT]

As much as I would like to bust on HD for yet another recall, I can't. In this day and age of trying to make more with less every manufacturer is going to run into situations they wish hadn't happened. In HD's defense, by the time we noticed the trend we were notified of the recall the next day. Bulletin M-1408 arrived and the recall process began.

We had gotten 2 customers in 2 days. The 2nd and 3rd customers in 4 days, so it was easy to notice the trend. We were already trying to get HD to warranty the bags when lo and behold, warranty was not an issue. It's not a huge deal at all. .1 hour fix for Touring and .2 hour fix for CVO models. Simple hardware replacement.

Until a rider can get in and get it done I am recommending to them that they firmly seat the fastener and then tape them in place. If they don't work their way out, the bag doesn't fall off. And not everyone is experiencing the failure.

The clutch recall is a bigger deal to me. Imagine out of the blue having no clutch. But again, the owners are being made aware, and as an HD service person the first thing I do when one of my customers hits my desk is to run their vehicle for recalls. If one is there, it gets done at the time of their service.

The way HD steps up is great.

[djh3]

I was talking the other night with a fellow that has I think a 12 Glide of some sort with bags. His is fine, and previous years are fine. So I guess in 14 they had to make a better mouse trap and it didnt work out so good. Geeze sometimes you got to wonder what the boys in design and engineering do all day when they are supposed to be working. I have said for a very long time "if you want a GOOD train wreck, you got to have an engineer" Why would they change something that has obviously worked for like 15 years? I dunno, job security maybe??