NHTSA Complaint #10138775 — 2003 HONDA RVT1000R

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS CHILD OWNED A 2003 HONDA RC 51 1000R THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND EXPLODED WHILE BEING RIDDEN. THE OWNER WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 55 TO 65. THE DRIVER WAS KILLED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE OWNER WAS TWENTY YEARS OF AGE. THERE ARE WITNESSES THAT HAVE STATED THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING DOWN ASPHALT, STRAIGHT ROAD WHEN HE LOOKED LIKE THE MOTORCYCLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. THERE WAS A PUFF OF SMOKE AND THEN THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE BIKE AND HIT A CULVERT AND WAS FOUND UNCONSCIOUS. THE FATHER OF THE DRIVER STATES THAT THE DRIVER DIED WHILE IN THE HOSPITAL DUE TO BLUNT TRAUMA AND INTERNAL INJURIES. AT THIS POINT THE INVESTIGATORS HAVE FOUND NO HARD EVIDENCE OF THE COMPONENT, BUT THE FUEL SYSTEM LOOKS SUSPICIOUS. THE FATHER OF THE DRIVER HAS FOUND ONLINE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF FUEL SYSTEMS LEAKING AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE FATHER HAS CONTACTED HONDA AND THEY GAVE NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT THE CAUSE COULD HAVE BEEN. THE FATHER DOES HAVE PICTURES OF THE WRECKAGE. THE FATHER HAS IN HIS POSSESSION PICTURES OF THE BIKE RIGHT AFTER THE WRECK HAPPENED BEFORE ANYONE HAD TOUCHED THE BIKE. THE FATHER DOES HAVE ALMOST TWO HUNDRED PICTURES FROM THE HONDA INVESTIGATION. AT THIS POINT, THE BIKE IS AVAILABLE TO VIEW, UNTIL THE INSURANCE COMPANY RELEASES IT. *JB