NHTSA Complaint #10164850 — 2003 SUZUKI SV1000S

MY 2003 SUZUKI SV1000S MOTORCYCLE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF CUTTING OUT WHILE IN MOTION, IN TRAFFIC, IN TURNS, RESULTING IN EVENTUAL AND COMPLETE ELECTRONIC FAILURE ON 7/8/2006. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE BIKE IN AUGUST OF 2005. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE MECHANICS (EVEN DEALER MECHANICS) CHECKING THE FUEL PUMP, GAS TANK, AIR FILTER, FUEL FILTER, AND FUSES TO ATTEMPT TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER FOUND BECAUSE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SURGING AND CUTTING OUT MADE THE BIKE BEHAVE AS THOUGH IT WAS STARVING FOR FUEL. I SUSPECT THIS CUTTING OUT ISSUE TO BE THE CAUSE OF MY CRASH WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN AT 25 MPH WHICH OCCURRED ON NOVEMBER 27, 2005, RESULTING IN MILD INJURY TO NECK/SHOULDER AND $1,000 IN DAMAGE TO THE BIKE. AFTER THE TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE ON JULY 8TH I PAID $75 TO HAVE THIS SV TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE GREEN IGNITION SWITCH WAS BURNT AND BLACKENED AND REPLACED WITH A NEW SWITCH PLUS SOME DIELECTRIC GREASE. I PAID FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR, AND AFTER A CALL TO SUZUKI OF AMERICA, THEY HAVE OFFERED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR PARTS AND LABOR IN EXCHANGE FOR MY GIVING THEM THE BURNT IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE ACCEPTED SUZUKI'S OFFER, HOWEVER, IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT I HAVE ALREADY PAID OVER $1,500 IN BIKE REPAIRS AND MEDICAL BILLS BEFORE THIS ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. I HAVE WARNED TWO OTHER SV1000S OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPRESSED TO ME THAT THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR BIKES CUTTING OUT AS WELL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I THINK ISSUING A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE OF TOP PRIORITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. *JB