NHTSA Complaint #10189404 — 2007 SUZUKI DL1000

RE: 2007 SUZUKI DL1000 V-STROM 1000 MOTORCYCLE FALL-OVER INCIDENT WHILE STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT, I ATTEMPTED TO PUT MY LEFT FOOT ON THE PAVEMENT. THE BOOT LACE ON MY LEFT BOOT SNAGGED ON THE EXPOSED AIR BLEEDER VALVE ON THE CLUTCH RELEASE CYLINDER NEXT TO MY BOOT AND JUST ABOVE THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER, CAUSING THE MOTORCYCLE TO FALL TO THE PAVEMENT ON ITS LEFT SIDE. I SUFFERED INJURIES TO MY LEFT WRIST AND UPPER LEFT BACK. THE MOTORCYCLE SUFFERED A BROKEN GEAR SHIFT LEVER, A BROKEN LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL, AND OTHER MINOR SCRAPES AND SCRATCHES. I NOTIFIED AMERICAN SUZUKI CORP. IN WRITING OF WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A SERIOUS DESIGN DEFECT, WITH THE UNCOVERED AND UNPROTECTED AIR BLEEDER VALVE NEXT TO THE RIDER'S BOOT, AND SENT PHOTOS OF THE INCIDENT; HOWEVER, BRYAN MALYSZEK FROM AMERICAN SUZUKI CALLED ME ON 4/30/07 AND DISAVOWED ANY AMERICAN SUZUKI RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INCIDENT. *TR