NHTSA Complaint #10199327 — 2007 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCU

THERE IS EXCESSIVE HEAT COMING FROM THE ENGINE, BLUING OF THE EXHAUST PIPES, AND AN EXTREME BURN DANGER TO THE OPERATOR AND PASSENGER. SINCE MY PURCHASE OF THE BIKE I HAVE INSTALLED THE RECOMMENDED HD LEXAN HEAT GUARDS. THESE ITEMS SIMPLY DO NOT WORK AS THE HEAT FROM THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST IS SO INTENSE THAT I HAVE BURNED MYSELF ON THE INSIDE OF THE THIGH SEVERAL TIMES (THROUGH A THICK PAIR OF BLUE JEANS). WITH THE NATURAL REACTION TO PULL AWAY WHEN BURNED I HAVE ALMOST DROPPED THE MOTORCYCLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WHEN RIDING IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC THE PROBLEM BECOMES EVEN WORSE. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE TO BOTH OPERATOR AND THOSE TRAVELING AROUND THE MOTORCYCLE. IF THE MOTORCYCLE IS TOO HOT TO HANDLE THE OPERATOR BECOMES FOCUSED ON NOT GETTING BURNED RATHER THAN THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT. THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT IS RAISED SIGNIFICANTLY. SECONDARY, TO BURN POTENTIAL IS THE POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE PIPES THROUGH BLUING AND EXCESSIVE HEAT. A CONSUMER PAYS A PREMIUM PRICE FOR A HD PRODUCT AND WOULD EXPECT THAT THESE SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE ISSUES WOULD BE PROPERLY ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR