NHTSA Complaint #10237556 — 2006 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHRCI

I WAS THE PROUD OWNER OF 2006 ROAD KING CLASSIC. I PAMPERED MY BIKE, HAD IT SERVICED BY THE HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALERSHIP, AND HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS. AFTER 5000 MILES, (HARDLY EXCESSIVE USE) A STRONG WOBBLE DEVELOP AND IT GOT WORSE AT ALMOST ANY SPEED. I TOOK THE BIKE TO BE CHECKED AT HACIENDA HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALERSHIP IN SCOTTSDALE AZ IN JUNE OF 2008 WHICH AT THE TIME THE SERVICE MANAGER SHOWED ME THE LOOSE REAR WHEEL SPOKES. MY CONCERN WAS NOT ONLY ABOUT THE WOBBLE BUT WOULD IT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT? THE MANAGER SUGGESTED TO REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL ('TIGHTENING THE SPOKES WILL ONLY FIX THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY' WAS HIS QUOTE). ACCORDING TO HIM THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY HARLEY DAVIDSON. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS FOUND ALL OVER THE INTERNET BLOGS AS I RESEARCHED. I WAS SHOCKED WHEN TOLD THAT HD DOES NOT COVER THIS DEFECT. HARLEY DAVIDSON HAS A LONG HISTORY, AND I AM SURPRISED TO SEE SUCH A COMPANY NOT BACKING UP ITS PRODUCTS. THIS IS A POTENTIAL FATAL PROBLEM; THE INTERNET MENTIONS LAW SUITS, AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS SWITCHING TO BMW MOTORCYCLES, BECAUSE OF THIS. IN OTHER WORDS THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED SITUATION. AFTER REPLACING THE REAR WHEEL AND THE TIRE (COST: $917.23), WHAT GUARANTY DO I HAVE THIS NEW WHEEL IS NOT GOING TO FAIL LIKE THE FIRST ONE? THE TRUST IS GONE. SHOULD SPOKES LOOSEN AFTER 5000 MILES? ' PROBABLY NOT. SHOULD A WARNING BE ISSUED? ' PROBABLY YES, BUT NOBODY TOLD ME ANYTHING ABOUT IT. NOWHERE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL IS IT RECOMMENDED TO CHECK OR TO TIGHTEN THE SPOKES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY HARLEY DAVIDSON REFUSES TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT CAN CAUSE DEADLY ACCIDENTS. I SOLD MY ROAD KING CLASSIC, AFTER WARNING THE NEW BUYER. *TR