NHTSA Complaint #10350424 — 2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXDB

FOR THE THIRD TIME I HAVE SUSTAINED A SECOND DEGREE BURN ON MY LOWER RIGHT LEG WHEN ABOARD MY 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON ELECTRA GLIDE. THIS OCCURS WHEN I STOP THE BIKE TO PARK IT OR GET GAS AND MY LEG CONTACTS THE EXHAUST PIPE JUNCTURE JUST AFT OF THE RIDER FLOORBOARD. THE BURN IS SUSTAINED IMMEDIATELY ON ANY CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST PIPE WHICH IS PROTECTED BY A HEAT SHIELD PROVIDED BY HARLEY DAVIDSON. THE HEAT SHIELD IS INADEQUATE FOR THE TASK, AS THIS IS WHAT I AM ACTUALLY CONTACTING WHEN I AM BURNED. I QUESTIONED THE SELLING DEALER, AND THERE SOLUTION WAS TO WRAP THE AREA IN A HEAT RESISTANT TAPE, WHICH WOULD NOT LOOK GOOD AND MAY NOT BE EFFECTIVE ANYWAY. I WEAR AN ANKLE HIGH LEATHER BOOT WHEN I RIDE, WHICH I FEEL SHOULD BE ADEQUATE PROTECTION. I FEEL THAT HARLEY SHOULD DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE A GUARD OR AUXILIARY SHIELD TO PROTECT THE OPERATOR, AND PROVIDE THIS TO ALL OWNERS OF 2009 AND 2010 TOURING MODELS WHICH HAVE THE REDESIGNED EXHAUST SYSTEM THAT CAUSES THIS PROBLEM. NOT ONLY ARE THE BURNS PAINFUL BUT COULD BECOME INFECTED. THE CORRECT MODEL IS FLHTCU. *TR