NHTSA Complaint #10546618 — 2014 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTK

THIS IS A BRAND NEW 2014 HD FLHTK LIMITED. NEW WITH THIS MODEL YEAR, HARLEY-DAVIDSON INTRODUCED THEIR NEW TWIN-COOLED TECHNOLOGY. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS A COOLANT SYSTEM, WHEREBY THE EXHAUST PORTS INSIDE EACH OF THE TWO ENGINE CYLINDER HEADS ARE COOL WITH ANTIFREEZE. AFTER RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE FOR THE FIRST TIME, I PARKED IT IN MY GARAGE AND SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. COOLANT LIQUID (ANTIFREEZE) BEGAN TO POUR OUT OF THE COOLANT RESERVOIR BOTTLE FROM THE OVERFLOW TUBE AND ONTO THE GARAGE FLOOR. THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT BUT IT HAS SINCE OCCURRED THREE TIMES FOR A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES. ANTIFREEZE LIQUID IS VERY SLIPPERY. IF THE COOLANT SYSTEM HAS DEFECTS THAT COULD CAUSE COOLANT TO OVERFLOW ONTO THE GROUND WHILE OPERATING (RIDING) THE MOTORCYCLE, THE REAR TIRE WOULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE ANTIFREEZE AND GET ON THE REAR TIRE. SHOULD THE REAR TIRE BE EXPOSED TO THE SLIPPERY ANTIFREEZE COOLANT LIQUID, SUCH A SITUATION COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF TRACTION OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. *LN