NHTSA Complaint #10630597 — 2014 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTK

THE FRONT BRAKES MAKE A TERRIBLE NOISE WHEN APPLIED. NOT ALL THE TIME, BUT VERY OFTEN. WHILE BRAKE STOPPING IS CURRENTLY NORMAL, I HAVE NEVER HEARD THIS KIND OF NOISE ON ANY OF THE DOZENS OF MOTORCYCLES I HAVE OWNED OVER THE LAST 40+ YEARS. I HAVE HAD THE BIKE AT THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY SAY THEY ARE UNABLE TO RECREATE THE NOISE. YET IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME I RIDE IT. I EVEN PROVIDED THEM AND H-D FACTORY WITH VIDEO OF IT HAPPENING OVER AND OVER. THE DEALER (HELLBENDER H-D, MARIETTA GA) SAID THEY WILL NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. H-D FACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE BLAMED ME FOR THE PROBLEM, SAYING IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS NOT USING THE REAR BRAKE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, AS I HAVE USE COORDINATED BRAKING ALL MY LIFE, AND BESIDES, NO BRAKE SYSTEM SHOULD MAKE THIS NOISE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE IS A MATERIALS PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS OR CALIPERS, OR THAT A MANUFACTURING ERROR HAS CAUSED A DEFECT THAT WILL PREVENT THE MOTORCYCLE FROM STOPPING. THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE ANY PARTS (EXCEPT BRAKE PADS) AND REFUSED TO SWAP A WHEEL ASSEMBLY FOR DIAGNOSTIC PURPOSES. THEY SIMPLY DO NOT WANT TO SPEND A PENNY, EVEN IF IT MAKES THE BIKE SAFE FOR ME TO RIDE. *TR