NHTSA Complaint #10643386 — 2006 YAMAHA XVS1100

WHILE RIDING AT ABOUT 60 MPH, GOING UP A MOUNTAIN ROAD, MY MOTORCYCLE SUDDENLY MADE A HORRIBLE SOUND LIKE METAL PARTS GRINDING AND FLYING AROUND INSIDE MY ENGINE. I PULLED OVER AS FAST AS I COULD AND THE BACK TIRE LOCKED UP ON ME AS I DID SO - EVEN WHEN I APPLIED THE CLUTCH. I WAS FORTUNATE NOT TO SKID OUT OF CONTROL AS THE TRAFFIC THERE TRAVELS FAST AND THE ROAD IS A BIT TRECHEROUS. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A SHOP.ONCE THEY HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW THE PROBLEM THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE NUT ON THE MIDDLE DRIVE SHAFT WHERE THE U-JOINT ATTACHES HAD SHEARED OFF RUINING MY TRANSMISSION, SHAFT, ETC... I HAVE BEEN QUOTED AN ESTIMATE OF $3000 TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM - WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT COULD JUST HAPPEN AGAIN ON THIS MODEL. WHEN I CALLED YAMAHA ABOUT IT, THEY SAID THERE WERE NO REPORTED ISSUES LIKE THIS ON THAT MODEL. THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS NOT A COMMON PROBLEM. WHEN I INFORMED HER IN THAT IN 5 MINUTES OF LOOKING ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND LITERALLY DOZENS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS EXACT PROBLEM SHE SAID, 'PLEASE HOLD.' I WAITED OVER 20 MINUTES AND SHE NEVER RETURNED. WHEN I CALLED BACK THEY JUST SAID, "SORRY, NO RECALLS ON THIS MODEL AND WOULD NOT HELP FURTHER." *TR