NHTSA Complaint #10911138 — 2013 VICTORY JUDGE

THE 5 BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE BELT PULLEY TO THE REAR WHEEL SHEARED OFF COMPLETELY. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET. I HAD JUST TAKEN OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT, SHIFTED FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE BIKE WOULD NOT GRAB AND GO FORWARD. I TRIED TO SHIFT DOWN AND GIVE GAS AGAIN AND NOTHING. I WAS GOING BETWEEN 40-50MPH. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD UNHARMED. I GOT OFF MY BIKE AND BEGAN TO INSPECT IT WHEN I SAW A LARGE BOLT ON THE GROUND. I PICKED IT UP AND REALIZED IT WAS HOT SO IT MUST HAVE COME OFF MY BIKE. A FELLOW MOTORCYCLE RIDER PULLED OVER TO MAKE SURE I WAS OK AND HELPED ME DETERMINE WHERE THE BOLTS CAME FROM AND WHY I COULD NOT GET MY BIKE INTO GEAR. THIS IS WHEN I REALIZED THEY WERE ALL GONE. THE REAR WHEEL, PULLEY AND SWING ARM WHERE DAMAGED IN THE PROCESS. THIS CAUSES A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN THE ENTIRE DRIVE SYSTEM OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE POWDER COATING ON THE PULLEY CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN HOWEVER VICTORY HAS TAKEN NO STEPS TO FIX THIS ISSUE. LUCKILY FOR ME I DID NOT WRECK OR DIE DUE TO THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER I HAVE TALKED WITH OVER 20 PEOPLE ON A FORUM THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME EXACT CATASTROPHIC FAILURE TO THEIR BIKES. IT IS NOT LIMITED TO ONE MODEL OR YEAR. VICTORY IS TAKING NO RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS ISSUE AND THE COST IS FALLING TO THE CONSUMER. MUST NEED TO BE ABLE TO PROVE SOMEONE HAS DIED BEFORE THEY WILL TAKE ACTION.