NHTSA Complaint #11239450 — 2005 HONDA VTX1800

SUPERTRAPP/JARDINE IS AN OHIO COMPANY OFFERING MOTORCYCLE ACCESSORIES. I PURCHASED A 2005 HONDA VTX 1800 MOTORCYCLE WITH A JARDINE BACKREST INSTALLED. THIS BACKREST WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE, PREMIUM PRODUCT COSTING CONSIDERABLY MORE THAN THE COMPETITION. MY WIFE NOTICED FATIGUE CRACKS IN THE SIDE BRACKETS OF THIS BACKREST. I TOOK PHOTOS OF THE FATIGUE CRACKS AND SENT THEM TO SUPERTRAPP/JARDINE AND ASKED TO PURCHASE NEW BRACKETS AND SEND THE DEFECTIVE BRACKETS BACK FOR EVALUATION. THEY ASKED FOR PICTURES AND A RECEIPT FOR THIS BACKREST WHICH I NO LONGER HAVE. I SENT THE PICTURES AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THESE BRACKETS WOULD NOT BE A WARRANTY ITEM WITHOUT THE RECEIPT. THIS I BELIEVE IS A DESIGN FLAW NOT REQUIRING WARRANTY. THE BRACKET IF CONTINUED TO CRACK COULD FAIL AND EJECT A PASSENGER FROM THE REAR SEAT OF THE MOTORCYCLE ONTO THE GROUND THEREBY CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. I AM APPALLED AT THE RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER BY NOT TAKING ANY ACTION TO ADDRESS THIS DEFECT. ALL BRACKETS MANUFACTURED BY THIS COMPANY SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH HIGHER GAUGE METAL. I AM CONTACTING YOU FOR THE CONCERN OF THE MANY BRACKETS LIKE THIS THAT HAVE BEEN SOLD AND INSTALLED ON MOTORCYCLES WITHOUT BEING NOTICED BY THEIR OWNERS. *JS *AS *TR *LN*JB