NHTSA Complaint #11536233 — 2023 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FXBBS

Note that I had sent the following letter to Harley Davidson on 6/5/23 (referenced to HD Case #4985013). I had followed up with several phone calls and have received no definitive feedback regarding safety issue. As a follow-up, I am now submitting my safety concerns to NHTSA. Also see attached pictures. Dear Harley Davidson Customer Service: I am contacting you in regard to a potential safety issue which I experienced with my 2023 Harley Davidson Street Bob - FXBBS, VIN# 1HD1YYK19PB040852. When I purchased the bike, I ordered a Forward Control Kit which was initially in Chrome referenced Part # 50700061. After the dealer installed the Chrome Kit, I realized that the Forward Control Kit also came in Black referenced Part # 50700060. Since the Street Bob was a matte black, I elected to get the Black Forward Control Kit. After the kit was installed, I realized that the kit had a different Brake Pedal configuration. The black kit pedal was much lower and lacks a rubber pedal cover. This requires the operator’s foot be very forward and biomechanically decreases foot force. In addition, the lack of a rubber brake cover causes the operator’s boot to slip across and off the pedal. As a degreed Mechanical Engineer, I can appreciate the safety technology incorporated in the bike but am at a loss for the black forward pedal design. As a result, I asked the dealer to reinstall the Chrome Forward Kit for safety concerns. As a follow up, I am asking HD to respond to my letter and provide an explanation for the difference in Forward Control Designs. I have also attached pictures of both configurations to more clearly illustrate the differences.