NHTSA Complaint #765662 — 2002 HONDA GL1800

I HAVE RIDDEN THE MOTORCYCLE FOUR TIMES IN TRAFFIC AND EACH TIME THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED A READING THAT ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL WAS UNSAFE TO THE OPERATION OF THE ENGINE. UPON CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER THEY CLAIMED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS INNACCURATE AND THAT OVERHEATING ACTUALLY OCCURRED ONLY WHEN COOLANT WAS DISPERSED FROM THE COOLING TANK, CONTRARY TO WHAT IS STATED IN THE MANUAL. THE MOTORCYCLE OPERATES ENTIRELY DIFFERENT WHEN RUNNING IN THE RED ZONE, IT IS HARD TO SHIFT AND EXTREMELY HOT. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT RIDING AT THESE CONSTANT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES IS SAFE FOR THE ENGINE OR THE RIDER. ADDITIONALLY, INDEPENDANT TESTING OF THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE CONFIRMS THE DEGREE AT WHICH THE ENGINE IS OPERATING AT POTENTIAL PROLONGED PERIODS IS INDEED EXCESSIVE AND DAMAGING. THIS CAUSES ONE TO HAVE TO FIND ANY SHOULDER, GRASS AREA OR CURB TO PULL OVER EVERYTIME ONE IS STUCK IN TRAFFIC WHICH IS A NORMAL OCCURANCE IN EVERYDAY RIDING. THERE IS NO REASON THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD OCCUR ON A REGULAR BASIS IN TRAFFIC WHERE ANY OTHER VEHICLE FAIRS JUST FINE.