2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHTCUTG Wheels Problems

ON JULY 7, 2013, WHILE TRAVELING EASTBOUND IN THE LEFTHAND LANE OF US HIGHWAY 64 JUST OUTSIDE NASHVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, WELL BELOW THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT, THE LEFT REAR TIRE OF A 2011 HARLEY-DAVIDSON TRI-GLIDE (MODEL FLHTCUTG) DETACHED AND SWERVED AWAY FROM THE TRI-GLIDE. THE TRI-GLIDE VEERED LEFT OFF THE ROAD, STRIKING THE LEFT SIDE GUARD RAIL, EJECTING BOTH THE HELMETED DRIVER AND THE HELMETED PASSENGER OVER THE GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER, DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF HIS INJURIES, DIED AND THE PASSENGER WAS INJURED. THE DETACHED LEFT REAR TIRE SPUN AWAY TO AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE RIGHTHAND LANE. THE TIRE WAS LOST DURING THE INCIDENT, AS WERE ALL FOUR LUG-NUTS THAT PREVIOUSLY HELD THE TIRE IN PLACE. THE TRI-GLIDE WAS BEING RIDDEN AS PART OF AN ORGANIZED RIDE AND WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH IN A 70 MPH ZONE WHEN THE TIRE AND LUG NUTS SEPARATED. FOLLOWING INVESTIGATION...

WHILE ON A RIDE WITH MY WIFE ON A COUNTY ROAD IN IDAHO I STARTED FEELING A VIBRATION. WITHIN 5 SEC. THE LEFT REAR TIRE OF MY HARLEY TRI-GLIDE CAME OFF CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL. THE BIKE SLIDE INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC AND INTO A DITCH. THE TIRE TRAVELED APPOX. 50 YARDS DOWN THE ROAD BEFORE STOPPING. I HAD NEVER REMOVED THE TIRES SINCE I PURCHASED THE BIKE FROM THE LONE WOLF HARLEY DAVIDSON DEALER IN SPOKANE VALLEY WASHINGTON. WE HAVE RESEARCHED OTHER TRI-GLIDE OWNERS TO LEARN THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE HARLEY DAVIDSON MANF. IN WEST CONN. (CASE#[XXX]) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR