2009 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FLHX — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

The contact owns a 2009 Harley Davidson HLFX equipped with Shinko Tire Line: Shinko Tires E705, Tire Size: 180/65/R16, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated that while riding 20-25 MPH in the rain, the rear tire began to skid while rounding a curve and the contact lost control of the motorcycle. The contact continued riding; the failure occurred again while attempting to merge onto a highway. The contact pulled off to the shoulder and had the motorcycle towed to the residence. The dealer where the tire was purchased was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact attempted to notify the manufacturer and left a voicemail. The contact had not yet received a response from the manufacturer. The motorcycle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000. The tire failure mileage was 250.

I took my bike in to Myrtle Beach Harley Davidson for the repair as described in the recall. My bike had no issues with brakes or ABS light. The service department hooked it up to their computer and the ABS light was triggered. The service caused the ABS Module to fail. They refuse to repair the damage they caused. They want me to sign a statement that I know I am leaving their shop without antilock brakes.

The contact owns a 2009 Harley-Davidson Street Glide (FLHX). The contact stated while driving out of his driveway at 10 MPH, the front hand-brake pedal was depressed, however felt hard. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. There was no crash. The contact stated he researched the failure online and found a failure related to the ABS module. The contact stated that he contacted the dealer and was awaiting appointment. The contact stated that the dealer informed him that a year ago NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V076000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) was serviced on the motorcycle. The contact believed that the failure was related to the recall. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT CAME TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, THE REAR WHEEL SPED OFF AND THE CONTACT WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FLIPPED OFF THE MOTORCYCLE AND ONTO THE CONCRETE. THE MOTOR MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO A FAILED "FLY BY WIRE THROTTLE SYSTEM". THE CONTACT SUSTAINED 9 FRACTURED RIBS, FRACTURED COLLAR BONE, ROAD RASH AND THREE QUARTS OF BLOOD WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE CONTACTS LUNGS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS SOUGHT AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE POLICE REPORT DEEMED THAT THE INCIDENT WAS A MALFUNCTION OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS CLASSIFIED AS A SALVAGED TOTAL BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE. THE CONTACT CALLED LIVER MORE HARLEY DAVIDSON 7576 SOUTHFRONT RD, LIVERMORE, CA 94551 (925) 606-0100 WHERE THE DEALER OFFERED TO BUY THE MOTORCYCLE BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,926. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

HUNDREDS OF RIDERS IN FORUMS ONLINE HAVE REPORTED THE SAME ISSUE WHERE THE CONTACT BETWEEN THE MOTORCYCLE'S WIRE PINS GOING INTO THE THROTTLE INDUCTION MODEL ACTUATOR BECOMES DISRUPTED WHILE RIDING. HARLEY-DAVIDSON HAS PROGRAMED THE BIKE TO SHUT DOWN THE RPMS TO NO MORE THAN 2,000 AND SHUTTING DOWN ONE OF THE TWO CYLINDERS. THIS POSES VERY SERIOUS AND IMMEDIATE RISK OF DEATH TO THE RIDER AS THE BIKE SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING OR BRAKE LIGHTS DROPS IN SPEED VERY QUICKLY ON A HIGHWAY RESULTING IN POSSIBLY GETTING REAR-ENDED BY A VEHICLE, OR GETTING RUN OVER TRYING TO CROSS LANES OF TRAFFIC, OR GOING SIDEWAYS IF IN THE MIDDLE OF A CURVE; IN THE CASE OF A MOUNTAIN ROAD, THIS COULD MEAN FALLING TO ONE'S DEATH. ALL OF THIS COULD BE PREVENTED BY HD REPLACING THE EXISTING WIRING HARNESS(ES) WITH A SLIGHTLY LONGER ONES SO THE EXTREME ANGLE OF THE WIRE INPUT DOESN'T PUT STRESS ON THE PINS, AND THE BIKE CONTINUES TO OPERATE NORMALLY. ALSO, CHANGING THE PROGRAMMING SO THAT THE BIKE CAN GO ABOVE 15MPH IF "LIMP MODE" IS REQUIRED FOR SOME REASON WOULD LIKELY PREVENT SOMEONE FROM BEING KILLED. IT WAS TERRIFYING TO HAVE AN 18-WHEELER BARRELING DOWN ON MY FROM BEHIND BECAUSE THE BIKE WENT FROM 75MPH TO 40MPH IN LESS THAN 2 SECONDS. I HONESTLY THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE A TERRIBLE DEATH. FORTUNATELY THIS DRIVER SAW MY FRANTIC WAVING OF THE HANDS. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT, I'D BE DEAD.