GM recalls millions, why not HD?
#11
02-27-2014, 12:43 AM
#12
02-27-2014, 05:39 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
GM (or any other manufacturer) does not voluntarily recall their products. It's mandated by the feds after much research into accidents, injuries and deaths. The vehicle makers normally put up a big fight to oppose any recall. Recalls are very costly and hurt the image of the brand.
We all expect the MOCO to do the right thing by its loyal owners when such a potentially dangerous condition exists. That doesn't always happen as fast as it should. What HD should do, if they haven't already, is to issue a service bulletin to fix the problem. I don't know where they draw the line as to how many people have to get hurt until they act, but these are corporate lawyers and accountants making those decisions.
We all expect the MOCO to do the right thing by its loyal owners when such a potentially dangerous condition exists. That doesn't always happen as fast as it should. What HD should do, if they haven't already, is to issue a service bulletin to fix the problem. I don't know where they draw the line as to how many people have to get hurt until they act, but these are corporate lawyers and accountants making those decisions.
#13
02-27-2014, 07:11 AM
GM (or any other manufacturer) does not voluntarily recall their products. It's mandated by the feds after much research into accidents, injuries and deaths. The vehicle makers normally put up a big fight to oppose any recall. Recalls are very costly and hurt the image of the brand.
We all expect the MOCO to do the right thing by its loyal owners when such a potentially dangerous condition exists. That doesn't always happen as fast as it should. What HD should do, if they haven't already, is to issue a service bulletin to fix the problem. I don't know where they draw the line as to how many people have to get hurt until they act, but these are corporate lawyers and accountants making those decisions.
We all expect the MOCO to do the right thing by its loyal owners when such a potentially dangerous condition exists. That doesn't always happen as fast as it should. What HD should do, if they haven't already, is to issue a service bulletin to fix the problem. I don't know where they draw the line as to how many people have to get hurt until they act, but these are corporate lawyers and accountants making those decisions.
Many times (but not always) manufactures will announce a voluntary recall. This GM recall was voluntary. It was late (hell, they should have fixed the problem sometime in the first couple years), but it was voluntary. Which is not to say that the government would not have forced GM had they have not done it.
Actually I'm not sure that the government can actually force a manufacturer to issue a recall. At least not the way we think when we say "force". They can sue, they can hold hearings, they can refuse permits, but I don't think they can actually require a manufacturer have a recall per se.
There are several articles that explain how GM was careful not to make the same mistakes that Toyota made...
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/...oyota/5844461/
#14
02-27-2014, 07:33 AM
Road Warrior
Quite a few owners of these bikes have experienced the bike suddenly going into limp mode for no apparent reason. It just means that it goes to idle and you have no throttle. Unless you reset the ecm, you will only be able to basicly idle your bike. This can happen any time at any speed. I think there may be a service bulletin out that says the contact pins in the connector pull back or corrode due to vibration or something like that. The quick fix is to pull the connector apart and use some dielectric grease on it. Apparently this helps somewhat. Its happened to me twice. Other recalls on the bike are for the rear brake light switch, tank bracket and front tire.
#15
02-27-2014, 11:33 PM
Harley recalls only when there is an established safety related item that needs correcting. Harley is not about to say that this is a safety related problem. They do admit that it is a problem though. See or google HD bulletin TT418A for the explanation and fix.
#16
02-28-2014, 11:39 PM
Mmm, if they admit to the problem, I wonder why they wouldnt see it as a safety problem. If my chevy looses all power/throttle its safety, but not if my Harley dies at speed. I guess people have to get hurt or die on their bikes just like some GM owners have. Thanks for the bulletin #. Ride safe.
#17
03-01-2014, 10:02 AM
If GM has to recall all of these cars for the ignition key turning off by itself, why doesn't Harley have to recall the touring bikes that are subject to going into limp mode. Harley knows about the pins fretting in the connector behind the throttle body, but does nothing about it! Mine has done it twice, luckily not at 80mph on a busy interstate. Anybody else see this as problem? Rant over!
Which is quite different than "going limp".
#18
03-01-2014, 10:04 AM
Mmm, if they admit to the problem, I wonder why they wouldnt see it as a safety problem. If my chevy looses all power/throttle its safety, but not if my Harley dies at speed. I guess people have to get hurt or die on their bikes just like some GM owners have. Thanks for the bulletin #. Ride safe.
#19
03-01-2014, 10:06 AM
100% wrong!
Many times (but not always) manufactures will announce a voluntary recall. This GM recall was voluntary. It was late (hell, they should have fixed the problem sometime in the first couple years), but it was voluntary. Which is not to say that the government would not have forced GM had they have not done it.
Actually I'm not sure that the government can actually force a manufacturer to issue a recall. At least not the way we think when we say "force". They can sue, they can hold hearings, they can refuse permits, but I don't think they can actually require a manufacturer have a recall per se.
There are several articles that explain how GM was careful not to make the same mistakes that Toyota made...
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/...oyota/5844461/
Many times (but not always) manufactures will announce a voluntary recall. This GM recall was voluntary. It was late (hell, they should have fixed the problem sometime in the first couple years), but it was voluntary. Which is not to say that the government would not have forced GM had they have not done it.
Actually I'm not sure that the government can actually force a manufacturer to issue a recall. At least not the way we think when we say "force". They can sue, they can hold hearings, they can refuse permits, but I don't think they can actually require a manufacturer have a recall per se.
There are several articles that explain how GM was careful not to make the same mistakes that Toyota made...
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/...oyota/5844461/
Last edited by Nitschke; 03-01-2014 at 10:08 AM. Reason: spelling
#20
03-01-2014, 10:15 AM
Tourer
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Didn't Harley volunteer a recall on their new liquid cooled engines to Fix the boiling issue. Obviously Harley issued a bulletin regarding the pin connector and I'm sure this issue would be covered under warranty.
If my throttle stopped working, I'd simply pull the clutch and move to the side of the road. Not sure this poses a major safety issue. This is the same thing that would happen with any mechanical issue with your bike.... pull the clutch and go to the side of the road.
Sudden acceleration.. that's a different story.
If my throttle stopped working, I'd simply pull the clutch and move to the side of the road. Not sure this poses a major safety issue. This is the same thing that would happen with any mechanical issue with your bike.... pull the clutch and go to the side of the road.
Sudden acceleration.. that's a different story.