Harley Davidson Recalls 174,636 Motorcycles: Possible Brake Failure

[Hippo-Drones]

http://www.ridebrotherhood.com/harley-davidson-recalls-174636-motorcycles-possible-brake-failure/

It is good when bike manufacturers carry out a recall, it shows that they take safety seriously.

It also sounds like HD are moving production to Thailand, lets hope that doesn't put folk off the Stars and Stripes, all American brand.... The decision by KTM to build bikes cheaper has definitely reduced my faith and def loyalty in their branding!

 

[lupin]

For a very long time the only bike that was really made in the USA was the V-Rod anyway.

This is most likely just part of the global brembo failure that many manufactures are suffering at the moment.

 

[Reize]

I'll be honest, I never liked KTM for their road bikes. They were always cheap feeling to me with their cheap plasticky bodywork. That said, I still trust KTM to make solid dirt bikes. Recently rode a 2016 KTM EXC 450 F and it was a far cry in ride quality i'd expect from a dirt bike, compared to when I demo-ed the 2017 Duke 390 and 125 and what I expected of a road bike.

Anyway HD honestly hasn't been an all American manufacturer for years now. The engine design and manufacture, and assembly is done in the US, but most of the auxiliary parts have been coming from international sources for decades now. Hell, even the Street series are for the most part, made in India, only North America gets the US made ones. So if they move their production more to Thailand, big whoop, nothing much has changed. And it's probably better that way anyway.

Americans keep talking about the slow demise of HD. True in the US and Canada, but walk around Europe's hipster areas, Middle East and Africa, they're seeing an increase there. Growth rate is slower in South East Asia, but it is definitely growing. So in this sense, it is absolutely logical that a Thai plant is far more beneficial to the company than keeping production in house in America.

 

[dandoolittle]

Brembo had a massive recall with Suzuki as well.

I didn’t know about the Harley stuff but I wonder if they’re linked

 

[Undead MV]

Maybe we could expect new models (cheaper) to take part in the mid-range price like the Street 750, A good option to buy a brand new HD with accessible cost.

 

[R-Rated]

For a very long time the only bike that was really made in the USA was the V-Rod anyway.

This is most likely just part of the global brembo failure that many manufactures are suffering at the moment.

Actually, the Intel I got is that the owners were not changing the brake fluid every two years and that led to crystals to form which caused the valves to not operate porperly.

Funny thing about Harley riders. Some ride the bike to death racking up miles after mile and others let them sit. Maybe they get them out on the weekend if the weather is perfect. So I bet brake fliud sitting around doing nothing is worse off than near constant use.

As far as Thailand manufacturing, the Kansas City media reported HD as saying they were moving most of the lost jobs over to Pennsylvania and the rest were being done in by automation.

The only model I know is built overseas is the Street family. Then the ones built in Asia are sold on that continent.

The others (and the US Streets) are built here in the US. However, I would not brag on their quality control.

 

[R-Rated]

Maybe we could expect new models (cheaper) to take part in the mid-range price like the Street 750, A good option to buy a brand new HD with accessible cost.

I agree. That 750A is sweet for V-Twin. The retune over the 750 makes a big difference.

 

[R-Rated]

Brembo had a massive recall with Suzuki as well.

I didn’t know about the Harley stuff but I wonder if they’re linked

I don't think it is a Brembo issue because the same parts like calipers and reservoirs are used on non ABS. Plus the recall does not newer than 2011. Seems it is just the module needing clean brake fluid vs. old stuff that may be contaminated by age.

Funny thing is HD had ABS as an option as early as 2005 for the cop bikes. They were not putting them on civilian bikes due to the ABS unit took about half of the right saddlebag. I am thinking either there were not that many produced so less chance of a problem or cops really serviced the bikes well.