Harley recalling a metric shit ton of bikes...

[chornbe]

Are Harely tanks the only ones on record that have a possibility of exploding on severe front end collision? Are there no other bikes that have gone up in flames after a collision? I find that difficult to believe. AFAIK, all bikes have the *potential* to rupture their tanks upon a severe front end collision, including your zip tie special, which is reason for the HD recall, ie the possibility it could rupture.  

*cough*R6*cough*

[st ryder]

I may not be understanding your point.  HD obvioulsy had a larger "Potential" to have a rupture than other brands.  I doubt they would have issued a recall (And offered a fix) if this statement wasn't true.
My EX500 tank was tested and passed multiple times.  

My point is twofold: 1) what motorcycle does not have the potential of a fuel leak and possible fire after a severe head on collision? and 2) Is HD the only bike on record for having fuel tank leaks and fires after severe head-on collisions? And okay, I'll make a 3rd point, where's the independent lab or field tests that show HD's potenial is more than any other bike to warrant a recall, as opposed to reaching an understanding that such risks are inherent in mc deisgn?

[squeezer]

H-D dealers will install braces to the mounts to keep that from happening.

That's the crummy part. Won't those braces make the bikes heavy?

[atadaskew]

That's the crummy part. Won't those braces make the bikes heavy?

It's ok, they compensate for it by putting less air in the tyres.  Before they would put 30lbs in the front, 40 lbs pressure in the rear.
Now they are cutting it down to 28/35 for a weight savings of 7lbs.
Those braces (high tech lead/cast iron/chrome alloy) only weigh about 5lbs altogether.  Harley also offers a carbon fiber cover in it's Screaming Eagle catalogue that you can glue on top of the braces.  As carbon fiber is amazingly light, it makes the braces lighter.

[chornbe]

BWAHAHAHAHAH nice.  

[Geoff]

That's the crummy part. Won't those braces make the bikes heavy?

Heavy is a design objective.  

[bikerstarfjr08]

That's the crummy part. Won't those braces make the bikes heavy?

Ah, errr.....you meant HEAVIER, RIGHT? Those bikes already approach the weight of a fully loaded Hummer.

[Geoff]

Ah, errr.....you meant HEAVIER, RIGHT? Those bikes already approach the weight of a fully loaded Hummer.

In running order, the Ultra Classic weighs 889 lbs. and the Gold Wing weighs 928 lbs.  

[chornbe]

Wait, you're suggesting that a large-framed, heavily built bike that's designed to take 2 people and weeks of provisions on long trips should actually weigh more than a, say, 370 pound sport bike whose sole purpose is to go really fast around turns for an hour at a time while being ridden by guys who are 5-foot-nuthin' and weight 128 pounds?

Hmm..

[atadaskew]

Ah, errr.....you meant HEAVIER, RIGHT? Those bikes already approach the weight of a fully loaded Hummer.

It's funny when someone who rides a fat bike complains about other fat bikes.

[squeezer]

It's funny when someone who rides a fat bike complains about other fat bikes.

Whew! About time. I was waiting for someone to take my little one liner and point out I ride an FJR. I mean, come on -- I'm serving up slow pitch softballs here, gang.  

[atadaskew]

Whew! About time. I was waiting for someone to take my little one liner and point out I ride an FJR. I mean, come on -- I'm serving up slow pitch softballs here, gang.  

It's like standing around the last donut in the lunch room.  If no-one else is gonna take it....
 

[Tpoppa]

Narrator: A new car built by my company leaves somewhere traveling at 60 mph. The rear differential locks up. The car crashes and burns with everyone trapped inside. Now, should we initiate a recall? Take the number of vehicles in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure, B, multiply by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don't do one.

Woman on plane: Are there a lot of these kinds of accidents?

Narrator: You wouldn't believe.

Woman on plane: Which car company do you work for?

Narrator: A major one.

[Uncle Leo]

"According to the article, the man was riding north on Interstate 75 when traffic ahead of him slowed. To avoid a rear-end collision -- which can throw motorcyclists from their bikes -- he laid down his 1998 Harley Davidson on its side in the grassy median of the highway."

This tool shouldn't be allowed near a Schwinn, let alone a motorcycle. But because he acted like an ass, it is, of course, the motorcycle manufacturers fault that he INTENTIONALLY crashed his ride.

[chornbe]

 

Thanks for making us *all* look bad.

Guess what... you run into the back of something in your car, it's YOUR fault, not the stopped traffic's fault. Why would ANYONE expect it to be different for bikes?  

[JoeyBones]

 Guess what... you run into the back of something in your car, it's YOUR fault, not the stopped traffic's fault. Why would ANYONE expect it to be different for bikes?  

+ 1

If I wrecked every time traffic in front of me "slowed".....  Well, I don't guess I'd be sitting here typing this....