Posted on 11/23/2005 12:31:34 PM PST by Red Badger
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Harley-Davidson Inc. issued a voluntary safety recall on 2006 model Dyna series motorcycles built between June 9 and Oct. 19 due to a transmission defect.
The company said late Tuesday the recall affects some 13,400 motorcycles and is expected to cost less than $5 million, which it will make reservations for in the fourth quarter.
Harley-Davidson also said it expects to meet its previously announced wholesale shipment target of 329,000 motorcycles for 2005.
The Milwaukee-based company said it will provide owners with free pickup and delivery and will make recall kits, which include three redesigned transmission components, available at dealerships starting the week of Dec. 12.
The defect may allow the motorcycles to go into a false neutral position even though the neutral indicator light is illuminated, it said.
"If that happens, the transmission could engage into first or second gear unexpectedly," Harley-Davidson spokesman Bob Klein said Wednesday.
Two accidents related to the problem were reported, but none resulted in injury, Klein said.
The defect resulted from a design flaw in the six-speed transmission, which replaced the five-speed on the Dyna to make for a smoother ride at highway speeds and increase fuel efficiency, Klein said.
The redesign also resulted in a change to the front forks, chassis and a wider rear tire.
Shipments of the 2006 Dyna had been delayed but resumed after a change to production, he said.
Harley-Davidson shares rose $1.20, or 2.2 percent, to $55.67 in Wednesday afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange, amid a general gain in market prices on optimism over consumer spending this holiday season.
Since I don't need to drive 150 mph to make people notice me I guess the answer is "no".
Sounds like somebody is equating "faster" with "better".
[If NASA ever starts building motorcycles, he'll -never- shut up]....;]
Click on his screen name - He thinks his dog is his son.
The funny thing is don't have anything against Harleys, per se. The make a modern classic, kind of like a Morgan +4, for those that like such things. They seem to be reasonably reliable and they make a good touring rig, albeit a little underpowered in stock form. Given the incremental nature of technical improvements in their line, however, it's a little disappointing that they've had as many problem as they have with their TC88 motors and the new 6-speed tranny.
What galls me is people throwing around this "real" bike crap. A real bike is one that gets used for its intended purpose. "Real" bikes don't get trailered to the outskirts of Sturgis and then ridden into town.
Torque don't do crap on its own. HP is what gets the job done. Harley's make good torque down low, which results in decent low-end power. But they usually sign off before 6000 rpm is even reached, greatly limiting the amount of HP they can make.
6000? try 4000
LOL!
[kinda like those "Home Of The Whopper" underwear, right?]
Yeah, but what kind of roll-on performance in top gear at 65 mph does that 600 have? Pathetic, that's what. You'll need to downshift once or twice to get decent pull out of 600 sport bike.
Me, I like bikes that go both ways - good torque down low and HP up top. The Kawasaki ZRX1100 is a good example of this - it'll pull cleanly and strongly from 2000 rpm, and ends up making over 110 HP at the rear wheel.
The only Harley big-twin type motors that make over 100 RWHP are oversized (100+ c.i.) heavily tuned monsters that most people would not consider a pleasant riding experience.
"But today a V-Max is slow compared to the rest of the liter plus sport bikes"
I own both a VMAX and a CBR929. The VMAX is a pig compared the the CBR but I can't take the wife for a ride on the rocket. But - The VMAX is the only bike I've ever owned that every time I ride it I get asked if it's for sale.
Oh man.
I could say something *really* mean but I won't....;))
You should also read the Harley owners manual.
Gives no mention about the workings of the bike as far as matenance, spark plugs, tires, controls, oil, etc.
It tells you how to shave your goatee. What beer to drink. Exactly how to prop your legs in the air while riding, etc.
I'm thinking of getting another bike next year (20 year-old daugther wants a sport bike). Need something to commute on (luggage, windshield a plus!) and want something with ABS. Like Honda's reputation for value.
My heart's desire is a 2006 Goldwing ABS with airbag! Yeah, I know its a couch on wheels!
hahahahahaha, I just love it when people talk horsepower instead of torque.
No if NASA built bikes they would be terrible because they would be American made.
"I can only stand being on it for a couple of hours"
I can't drive my car for more than a couple of hours without having to stop and strech my legs.
I'll start by letting you know the more you talk about horsepower instead of torque the more it shows that you are really just blowing your own horn and just hoping someone will believe ya.
Yet Harley riders always have "groupies" hanging around hoping for a slow ride on American Steel....and crotch rocket riders don't.
Go figger....:)
Okay...what if Wal*Mart made them?
Then they'd be Chinese.
No...wait...too much of a conundrum there.....
The goldwing is an excellent bike, lots of power and great to cruize. They also did some changes to the geometry on them so they handle much better than they used to. I just worked on one and got to take it for a test ride, it truly is an excellent all around scoot. Don't know about the whole airbag thing but have been told it actually works. They also have airbags built into jackets now too, a friend of mine in Austrailia has a jacket like this. I don't know who makes them but found that an intriguiging idea.
I see get lots of women flashing me on my harley as opposed to when I am out on a rice bike and nobody even looks.
I never intended to badmouth the rice bikes but good lord these guys and their whole "go tell it on the mountain" attitude about their rice bikes is almost silly. If they as great as they claim they wouldn't have to talk so much about it.
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