Harley-Davidson has recalled 56,415 motorcycles in the last 30 days due to serious safety concerns, including risks of front brake failure and short-circuiting in certain models.
These recalls come at a time when Harley-Davidson has faced intense continued scrutiny for its prioritization of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which has caused many customers to favor other motorcycle manufacturers.
“A lot of bikers are switching over to Indian. They killed Harley. It breaks my heart,” Vinny Terranova, the owner of Pappy’s Vintage Cycles, told Fox News in August.
The latest recall involves nearly 16,000 motorcycles, mainly the 2022 FXRST models and certain FXLRST models produced between 2022 and 2024. The issue leading to the recall is that front brake lines may unintentionally bend during assembly, which can result in them rubbing against the fuel tank, per a recent report from ADVrider.com
According to Harley-Davidson’s report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the contact with the fuel tank could lead to a breach in the brake lines, resulting in a loss of brake fluid and an increased risk of crashes. However, the rear brakes can remain functional even with this defect, as reported by ADVRider. Owners of any of these models will receive notifications by mail and are advised to contact their authorized Harley-Davidson dealer for free service to fix the problem.
In a separate recall announced last month affecting over 41,000 motorcycles, Harley warned of a defective voltage regulator wire in certain models. This wire may rub against other engine components, leading to potential short circuits. These short circuit issues could result in a sudden loss of power while riding, significantly increasing the risk of a crash, according to USA Today.
The 2024 FLHX, FLHXSE, FLTRX, FLTRXSE, and FLTRXSTSE are included in the September recall. Harley-Davidson previously urged owners of these models to visit their local dealerships for a free inspection and repair, which will involve reinforcing the voltage regulator output wire harness with a secondary strap.
As reported by The Dallas Express, controversy arose earlier this year over Harley-Davidson when music video director and online activist Robby Starbuck exposed and condemned several of the company’s recent changes.
“@harleydavidson has been one of the most beloved brands in America but recently on CEO Jochen Zeitz’s watch, they’ve gone totally woke,” Starbuck posted on social media in July.
Starbuck alleged that the company’s internal policy proposals included requiring white men to undergo diversity training specifically for them, backing laws that permit transgender individuals to access restrooms and locker rooms matching their gender identity, and organizing an all-ages Pride event with activities like a rage room and drag queen story time for children.
In response to the criticism, Harley-Davidson announced that it would hit the brakes on many of its DEI initiatives.
In a statement shared on X, Harley-Davidson expressed disappointment over the recent controversy, saying, “We are disheartened by the negativity on social media in recent weeks, which aims to divide the Harley-Davidson community…Moving forward, we will focus exclusively on growing the sport of motorcycling.”
However, the company may have waited too long to reverse its focus on DEI goals and initiatives, as reflected in Harley-Davidson’s recent stock values and decreasing profits.
As reported by FirstPost earlier this summer, Harley-Davidson’s stock fell 11%, reaching a three-year low, following the announcement of a 24% decrease in profits for the third quarter last October.