They use to have trans problems but they changed it in '02 I believe. Haven't heard of any problems since. Some demon snuck in.

 

Locked up a 4 speed on a panhead once from 2nd to 1st. Broke the case too. Turned out a snap ring came out of it's groove and allowed two gears to engage at the same time.
Ron

 

BMW has had the same problem with some of their "Authority" model (police) R1150RT motorcycles during the past several years.

 

I had a clutch basket on a 1976 KZ900 seize after the dealer installed the wrong clutch springs in a upgrade kit. This was also at 100MPH plus on a winding road. Luckily I had just exited a corner and was running straight when it happened.

 

Update: I talked to my friend today. A tooth apparently came off a gear and locked up the transmission. It also ruined the other gears and some other stuff in the tranny. It's been in the shop for 2 or 3 weeks and the parts are on backorder so it'll be at least a couple of more weeks. No loaner, no new bike, just pipe down and wait till we get it fixed. Sounds kinda familiar.

I thought this was an interesting story which is why I posted it originally. For those who might be offended, I have removed all reference to non Harley brands in this general interest story.

 

I just saw this thread so I missed which brand it is. Why in the world would you remove that info?

Some of us would genuinely like to know.

 

When you think about all the bikes from all manufacturers accumulating all those miles, it's amazing stuff like this doesn't happen more often. We tend to think about the worst and extrapolate to the whole brand (whatever that is), but after all, these are mechanical devices we're relying upon. Defects do occur.

 

It was a Victory Jackpot.

 

I agree. If it's mechanical, there are going to be failures.

It's a little troubling that the manufacturer won't step up when a major failure occurs on a new bike and see that he has a bike while the summer is fading away. It sounds like he may be without his "one month old" bike for 6 to 8 weeks if not longer.

 

What's the old saying? "If it has **** or wheels you're going to have trouble with it..."