Harley Davidson recalls 308,000 potentially dangerous bikes

by Steven Mostyn - Oct 25 2011, 10:53

Motorcycle maker Harley Davidson has announced a global recall affecting some 308,000 units of its Touring, CVO Touring and Trike motorbikes—because of a potentially dangerous glitch with their braking systems.

The problem, which affects Harley models spanning 2009 through to 2012, can cause the rear brake light to fail and can even lead to the failure of the bike’s brakes. 

According to official documentation submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the brake switches can be exposed to too much heat from the nearby exhaust system, which can knock the brake light out of commission and also lead to the possible leaking of brake fluid.

In moving to fix the technical glitch, Harley Davidson has said it will inform all affected owners and that all recalled models will have new rear brake light switches fitted without charge.

Harley Davidson isn’t the only major motoring manufacturer to have issued a vehicle recall recently.

Earlier this month, German giant Volkswagen pulled some 170,000 units of its 2009-2012 Golf and Jetta models in light of a fire risk connected to the fuel injection system.

Around the Web