| Author | Message | ||
     P47b |
I did not know that Harley had a electronic throttle on there bikes? When did this change? http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/wrongful-death-lawsui t-harley-davidson-throttle-defective-9072/ | ||
| Reg_kittrelle |
With the 2008 models, Tourers only. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I guess the guy a was a newbie on a 1/2 ton bike? Nobody told him of the clutch? | ||
| Froggy |
I'm curious of the details of the accident, depending on the situation the clutch might of been useless. He could of been in the middle of a sharp turn, the bike suddenly went WOT and next thing you know all hell brakes loose. | ||
| Bikertrash05 |
So anything with throttle-by-wire is fair game now? What a joke. Clutch and kill switch. If you can't do that, stay off the roads. | ||
| Gunut75 |
Love my cables! | ||
| Mr_wizard |
There was another accident claiming the same thing, after an investigation they came to the conclusion that the guy never let go of the throttle. I agree, a clutch and a kill switch. If you can't figure that out you shouldn't be on the road!! | ||
| Bartimus |
knowing what to do in case of an emergency is not a requirement to owning/riding a Harley. If a Harley rider had any common sense, they would be on a Buell... | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Harley will pay and the rider was an idiot. If this is the case, I REALLY should have sued Buell/HD for my multiple BAS failures.  | ||
| Ratbuell |
What a joke. 1 week after purchase the throttle was "defective", and a week after that he wrecked? Ya...I'm *sure* it was the bike's fault. Throttle by wire has been around for ages, it was only recently the components got small enough to fit on a motorcycle. Sorry the guy was killed, but he should have learned how to ride before buying a bagger. Kill switch. Clutch. Or - god forbid - brakes (ABS is also available on the baggers now, by Brembo). Wonder if he had loud pipes? They save lives, you know... (Message edited by ratbuell on April 04, 2010) | ||
| Nvr2old |
I gotta agree with Froggy, if unexpected WOT while in a turn, you got real trouble unless you have superhuman reflexes. I have an '08 Electra Glide. If it happens to me, and I survive, I'll let you know the details, then I'll sue HD. lol | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I've had a BAS failure mid turn and was able to cycle the kill switch and restart the motor without incident. The kill switch is just a thumb away. When was the last time you saw a Street Glide dragging pegs through a turn. Even if it was WOT mid turn, the brakes would drag that thing to a stop without issue. My guess is inexperienced rider and target fixation. Were this an NTSB after accident report it would be determined to have been "crash the result of pilot's failure to maintain control". The MSF course would have probably saved his life. | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
There are all sorts of comments I could make, but until I have seen the actual facts about this incident it would only be conjecture. I can say, however, that I personally feel more confident having a direct link from my right hand to the throttle bodies- my comfort level is reduced with a computer "translator". I have never witnessed a cable have a "software glitch". I may just be old-fashioned. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
It is sad that someone lost their life. I would have to know the details of this particular crash to make any comments on it. It may well be possible the throttle malfunctioned. Did it stick open? Did it drop off? What was the rider doing when failure occurred? Was he prepared to deal with an equipment failure? That being said, motorcycles obviously require a certain skill set to operate. But not all those riding motorcycles possess that skill set. Worse, there is no skill level required to buy a motorcycle. Got the cash or the financing and h-d (as well as the others) will put you on a bike and send you out the door. For what it is worth, there have been 4 studies completed on Motorcycle crashes since 1981. The 3 main causes of SINGLE vehicle motorcycle crashes were; 1. Improper braking (too much or too little, 2. Fail to negotiate a turn (too fast), and 3. Inability to counter steer during arrival of threat (panic). | ||
| Froggy |
I hate cables, they bind WAY to easy. I had my XB get stuck at about 40% throttle a few times, turns out water got in the cable and would freeze up on me on the highway. Again, it is impossible to say if this rider could of survived using a kill switch without further details. Another scenario could of been in heavy traffic pulling away from a light and the bike going WOT, you could be in the back of semi before you even think "Oh crap, wtf, hit the kill switch!" | ||
| Mmmi_grad |
Since when do hd customers use their bikes so much to warrant an overpriced and engineered electronic throttle. Like the cables wouldnt last most hd customers a life time. Silly and another example of wasted money. | ||
| Froggy |
If it is a waste of money, then so is headlights, front brakes and pretty much every other feature on the bikes. Electronic throttles are fantastic, and they can easily be programmed to have a nice adaptive cruise control, assuming they don't have that feature already. | ||
| Bandm |
I have ridden a 2010 CVO Street Glide with electronic throttle, it is very noticeable, and not in a bad way. The new touring frame is also a big improvement, and sets the standard for touring comfort. The electronic throttle lets you nail the throttle at any speed, any gear, and the engine pulls hard and smooth. Mmmi, this would seem to be perfect for posers that you think Harley riders are. HD management and stylists may have their heads up their asses, but the designers and engineers are at the top of their game. By the way most cars, light trucks, and semis have been electronic throttle for years. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
The throttle also controls the rear cylinder disable function. You can't do that with a cable. Fly by wire allows the throttle to act as a device for inputs other than just more gas, less gas. I don't know, but I suspect the bike issue will not be able to be replicated (just like the infamous Prius). | ||
| Glitch |
Man! So of y'all are awfully harsh, for such little information. There are a million "what ifs" It's a sad story. Thing is with electronic glitches is they tend to be random, and often are difficult to diagnose. I feel for the family. H-D will settle more than likely, and the public won't be privy to any of the details. We may never know what happened. | ||
| Slaughter |
The people who win cases like this? Lawyers. Everything else is just details. | ||
| Cyclonemick |
Can't say (like most) what really happened but I can attest to any schmoe buying a bike and taking off! Just this past weekend I went to local Stealership to pick up an oil filter, oil, and some bike bright when the guy in front of me cashing out was getting told by casheir how to be careful and look out for cars on new bike. Out in parking lot I noticed the guy on a brand new Road King, He killed it twice while adjusting mirros and letting it warm up! Finally he took off and was shaking and wobbiling out the parking lot! I kept my distance while pulling out behind him. Then when he got to the intersection leaving shop he killed it again while blasting on the horn and damn near dropping it! No Training or common sence required when purchasing a 700lb bike. Pretty Sad! | ||
| Reepicheep |
I think the take home here is train such that your muscle memory is to reach for the clutch *and* brake levers. That'll cover screwed up software on fly by wire systems, broken throttle cables, stuck grips, or screws that fall out of throttle plates. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Who DOESN'T train that way? I know the MSF does. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I think what Reep is pointing out is this guy may have fell into the 90% of people who die on a motorcycle have never taken any type of safety training. Think about that.... 90% of the people who die on a motorcycle have NEVER taken a motorcycle safety class.... | ||
| Ratyson |
Man, that sucks that this rider lost his life. Regardless of the circumstances. He probably had a family, folks who loved and cared for him, maybe even children. There were probably people who also depended on him. Very sad that these folks will now have to endure the pain and sorrow of loosing a loved one. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I agree Wolf. That was my point. I suspect NO training was present. | ||
| Etennuly |
To that point have 100% of riders that have taken the course NOT died in a motorcycle accident? I know many riders who have taken the course and are mediocre riders at best, endangering others when they ride and not having or using common sense to the degree needed. I have many friends whom are excellent riders, above and beyond what the courses teach, without the certificate. Most of them got their real riding experience in dirt well before riding on the street. Something that I feel should be mandatory for any beginning rider, 500 miles or more of dirt trails, hill climbs, creek crossings, loose ground, wet grass, mud, and the mechanical work to keep the bike running to do it. When my wife passed the course there was no way in hell she should have ever been allowed to ride on the streets by herself. But, the folks running the show said she was good to go after her four day class, as a matter of fact better than many of the others in the class. Now THAT scares the crap out of me.....many of those other new riders don't have the benefit of an experienced rider at home to continue their education and lead them on rides to give them a chance at experiencing real world situations. I'm sorry, not to belittle the programs out there, but I don't see that paper certificate as an end all to problem riders and riders with problems. You guys are waving it around as if it were a shield that will keep you from having an accident. It is in my opinion so much better than nothing, no doubt keeping many new riders alive, but not far enough for my loved ones to be called good enough. My eldest son had a couple of years of weekends on a dirt bike, I felt much more comfortable about his first bit of road riding after his three day course. I didn't see anything in the article that said the guy was inexperienced or that he did not have training. But I have seen a dealer sell a wealthy enough guy a bike he could not handle, they watched as he put it in a ditch on the other side of the road as he was leaving the dealership with his new machine. Money has a great influence on the doings of right or wrong. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I tell my students they are now qualified to ride a small motorcycle in a enclosed parking lot. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
and just a FYI Vern, it is a shield that works only IF they buy a magic helmet to go with the shield... and don't forget the magical, over the ankle boots and full fingered gloves.... and the jacket with armor.... gotta have that too I can not, and will not assume any responsibility for the operation of your motorcycle.... God be with you.... and let me know when and where you will be riding so I know to stay away from that area... LOL |
