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Motorcycle enthusiast claims Harley voided warranty over American flag

I agree with you. They should honor their warranty unless they have some kind of specific disclaimer in their paperwork. Not worth the bad publicity.

I knew a guy out in New Mexico that owned a Victory scoot, much nicer, cleaner lines than a HD. I looked sort of like a factory made chopper, but the company also makes nice looking and well performing road bikes too.

I was going to look and try to see how HD's profits were last year, to see if they could afford to honor his warranty <sarcasm on>

I kinda like the Honda Goldwings, but read a piece that they're pulling the plug on made in America. Too bad, they don't vibrate like the HD's, they're smooth running.
 
I knew a guy out in New Mexico that owned a Victory scoot, much nicer, cleaner lines than a HD. I looked sort of like a factory made chopper, but the company also makes nice looking and well performing road bikes too.

I was going to look and try to see how HD's profits were last year, to see if they could afford to honor his warranty <sarcasm on>

I kinda like the Honda Goldwings, but read a piece that they're pulling the plug on made in America. Too bad, they don't vibrate like the HD's, they're smooth running.

Last month, they posted better than anticipated numbers, profit $265 million for the quarter -- up from $224 million a year earlier. Harley has done such a wonderful job of building and protecting its brand that there's Harleys and then there's everybody else. But since they're worried they're losing their customer base, baby boomers, best not to piss them off.
 
So a 280 pound biker-bitch on the passenger seat is fine....but a damn flag waving off the back is a problem huh?????

Stupid stupid stupid.....
 
So a 280 pound biker-bitch on the passenger seat is fine....but a damn flag waving off the back is a problem huh?????

Stupid stupid stupid.....

Thanks for chuckle Dragonfly! that was alllllriiiiiight!
 
Last month, they posted better than anticipated numbers, profit $265 million for the quarter -- up from $224 million a year earlier. Harley has done such a wonderful job of building and protecting its brand that there's Harleys and then there's everybody else. But since they're worried they're losing their customer base, baby boomers, best not to piss them off.

Hell, they can afford to honor the warranty. All this is going to do is give them a bad rap if the word spreads.
 
(7) 3 ft. flags? I would be surprised if he could keep the front wheel on the ground at speed, not to mention the flapping noise. Highway flags are 6 x 9 in. for a reason. The parade flags are meant to be used.... well... obviously at slower speeds.

Tattered American flags need to be replaced, not admired.

HD is right to deny him warranty work. His notoriety means nothing in this issue. Sorry, he shouldn't have taken it in with all of those flags mounted up.
 
PR wise they should fix the bike.
However, I agree when you operate a vehicle outside the specs. your on your own. Flying flags does at high speeds does add more drag.

Should Ford/Dodge/etc. fix a 1/2 ton truck transmission if you pull a trailer outside the limits? imo, nope. Same with the bike.
 
PR wise stupid, stupid move, but, I think there is little doubt the flags do increase the drag on the bike straining the power-train more so than if he didn't fly the flags.

If the clutch was a foot pedal, and the person rode the clutch with his foot resting on it all of the time, I can see misuse or abuse, but not really in this case though. But we don't know the rest of the story either. Could be possible he's pulling a little trailer but even then, drag? tsk tsk.
 
PR wise they should fix the bike.
However, I agree when you operate a vehicle outside the specs. your on your own. Flying flags does at high speeds does add more drag.

Should Ford/Dodge/etc. fix a 1/2 ton truck transmission if you pull a trailer outside the limits? imo, nope. Same with the bike.

If it's got a towing package, and if it's been used as non commercial, maybe yes.

I owned a '01 Chevy cargo, express 3500 that was used commercial delivery, and the issues I needed fixed weren't transmission related, but they did replace the fuel pump twice under warranty.

Wouldn't the mfr. need to prove such a thing as drag or misuse?
 
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I read an article on that. Everyone knows a a pirate, UK or state flag provides less drag than a US or confederate flag.
 
wait, how in the **** does a clutch go out on a 2014 anything?
 
its bad publicity but HD appears to be right on the issue.
 
If it's got a towing package, and if it's been used as non commercial, maybe yes.

I owned a '01 Chevy cargo, express 3500 that was used commercial delivery, and the issues I needed fixed weren't transmission related, but they did replace the fuel pump twice under warranty.

Wouldn't the mfr. need to prove such a thing as drag or misuse?

OP article has what HD is saying about the wind drag.

Even a 3500 chevy. if you exceed the gross vehicle weight and tow/haul weight the mfg. may not cover breakage related to that activity. Commercial or non commercial use. doesn't matter. why would a mfg. be responsible for repairs if the vehicle is designed to tow 26,000lbs, and the consumer constantly towed over the limit (40,000lbs)?

and yes, HD would need to demonstrate and prove the flags caused strain beyond the recomended operatiional limits.
 
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I read an article on that. Everyone knows a a pirate, UK or state flag provides less drag than a US or confederate flag.

Oh stop, go back to the lake and catch some more fish please., :lol:
 
That's what he gets for buying a Harley.
 
Bets on how quickly they change their mind once word of this spreads among all the Harley Owners?
 
Motorcycle enthusiast claims Harley voided warranty over American flag


What the hell HD, honor the warranty! :mad:

Harley, you must know there's at least one or more American Motorcycle manufacturers in America. This guy's been very loyal to your brand! sheesh!


Nice find...thanks

But I have to disagree.

"The issue isn't that the flags are heavy, but they provide terrific drag on the engine and the transmission, especially when the bike is at highway speeds," said Harley spokeswoman Maripat Blankenheim.

Riding at parade speeds would not likely have the same effect on the engine and transmission, according to Blankenheim.

Evenrude, Yamaha, Honda all have warnings on their boat motors about high speed and flags. It is a huge issue and they have a point.

It is also established in civil law, that a manufacturer does not have to disclaim everything, as there is no way to legislate stupidity, like the McDonald's coffee cup. If they have had many such issues, then maybe.

The guy has logged 15,000 miles on that trike with those flags flying at what have to be some great speeds - I would not hold back EVER on a bike like that! In fact I'm amazed he'd want them flying at speed....I'd want the ride.
 
Motorcycle enthusiast claims Harley voided warranty over American flag


What the hell HD, honor the warranty! :mad:

Harley, you must know there's at least one or more American Motorcycle manufacturers in America. This guy's been very loyal to your brand! sheesh!

They did honor the warrenty but declined the claim made.
Most warrenties have proper use clauses in them. so that any modifications that you make will not be covered by the warrenty.

This guy chose to ride the motorcycle with extras that caused early damage to the motorcycle that it otherwise would not have incurred under normal use.
While i have seen companies deny claims for stupid reasons this one is not.
 
Nice find...thanks

But I have to disagree.



Evenrude, Yamaha, Honda all have warnings on their boat motors about high speed and flags. It is a huge issue and they have a point.

It is also established in civil law, that a manufacturer does not have to disclaim everything, as there is no way to legislate stupidity, like the McDonald's coffee cup. If they have had many such issues, then maybe.

The guy has logged 15,000 miles on that trike with those flags flying at what have to be some great speeds - I would not hold back EVER on a bike like that! In fact I'm amazed he'd want them flying at speed....I'd want the ride.

Of course you had to come up with "boat motors" or as I like to call them "engines"

How many boats have gears? like a motorcycle does? what about pulling water skiers and tubers?
 
His beard looks like a drag, too. lol
 
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