MILWAUKEE: Iconic US motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson is recalling over 251,000 motorcycles globally due to fears the brakes could fail, a government regulator announced Wednesday. About 175,000 of those effected motorcycles were sold in the United States.
If brake fluid on the motorcycles is not replaced for a "prolonged period" beyond the recommended two-year schedule, deposits may form on internal components "reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash," the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in a statement.
NHTSA began investigating the problem in July 2016 after receiving complaints about sudden brake loss, and said the recall covers 31 models from the 2008 to 2011 model years.
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The agency told the company last month that a safety recall was necessary, and rejected Harley's proposal to instead launch a campaign to educate riders about the safety matter and the importance of regularly changing brake fluids.
The company will notify owners that dealers will offer a free brake fluid flush starting Feb 12.
Owners can also check if their bikes are affected by the recall at the Harley site here.
Over in Malaysia, the Harley franchise underwent a change of hands last year after the US company ended its partnership with Naza Prestige Bikes, a subsidiary of the Naza World Group.
The Harley showroom then relocated to The Gasket Alley in Petaling Jaya last November and is up and running under a new partner, believed to be Didi Resources Sdn Bhd, the distributor for Italian make Moto Guzzi and Japan-based Zero Engineering motorcycles. The showroom will be officially opened on March 9.
The retro-styled Gasket Alley venue is the brainchild of founder Kenneth Koay. Didi Resources, a company set up last year, is helmed by chairman Rewi Hamid Bugo.
Call Harley-Davidson in Malaysia at +603 7955 9399 or visit thegasketalley.com
