2024 Harley-Davidson Flhxse

1 complaint on file, page 1 of 1.

1. Filed Sep 17, 2026Failure Sep 10, 2026Sweetwater, TXUnknown or other1 injured

   I suffered 2 incidents of heat prostration, while riding the motorcycle during hot summer weather conditions. Ambient temperatures were above 93 degrees. During one incident, I was stopped at a long, busy red stop light. In the 2nd incident, I was stuck waiting to get out of a busy parking lot. After the very excessive heat exposure to excessive engine heat due to very poor design. I was confused, had difficulty controlling the motorcycle,, lost sense of hearing, and had decreased peripheral vision. I was exposed to the engine heat for less than 6 minutes in each incident, I am personally aware of 2 single vehicle motorcycle crashes involving injuries, and death of a passenger due to poor motorcycle design. The problem of excessive engine heat being directed to the rider's right body is well known in the Harley community, and well documented on the internet, and by influencers. The problem is poor design. The M8 runs lean and hot. The cooling radiator is located behind the front tire in a dead air zone. The radiator is low and the air flow is near the ground, where temperatures are 140-180 F degrees directly above the summer heated asphalt. The electric fan runs constantly, even at Interstate speeds. The ducting for the air is vented across the right side exhaust (1700 F). The air being vented is 1100 F degrees. Informal testing by various influencers have recorded temperature of the right ankle area at 172F. The temperature of lower leg have been recorded at 154F. The air trapped under the rider's right thigh have been recorded at 147F. Second and third degree thermal burns have been documented. I have been riding motorcycle for 50 plus years. i currently own 40 motorcycles. I recently completed a 4100 mile motorcycle trip. I own many air cooled only motorcycles, and when I complain that a motorcycle exposed the rider to excessive heat, it is not a vague complaint.

   NHTSA complaint 11764903