2018 Honda GL1800

There is a Service Bulletin on the steering handle bars. The dealership I take it to is Go Az Flagstaff, AZ (928)526-7959. On a recall service appointment I was advised by the service manager of the loose handle bar service bulletin. It was addressed at that time. I had my motorcycle in for another recall and told them that the handle bars are still loose and American Honda told them they wouldn't cover it. This seamed illogical to me. It is obvious that their problem that generated the steering SB was not fixed by the direction Honda has given them. I am asking for assistance in raising the issue with American Honda. I don't feel comfortable riding a motorcycle with loose handle bars that Honda has a Service Bulletin generated to the public.

The contact owns a 2018 Honda GL1800 Motorcycle. The contact stated that while releasing the accelerator pedal at speeds of 40 MPH or higher, whether on cruise control or not, the motorcycle experienced the death wobble. The motorcycle was taken to the dealer and was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the bearings on the handlebar were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The motorcycle was taken to another dealer, Xtreme Machines (700 NJ-33, Millstone, NJ 08535); who did not diagnose the failure and confirmed that the motorcycle was not safe to ride. The dealer tightened the bolts on the 2nd set of bearings underneath the bearings on the handlebar; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Honda GL1800. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the handlebars had become extremely loose at the stem. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Item Number: 10187553 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 34,000.

I TRAILERED MY 2018 GOLDWING DCT, IN A TOY HAULER 5TH WHEEL. I SECURED THE BIKE WITH RATCHETING TIE DOWNS AT THE HANDLEBARS, ACROSS THE SEAT AND MORE IN THE BACK OF THE BIKE. THE BIKE WAS FINE AFTER DAY 1 OF TRAVEL. AFTER DAY 2, WHEN WE ARRIVED WE DISCOVERED THAT THE SPINDLE ON WHICH THE HANDLEBARS PIVOT, HAD COMPLETELY SHEARED OFF, AND THE HANDLEBARS WERE NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE STEERING SYSTEM. HONDA DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMED THE OWNER'S MANUAL SPECIFICALLY WARNED NOT TO ANCHOR AT THE HANDLEBARS; MY OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT STATE ANYTHING REGARDING ANCHORING/NOT ANCHORING AT THE HANDLEBARS. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING THE BIKE, WITH ZERO ABILITY TO STEER, I WOULD HAVE CRASHED. THIS WAS AS CATASTROPHIC A STEERING FAILURE AS I CAN IMAGINE. THERE ALREADY IS A SHOP BULLETIN, REGARDING MY BIKE, BUT MY DEALERSHIP TOLD ME MY BIKE DIDN'T QUALIFY, AS THE REPORTED SLOP IN MY HANDLEBARS WAS NOT VERTICAL, SO THEY ALLOWED ME TO LEAVE WITHOUT ACTUALLY MY BIKE'S STEERING SPINDLE. I HAVE VIDEO OF THE DAMAGE, BUT THIS PAGE WON'T LET ME LOAD IT. IT LOOKS LIKE THIS SPINDLE HAS CRACKED, PREVIOUSLY, BASED ON THE DISCOLORATION. THE BIKE WILL BE DELIVERED TO MY DEALERSHIP ON TUESDAY, 9/8/2020. THEY CLAIM THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY THIS ISSUE. I COULD HAVE DIED. THEY NEED TO RECALL ALL 2018 GOLDWINGS, AS HONDA ALREADY KNOWS ABOUT AN EXISTING ISSUE (THE SHOP BULLETIN).

THE FRONT WHEEL WOBBLES AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH AND GETS WORSE AS SPEED INCREASES. WHEN I TOOK IT BACK, THE DEALER SAID THEY INSPECTED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, STEERING HEAD BEARINGS, AND CHECKED THE BALANCE OF THE TIRE. WOBBLE IS STILL THERE AND FEELS UNSAFE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ABOVE 60 MPH. BRAND NEW MOTORCYCLE, DELIVERED MAY 3, 2018.