Hi, I just recently brought a brand new fatboy and Ive had it home for a week and only done 120km on it around town doing joy rides with the family, and Ive found damage to the frame under neath just in front of the rear wheel. There is 2 grooves in the right hand frame tube and scratches and grooves in the outer shockie tubes, running across the bike. I've taken it back to the dealership and I'm waiting on HD Australia to make a decision.... The bike was obviously damaged during transport, while being handled with a forklift. It's not like the bike has bottemed out or anything as the grooves would run North - south not east - west. The bike had been on the show room floor for about 8 months before I took delivery of it. Sounds like HD might be putting it back to the dealership. Here comes the dilemma, I believe I should receive a new bike as it was damaged b4 I brought it..... Y should I have to buy a new bike just to have it go straight into the workshop and be stripped down. HD can still repair it and use it as a ride day bike or sell it as a demo and not loose out a great deal... I'm open to thoughts and suggestions please.. Below is a photo taken from the right side of the bike, showing the frame and shockies.
Sorry guys.... My name is David, I live In South East Queensland and ive recently purchased a 2014 HD Fatboy, in December 2014, it is my second bike... My first bike was a suzuki GSXR 1000, I traded it for the fatboy. I just love ever thing about the HD, the feel, the noise, the experience, I didn't mean to be rude and not introduce myself, I've only got an iPhone to be able to interact with this forum, navigation isnt the easiest of things on a small screen.
Welcome David!
David sadly i dont believe that you will receive a new bike out of this unless there is some structual damage and then there is still the onus of proof to show that this was not done by you. Proving that is easier with only 120klm on it than 10000klm but near impossible anyway. My bet is the dealer will repair the damage. Keep us in the loop please, interesting one this
Dude
theer is no way that this requires a 'new bike" i meean really (and im not having a go at you)
Its entirely appropriatte to haev the items repaired to perfection though as that is appropriatte and fair in the circumstances
It goes to show that one ought check out the ENTIRE bike prior to taking ownership (so should the dealer)
Id be asking for a free service as well - that faor too
regards
I agree with Kato.... yes it's polite to introduce ones self, but in most cases like this it's the last thing on the guys mind.
Back on topic... be on your best behavour and you might get what you want, but I think unlikely. I would be directing the conversation around:
- what would you expect if it was your bike you had just bought!!!
- if I hit a pothole will the frame sustain further damage that might one day kill me!!!
- have the shocks sustained any alignment damage that might affect their performance!!!
- If this happened from a fork lift, what other damage has the bike sustained that is not visible!!!
Probably the most important and a direction I have seen people take in the medical profession is "what would you want if it was your bike???"
All the best bro...
When I picked my Fatboy up from Perth HD there was 2 very small scratches on the swingarm. They pointed it out to me straight away and said it was warranty and would be replaced if I so wished. I didn't worry about it as they were hardley noticable. I reckon they should replace the frame at the least.
Having said that it was all discussed before I rode out the door.
If mine was to the extent of yours I would have definately taken them up on the replacement option.. The only reason I didn't worry about mine was the scratches were like a couple of hairs on the swingarm.
As you say you don't buy these bikes every day. They also cost big bucks and therefore you would expect a frame at least no questions asked.
I have to agree with Geoff3DFM on this one, from what I understand with any damage occuring to the frame, the insurance company will normally write the bike off, now if they do the stealer should also.
I'd be asking for a replacement, also for a loaner until your replacement arrives.
Sorry double post
Gents you keep forgetting that there is an onus of proof with these sorts of claims, and that lays with the person making the claim. With the vehicle being in the hands of the dealer for eight mths before and then a week with the owner how do you prove it was not the owner that damaged the bike? In the balance of probabilities i would say that it was damaged by transport/forklift. My suggestion is to wk with the dealer but this is going to be a compromise situation.
I'm surprised this wasn't picked up during a pre - delivery inspection. It's disappointing when you as the customer discover damage on a supposedly brand new vehicle. I hope that HD Australia can rectify your problem. Hopefully they can have the affected areas re- powder coated for you, hopefully under their accidental insurance cover.
Proving that it was there at the time of purchase might be difficult though.
