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[CVOJOE]

A hog-riding former lawmaker from Wisconsin claims that Harley-Davidson voided his motorcycle's repair warranty because of the patriotic flags he let fly from the back of his chopper.

However, Harley-Davidson says the warranty is still in effect and just his warranty claim has been denied.










David Zien, who served in the State Senate from 1993 to 2006, said he was told by the motorcycle behemoth it would not honor the warranty after the clutch and transmission failed on a recent ride to Dallas, claiming that that the American flag-- as well as other banners-- caused unneeded wind resistance, according to the Journal Sentinel of Milwaukee.

“All they said was, because I fly flags on the bike, there’s no warranty on the powertrain,” Zien told the newspaper.

Harley-Davidson told the paper Zien’s warranty is still valid, but the claim he filed had to be denied because the bike was not made to handle wind resistance from multiple flags at highway speeds.

“The issue isn’t that the flags are heavy,” Harley spokeswoman Maripat Blankenheim told the Journal-Sentinel, “but they provide terrific drag on the engine and the transmission, especially when the bike is at highway speeds.”

She added that the flag mounts that Zien used were not Harley products.

“When you alter a motorcycle with non-compliant products, that does impact your ability to make a warranty claim," she said.

Zien is an avid biker who has been riding since the 1970s and has always done so with multiple flags on his bike. His 1991 Harley is on display at the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame in South Dakota.

He currently has seven flags flying from his bike including the Stars and Stripes as well as an NRA flag.

“Ain’t nobody gonna stop our flags, not even Harley-Davidson corporate,” Zien told the paper.

[Robmay]

Doesn't Harley sell accessories that mount on your trunk to allow for flags?

[Fired00d]

Doesn't Harley sell accessories that mount on your trunk to allow for flags?

The flags he fly aren't the normal ones you would expect attached to saddlebags/tourpaks... below is a picture found on the internet of David on his former bike...

Not that I agree w/MoCo but can see where they would deny/void the warranty such as they deny/void the warranty when bikes are flagged for pulling trailers.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[skratch]

not to mention that he is flying 7 flags

[chicoman]

not to mention that he is flying 7 flags

If my bike cant handle going down the road with some flags on it, its time to get something with a little better quality and sturdier parts.
HD is becoming very sad.

[BigLew]

If my bike cant handle going down the road with some flags on it, its time to get something with a little better quality and sturdier parts.
HD is becoming very sad.

X2

[skratch]

If my bike cant handle going down the road with some flags on it, its time to get something with a little better quality and sturdier parts.
HD is becoming very sad.

before you slam hd, you should figure out all the wind resistance and drag associated with 7 flags and see if honda/indian/victory would be able to withstand all that extra drag too.

not to mention that he burnt up the clutch.  the clutch is normally a wear item and not a warranty item, unless it is clearly a manufacturing defect, which this obviously was not.....

[MrSurly]

The guy is uber famous for many things, especially for putting a million miles on a '91 FXRT.
That bike is now in the Museum in Sturgis. When presented to the museum Harley GAVE Zien a new 2009 Roadie.
He used the roadie to bag a large deer.

In 2011, he survived an horrific crash but lost a leg and the Road Glide. After that came the trikes. Apparently, the bike being repaired now is a newer Tri-Glide.

[moscooter]

 

This topic has exploded on other Harley forums,  not sure it has made it here before this post.

This guy has put a kazillion miles on his Harley in the past and you can "google" him to see the whole story.  Meanwhile, he now cannot get warranty coverage cause his multiple flags are more than the Harley drive train can seem to handle.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/05/22/biker-claims-old-glory-wind-resistance/

[LC110]

I have ridden with Dave and have know him for 25 years.  I am sure this will all get politicized the way he wants it.

[grc]

This topic has exploded on other Harley forums,  not sure it has made it here before this post.

This guy has put a kazillion miles on his Harley in the past and you can "google" him to see the whole story.  Meanwhile, he now cannot get warranty coverage cause his multiple flags are more than the Harley drive train can seem to handle.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/05/22/biker-claims-old-glory-wind-resistance/

Yup, it's funny how his old Harleys didn't seem to have a big problem running down the highway flying several very large flags, but his new Harley couldn't handle it.  You don't suppose it has anything to do with the extensive cheapening of the product under the latest management team do you?  And of course we have all seen evidence of the clutch slippage issues on stock late model CVO's, especially with the latest A&S clutch (should be renamed the Slip & More Slip clutch).

Once again, while Harley may be technically within their rights to refuse coverage, they have really just shown how cheap and petty they have become under current management.  I assume they will next try to refuse coverage if people ride into severe headwinds.

Jerry

[Para Bellum]

This is HD looking for any excuse to void a warranty claim, just like they are doing now with ESP.  HD's argument is so weak, the spokesperson even tried to blame non-HD flag mounts--as if HD mounts would have less wind resistance (WR).   

I don't GAS if the flags cause extra WR.  I guarantee there's a lot more WR caused by a non-flagged Tri-Glides' windshield, fairing upper and lowers, and rear fenders when riding directly into a 30 mph head wind at 70 mph, than there is by his TG with the flags on it.

Far more likely is that HD's weak-azz clutch and inner primary bearing was worn out from all the miles he puts on, but HD chose to make the warranty *unlimited* mileage in 2 years, knowing that 99.9% won't put that many miles on.

I'm going to call customer care and express my disgust.  If HD gets away with this, we'll soon find them denying claims caused by bad lifters because we're using an aftermarket windshield--too much resistance, you see. 

[ultrafxr]

Guess we will all have to pass a physical to prove we don't weigh over the load capacity of the bike. Guarantee I've seen some two-ups that created way more resistance than all the flags he could fly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[skratch]

I guarantee there's a lot more WR caused by a non-flagged Tri-Glides' windshield, fairing upper and lowers, and rear fenders when riding directly into a 30 mph head wind at 70 mph, than there is by his TG with the flags on it.

you would have to prove it to me.  i know someone who rides a bike with 1 (one) flag.  he rode with it unfurled and said that at 30mph it was almost like riding a bull.  did it for a 5 mile escort and said he would never do that again.  this guy has 7 flags.  that's got to be rough.  probably can only do it cause he's on a trike and not 2 wheels.

a windshield is somewhat aerodynamic, a parachute is not.

[MrSurly]

that's got to be rough.  probably can only do it cause he's on a trike and not 2 wheels.

a windshield is somewhat aerodynamic, a parachute is not.

I do believe you did some skimming,
...

Look at post #7

The guy has been doing it for thirty years. For well over a million miles. Read his history, no further proof should be needed.