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[Fruitcake]

 From another forum

Repost for Thorn - HAMMER
Date: Mon Mar 24, 2008 21:19 GMT
This is a repost for Thorn about his brother HAMMER. If you have an 08 H.D. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get it checked out.


My Brother HAMMER was killed today in a bike accident -- He was the President and Chapter Holder for Boozerfighters Chapter 39 in Granburys, Texas. He is also the Owner of Jackhammer Tattoo. his wife Sindi is in serious condition.
Seems that the new electronic throttle on the 08 H.D.'s has a problem they accelerate on their own and you can shut them down. he had just got his bike back from H.D. for this problem and they told him it was fixed. this time he was in a curve and couldn't pull out of it , ran off the road and threw Sindi of ,then the bike flipped over on him and broke his neck .

please if you have one of these bikes or you know someone that does , get it checked.

REST IN PEACE HAMMER MY BROTHER ----BOOZERFIGHTERS UP!!!

[SPIDERMAN]

Very sorry to hear of the loss of a friend, brother and fellow rider. My condolences to the family, prayers for his wife to pull through and sympathy for all of this man's brothers and friends.

With al due respect, if I may use this thread as a springboard for something that bothers me a lot about many many riders. I have heard many horror stories in my 40 years on the road of similar situations for a variety of reasons. When Carburetors were the norm, this was a frequent occurence. I have had it happen as have many of my friends. In most every case where I spoke to people a case of amnesia as to the existence and purpose of the Kill Switch occured. I've gotten to know and care a good deal about many people on this site so I am asking everyone to please burn into your riding minds that when the engine starts to race, hit the kill switch. And whatever you do, don't pull in the clutch. Let the motor slow down the bike. This is why road racers have a wrist strap attached to the kill switch as do snowmobiles, ATV's, dirtbikes and wave runners. Sorry to pick this thread to preach a sermon, but I hope I don't have to read another post like this one.

B B

[porthole]

that when the engine starts to race, hit the kill switch.

And whatever you do, don't pull in the clutch. Let the motor slow down the bike.

Perhaps BB you could expound a little here.

[Fruitcake]

Very sorry to hear of the loss of a friend, brother and fellow rider. My condolences to the family, prayers for his wife to pull through and sympathy for all of this man's brothers and friends.

With al due respect, if I may use this thread as a springboard for something that bothers me a lot about many many riders. I have heard many horror stories in my 40 years on the road of similar situations for a variety of reasons. When Carburetors were the norm, this was a frequent occurence. I have had it happen as have many of my friends. In most every case where I spoke to people a case of amnesia as to the existence and purpose of the Kill Switch occured. I've gotten to know and care a good deal about many people on this site so I am asking everyone to please burn into your riding minds that when the engine starts to race, hit the kill switch. And whatever you do, don't pull in the clutch. Let the motor slow down the bike. This is why road racers have a wrist strap attached to the kill switch as do snowmobiles, ATV's, dirtbikes and wave runners. Sorry to pick this thread to preach a sermon, but I hope I don't have to read another post like this one.

Please understand this was not my brother!

I found this thread on another forum. And I agree that if you press the clutch lever in and apply the brake the engine will still rev up put you can stop.

 I posted this as  warning!

I also agree that he should have hit the kill switch and it should have killed the engine.

They claim that he did that.  We only no what was said!
I have electronic fuel control on my Polaris 4x4 ATV and it's never given me a problem in 4 years!


B B

[SPIDERMAN]

Brother as in brother to his fellow Boozefighters, brother as in a fellow rider.


 Brother in spirit

B B

[erniezap]

Bro, I'm sorry for your loss, and may Sindi heal quickly and completely.

[sportygordy]

What is Willy gonna say about this one??? Daaa what throttle problem??

Also curious, other then Harley, who else uses the electronic throttle? BMW?? Goldwing?

[Capo]

Deepest condolences and white light for healing the lucky one! Hope the MOCO does a voluntary recall to allay fears and concerns-chit's scary!

[iski]

Very sad occurrence.




BB's remarks on the engine kill switch are very appropriate.  Got in the habit of using it a long time ago.  Regular throttle cables can also bind - sincerely hope this is an isolated electronic problem for the throttle by wire.

[porthole]

Why not pull the clutch in?

I can see hitting the kill switch and let the dead engine slow you down, but if your stuck at WOT odds are you already have a hand on the clutch lever. Seems first instinct would be to just pull the lever.

Something I don't recall ever addressed at the Riders Edge classes.

[blowncobra]

Sorry to hear this one, the kill switch is an appropriate topic, although this is not the time for a suggestion, i would highly suggest someone on his behalf secure the bike and contact a good products liability firm, and make sure no one monkeys with the evidence. DO NOT RELEASE IT TO THE insurance company, and make sure the traffic homicide guys dont try to power up the bike or monkey with the throttle!. Realize this wont bring a brother back but will help protect her and his families interests. I hope she recovers quickly

[mr_magoo]

Thought and prayers go out to the families.  Haven't had any issues with the electronic throttle.

[Gettinold]

How was it determined that this was the cause, and actually happened. If it did and he was into a tight turn, I could see how he didnt have time to react by eng kill switch or pulling in the clutch.
Very sad and sorry for your loss.

[TXzBob]

Sad, sad story...

This is quite alarming since I have my 2 week old FLHRSE4 in the shop for an issue with the throttle; apparently there's a short in the sensor.  I didn't experience any runaway issues...the engine light just came on and didn't go away, I rode it 10 miles to the dealership.

[novazeus]

Sad, sad story...

This is quite alarming since I have my 2 week old FLHRSE4 in the shop for an issue with the throttle; apparently there's a short in the sensor.  I didn't experience any runaway issues...the engine light just came on and didn't go away, I rode it 10 miles to the dealership.

That's what happened with the first FLHRSE4 I bought. I rode it 8 miles from the dealership and 8 miles back because the engine light came on and stayed on. After three days and the dealership not being able to fix it, they returned my check and I went to another dealership and bought another one. I never actually found out why the light came on.

[kazumdgc]

Nothing can be said but we me are sorry for your friend, brother and his wife. I just got a 2008 for my wife so trust me we will have a chat about what to do in a "What if." I really believe the MOCO checks and rechecks and tests and retests their bikes long before we ever see them. No question something happens and beam we look to blame someone but things happen way beyond our control and the motor companies. I am sure they will hear about this if not already and are doing what they must to fix the problem and yes cover their butt. In the end the advice to hit the kill switch when ANYTHING goes a miss is the best advise and keep it off until you come to a stop, is the best advise in dealing with what remains a risky sport. We throw our legs over our bikes every day and we better understand the risk. That was in the riders course and we can not forget it.
God bless our fallen brother and his wife and all of us who have the passion to ride. Without his tragedy we would not be aware of what could happen and what to do. While today is a huge loss to all who knew him in his passing he will save may lives. That is major!
Dave