I have been seeing posts on the net about the new drive by wire on the 08 bikes. Some owners have reported problems here on HDT with erratic idle and other problems associated with this system. The dealers don't seem to be able to find anything wrong (as usual) with the system when it is brought in for diagnostics.
As with anything, people will make what they want out of a problem and then spread gossip as if it were truths. The purpose of this post is to alert the owners of the possibility of a problem with the drive by wire and to advise them to learn to deal with any potential problems with the system and a possible malfunction by either grabbing the clutch or hitting the kill switch should any problem arise. Park the bike and call the dealer for a pick up if you should encounter any problems at all associated with the throttle.
It's a situation that leaves a lot to be desired and I'm sure that if and when these complaints about the new system on harleys is reviewed by the MOCO that a recall will be issued by them to correct any problems found in the system. The NTSB will take an active position in this issue if and when an issue is encountered where the drive by wire can be pinpointed as the source of the issue if it is indeed a problem.
Here's one of the posts that I found out of a few that was aimed at the drive by wire system.
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Sans Serif]I just got news and the first report I've heard of someone who had TBW failure.
The story I got from eye witness accounts is that one of the local MC chapter pres was killed last week end on his new 08 street glide. It was second time the TBW had failed. First time he was in town and was able to hit kill switch and get off the road.
Dealer was supposed to have fixed it. Second time was on a long backroad sweeper riding 2 up from 60-65mph. Wife is in serious condition and he kia at the scene.
It was bound to happen sooner or later but I sort of thought these things might have some sort of failsafe built in to close the throttle instead if there was ever a glitch in the ECM.
There was another fatality in Newburgh NY with an 08 bike where the owner lost control in the parking lot picking the bike up and crashed the bike into a car. It could very well have been driver error here but let's just keep tuned in and enjoy a long safe ride.
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As with anything, people will make what they want out of a problem and then spread gossip as if it were truths. The purpose of this post is to alert the owners of the possibility of a problem with the drive by wire and to advise them to learn to deal with any potential problems with the system and a possible malfunction by either grabbing the clutch or hitting the kill switch should any problem arise. Park the bike and call the dealer for a pick up if you should encounter any problems at all associated with the throttle.
It's a situation that leaves a lot to be desired and I'm sure that if and when these complaints about the new system on harleys is reviewed by the MOCO that a recall will be issued by them to correct any problems found in the system. The NTSB will take an active position in this issue if and when an issue is encountered where the drive by wire can be pinpointed as the source of the issue if it is indeed a problem.
Here's one of the posts that I found out of a few that was aimed at the drive by wire system.
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Sans Serif]I just got news and the first report I've heard of someone who had TBW failure.
The story I got from eye witness accounts is that one of the local MC chapter pres was killed last week end on his new 08 street glide. It was second time the TBW had failed. First time he was in town and was able to hit kill switch and get off the road.
Dealer was supposed to have fixed it. Second time was on a long backroad sweeper riding 2 up from 60-65mph. Wife is in serious condition and he kia at the scene.
It was bound to happen sooner or later but I sort of thought these things might have some sort of failsafe built in to close the throttle instead if there was ever a glitch in the ECM.
There was another fatality in Newburgh NY with an 08 bike where the owner lost control in the parking lot picking the bike up and crashed the bike into a car. It could very well have been driver error here but let's just keep tuned in and enjoy a long safe ride.
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