Dealers know about all problems.They get service bulletins and computer alerts.They are not allowed to tell customers that They know of problems.This would follow with all brands.If Your Dealer told You that there were continuous problems.Would You buy the product?
First, I don't rely on a dealer for anything; have never bought a new bike, ride them for years, buy my parts from discount online dealers and do my own service, repairs and performance upgrades.
I have a good friend that has first hand experience with the issue as recent as November last year. Parts guy claimed to know nothing about the issue as did the sales guy. When M-1450 (Revised) and TA0022 were mentioned, sales guy goes his desk, searched HD Net and nothing came up. Now, maybe the sales guy didn't know where to look on HD Net, don't know. Friend suggested he Google M-1450; he did and surprise, surprise, a forum came up with a discussion of the issue. The sales guy was stunned.
I can't say if sales staff is or is not allowed to advise customers of potential problem; however, I do think sales guys should be knowledgeable of the issues so they can discuss them with potential buyers. The MoCo may post tech bulletins, etc. on HD Net but that doesn't translate to universal knowledge in the HD dealer world. It all goes back to dealer service; the MoCo may post the information on HD Net but if the dealerships don't have a standard policy for all parts and sales guys to be aware of the issues should a potential buyer bring the issue up; shame on them. I do think it is the responsibility of the sales guys to be informed and able to discuss known issue with potential buyers. While they may blow smoke up the buyers dress, at least they can blow smoke instead of being ignorant on the issue, which IMHO reflects poorly on the dealership.
So the MoCo can spout all the marvelous features and benefits of a new model but hide the warts and then when the warts show up turn their back on the beta tester that let the MoCo suck their brains out and sell them a lemon.

The MoCo would be far better off letting the consumer know that there have been report of transmission fluid migration but not to worry, they have your back and should the issue surface, bring the bike in and the issue will be resolved. What a concept.
