2014 Harley-Davidson Flhtk: engine overheating

Filed Oct 2, 2017 · Engine · 10,500 miles · KS

Traveling at highway speed the check engine light and overheat light came on. I immediately pulled over and shut off the engine. After consulting with local hd dealer by phone was advised to have the bike towed to the dealer for repair (per hd memo). Problem was determined to be a faulty water pump which caused the engine to overheat. Dealer stated, and confirmed at other hd dealers, that they have not been able to keep these water pumps in stock due to the high failure rate. Necessity to shut down the engine due to overheating caused an unsafe condition due to remaining alongside the highway until a tow vehicle could move bike. This is a known failure on 2014 hd motorcycles with "twin cooling" according to several dealers. Once replaced, the new pump motors function properly.

Filed Dec 22, 2013 · Engine, Steering · 450 miles · LA

Engine coolant leaking from coolant pump casing. Inspected coolant reservoir which was pressured up and full(no air gap). After engine cooled, then coolant level below cold full level. Dealer stated they could not reproduce episode. At 30 to 33 MPH, there is a wobble/shimmy in the handle bars/front end. More so on deceleration,but have felt when turning. First time dealer stated they could not reproduce. Problem has continued. Dealer stated they can reproduce. They rode other bikes of this model and all bikes handle this way, so they call this normal. The dealer gm told me if I brought it back for the same problem, he would claim they already investigated and write it off as normal. Hd corporate office was no help and also said this is normal.

Filed Oct 24, 2013 · Engine · 450 miles · OH

Harley davidson model flthk motorcycle. Bought new motorcycle on 9-13-13 coolant leaking around the thermostat onto ground & on rear tire on 9-17-13 with 450 miles. Took to dealer they replaced thermostat housing & had motorcycle until 9-26-13. Rode motorcycle & coolant bottle overflowed in parking lot at lowe's on 9-27-13. We took it back to dealer on 9-29-13 for the coolant leak & coolant getting on rear tire. Dealer cleaned bike & they topped off coolant & gave me a water bottle full of coolant to add to the level if I have any more problems and said they would contact harley on the issue. Next day 9-30-13 I topped off the coolant to the coolant line on the over flow bottle as instructed by the dealership. Rode that evening & same thing overflow bottle overflowing. I added more of the coolant they gave me & rode motorcycle home. Rode to dealership & pulled into the service bay & overfill bottle overfilled on their shop floor & on the rear tire. Dealer cleaned bike & they topped off coolant & refilled the water bottle full of coolant and told me to do the same thing they said to do before & add to the level if I have any more problems and said they would contact harley on the issue again. Couple days later I topped off the coolant overflow bottle again at home, hadn't rode too cold outside. 10-15-13 took motorcycle to dealership on the trailer wasn't going to ride any more do to coolant getting on rear tire & making it slippery on he road didn't want to take any chances. There are a lot of customers buying these motorcycles with coolant spewing out & getting on the rear tires. These motorcycles already have a recall on the hydraulic clutch & there is the safety hazard of coolant on the rear tires. Please help!

Filed Oct 18, 2013 · Engine · 90 miles · IL · crash

After delivery, I discovered while parked there was a cooling system leak near the front of the engine (~90 miles); if it were not addressed, such a leak has potential to deposit coolant on the rear tire and could contribute to a crash and ensuing injury. The dealer repaired the leak, it has subsequently returned and become more serious (discovered at 975 miles). The selling dealer advised me not to operate the motorcycle and retrieved it by trailer from my home. Unfortunately, the technician servicing my bike had a crash on a test ride after service; it's apparent the sequence of events leading to the crash resulted from the other driver's actions, but at this point it's unknown if the coolant leak was a contributing factor in the technician's inability to avoid the accident.

Filed Oct 9, 2013 · Engine · 98 miles · PA

October 6, 2013, after riding 98 miles (odometer) on a newly purchased motorcycle, motorcycle coolant was noticed on the garage floors shortly after shutting down the motorcycle (30 min). Right lower faring cover was removed to inspect coolant reservoir with no apparent signs of coolant leakage. The coolant reservoir overflow tube appeared to be dry, however, the reservoir coolant was below the cold fluid level line.water pump cover was removed and showed accumulation of coolant, but I was not able to determine where leakage was coming from. Area was wiped clean to determine if coolant was leftover from factory. Motorcycle was taken into the dealer's service department on october 9, 2013. Upon, parking the motorcycle, more coolant was leaking from the water pump cover area. The service department notified me that the thermostat housing was leaking and parts to repair the motorcycle were not in stock at the dealership and must be ordered. Waiting for parts and repair could be a week or more as harley davidson parts warehouse does not have this part in stock either. Apparently they seem to be on backorder. Coolant leakage form the water pump/thermostat area will dump antifreeze in direct line of the rear tire as the vehicle is driven and unknown to the operator. This is a safety/health issue and potential design flaw that may result is accidents, injury, death or property damage.

Filed Sep 11, 2013 · Engine, Wheels · 80 miles · CA

New engine overheating dumping coolant out of overflow tube underneath motorcycle and on to rear tire creating a safety risk. Four overheating incidents within the first 400 miles of engine life. Engine break in with malfunctioning cooling system creating excessive engine heat and risk of improper break in or engine damage.

Filed Sep 10, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 84 miles · CA

I experienced coolant leakage after coming to a stop. The dealership spent a few days testing and making the repair. At approx.. 300 miles it did it again. Coolant is very slippery, if coolant gets on a motorcycles tires it would be all bad. From what I have been hearing, harley is having issues with coolant leaks on selected new bikes. This is a whole new design for harley davidson, used on 3 2014 harley davidson models. I really think the issue should be investigated.