2016 Honda Shadow Aero problems

Filed Apr 19, 2021 · Engine · 5,800 miles · TX

I purchased this vehicle used in january, after passing dealership inspections it was sold to me in "safe and reliable" condition. I had not yet added 250 miles to this motorcycle when my engine produced a loud clunking while cruising at 55 MPH. I was able to safely navigate into a driveway off the roadway and trailer home. I later found out that the main clutch gear had exploded into several pieces. Upon contacting honda powersports north america to discuss this, they informed me after a week of internal research that this issue is common and well documented and caused by the oil dipstick being inserted into the drive gears while running. While this is frequently attributed to user error of checking the oil with the engine running, others online report having the cap even slightly loose allows enough wiggle room to allow the same condition to occur. I believe the possibility of this occurring is much too high and leads to an unsafe used market for this machine which is known to be highly reliable as the condition is extremely difficult to detect under normal used vehicle inspection procedures, even by certified mechanics. I'm glad I was able to safely navigate my vehicle off the road when this occurred but believe it to be a danger to other motorcyclists, especially since this particular model is touted as an excellent beginner or first motorcycle.