2012 Yamaha XV1900 problems

Filed Apr 15, 2019 · Lights · 3,500 miles · NY

Bike bought dec. 2013. 1 yr. Warranty plus bought 4yr. Y.e.s. Extended service comprehensive warranty through 10/31/2018. At approx. End 2017, the rear left hand signal flasher stalk began to vibrate loose to the point of being floppy and risking falling off entirely. This built-in stalk is not accessible to tighten without dealer dropping rear wheel, removing rear LED brake light assembly, and tightening bolts from inside the now accessible fender. It is not just a "maintenance item" as yes staff claimed when presented for warranty claim. Turn signals on bikes are key safety features, and as on cars, are not supposed to just vibrate off under warranty. Indeed, unlike a mirror which can be tightened easily by a wrench, such dismantling required is a defect in manufacturing. Harleys, cars, don't have headlights or brake/turn lights falling off and unbolting during a 5yr. Warranty period, if ever ! Owner contacted dealer in feb. 2018 and asked if defect, how beat to fix. Owner stopped in to dealer summer 2018 for fix but told "too busy" despite a safety issue. Owner came in end of oct. 2018 under warranty, and dealer repaired but yes would not pay for fix. Internet is full of similar complaints on this and other models that internally attached signal stalks vibrate loose and owners have to take to dealer or use bizarre d.I.y. Techniques to access internal bolt. Yamaha clearly did not engineer enough protection via lock-washers, double bolts and/or use of loctite glue on bolt and threaded rod. Yamaha also refuses admit owners are complaining. Yam should inform the federal safety agency how many dealer repairs on '12 stratoliner, and why no recall or tsb issued. Yam should be told by the federal safety agency this a defect/safety issue, not a maintenance item. Also, dealer installed yam passing lamps custom made for bike also failed & dealer fixed wrong as now won't go off when hibeams on, a ny law.