ON JULY 7, 2004, SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY I STARTED FISHTAILING AND SWERVING WHILE I WAS RIDING MY 2001 VICTORY MOTORCYCLE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE SKIDDING AND DID NOT CRASH THE VICTORY MOTORCYCLE NOR WAS I STRUCK FROM BEHIND. HOWEVER, MY VICTORY MOTORCYCLE WAS COMPLETELY STUCK IN
... A TRAVEL LANE ON A MAIN ROAD, ROUTE 3A IN BURLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS. A MASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE OFFICER THAT HAPPENED TO BE DRIVING BY CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE NEXT DAY I WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE VICTORYS FRAME HAD SNAPPED. SPECIFICALLY, THE SHOCK ABSORBERS MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE FRAMES SWING ARM SNAPPED INTO TWO PIECES. THE PRESSURE OF THE COIL SPRING FORCED THE SHOCK ABSORBER INTO THE REAR TIRE. THE REAR FENDER ALSO DROPPED ONTO THE REAR TIRE. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION SUCH AS THE SITUATION I WAS IN WHEN THE VICTORY MOTORCYCLES FRAME SNAPPED FOR NO REASON. I AM SURE THAT IF I WAS ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE, MAKING A TURN OR GOING ANY FASTER (I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 20-30 MILES PER HOUR) I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE 2002 VICTORY MOTORCYCLES HAVE A NEW DESIGN IN THIS AREA OF THE FRAME. IT APPEARS THAT SOMEONE AT VICTORY KNEW THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTED. ON JULY 9, 2004 I CONTACTED MIRAK POLARIS MOTORSPORTS AND PROVIDED PICTURES OF THE SNAPPED FRAME. I CAN SENT PICTURES TO YOU IF DESIRED. I REQUESTED THEY CONTACT VICTORY AS I BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND A PERSON CAN BE KILLED WITH SUCH A DEFECT. THE ONLY OFFER VICTORY MADE WAS TO FIX THE MOTORCYCLE FOR FREE PROVIDED I DID NOT CONTACT ANY LAWYERS. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2004, MORE THAN 2 MONTHS AFTER THE INCIDENT. *JB *SCRead more