Let’s face it—recalls are never fun. No one likes being told that their motorcycle, the very machine they trust with their life on the road, has a defect. It’s inconvenient, maybe even a little frustrating, especially if you’ve had no issues up until now. But the truth is, recalls aren’t just about problems—they’re also about accountability.
When a manufacturer issues a recall, they’re stepping up and owning the fact that something needs fixing. And in the case of Harley-Davidson’s latest recall, that accountability could quite literally save lives.
Harley-Davidson has announced a recall affecting over 82,000 Softail models built between 2018 and 2024. The issue lies with the rear shock pre-load adjuster, specifically the mounting tab that can break. If it does, the adjuster can rub against the rear tire and potentially damage it. Worst case? You lose rear tire pressure suddenly while riding—a situation no one wants to be in, especially not on a heavy cruiser barreling down the highway.