Big Dog Motorcycles is recalling certain 2004 Chopper, Bulldog, Ridgeback, Mastiff, Boxer and Pitbull motorcycles. There is a possible loose connection between the harness connector and the electronic harness controller.
This condition may cause the motorcycle to experience intermittent loss of electrical power to various components which can lead to, among other things, a loss of headlamp function or the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Dealers will repair the motorcycles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about May 24, 2010. Owners may contact Big Dog Motorcycles at 316-219-9121.
The Big Dog electrical system is a low logic Ground input system utilizing extremely small gage wiring. The bikes don’t have twelve volts in the handlebars. This type electrical system has been Big Dog’s Achilles heal for many years. The only up side is if you lose your key you can piss on the ignition and the bike will fire right up.
Lose your key you get ” no nookie ” [ new-key ]
That will make ypu urinate as last resort. LOL
In response to the 1st reply to this post. If “Buell 1” knew anything whatsoever about the BDM electrical systems, he’d know that the ’04 models DON’T have the Low Voltage Ground Signal Controls, that came in ’05! The ’04 have similar controls to the H-Ds.
But in reality, the BDM EHC electrical system was a great concept, but poorly executed, and has caused many unneeded difficulties and electrical failures.
Buell 1 is correct . my 04 has same as 05
some had it some did not. The “PC” style connector just isn’t my favorite way to go. Too hard to check each wire and its crimp/solder. I knew something was up when a dealer told me “Just change the controls to HD”…………………..I wound up fixing that bike without resorting to his suggestion. Feel free to ask me how at http://www.burnoutcycle.com Peace
Response to Dead one Custom’s.
Where you asleep during the 2004 Big Dog Technical summit at the Wichita Kansas airport hotel? The instructor Robby Starr was teaching trouble shooting on his new system. 2004 is the first year of the low logic system.
Just throw Wire Plus conversion kit on em and keep on riding. Easy fix to all things elecrtical on the dogs.
Another recall to add to their lengthy list!
Finally, I have been fighting this isue since I purchased my bike, most think I am crazy when I try to explain about my bike just cutting out and no one so far has solved, except “just re-wire” the bike.
Why recall now? They knew they had this issue 4 years ago and did nothing about it. Why would they recall this and ignore all of the other more dangerous problems? (Main Shaft, frames, kick stand problems, etc.) All of which I have had on my Chopper! They call this a loose connection? Give me a break. I wonder how many EHC’S they have replaced to this point. They should have recalled the EHC and it’s connection years ago. “Too Little Too Late”. I already paid to have it fixed 3 times because they denied the claim once my warrany ran out. Claiming that they did not have a problem. I wonder how many other things they claim “aren’t” wrong with their bikes.
The Beast
Woahh woahh woahh… Just last month I remember “Sarge” or whatever (Big Dog Employee) saying how great of a Product the bikes are now and how they have figured out all of the issues… Looks like The Sarge himself was lying about multiple issues about the company he works for, not a very good representation I would say!!!!
Conrad
They can lie to all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time. Beware. I myself have caught them in lie after lie after lie after lie………………………………………. Like Conrad said, weren’t they preaching a different tune last month? They’ll do and say anything to fool the public into thinking that they have a honest company. This recall should have been done years ago along with the rest of the problems that their bikes have. Big Dog was a great company years ago, but money and greed took over and the company that they have today is a shattered shell of what it used to be. Too Bad. It all seems like lip service coming from them now.
The Beast
2000 Big Dog “Bull Dog” – Does anybody know if the 2000 Bull Dog model has ever had any recalls or electrical problems. If so I’d like to hear from you as to what they were: jimyd@roadrunner.com
Thanks
I have a 2003 mastiff. I have had a electricl problem where I have lost power and and burned up my charging system but no one could find the cause. It has happend multipull times.
Recalling them doesn’t mean that they are poor in quality, Big Dog Motorcycles just want to give the riders the greatest satisfaction and power guaranteed. Besides there are other great bikes present to suit our tastes.
Electric potential problem must be a big issue for this kind of bike must have a very advance and trustful features. I guess you better ask professional advice and tips on how you can handle this one.
I have experienced multiple failures of power (literally dozens of times), with my 05 mastiff. Riding along the highway at 65 mph in traffic and the engine just quits like you hit the stop button. Very nearly been involved in accidents due to this. Riding down rural state highway at night. Lose all power with no berm to pull over on. Cars and trucks come over the hill at 50-70 mph and there you are dead in the road, no lights no engine. WTF ? I have never received a recall notice for anything electrical and I am the original and only owner. I paid 32K for this ? WTF ? Try to get information or questions answered and forget it. Why should I have to pay to get this dangerous situation fixed. It started happening while it was still under warranty. Took it to the dealer where I purchased and they said they couldn’t find a problem so there wasn’t a problem and acted like I was stupid and asked me if I could be hitting the stop switch instead of turn signal, etc. They said all electrical checked out ok. I still have the paperwork from taking it in to the BigDog dealer, (no longer in business ), for the problem. I can’t ride this bike safely and can’t sell it, so now I have a $ 32K paperweight that weighs 800lbs. Big Dog should be forced to buy these bikes back prorated for age and mileage or send a factory guy to every owners house to fix the problem. Mine has less than 4k miles on it. WTF ?
Yep, was at the HD shop this week and there was a Big Dog Chopper out front with the seat removed and wiring ripped out….yeah ripped out…
The owner was livid and so was the buddy he was riding with for the issues he has with the BD chopper. They were headed to DB from SC but not now…the buddy went back to SC to get the trailer and come back…I assume it will be rewired now for sure.
No smack here, just the facts!
Boss Hawg
That number posted is not a phone number but a fax. Tried to call it several times.
Coming home from work on my ridge back and the Damn thing jus died it like u jus ripped the damb battery out.I pulled the tank check all wire wired around the switch n still nothing.any ideas