Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
5,345 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data updated: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 7 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Electrical and battery issues
2
28.6%
Transmission and shifting
1
14.3%
Braking behavior
1
14.3%
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
Electrical System
2
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
1
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch
1
Power Train
1
Power Train:Driveline
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
1
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Electrical System
2
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
1
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch
1
Power Train
1
Power Train:Driveline
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
1
Electrical System: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch: 1; Power Train: 1; Power Train:Driveline: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
5
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
5
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
2005
3
2007
3
2008
1
Complaints over time data
Category
Count
2005
3
2007
3
2008
1
2005: 3; 2007: 3; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
2004 BIG DOG MOTORCYCLE. MOTORCYCLE KEEPS LOSING ALL ELECTRICAL POWER WHEN RIDING ON THE INTERSTATE DUE TO AN INHERENTLY DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC HARNESS CONTROLLER. THIS SAME EHC HAD BEEN RECALLED IN 2005 AND 2006 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO CRASH BUT I HIT CONSTRUCTION CONES AND ALMOST CRASHED TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. *JB
1) SIGNAL LIGHTS QUIT WORKING,THEN HEADLIGHT BLEW OUT, THEN SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING, THEN ALL ELECTRICAL WENT OUT AND BIKE WILL NOT START AND ALL ELECTRICAL IS OUT. 3) CALLED BIGDOG MOTORCYCLE DEALER. WAS TOLD THE 2004 EHC MODULE HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED AND MUST UP GRADE TO AN 07 WITH HARNESS. COST DIFFERENCE $202.00 FOR 2004 AND 650.00 FOR AN 2007 MODULE. *TR
WHILE RIDING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED A RETCHING SOUND COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AREA WHICH TOOK PLACE OF THE POWER BEING TRANSFERRED TO REAR WHEEL DURING ACCELERATION. *BF THE DEALER TIGHTENED THE BELT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN THE FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *SC
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V137000 CONCERNING REAR MASTER CYLINDER PISTOL. AFTER HAVING THE REAR MASTER CYLINDER PISTOL REPLACED THE REAR BRAKES FAILED. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
7 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
71.4%Usable mileage5 / 7 records
100.0%Valid incident date7 / 7 records
100.0%Valid filing date7 / 7 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates7 / 7 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
Component complaint heatmap
Component
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Structure:Frame And Members
654.5%ODI 10061663 · 430 mi
DEALER KEPT THE MOTORCYCLE SINCE JANUARY 24, 2004 FOR THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 03V35000. ON THE FRAME CRACKING. CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED WHEN HE WILL BE ABLE TO FIX MOTORCYCLE. DEALER STATED " MOTORCYCLE" HAD TO BE SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER IN KANSAS, TO COMPLETE THE RECALL. MANUFACTURER WILL RETURN MOTORCYCLE WHEN THERE WAS ENOUGH TO LOAD A TRUCK TO BRING THEM BACK, THIS MIGHT TAKE ANOTHER MONTH. *AK
2004 BIG DOG MOTORCYCLE. MOTORCYCLE KEEPS LOSING ALL ELECTRICAL POWER WHEN RIDING ON THE INTERSTATE DUE TO AN INHERENTLY DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC HARNESS CONTROLLER. THIS SAME EHC HAD BEEN RECALLED IN 2005 AND 2006 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO CRASH BUT I HIT CONSTRUCTION CONES AND ALMOST CRASHED TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE MOTORCYCLE SEEMS AS IF IT ATTEMPTED TO START ITSELF AFTER THE MOTORCYCLE BECAME WET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CHANGED THE GASKETS AND GREASED THE CONNECTIONS TO STOP THE WATER FROM SHORTING OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.
OIL LEAKS, HAS BEEN LEAKING UNDER THE MOTORCYCLE FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM TWICE, BUT IT IS STILL LEAKING. DEALER DID NOT IDENTIFY THE FAILED COMPONENT TO THE CONSUMER. *AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BIG DOG CHOPPER. THE CONTACT HAS HAD SIX LIFE THREATENING RECALLS CONSISTING OF THE WHEEL HUB NUT, COMPUTER HARNESS, SWING ARM PENDENT, IGNITION RELAY, KICK STAND SPRING, AND VOLTAGE REGULATOR. HE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES FOR ALL SIX RECALLS AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP BEING REPAIRED. HE STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS FAILED TO RECTIFY THE FAILURES AND HAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,500.
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A METAL DEBRIS WHICH CAUSED THE KICK STAND TO BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED, THE DRIVER HAD LEFT THE KICK STAND OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BIG DOG CHOPPER. THE CONTACT HAS HAD SIX LIFE THREATENING RECALLS CONSISTING OF THE WHEEL HUB NUT, COMPUTER HARNESS, SWING ARM PENDENT, IGNITION RELAY, KICK STAND SPRING, AND VOLTAGE REGULATOR. HE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES FOR ALL SIX RECALLS AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP BEING REPAIRED. HE STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS FAILED TO RECTIFY THE FAILURES AND HAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,500.
1) SIGNAL LIGHTS QUIT WORKING,THEN HEADLIGHT BLEW OUT, THEN SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING, THEN ALL ELECTRICAL WENT OUT AND BIKE WILL NOT START AND ALL ELECTRICAL IS OUT. 3) CALLED BIGDOG MOTORCYCLE DEALER. WAS TOLD THE 2004 EHC MODULE HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED AND MUST UP GRADE TO AN 07 WITH HARNESS. COST DIFFERENCE $202.00 FOR 2004 AND 650.00 FOR AN 2007 MODULE. *TR
ELECTRICAL WIRING MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKE LIGHT AND TURNS SIGNALS FAILED. DEALER HAS KEPT THE MOTORCYCLE FOR SIX WEEKS ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK
WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER THE MOTORCYCLE'S TURN SIGNAL ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL SHORTED OUT BECAUSE WATER RAN DOWN THE COIL WIRE. *AK
CONSUMER BELIEVE HIS MOTORCYCLE QUALIFIED AS A LEMON DUE TO A CRACKED GAS TANK AT THE REAR MOUNTING PLATE. *PH CONSUMER DEMANDING FULL REFUND OF DOWN PAYMENT, SIX MONTHLY PAYMENTS, AND FULL PAY OFF FROM LOAN. *LA
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
Component failure mileage distribution
Component
Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)
Median
Usable records
Examples
Electrical System
Too few reports for a range
8,673 mi
2 (sparse)
ODI 10198224 · 12,000 mi
2004 BIG DOG MOTORCYCLE. MOTORCYCLE KEEPS LOSING ALL ELECTRICAL POWER WHEN RIDING ON THE INTERSTATE DUE TO AN INHERENTLY DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC HARNESS CONTROLLER. THIS SAME EHC HAD BEEN RECALLED IN 2005 AND 2006 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO CRASH BUT I HIT CONSTRUCTION CONES AND ALMOST CRASHED TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. *JB
THE 2004 BIG DOG CHOPPER I WAS OPERATING ELECTRICALLY SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH NEARLY CAUSING ME TO CRASH IN TRAFFIC. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THE ELECTRONIC HARNESS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED DIELETRIC GREASE IN THE CONNECTOR TO KEEP WATER FROM SHORTING IT OUT. I APPLIED THEIR FIX AND THE UNIT STILL DOES NOT FUNCTION. I HAD TO PURCHASE THE 2007 UNIT FOR 641.99 DOLLARS. AFTER RESEARCHING THE MATTER, I DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2005 AND 2006 MODELS BUT NOT THE 2004. THE 2004 MODEL IS EXPERIE…
1) SIGNAL LIGHTS QUIT WORKING,THEN HEADLIGHT BLEW OUT, THEN SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING, THEN ALL ELECTRICAL WENT OUT AND BIKE WILL NOT START AND ALL ELECTRICAL IS OUT. 3) CALLED BIGDOG MOTORCYCLE DEALER. WAS TOLD THE 2004 EHC MODULE HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED AND MUST UP GRADE TO AN 07 WITH HARNESS. COST DIFFERENCE $202.00 FOR 2004 AND 650.00 FOR AN 2007 MODULE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER THE MOTORCYCLE'S TURN SIGNAL ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL SHORTED OUT BECAUSE WATER RAN DOWN THE COIL WIRE. *AK
RECURRING SQUEAKS FROM DRIVE BELT. 4 TRIPS TO THE 1ST DEALER FOR ADJUSTMENT UNTIL REAR PULLEY WAS REPLACED BY 2ND DEALER DUE TO INCOMPATIBILITY WITH BELT. SQUEAK CONTINUED AFTER 3 ADDITIONAL TRIPS TO 2ND DEALER. MFG FELT THAT BELT SHOULD BE REPLACED BUT WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE BELT WAS CONSIDERED A WEAR ITEM. WITH LESS THAN 3000 ORIGINAL MILES MFG FINALLY AGREED THAT BELT WEAR WAS PREMATURE DUE TO INCOMPATIBILITY WITH PULLEY AND REPLACED BELT WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE TO FINALLY RESOLVE PROBLEM. *TR
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2006: 0 complaints · 2007: 0 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2006
0
0
0
2007
0
0
0
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2006
0
0
0
2007
0
0
0
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
Component co-occurrence matrix
Component
Electrical System
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch
Power Train
Power Train:Driveline
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
Electrical System
—
0
0
0
0
0
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
0
—
0
0
0
0
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch
0
0
—
0
0
0
Power Train
0
0
0
—
0
0
Power Train:Driveline
0
0
0
0
—
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
0
0
0
0
0
—
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
1 patterns with matching reports.
Brake response concerns
1 mentions · 14.3% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
ODI 10107039
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V137000 CONCERNING REAR MASTER CYLINDER PISTOL. AFTER HAVING THE REAR MASTER CYLINDER PISTOL REPLACED THE REAR BRAKES FAILED. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK