2004 Big Dog RIDGEBACK: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
5,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data updated: . 3 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 3 complaints (66.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Engine operation
2
66.7%
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
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Electrical System
2
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
3
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
3
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: 3; 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 (3). 0 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.
2010
2
2014
1
Complaints over time data
Category
Count
2010
2
2014
1
2010: 2; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIG DOG RIDGEBACK MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS CAUTIOUSLY COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING BETWEEN THIRTY MINUTES TO A HOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER A MANUFACTURER VOLUNTARY RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL HARNESS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE REPAIR ON FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES. THE CAM SENSOR WAS REPLACED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. CURRENTLY, THE VEHI…
EHC MODULE ON 2004 BIG DOG RIDGEBACK MOTORCYCLES, IT OCCURS EVERYTIME I TRY TO RIDE THE MOTORCYCLE IT IS VERY DANGEROUS, THE ENGINE STALLED GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND ALMOST DIDN'T GET OUT OF TRAFFIC, THE LIGHTS, SPEEDOMETER AND OTHER SAFETY SIGNALS STOP WORKING AND I AM TOLD OTHER YEARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT NOT 2004 AND THE PARTS TO FIX IT ARE NOT AVAILABLE FROM BIG DOG MANUFACTURER SO I CANT EVEN FIX IT THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT REPLACING IT BUT REVAMPING IT AND I FEEL IT IS NOT FAIR TO ALL OWNERS THERE ARE AFTERMARKET PARTS BUT NO O…
APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF. NOW THE COMPANY IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS, SO WHAT AM I TO DO? I HAVE NO HEADLIGHT, HORN, AND THE BIKE WON'T START. *TR
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
10V180000 · Electrical System
Reported: 2010-05-03 (May 3, 2010)
BIG DOG 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.
Consequence: 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 A VEHICLE STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: BIG DOG WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE MOTORCYCLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BIG DOG AT 1-316-219-9121.
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
3 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
100.0%Usable mileage3 / 3 records
100.0%Valid incident date3 / 3 records
100.0%Valid filing date3 / 3 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates3 / 3 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
2004
2005
2006
Wheels:Hubcap/Cover
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
550.0%ODI 10275336 · 9,600 mi
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BIGDOG RIDGEBACK MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V147000 (WHEELS:CENTER SECTION) IN MAY OF 2009 AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WHEEL WAS ON BACK ORDER FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS, BUT ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO ASSIST. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME HAS PASSED IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR…
EHC MODULE ON 2004 BIG DOG RIDGEBACK MOTORCYCLES, IT OCCURS EVERYTIME I TRY TO RIDE THE MOTORCYCLE IT IS VERY DANGEROUS, THE ENGINE STALLED GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND ALMOST DIDN'T GET OUT OF TRAFFIC, THE LIGHTS, SPEEDOMETER AND OTHER SAFETY SIGNALS STOP WORKING AND I AM TOLD OTHER YEARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT NOT 2004 AND THE PARTS TO FIX IT ARE NOT AVAILABLE FROM BIG DOG MANUFACTURER SO I CANT EVEN FIX IT THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT REPLACING IT BUT REVAMPING IT AND I FEEL IT IS NOT FAIR TO ALL OWNERS THERE ARE AFTERMARKET PARTS BUT NO O…
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) 2004 BIG DOG MOTORCYCLES HAVE A SAFETY RECALL FOR POWER FAILURES WHILE THE MOTORCYCLE IS BEING OPERATED. I HAVE A 2005 BIG DOG RIDGEBACK AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. PLEASE RESEARCH TO SEE IF OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. [XXX] *TR
1 HAVE AN AVON TIRE 300 AV72 THAT HAS THE TREAD SEPARATING DOWN THE CENTER OF THE TIRE THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS TIRE HAS DONE THIS TO ME WITH LESS THAN 3000 MILES HOW MANY COMPLAINTS WILL IT TAKE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED WITH ONE OF THESE TIRES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TT
PURCHASED A AVON TIRE FROM DRAG SPECIALTIES 300MM. AFTER ABOUT 3500 MILES THE TIRE STARTED TO SEPARATE(OPEN JOIN) THEY SAID IT WAS A WARRANTY ISSUE. PAID $80 TO SHIP BACK AND THEY GAVE ME A $125 CREDIT. NOT HAPPY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BIGDOG RIDGEBACK MOTORCYCLE. HE STATED THAT THE DEALER REPAIRED RECALL 09V147000 COMPONENT: WHEELS:CENTER SECTION; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE DEALER WASN'T ABLE TO BALANCE THE WHEELS; THEREFORE HE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE MOTORCYCLE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1,520.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIG DOG RIDGEBACK MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS CAUTIOUSLY COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING BETWEEN THIRTY MINUTES TO A HOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER A MANUFACTURER VOLUNTARY RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL HARNESS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE REPAIR ON FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES. THE CAM SENSOR WAS REPLACED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. CURRENTLY, THE VEHI…
2006 BIG DOG RIDGEBACK. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2005 YEAR MODEL. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN # IS 05V432000 FOR BOLTS ON REAR HUB ASSEMBLY BACKING OUT. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2006 RIDGEBACK. THE BOLTS BACKED OUT HIT THE FRAME PUTTING ME INTO AN INTERMITTENT LOCK UP THEN BOLTS BROKE AWAY FROM THE PULLEY TO THE HUB/EXTENSION AND LEFT ME WITH NO POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND MY 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER ON THE BACK. LUCKY I AVOIDED A CRASH. THIS CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE BIKE, LOSS OF POWER IN TRAFFIC CONDITIONS TO REAR TIRE, PARTS CREATIN…
2006 BIG DOG RIDGEBACK. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2005 YEAR MODEL. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN # IS 05V432000 FOR BOLTS ON REAR HUB ASSEMBLY BACKING OUT. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2006 RIDGEBACK. THE BOLTS BACKED OUT HIT THE FRAME PUTTING ME INTO AN INTERMITTENT LOCK UP THEN BOLTS BROKE AWAY FROM THE PULLEY TO THE HUB/EXTENSION AND LEFT ME WITH NO POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND MY 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER ON THE BACK. LUCKY I AVOIDED A CRASH. THIS CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE BIKE, LOSS OF POWER IN TRAFFIC CONDITIONS TO REAR TIRE, PARTS CREATIN…
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
6,250 mi
2 (sparse)
ODI 10365891 · 7,500 mi
EHC MODULE ON 2004 BIG DOG RIDGEBACK MOTORCYCLES, IT OCCURS EVERYTIME I TRY TO RIDE THE MOTORCYCLE IT IS VERY DANGEROUS, THE ENGINE STALLED GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND ALMOST DIDN'T GET OUT OF TRAFFIC, THE LIGHTS, SPEEDOMETER AND OTHER SAFETY SIGNALS STOP WORKING AND I AM TOLD OTHER YEARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT NOT 2004 AND THE PARTS TO FIX IT ARE NOT AVAILABLE FROM BIG DOG MANUFACTURER SO I CANT EVEN FIX IT THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT REPLACING IT BUT REVAMPING IT AND I FEEL IT IS NOT FAIR TO ALL OWNERS THERE ARE AFTERMARKET PARTS BUT NO O…
APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF. NOW THE COMPANY IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS, SO WHAT AM I TO DO? I HAVE NO HEADLIGHT, HORN, AND THE BIKE WON'T START. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIG DOG RIDGEBACK MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS CAUTIOUSLY COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING BETWEEN THIRTY MINUTES TO A HOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER A MANUFACTURER VOLUNTARY RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL HARNESS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE REPAIR ON FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES. THE CAM SENSOR WAS REPLACED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. CURRENTLY, THE VEHI…
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.
2005: 0 complaints · 2006: 0 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2005
0
0
0
2006
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
2005
9
0
1
2006
3
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
Engine And Engine Cooling
Electrical System
—
0
Engine And Engine Cooling
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.
2 patterns with matching reports.
Stalling or loss of power
2 mentions · 66.7% of complaints
Median mileage: 5,150 mi (2 usable records).
ODI 10360342 · 2,800 mi
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BIG DOG RIDGEBACK MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS CAUTIOUSLY COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING BETWEEN THIRTY MINUTES TO A HOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER A MANUFACTURER VOLUNTARY RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL HARNESS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE REPAIR ON FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES. THE CAM SENSOR WAS REPLACED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. CURRENTLY, THE VEHI…
EHC MODULE ON 2004 BIG DOG RIDGEBACK MOTORCYCLES, IT OCCURS EVERYTIME I TRY TO RIDE THE MOTORCYCLE IT IS VERY DANGEROUS, THE ENGINE STALLED GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND ALMOST DIDN'T GET OUT OF TRAFFIC, THE LIGHTS, SPEEDOMETER AND OTHER SAFETY SIGNALS STOP WORKING AND I AM TOLD OTHER YEARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT NOT 2004 AND THE PARTS TO FIX IT ARE NOT AVAILABLE FROM BIG DOG MANUFACTURER SO I CANT EVEN FIX IT THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT REPLACING IT BUT REVAMPING IT AND I FEEL IT IS NOT FAIR TO ALL OWNERS THERE ARE AFTERMARKET PARTS BUT NO O…
Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b
Battery drain and no-start mentions
1 mentions · 33.3% of complaints
Median mileage: 5,000 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10605673 · 5,000 mi
APPARENTLY THERE WAS A RECALL I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF. NOW THE COMPANY IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS, SO WHAT AM I TO DO? I HAVE NO HEADLIGHT, HORN, AND THE BIKE WON'T START. *TR