The NHTSA announced that it is opening an investigation into an apparent problem with some of Harley-Davidson's->ke300 brakes. “Some” being defined by as many as 430,000 units with ABS built between '08 and '11. It seems that there have been two-score-and-three complaints of sudden and complete loss of braking power, with three crashes and two injuries.

Continue reading for more information on the investigation.

What's Going On?

Preliminary information seems to indicate that the owners of the crashed bikes may not have been quite as religious about brake-fluid maintenance as one might hope, which is no excuse for a complete failure with no warning of such a crucial, safety-related system, but at least that gives us an actionable theory at this time.

Change your brake fluid once in a while folks, especially if you have ABS. The fluid is only good for two years, and keep your ear to the rail for more details as the NHTSA and H-D study the problem further ahead of what is sure to be a massive recall-and-repair campaign.