Harley-Davidson Recalls Over 9,000 Sportster S Motorcycles

Harley-Davidson has issued a recall covering 9,401 of its RH1250S Sportster S motorcycles after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) filed notice of a potentially dangerous defect in the bike's upper triple clamp. The recall affects model years 2021 through 2026.

The upper triple clamp is a critical structural component that connects the front forks to the steering stem, essentially serving as the backbone of the front-end assembly. According to Harley-Davidson's report to the NHTSA, the part "may fracture under extreme loading conditions." If that fracture occurs while the bike is in motion, the rider could lose control of the front end entirely — a scenario that significantly increases the risk of a serious crash.

This isn't a problem that emerged overnight. Harley-Davidson's Technical Subcommittee first received notice of a cracked triple clamp back on September 9, 2024. The company then spent nearly a full year — from September 2024 through August 2025 — conducting analyses to understand the nature and scope of the failure before finally deciding to move forward with a recall on September 3, 2025. By that point, Harley was aware of six warranty claims or field reports documenting fractures, along with one alleged crash with minor injuries potentially linked to the defect.

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The recall covers a broad production window, and Harley-Davidson has also put current Sportster S production on hold while the issue is addressed. The company says production will resume in Q4 2025, with new units rolling off the line equipped with a redesigned triple clamp featuring updated geometry intended to prevent the problem going forward.

For owners of affected bikes, the fix is straightforward: Harley-Davidson dealers will inspect the motorcycle and replace the upper triple clamp at no charge. Owner notification letters were expected to be mailed beginning September 29, 2025. If you haven't heard from Harley-Davidson yet, you can contact their customer service line directly at 1-800-258-2464 and reference recall number 0190. You can also check your VIN at the NHTSA website (nhtsa.gov) using recall ID 25V590000.

If your Sportster S falls within the 2021–2026 model year range, don't wait for the letter to arrive — get your bike into the dealer as soon as possible. A fractured triple clamp at speed is not a situation you want to find yourself in.