Let me start by saying this: I take absolutely no joy in writing this post. If you know me, you know I’m a ride-or-die Harley fan through and through. The Motor Company is in my blood. On top of that, I have many, many close friends who work at dealerships from coast to coast—from mechanics turning wrenches to folks on the showroom floor. I know firsthand how hard they work, and the last thing I want to do is add fuel to any corporate-bashing fire.
But as riders and a community, we need to talk about what’s going on with the recent 2026 recalls. Harley-Davidson is facing a massive logistical and financial hurdle right now, with over 88,000 recent Touring, Softail, and Trike models recalled for an engine oil breather issue, alongside a separate brake recall on roughly 17,000 Softails.
While the headlines sound dramatic, there is a different side to this story—one that shows why Harley’s resilience and its dealer network are worth backing.
Standing by the Product: A Costly but Right Move
First, let’s look at the financial reality. Doing the right thing isn’t cheap. Harley-Davidson is stepping up to cover 100% of the parts and labor costs to ensure our bikes are safe on the road.
Taking ownership of a manufacturing hiccup has caused a temporary sting to the company’s bottom line:
- Margin Adjustments: Harley’s motorcycle division gross margins recently adjusted down from 29.1% to 25.3% due to these investments in rider safety.
- Operating Impact: Absorbing these massive warranty and supply chain costs caused reported quarterly operating income to drop from $116 million to $19 million.
To Wall Street, those numbers look tough. But to me? It shows a company willing to take a massive financial hit on their own chin to make sure the bikes we ride are safe. That’s what a premium brand does.
Frontline Heroes: Our Coast-to-Coast Dealer Network
The real heavy lifting right now is happening at your local dealership. Dealership service departments are under immense operational strain, managing a high volume of free inspections and repairs while keeping up with routine spring service.
My friends working in these shops are putting in the hours and doing everything they can to get riders back on the asphalt quickly. Because of the volume, service bays are packed, and wait times are naturally a bit longer. Instead of getting frustrated, this is our time to support the people who keep our wheels turning. They didn’t build the bikes, but they are working tirelessly to fix them.
Facing a Tough Market Together
The timing of these recalls is challenging, especially with global retail sales already facing a broader economic slump. It creates short-term stock volatility and gives critics plenty to talk about.
But Harley-Davidson has survived two World Wars, the Great Depression, and countless economic cycles over the last 120-plus years. The brand isn’t going anywhere. This recall is a speed bump, not a brick wall.
The Bottom Line
True loyalty isn’t just about riding when the weather is perfect and the news is good. It’s about sticking through the rough patches. Harley-Davidson is actively addressing these quality control issues, and our coast-to-coast dealer network is proving exactly why they are the best in the business.
If your bike is on the recall list, give your local shop a call, get it scheduled, and let our tech families do what they do best. And when you walk into that service department, make sure to bring a positive attitude—and maybe a box of donuts for the crew. They’ve earned it.
Let’s talk in the comments. Have you brought your bike in for the 2026 updates yet? Drop a shout-out to your local dealership crew below and let’s show them some appreciation!
I’m turning 73 this year and purchased my first Harley-Davidson 2025 Street Bob. I’ve had other brand bikes but I have to say regardless of what a bunch of grumpy people say, I am pretty impressed by the local dealer that I purchased it from and their service department letting me know they have me on the list and are just waiting for the parts to come in for the recall. I seem to have noticed an overall pride in the dealership and am glad I made the change from the Japanese world of motorcycles.