Quote:
Originally Posted by VW2010 Design flaw? How did you arrive at that? Though its exactly the same why i arrived at user error, but the number of instance and number of people reporting is not really a sample size. Secondly what have these owners done to prove its a flaw in design.
If its a design flaw, wouldnt it be bothering 95% of the bike and not the 2-3% of the bike from the number of people complaining here. I am just taking a % based on the number of owners and number of complaints here.
I do not think its a design flaw. A design flaw means every bike from production will have this issues. Call it a unlucky lime, may be i will agree. Its not design flaw. |
Some random thoughts.
Let's not get caught in semantics here. The Duke 390 shutting off like that is a recipe for disaster, and Bajaj Auto/KTM better address it. We don't want anyone to get killed, do we? With most Duke riders riding like the way they do, someone's going to get hurt if this conking off happens at crucial moments.
And this whole theory about rider error doesn't seem like it, considering the riding experience of some of the folks who've been having this issue. Team-BHP, although representative of a variegated sample of India, remains a microcosm largely restricted to the 25-44 demography with a college degree. We all know that India's bigger with scores of non-forumers out there who might be having similar issues, more so if such a small sample size on Team-BHP is consistently reporting the issue.
In the automotive world, the first issues reported are overlooked as user error. If a few more field issues are reported, then the failure analysis boys come in to see whether the part is ok. If it isn't, the QC guys face the fire in and usually lean on the "one-off incident" initially. Once this "one off" kills or disrupts something major, recalls, hushed or otherwise, are issued. The process takes time, especially in Indian companies where "disagreeing with seniors" and taking a different stand isn't appreciated.
Secondly, the onus is on the manufacturer to investigate and resolve the issue, not ask the owner to prove that it's happening. Who're the experts here, the bike maker(s) or the owners?
Flashback time:
Goa 2009. An LB 350 rider died. Cause: Overtaking a bus on the Panjim Ponda highway, bike shuts off in the middle of the manouver. Tipper coming straight ahead hits the biker. Spot out.
Fault: Loose contact in the ignition switch mechanism. I used to own an LB500 back then. And I had exactly the same issue, but by the big man's grace got away without anything major. I know how it feels when you're stuck with no power bang in the middle of some manouver.
It used to happen randomly. The vibes of the LB500 used to tick off the contact on the ignition key and my Bull was one of the smoother ones built. On an evening after work, I was out doing a plug chop near Dehu road. Suddenly, I lose power while climbing and everything goes off. No horn, nothing. Replace the fuse. Nothing. Then suddenly, the LB500 springs to life after turning the key on and off for a few times.
Oh yes, it isn't a design fault but poor QC? Why can't Bajaj/KTM be stuck with a similar issue (RE ignition switch) here. While I'd agree that they're a light year better than Royal Enfield, poor QC can definitely be a cause considering the fact that the Duke is built to a tight price.
BAL doesn't take lightly to criticism. Wonder why they call their recalls, "routine product improvement" and such assorted bull poop? Yeah, so an Indian company jumping up and doing a voluntary recall/fix isn't very likely. Pressure must be built and hell must be raised for the aam-aadmi's voice to be heard.
PS: The chap who died apparently knew about this issue but thought that he'd fix it later cos his bull had never shut down at large throttle openings/higher speeds. Sad but true.
Thank you for your time.
Cheers,
Jay