Some Harley-Davidson Sportster S Motorcycles May Have Their Top Triple Clamp Fail

Harley-Davidson has issued a recall for certain Sportster S models, as the upper triple clamp may fracture, increasing the risk of a crash.

By: Robbie Bacon

Sep 18, 2025 at 7:23am ET

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Harley-Davidson Motor Company and the folks who buy from it have had a rough time lately due to some massive recalls. Earlier this year, there was a recall that affected 82,000 Softail models due to a problem with the rear shock pre-load adjuster, and in 2024, another 42,000 units, spread across multiple models, were recalled due to an issue with the wiring harness. That's 124,000 units in the past year and, unfortunately, that tally is about to rise again.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain RH1250S (Sportster S) motorcycles. The upper triple clamp may fracture. If the upper triple clamp fractures while someone is riding the motorcycle, it could lead to a crash and potentially death.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the upper triple clamp, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on September 29, 2025. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0190.

Affected Units

It's important to note that this recall only affects Harley-Davidson Sportster S models produced between 2021-2025. It could potentially affect up to 8,422 units, and the NHSTA ID number is 25V590000.

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The last thing you want is a death wobble when you're cruising on the highway; in fact, that recently happened to the well-known motorcycle YouTuber Doodle On A Motorcycle, and she ended up suffering for months due to her injuries. Whether or not you own one of the affected Harley-Davidson Sportsters, checking out the video below about what to do in the event of a death wobble will help.

If you have one of the Sportster S units that may have an upper triple clamp fracture, don't wait until the end of the month to receive your notice. Head to your local dealership and get it checked out, but take it easy on the way.