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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | Handyhoward - 2011-09-05 8:38 AM
Bearcat - 2011-09-03 10:12 PM
Took my Vision in for a new front tire on the 15th of Aug. During the change out the wrench noticed the front fender was cracked at the mount points on the left side. The fork seals were done last November under the extended warranty, so I'm thinkin whoever put the fender back on overtorqued it. So they order a new fender at $270.00 (long story short, the dealership has changed hands since and this guy no longer works there so I get to pay for it), So I borrow a bike for the Laughin trip we were going on as the fender won't come in for a week. 1 Week later to the day I pick up the bike with new fender installed and all is well, other than my pocket! Fast forward 10 days and I'm getting the bike ready for a trip into SE Utah over Labor Day weekend, I had heard something a couple days before like a "bang or clank" but assumed it was my thermos in the trunk. Turns out it was a BROKEN FRONT FENDER!!!!!! That's right, the fender that is less than 10 days since installed has broken completely on one side and started to crack on the other side!!!! I was at the dealer this morning before anyone else got there, had the first guy in look at it and he pulled both front pieces off so I could use the bike for my Utah trip. First opportunity you get go look VERY CLOSELY at you front fender mounts, My Vision has NEVER had ANY front end problems, never bumped a parking lot block or anything like that!!!! This TRULY SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll talk to the dealership on Tuesday and post what they have to say after that. GO CHECK YOUR FRONT FENDERS!!!!!!!!!!
I had the same problem with my brand new 2011... answer from Poolaris = "That's normal for that model". Good luck to you! LMAO.
I have to agree with you HH, I've had nothing but problems since I bought my Victory. The grass is taller, the gutters are full, the wife hardly sees me and work is always looking for me. Man, why did I ever buy this thing. Oh, the dealer loves me though... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 173
Prescott Valley, AZ | Fiinally got in touch with the "new" dealership's service manager this afternoon. He of course had not been told about my fender issue so I briefed him up on the whole deal. After a few minutes he got back on the phone with me and asked for my phone # so that after they talked to Victory about it he could call me back. No, I do NOT have a warm fuzzy feeling about this call to Victory, especially after seeing Handyhoward's post, While I'm not the brightest bulb in the package, looking at the 1st broken fender sitting on my garage floor it looks to me that this 2 lb, 1.40 oz fender has at least 75% of it's mass well forward of it's mounting point. I'm obviously not the only one to have this problem, I truley appreciate all the responses I'm seeing and believe I'm riding the best bike out there. My concern is that there very likely could be a problem in the design or manufacturing of the fender. EVERYONE needs to look VERY closely at your front fender mounts, you may be in for a surprise!! If you do have an issue please post it here so we ALL have a record of it. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 741
Central New York | The fender on my 08 is starting to crack. It's 'starring' like a windshield stone chip. I don't understand all the speculation about cause. It appears quite obvious to be that the problem is that the material for the rear fender wasn't properly spec'd. If it were a fork problem you would see the same type of failure in the front fender as well, eventually. The fact that not all fenders have cracked does not surprise me in the least. Not every fender was molded from the same kettle of soup. The plastic spec could well be tight enough to the border line that batch variance can mean the difference between a fender that last and one that doesn't. The only surprise I see hear is that one only lasted a couple days. I believe the installer push this one over the line. That's my story, and I'm stick'in to it.
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Cruiser
Posts: 92
Fort Walton Beach, FL | glighto11 - 2011-09-06 9:41 PM
The fender on my 08 is starting to crack. It's 'starring' like a windshield stone chip. I don't understand all the speculation about cause. It appears quite obvious to be that the problem is that the material for the rear fender wasn't properly spec'd. If it were a fork problem you would see the same type of failure in the front fender as well, eventually. The fact that not all fenders have cracked does not surprise me in the least. Not every fender was molded from the same kettle of soup. The plastic spec could well be tight enough to the border line that batch variance can mean the difference between a fender that last and one that doesn't. The only surprise I see hear is that one only lasted a couple days. I believe the installer push this one over the line.? That's my story, and I'm stick'in to it.
Quit your crying and do something about it... if you don't love your bike and the company that built it, sell it and get one that you like. Quit bitching and moaning all the time... no company is perfect. LMAO |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | its weird how there are guys on there with over 50,60,80 & 90,000 miles and no cracked fenders. all 2008 models i believe |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | glighto11 - 2011-09-06 9:41 PM
The fender on my 08 is starting to crack. It's 'starring' like a windshield stone chip. I don't understand all the speculation about cause. It appears quite obvious to be that the problem is that the material for the rear fender wasn't properly spec'd. If it were a fork problem you would see the same type of failure in the front fender as well, eventually. The fact that not all fenders have cracked does not surprise me in the least. Not every fender was molded from the same kettle of soup. The plastic spec could well be tight enough to the border line that batch variance can mean the difference between a fender that last and one that doesn't. The only surprise I see hear is that one only lasted a couple days. I believe the installer push this one over the line.? That's my story, and I'm stick'in to it.
g - I agree in part what you are saying, it is the material and the casting. I recall my fender being slightly narrower than the forks, thus putting a constant outward pull on the brittle plastic. Thinkfully it has only happened to a few. Also, it can be noted that putting on a mudflap can complicate the issue as mine broke shortly after adding the mudflap and others noted the same timing with theirs as well. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 92
Fort Walton Beach, FL | Arkainzeye - 2011-09-07 7:23 AM
its weird how there are guys on there with over 50,60,80 & 90,000 miles and no cracked fenders. all 2008 models i believe
It's obvious that you either cannot or will not read and comprehend what is being said in this thread... the majority of the posts about cracked fenders are from 2008 model owners. It's weird that you have an arcane comment that adds nothing to a very real problem with Victory front fenders... just because you and others do not have the problem that is an ongoing topic, doesn't mean that it is not real for those of us who are having the problem. The fact that any front fenders are cracking... and they are whether you experience it or not... should be a concern of any manufacturer of said fenders and the company who puts that crappy piece of fender on such a fine machine.
What bike do you ride? You are either too lazy to list your bike , or cannot figure out how to... maybe. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | Arkainzeye - 2011-09-07 7:23 AM
its weird how there are guys on there with over 50,60,80 & 90,000 miles and no cracked fenders. all 2008 models i believe
I agree with you Chris, it is strange, but as it was mentioned some had problems in the "soup". I did not notice any issue with mine until after I put on the mudflap and then it started to crack and then gave out entirely. Since I have a GO bike and not a SHOW bike, I applied my own fix that has held up perfectly and it is not noticeable to be a "fix". I do believe the majority of the folks have not had this is, and it sux to be one of those that has. I have found there is certainly bigger issues in life than a cracked fender. |
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Tourer
Posts: 324
New Orleans, La, | Been away for awhile and just revisited this post and I see where a 2011 owner has had the dreaded fender failure and that someone has posted an explaination that I can wrap mine head around. It may not be the sole reason for the failures but it fills in alot of gaps, that being the design flaw of the fender being to thick and heavy and long to be supported at one end by a pair of bolts so close together that they can't spread the load over a larger area. This in conjunction with a material that is brittle and can't absorb some of the sharp high frequency vibration and a poor casting conspire to lead to catastropic failure of the area of the mounting bolts. Thanx to all, I feel better knowing there are others that have had this same experience and have helped me reason it out. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 92
Fort Walton Beach, FL | Cap'n Nemo - 2011-09-07 7:44 AM
Arkainzeye - 2011-09-07 7:23 AM
its weird how there are guys on there with over 50,60,80 & 90,000 miles and no cracked fenders. all 2008 models i believe
I agree with you Chris, it is strange, but as it was mentioned some had problems in the "soup". I did not notice any issue with mine until after I put on the mudflap and then it started to crack and then gave out entirely. Since I have a GO bike and not a SHOW bike, I applied my own fix that has held up perfectly and it is not noticeable to be a "fix". I do believe the majority of the folks have not had this is, and it sux to be one of those that has. I have found there is certainly bigger issues in life than a cracked fender.
AND THERE IT IS FOLKS... ANOTHER FREE PASS TO SHODDY DESIGN AND WORKMANSHIP!!! AND WE WONDER WHERE OUR JOBS WENT AND WHY... IT'S CHEAPER TO DESIGN AND BUILD SHODDINESS OVERSEAS!!! PLUS IT IS EASIER TO BLAME THE COMMIES THEN TO BLAME AMERICANS!!!
Edited by Handyhoward 2011-09-07 9:43 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | Handyhoward - 2011-09-07 9:40 AM
Cap'n Nemo - 2011-09-07 7:44 AM
Arkainzeye - 2011-09-07 7:23 AM
its weird how there are guys on there with over 50,60,80 & 90,000 miles and no cracked fenders. all 2008 models i believe
I agree with you Chris, it is strange, but as it was mentioned some had problems in the "soup". I did not notice any issue with mine until after I put on the mudflap and then it started to crack and then gave out entirely. Since I have a GO bike and not a SHOW bike, I applied my own fix that has held up perfectly and it is not noticeable to be a "fix". I do believe the majority of the folks have not had this is, and it sux to be one of those that has. I have found there is certainly bigger issues in life than a cracked fender.
AND THERE IT IS FOLKS... ANOTHER FREE PASS TO SHODDY DESIGN AND WORKMANSHIP!!! AND WE WONDER WHERE OUR JOBS WENT AND WHY... IT'S CHEAPER TO DESIGN AND BUILD SHODDINESS OVERSEAS!!! PLUS IT IS EASIER TO BLAME THE COMMIES THEN TO BLAME AMERICANS!!!
Sadly, again, you are way off base. While you, or others have a straight up problem with your fender, I agree YOU should pursue restitution for your problem and anyone else who had the same problem without obvious cause. I chose to modify my fender, understanding the potenial risk that it could cause it to crack and break under the additional weight and stress. Therefore, when my assumption came to pass, I could not blame Victory, despite my general observations, I chose to modify my broken fender. In no way did I encourage shoddiness or send any jobs overseas by applying my mod or not bothering Polaris with something that was not directly related to the workmanship.
Again, another baseless rant by you.
Edited by Cap'n Nemo 2011-09-07 11:06 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 166
Bullhead City, AZ | Checked mine after reading this thread, Bottom hole cracked on one side, when the VMC was in Presscott someone had steel fenders for custom wheels but I do not remenber what the vendors name was. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | Cap'n Nemo - 2011-09-07 11:04 AM
Handyhoward - 2011-09-07 9:40 AM
Cap'n Nemo - 2011-09-07 7:44 AM
Arkainzeye - 2011-09-07 7:23 AM
its weird how there are guys on there with over 50,60,80 & 90,000 miles and no cracked fenders. all 2008 models i believe
I agree with you Chris, it is strange, but as it was mentioned some had problems in the "soup". I did not notice any issue with mine until after I put on the mudflap and then it started to crack and then gave out entirely. Since I have a GO bike and not a SHOW bike, I applied my own fix that has held up perfectly and it is not noticeable to be a "fix". I do believe the majority of the folks have not had this is, and it sux to be one of those that has. I have found there is certainly bigger issues in life than a cracked fender.
AND THERE IT IS FOLKS... ANOTHER FREE PASS TO SHODDY DESIGN AND WORKMANSHIP!!! AND WE WONDER WHERE OUR JOBS WENT AND WHY... IT'S CHEAPER TO DESIGN AND BUILD SHODDINESS OVERSEAS!!! PLUS IT IS EASIER TO BLAME THE COMMIES THEN TO BLAME AMERICANS!!!
Sadly, again, you are way off base. While you, or others have a straight up problem with your fender, I agree YOU should pursue restitution for your problem and anyone else who had the same problem without obvious cause. I chose to modify my fender, understanding the potenial risk that it could cause it to crack and break under the additional weight and stress. Therefore, when my assumption came to pass, I could not blame Victory, despite my general observations, I chose to modify my broken fender. In no way did I encourage shoddiness or send any jobs overseas by applying my mod or not bothering Polaris with something that was not directly related to the workmanship.
Again, another baseless rant by you.
I wonder if anyone that installed those lights that mount to the front fender have any cracks? |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | Handyhoward - 2011-09-07 9:40 AM
Cap'n Nemo - 2011-09-07 7:44 AM
Arkainzeye - 2011-09-07 7:23 AM
its weird how there are guys on there with over 50,60,80 & 90,000 miles and no cracked fenders. all 2008 models i believe
I agree with you Chris, it is strange, but as it was mentioned some had problems in the "soup". I did not notice any issue with mine until after I put on the mudflap and then it started to crack and then gave out entirely. Since I have a GO bike and not a SHOW bike, I applied my own fix that has held up perfectly and it is not noticeable to be a "fix". I do believe the majority of the folks have not had this is, and it sux to be one of those that has. I have found there is certainly bigger issues in life than a cracked fender.
AND THERE IT IS FOLKS... ANOTHER FREE PASS TO SHODDY DESIGN AND WORKMANSHIP!!! AND WE WONDER WHERE OUR JOBS WENT AND WHY... IT'S CHEAPER TO DESIGN AND BUILD SHODDINESS OVERSEAS!!! PLUS IT IS EASIER TO BLAME THE COMMIES THEN TO BLAME AMERICANS!!!
You want some cheese with that Whine? id say you should get rid of your vision and go buy a "PERFECT" bike that has zero problems and is 100% american made with a dealership every 2 miles.. but im sure there would be more posts about something else..... LOL see a pattern here? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | My 08 is still perfect, I have removed the bolts and replaced them with the Clearwater LEDs, the supplied bolts and mounts. Since I am as ham fisted a shade tree mechanic as there is ; I have to suspect some other force at work besides over-tightening.
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Cruiser
Posts: 166
Bullhead City, AZ | Nemo what did you use to fix your go bike. Mine is only cracked at one bolt, there should be a way to strengthen the fender and keep the others from breaking. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | loren2 - 2011-09-13 11:22 PM
Nemo what did you use to fix your go bike. Mine is only cracked at one bolt, there should be a way to strengthen the fender and keep the others from breaking.
loren - I used the same fix as nemo - he should have gotten back with you sooner - 
(fender_fix.jpg)
(fender.jpg)
(fender_close up.jpg)
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 fender_fix.jpg (23KB - 1 downloads)
fender.jpg (31KB - 1 downloads)
fender_close up.jpg (97KB - 2 downloads)
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Tourer
Posts: 324
New Orleans, La, | I discovered that fix when my rear half cracked awhile back except I used pop rivets in order to appear less conspicuous. I recently received my HDM520 front half replacement fender and I must say it is a quality piece. It is well designed, light weight, and, not that I think I will ever need to, repairable. I was able to come close to the paint color of SSG with a couple of colors of Duplic Color from the Zone. Once it dries and buffed I'll attempt to post pics. Only thing that migth improve this fender is maybe a metal ban linking the mount holes glassed within the fender otherwise it's 100. BTW who was the vender with the custom metal fender spotted at the VMC in Prescott? |
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Tourer
Posts: 494
Akron Ohio area | Over torqued.
Too tight is broke. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 173
Prescott Valley, AZ | Okay, time for an update. Victory did in fact warrant the replacement fender and the 2nd new one was install this last Tuesday afternoon, I rode the bike 3 miles to my house, got up Wednesday morning and rode 13 miles round trip to work and back. Got up this morning and was about to ride to work when I looked at this brand new front fender with 16 milesw on it and saw the crack at the left side at the mount running from bolt hole to bolt hole!!!!!!!!!!! As I have said many times before, this bike has had NOTHING out of the ordinary happen, fork seals replaced last November and I'm POSITIVE the fender was NOT cracked after that. Granted, I Have not looked directly at the fender mounts after I checked the work on the fork seals job in November. When the second fender broke (less than 300 miles after installed) I could hear a noise that I thought was my thermos in the trunk bouncing around but was in fact the fender banging against itself. I told the service guy I am not interested in another Victory fender, if they can detirmine what is going on and fix it then maybe we can talk about a Victory fender, I do know that I certainly will NOT buy another fender from Victory, no matter what comes of all this. And so it goes, the drama continues, no idea what is next, they are going to contact Victory and see what they have to say. Stay tuned, I'll update as things happen. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I've got to ask this question, sorry if it has been answered before. Are the plastic inserts on the top that joins the front to the rear portion in place? Sorry, just got to know.... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 92
| Do they make a solid Metal fender for the VV? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 173
Prescott Valley, AZ | Yss the plastic push pins have been there each time the fenders have cracked or completely broken. Evereything is the way the engineers designed it and the bike is as stock as they come (other than some paint and chrome, I just couldn't help myself!). WE (the dealership and I) are at this point are at a total loss, no ideas at all right now.... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 173
Prescott Valley, AZ | Rumor has it that Big Joe at Kewlmetal is working on a one piece metal front fender for the Vision as we speak. I'll be investigating this soon and posting what is happening... |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Are the fenders being pulled out or pushed in to mount them???
What is the measurement on the forks where they mount and what is the measurement on the fender were they mount??
Even measure your cracked fender.
Tell us what you come up with. No don't measure mounted fender. |
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2 broken front fenders!!
