Recall for Victory Kingpin, Jackpot Accessory Seats

Polaris is issuing a recall for certain 2004-2011 Victory Kingpin and 2006-2011 Victory Jackpot motorcycles equipped with accessory touring seats.

According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,the backrest supports on some accessory seats may separate from the motorcycle, potentially putting a passenger at risk of falling off.

The recall campaign affects the Victory Kingpin Touring, Double Backrest seat (part number 2876641-01) and Victory Jackpot Touring with backrest seat (part number 2875961-01). Certain seats were produced with a stress riser in the bend area of the support which may weaken and separate due to metal fatigue or overloading.

Victory Motorcycles first received a field report in November 2010 of backrest separation within the U.S.. Following an inspection, Victory contacted LeMans Corporation which produced the seats. According to documents filed by Polaris, LeMans delayed efforts to investigate its production process so they could have counsel present for the inspection.

In May 2011, Victory received a second field report of a backrest separating outside of the U.S. In both cases, the incident resulted in injuries to a passenger. Victory immediately began its investigation to the production process. Third-party vendors were brought in to perform examine the failed parts. An electron microscopic  analysis report identified the stress riser as the cause of the failure. Fatigue testing of backrest support bars is continuing but Victory has concluded only a small percentage of seats are affected by the problem.

Victory is contacting owners of 2004-2011 Kingpins and 2006-2011 Jackpots and asking those with the accessory seats to seek a free replacement from dealers. The recall campaign affects 1,688 motorcycles though only a small percentage of the recalled units are equipped with the accessory seats in question.

[Source: NHTSA Campaign ID 11V346000]

By Dennis Chung