2004 Bigdog CHOPPER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
5,345 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 7 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 28.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 14.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 14.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder | 1 |
Electrical System: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch: 1; Power Train: 1; Power Train:Driveline: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 |
2005: 3; 2007: 3; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10198224 · 2007-08-01 (August 1, 2007)
2004 BIG DOG MOTORCYCLE. MOTORCYCLE KEEPS LOSING ALL ELECTRICAL POWER WHEN RIDING ON THE INTERSTATE DUE TO AN INHERENTLY DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC HARNESS CONTROLLER. THIS SAME EHC HAD BEEN RECALLED IN 2005 AND 2006 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO CRASH BUT I HIT CONSTRUCTION CONES AND ALMOST CRASHED TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10198224 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10206475 · 2007-10-21 (October 21, 2007)
1) SIGNAL LIGHTS QUIT WORKING,THEN HEADLIGHT BLEW OUT, THEN SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING, THEN ALL ELECTRICAL WENT OUT AND BIKE WILL NOT START AND ALL ELECTRICAL IS OUT. 3) CALLED BIGDOG MOTORCYCLE DEALER. WAS TOLD THE 2004 EHC MODULE HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED AND MUST UP GRADE TO AN 07 WITH HARNESS. COST DIFFERENCE $202.00 FOR 2004 AND 650.00 FOR AN 2007 MODULE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10206475 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10109462 · 2005-01-13 (January 13, 2005)
WHILE RIDING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED A RETCHING SOUND COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AREA WHICH TOOK PLACE OF THE POWER BEING TRANSFERRED TO REAR WHEEL DURING ACCELERATION. *BF THE DEALER TIGHTENED THE BELT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN THE FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *SC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10109462 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10107039 · 2005-01-07 (January 7, 2005)
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V137000 CONCERNING REAR MASTER CYLINDER PISTOL. AFTER HAVING THE REAR MASTER CYLINDER PISTOL REPLACED THE REAR BRAKES FAILED. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10107039 at NHTSA ↗