Bigdog CHOPPER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
13 distinct recall campaigns
1,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 to 2007 model years. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Structure:Frame And Members is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 21 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 19.0% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 9.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 6 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
Structure:Frame And Members: 6; Electrical System: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Structure:Motorcycle:Kickstand/Center Stand: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 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 | 13 |
| 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: 13; 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 (13). 8 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2004: 8; 2005: 5; 2006: 2; 2007: 4; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Frame And Members leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 10117753 · 2005-04-12 (April 12, 2005)
ELECTRICAL WIRING MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKE LIGHT AND TURNS SIGNALS FAILED. DEALER HAS KEPT THE MOTORCYCLE FOR SIX WEEKS ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10117753 at NHTSA ↗
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 10064814 · 2004-03-24 (March 24, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A METAL DEBRIS WHICH CAUSED THE KICK STAND TO BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED, THE DRIVER HAD LEFT THE KICK STAND OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10064814 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 10152027 · 2006-03-06 (March 6, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER INTERMITTENTLY PROVIDES AN INCORRECT READING. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER. THEY DETERMINED THE MAGNETIC SENSOR ABOVE THE TRANSMISSION INTERFERES WITH THE SPEEDOMETER WHICH RESULTS IN THE INCORRECT READING. THE DEALER CLEANED THE MAGNETIC STRIP, BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNED.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152027 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066608 · 2004-03-31 (March 31, 2004)
CONSUMER BELIEVE HIS MOTORCYCLE QUALIFIED AS A LEMON DUE TO A CRACKED GAS TANK AT THE REAR MOUNTING PLATE. *PH CONSUMER DEMANDING FULL REFUND OF DOWN PAYMENT, SIX MONTHLY PAYMENTS, AND FULL PAY OFF FROM LOAN. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 41 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066608 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 1 |
2003: 3; 2004: 5; 2005: 7; 2006: 6; 2007: 1