- The problem
- Big dog is recalling 1,257 my 2005 ridgeback motorcycles. The rear wheel may have weak spots in the design, which may cause the wheel to crack under certain operating conditions.
- The risk
- IF UNDETECTED, THIS CONDITION MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the wheels free of charge. The recall began on june 1, 2009. Owners may contact big dog motorcycles customer service department at 1-316-267-9121.
Vehicle safety record
2005 Bigdog Ridgeback Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2005 Bigdog Ridgeback with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (2) and the electrical system (1). It is covered by 6 recalls, the latest in May 2009 for the hubcap / cover. For comparison, the 2004 has 1 and the 2006 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Ridgeback year, for its age
#362 most complained-about 2005 vehicle
- Complaints
- 2
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2005 Bigdog Ridgeback problems
Share of all 2 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2005 Bigdog Ridgeback recalls 6
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- On certain motorcycles, a warped bus bar within the voltage regulator can cause a short circuit.
- The risk
- THIS COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A FIRE.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the existing circuit breaker located between the voltage regulator positive battery lead (b+ lead) and the positive battery terminal with an alternative circuit protection device that will prevent a thermal event if there is a short to ground. The recall began on october 1, 2007. Owners may contact big dog at 1-316-219-9129 or email to [email protected].
- The problem
- On certain motorcycles, the electronic harness control (ehc) module can fail resulting in a total shut down of the vehicle's electronic power.
- The risk
- This condition could occur without any prior warning and could result in a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the ehc modules free of charge. The recall began on september 19, 2006. Owners may contact big dog at 316-267-9121.
- The problem
- On certain motorcycles, the kickstand spring may stretch and detach from the mounting bracket or the kickstand.
- The risk
- This will allow the kickstand to deploy into the extended position and cause a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a new kickstand spring free of charge. The recall began on february 17, 2006. Owners may contact big dog at 316-267-9121.
- The problem
- On certain motorcycles, the rear wheel hub bolts could loosen and back out allowing the hub and brake rotor to detach from the wheel with an associated loss of stopping power.
- The risk
- This condition could occur without any prior warning and could result in a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will remove, clean and reattach the rear hub bolts free of charge. The recall began on october 14, 2005. Owners may contact big dog at 1-312-267-9121.
- The problem
- On certain motorcycles, the primary drive sprocket nut may back off the engine main shaft.
- The risk
- This could cause the primary drive to lock up and cause a crash. This condition could occur without any prior warning.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the drive sprocket nut free of charge. The recall began on may 13, 2005. Owners may contact big dog at 316-267-9121.
What owners say
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2 complaints about the 2005 Bigdog Ridgeback
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Immediately after purchasing my 2005 big dog ridgeback, multiple problems began to arise. The bike would randomly shut off for no apparent reason, also it had an ever increasing squeal that eventually became louder than the engine. The dealer that the bike was purchased from was unable to repair the issues and was dishonest about the service that they were supposed to do. Eventually that dealer refunded the money for my first service and paid me back for most of the damage that was done to my bike. Obviously I no...
Read the full complaint
longer wish to bring my bike there for service. After realizing that there were no factory service centers within a reasonable distance, I contacted the big dog factory and was given the run around. I even trailered the bike to daytona where the factory mechanic did a non-approved repair on the squeal, but this is a temporary fix that needs to be addressed. Since daytona the factory has failed to remedy my problems including the front and rear hub bolts are coming loose, the engine still shuts off randomly, and the re-machining of the front pulley could lead to a belt failure at highway speeds. I't appears that several of my bikes issues were actually recalls that both the dealer and the factory have iggnored. Help!!!!!!!!!!!! This bike is unsafe!!!! *Jb
The two bolts holding the front caliper on my 2005 bigdog ridgeback backed out. I discovered it after riding the motorcycle. The two bolts had backed out to where they were being held by a couple of threads. I then removed the bolts, and found that there was absolutely no" locktite" applied to either of the bolts. If the front caliper falls off while riding, it could be catastrophic. I purchased some "locktite", and applied it to the bolt threads, and reinstalled the bolts. *Jb
Bigdog Ridgeback: every year compared
All Ridgeback years2005 Bigdog Ridgeback vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Bigdog Ridgeback | 2 | 6 | D | |
| 2005 Bigdog Pitbull | 4 | 5 | F | Compare |
| 2005 Bigdog Chopper | 3 | 7 | C | Compare |
| 2005 Bigdog Mastiff | 1 | 8 | F | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2005 Bigdog Ridgeback
Does the 2005 Bigdog Ridgeback have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2005 Bigdog Ridgeback: hubcap / cover (May 2009); alternator / generator / regulator (August 2007); electrical system (August 2006); kickstand / center stand (January 2006) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Bigdog Ridgeback?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (2), electrical system (1), transmission & drivetrain (1).
How many complaints has the 2005 Bigdog Ridgeback had?
2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on June 6, 2006 and the latest on April 2, 2007. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2005 Bigdog Ridgeback a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 25 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Bigdog Ridgeback year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Bigdog Ridgeback years have the most complaints?
2005 (2), 2004 (1). See every Bigdog Ridgeback year compared.
What should I do if my 2005 Bigdog Ridgeback has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data