Defect
CRACKS IN FRONT AND REAR WHEELS COULD DEVELOP AND CONTINUE THROUGH WHEEL SPOKES.
Consequence
HUB AND RIM COULD SEPARATE CREATING HANDLING PROBLEMSWHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL.
Remedy
REPLACE WHEELS WITH DIFFERENT TESTED WHEELS.
1987 Harley-Davidson Xl Series problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 1987 Harley-Davidson Xl Series — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
1
NHTSA complaints
2
Recalls
1
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1987 compare to other Xl Series years?
What are the most common 1987 Harley-Davidson Xl Series problems?
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 100% | new |
Does the 1987 Harley-Davidson Xl Series have recalls?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
A PIECE OF GEAR COULD BREAK AT THE MAINSHAFT FIRST GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION CASE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF GEAR TOOTH BECOMES LODGED BETWEEN TRANSMISSION GEARS, DRIVE TRAIN AND REAR WHEEL COULD LOCK UP POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
REPLACE GEAR WITH ONE THAT HAS BEEN PROVEN AND TESTED.
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“THE PART MANUFACTURED FROM JIMSUSA FAILED CAUSING A DESTRUCTION OF THE ENGINE. THIS COULD HAVE LOCKED THE MOTOR CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. A JIMSUSA EMPLOYEE COLIN KATELY CLAIMED THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT THE DEFECT AS THEY HAD LET THEIR TOOLING BECOME WORN. THEY REQUESTED RETURN OF THE UNSAFE PART AND…”
1987 Harley-Davidson Xl Series — common questions
Is the 1987 Harley-Davidson Xl Series reliable?
The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.
Does the 1987 Harley-Davidson Xl Series have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 Harley-Davidson Xl Series. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Is the 1987 Harley-Davidson Xl Series under NHTSA investigation?
NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.