Sportster S Triple-Clamp Recall Covers Bikes Already Repaired

A fractured upper triple clamp is the kind of problem you want fixed before it shows up at speed, which is why this Sportster S recall deserves a second look even if your bike has already been through one. Harley-Davidson’s recall 26V075, which NHTSA received on February 9, 2026, expands an earlier campaign, 25V590, and NHTSA’s record says that motorcycles repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy performed.

The numbers: 9,401 potentially affected 2021–2026 RH1250S motorcycles. RH1250S is the model code for the Sportster S. The defect, in NHTSA’s words, is that the upper triple clamp may fracture. The stated consequence is a loss of control, which increases the risk of a crash.

The short version

• Who: certain 2021–2026 Harley-Davidson RH1250S (Sportster S) motorcycles. This is not every Sportster.
• How many: 9,401 potentially affected, per NHTSA.
• The problem: the upper triple clamp may fracture.
• The risk: a fractured clamp can lead to loss of control and increases the risk of a crash.
• The fix: dealers inspect and replace the upper triple clamp as necessary, free of charge.
• Already repaired under 25V590? The new remedy still needs to be performed.
• Contact: Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson’s number for this recall is 0191.

What a triple clamp does, and why this one matters

The triple clamps are the two plates that hold the fork tubes in line with the steering stem. The upper clamp is part of the structure between you and the front wheel, so a crack here is a steering problem, not a cosmetic one.

NHTSA’s record doesn’t say where on the clamp the cracking begins, how many bikes have actually broken, or whether any crashes or injuries were reported. It says only that the clamp may fracture and that a fracture can lead to loss of control. That’s all this article can claim.

Which Sportster S bikes are covered

NHTSA lists the RH1250S for every model year from 2021 through 2026: six model-year entries in all.

The database repeats the 9,401 figure on each row, so 9,401 is the campaign total. Don’t multiply it by six. Also remember that “certain” is doing real work in NHTSA’s wording: not every 2021–2026 Sportster S is necessarily in the campaign. The VIN decides.

A repeat recall, in plain terms

The new campaign expands 25V590, according to NHTSA. Bikes repaired under that earlier campaign, the record says, “will need to have the new remedy performed.”

What this API summary doesn’t tell us is just as important:

• What the earlier remedy was, or why it wasn’t enough.
• How many bikes were repaired under 25V590.
• Whether the new remedy is a different clamp or a different inspection. The record says dealers “will inspect and replace the upper triple clamp, as necessary.”

That last phrase matters. The remedy is inspection and replacement as necessary, not a guarantee that every bike gets a new clamp. Ask the dealer what they found and what they did, and keep the repair order.

How to check your Sportster S

1. Find your VIN. It’s printed on your registration and insurance card, and stamped on the bike itself.
2. Run it at NHTSA.gov’s recall lookup. Look for 26V075 and, if you had the earlier work done, 25V590.
3. Call a Harley-Davidson dealer or Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464 and quote recall number 0191.
4. Ask two questions: has the new remedy been performed on this VIN, and if I had 25V590 done, does the dealer’s record show the work was the earlier repair?
5. Keep the paperwork. A dated repair order is the evidence you’ll want if you sell the bike.

One date to read carefully: NHTSA’s record says owner notification letters “are expected to be mailed February 19, 2026.” That’s an expectation written at the time of the filing, not proof that letters went out or that you received one. Don’t wait for the mail if you own an RH1250S. Check the VIN.

Should you keep riding?

NHTSA’s “park it” and “park outside” flags for this campaign are both false, and nothing in the record tells owners to stop riding. At the same time, the defect is a part that may fracture in the front end of the bike. That’s a reason to schedule the check rather than treat it as routine.

If you feel anything unusual in the front end, such as a new wobble, looseness in the bars or a clunk when braking, have the bike inspected before riding it again. The recall record doesn’t link a particular symptom to this defect, so this is general caution about steering components.

Buying or selling a Sportster S

A recall follows the VIN, not the owner. The Sportster S is a relatively new model (2021–2026), which means many examples are on their first or second owner and have recent records. A few tips:

• Ask the seller which recall work was done, not just whether “the recall” was done. With two campaigns on the same part, 25V590 and 26V075, the answer should name both or explain which one applies.
• Run the VIN yourself. It takes a minute.
• Get the service invoice. If the clamp was inspected or replaced, the invoice should say so.
• Selling? Complete the repair first. An open steering recall is a hard conversation with a buyer.

What we don’t know

• Your VIN’s status. Model year alone doesn’t decide it.
• How many owners still need the repair. The population is 9,401 potential units; completion isn’t in the record.
• Whether the repair means a new clamp on your bike. The remedy is “as necessary.”
• Why the first remedy wasn’t enough. The record doesn’t say.
• Crashes or injuries. The record doesn’t report any.
• Parts availability and how long the work takes. Neither is stated.
• Insurance. The recall papers say nothing about coverage. If you’re wondering how a crash related to a recall defect would be handled, ask your insurer.

Bottom line

If you ride a 2021–2026 Sportster S, run the VIN and call a dealer, even if the bike has had the earlier 25V590 work. The inspection and any needed clamp replacement are free, and the repeat-repair language means a previous receipt isn’t the end of the story.