Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Structure. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reports
18,000 miles · Sep 6, 2007
StructureCrashInjury
WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON SOUTHBOUND HWY 87 IN SAN JOSE, CA THE WELDS ATTACHING THE NECK OF MY MOTORCYCLE TO THE FRAME BROKE AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS SEVERED AND WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE REST OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE SLAMMED TO THE PAVEMENT AND SKIDDED ON THE FRAME FOR OVER 500 FEET, BY SOME MIRACLE OF GOD T…
Read full complaint
WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON SOUTHBOUND HWY 87 IN SAN JOSE, CA THE WELDS ATTACHING THE NECK OF MY MOTORCYCLE TO THE FRAME BROKE AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS SEVERED AND WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE REST OF THE MOTORCYCLE. THE MOTORCYCLE SLAMMED TO THE PAVEMENT AND SKIDDED ON THE FRAME FOR OVER 500 FEET, BY SOME MIRACLE OF GOD THE MOTORCYCLE STAYED UPRIGHT AND CAME TO A STOP. I WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED BUT SUFFERED NECK AND BACK WHIPLASH AS WELL AS SEVERE EMOTIONAL TRAUMA. I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS MOTORCYCLE BUT THE MANUFACTURER, BIG BEAR CHOPPERS IN BIG BEAR LAKE CA, HAS BEEN VERY UNRESPONSIVE AND RUDE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST WELD ON THE FRAME TO HAVE BROKEN. I REQUESTED IN WRITING THAT THEY INSPECT ALL FRAME WELDS, THEY DID NOT DO SO. MY MAIN CONCERN IS FOR OTHER OWNERS OF THIS BRAND MOTORCYCLE AS THE NEXT PERSON MAY NOT BE SO FORTUNATE AS I WAS AND MAY LOSE THEIR LIFE! THESE MOTORCYCLES ARE ROLLING DEATH TRAPS DUE TO WHAT ARE APPARENTLY EXTREMELY POOR MANUFACTURING METHODS. *TR *FB
BIG BEAR CHOPPER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2004-2006 DEVIL'S ADVOCATE CHOPPERS, SLED CHOPPERS, VENOM CHOPPERS DEVIL'S ADVOCATE PROSTREET, SLED PROSTREET, AND VENOM PROSTREET MOTORCYCLES. SOME MOTORCYCLES MAY HAVE INADEQUATE WELD PENETRATION BETWEEN THE NECK, BACKBONE, AND DOWN TUBES OF THE FRAME. HIGH LOADS CREATED WHEN RIDING ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACES, STRUCTURAL MODIFICATION MADE TO THE FRAME BY OWNERS, AND/OR FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE SPECIFIED TORQUE SETTING OF THE TOP MOTOR MOUNT MAY CAUSE THE AFFECTED WELDS TO CRACK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE WELDED AREA COULD BREAK WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN NECK SEPARATION AND FRONT-END COLLAPSE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND MAINTAIN THE PROPER TORQUE OF THE TOP MOTOR MOUNT OR MODIFY THE FRAME AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 26, 2008. BIG BEAR HAS ADDED ADDITIONAL MAKES, MODELS AND MODEL YEARS. ADDITIONAL OWNER LETTERS WILL BE MAILED BEGINNING DECEMBER 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BIG BEAR CHOPPER AT 1-909-878-4340.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
RQ08007 · Steering Neck Separation
Opened Nov 26, 2008 · Closed Jan 8, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:frame And Members
WE OPENED THIS RQ TO EXPLORE BIG BEAR CHOPPER'SRATIONALE FOR LIMITING THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 08V-129 TO ONLY CHOPPER VERSIONS OF THE REFERENCED MODELS RATHER THAN ALSO INCLUDING THE PRO-STREET VERSIONS.SUBSEQUENTLY, ON DECEMBER 30, 2008, BBC DECIDED TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF THE SAFETY RECALL TO INCLUDE THE PRO-STREET VERSIONS OF THE MY 2004-05 DEVIL'S ADVOCATE, 'SLED, AND VENOM MODELS.WITH BBC'S DECISION, IN LIEU OF RESPONDING TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST, THIS RQ IS CLOSED.
2004 Big Bear Choppers Devils Advocate Chopper Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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