Recall 11V344 covers 699 2009-2011 Indian motorcycles for side stands that fail to fold back while moving. Repair is free at any franchised Indian dealer.
Indian is recalling 699 2009-2011 motorcycles, including Roadmaster, Chief Deluxe, and Dark Horse models, because the side stand can fail to fold rearward and upward when it contacts the ground while the motorcycle is moving forward. That stand position can interfere with the driver's control, and the Indian dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The side stand on these 2009-2011 Indian motorcycles is the metal support arm that holds the motorcycle upright when it is parked. When the rider lifts the motorcycle and rides away, the stand is supposed to be folded fully rearward and upward so it stays clear of the pavement.
On affected Roadmaster, Chief Deluxe, Dark Horse, Classic, Bomber, Chief Standard, Blackhawk Dark, Vintage, Blackhawk, Chief Vintage, and Chief Roadmaster motorcycles, the stand does not meet the motorcycle control and display safety rule. If the side stand contacts the ground while the motorcycle is moving forward, it is not designed to fold rearward and upward as required. Instead of sweeping out of the way, the stand can catch the ground and upset the motorcycle's balance.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is the stand's movement when it touches the road, so an owner is not given a separate light, sound, or riding symptom before that contact happens.
Who's affected?
Covers multiple Indian touring and cruiser variants across the 2009, 2010, and 2011 model years, all tied to the kickstand or center stand component.
| 2011 Indian Roadmaster | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2009 Indian Chief Deluxe | body or structural component |
| 2010 Indian Roadmaster | body or structural component |
| 2011 Indian Dark Horse | body or structural component |
| 2011 Indian Classic | body or structural component |
| 2010 Indian Bomber | body or structural component |
| 2009 Indian Chief Standard | body or structural component |
| 2011 Indian Blackhawk Dark | body or structural component |
| 2011 Indian Vintage | body or structural component |
| 2010 Indian Dark Horse | body or structural component |
| 2011 Indian Blackhawk | body or structural component |
| 2010 Indian Classic | body or structural component |
| 2010 Indian Vintage | body or structural component |
| 2009 Indian Chief Vintage | body or structural component |
| 2009 Indian Chief Roadmaster | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 699 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorcycle is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the side stand does not fold rearward and upward as the motorcycle moves forward, it can interfere with control and increase crash risk. Schedule the repair soon, and stop riding if the stand does not move correctly before a trip. Repair will be free at any franchised Indian dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2011 Indian Roadmaster, Chief Deluxe, Dark Horse, Classic, Bomber, Chief Standard, Blackhawk Dark, Vintage, Blackhawk, Chief Vintage, or Chief Roadmaster is included in this recall.
- Review the Indian owner notice mailed on August 4, 2011, then contact a franchised Indian dealer for current repair instructions.
- Schedule the free side-stand replacement that fixes the stand-folding problem affecting motorcycle control.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 11V344 when you call.
- Avoid riding until the side stand has been replaced if it does not fold rearward and upward cleanly when the motorcycle moves forward.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Indian technician replaces the motorcycle's side stand so it can fold rearward and upward if it contacts the ground while the motorcycle is moving forward. The recall repair is a side stand replacement, with parts and labor covered. Because open repair timing is not listed here, treat the dealer repair as free once available and confirm timing with an Indian dealer before arranging service.
Timeline
| June 27, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 4, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V344?
Recall 11V344 covers 699 2009-2011 Indian motorcycles with a side-stand defect. The stand does not fold rearward and upward as required if it contacts the ground while the motorcycle is moving forward. Indian dealers will replace the side stand for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2011 Indian Roadmaster, Chief Deluxe, Dark Horse, Classic, Bomber, Chief Standard, Blackhawk Dark, Vintage, Blackhawk, Chief Vintage, or Chief Roadmaster motorcycle is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorcycle is included in recall 11V344. If it is, contact a franchised Indian dealer to schedule the side-stand replacement. Reference recall number 11V344 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Indian dealers will replace the side stand free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for motorcycles included in recall 11V344.
What is the safety risk in recall 11V344?
The safety risk is reduced control while riding. If the side stand contacts the ground and does not fold rearward and upward, the driver's ability to control the motorcycle is affected, increasing crash risk. Check your VIN before scheduling the free dealer repair.
When did the Indian side-stand recall repair begin?
The safety recall began on August 4, 2011. If your motorcycle was never repaired, the recall still follows the VIN. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Indian dealer and reference recall number 11V344 to ask about the free side-stand replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V344000 |
|---|---|
| Indian customer service | 651-408-7579 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V344 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V344000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →