On a rally last weekend the weld on the driver's side upper control arm bracket broke off the frame, pulling a small piece of the frame out with it. We were on a flat, relatively smooth section of trail when it failed. The weld on the upper rear bracket tore off and the supports that attach around the frame broke out. I suspect the failure actually occurred sometime earlier. My machine is a 2016 model with about 4000 miles on it: I won't say they were all gentle miles but I was always followed by other machines which have not shown similar damage.
The local Honda rep was on the same rally and tried to get Honda to cover all or some of the repair but Honda's response was that it was not a defect. When I had it repaired, the mechanic welded a reinforcing plate over the factory bracket on the failed one as well as on the passenger's side in case it was weakened as well.
I have to admit that I am somewhat disappointed in a Honda failing in such a catastrophic manner but I mention this only to suggest that you may want to check your machines for metal fatigue or a weld that is starting to crack in this area to avoid being towed out of the woods as I was.
The local Honda rep was on the same rally and tried to get Honda to cover all or some of the repair but Honda's response was that it was not a defect. When I had it repaired, the mechanic welded a reinforcing plate over the factory bracket on the failed one as well as on the passenger's side in case it was weakened as well.
I have to admit that I am somewhat disappointed in a Honda failing in such a catastrophic manner but I mention this only to suggest that you may want to check your machines for metal fatigue or a weld that is starting to crack in this area to avoid being towed out of the woods as I was.
