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Motorcyclist's 20-Month Erection Lawsuit Peters Out in Court

By Aditi Mukherji, JD on March 20, 2014 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

A California court has dismissed a motorcyclist's BMW erection lawsuit. In his suit, Henry Wolf alleged that a four-hour ride on his 1993 BMW K1100RS motorcycle led to a prolonged and painful erection that lasted 20 months.

It kind of makes you wonder about that Viagra commercial showing an older man riding home on a motorcycle, ready to rekindle his passion with his perimenopausal wife.

So why did the court give Wolf's case the shaft?

Alleged BMW Priapism Needs Proof

Wolf filed a product liability lawsuit against BMW and seat maker Corbin-Pacific. Claiming a motorcycle design defect, Wolf alleged the motorcycle's "ridge-like" saddle design gave rise to his nearly two-year long erection. He sought damages for lost wages, medical expenses, emotional distress, and general damages, motorcycle blog Visor Down reports.

Though priapism might elicit a giggle or two, it can actually cause pretty serious complications that are far from a laughing matter. When an erection lasts longer than four hours, untreated priapism can cause erectile dysfunction and even disfigurement of the penis, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Wolf's erection allegedly lasted for 20 months. In his suit, Wolf claimed the painful condition left him "unable to engage in sexual activity, which is causing him substantial emotional and mental anguish."

Judge Finds Lack of Hard Evidence

Judge James J. McBride decided that the case didn't have enough supporting evidence, according to Visor Down.

A urologist testified that the plaintiff indeed suffered from priapism, but the court rejected the testimony of a neurologist who claimed the motorcycle's vibration caused the disorder. That rejection of testimony led to the case's dismissal for lack of supporting evidence.

Strangely enough, one man who filed a medical malpractice suit for a faulty penis implant complained that his eight-month erection prevented him from doing one of his normal activities: riding his motorcycle.

Maybe this will help deflate the machismo reputation of motorcycles. Goodbye motorcycles, hello Vespa.

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