Confirming the news we posted two weeks ago, Aprilia’s recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has finally been published on the government’s website.
In it, the recall states that 308 models in the USA from its 660 lineup (59 in the hands of customers) could have faulty connecting rods in their parallel-twin engine.
If you are a European reader, expecting the soon arrival of your brand new Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade, you might have to wait a little longer, as certain markets in the EU will be issuing a recall on the new superbike.
The recall comes from concerns from the Honda factory over the connecting rods found in the CBR1000RR-R’s four-cylinder engine, which may have a metallurgical defect and fail during use.
Honda tells us that in total about 300 units are affected by the pending recall, which is roughly a tenth of the total bikes expected to ship to European countries.
We just published a long story for our A&R Pro readers about the new rev limits in the WorldSBK Championship, and how the Ducati Panigale V4 R is ringing out to 16,500 RPM in the production racing class.
One of the ways that Borgo Panigale was able to bring such a high rev limit to its Desmosedici Stradale engine was through the use of lightweight titanium connecting rods. The red bikes are not alone on this, as the big go-fast change for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR is also titanium con rods, courtesy of Pankl.
Pound for pound stronger than steel, titanium has been helping raise the roof on rev limits for quite some time now…and maybe it is time to give another element on the periodic table a chance. Like say…carbon?
Generally speaking, when you see a recall for an engine item on a motorcycle, like a connecting rod, it is a big deal. Such recalls have caught a few brands out, and it usually means a large investment of time and energy on the part of the OEM.
Some brands make complete engine swaps, while others will pay their technicians to make the appropriate fixes and repairs. Invariably customers aren’t happy with the solution, and it is not out of the question to hear talk about lawsuits and other legal remedies.
Today’s case though, well it is a bit different. BMW Motorrad has found that the connecting rods on the BMW F850GS may not have been installed correctly. But, the recall only affects one motorcycle…and it hasn’t even been sold yet.
I don’t think we have ever seen a recall for just one motorcycle before here at Asphalt & Rubber, let alone one that hasn’t been sold by a dealer, but here we are.