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Harley-Davidson Recalls 250,000 Motorcycles

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Harley-Davidson has issued a massive recall with the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) all because of a faulty rear brake light switch. Affecting 250,757 units in all, the recall is for certain 2009-2012 Harley Davidson Touring, CVO Touring, and Trike motorcycles (full list after the jump). Because of excessive heat caused by the exhaust system, the rear brake light switch on these motorcycles might not activate when the brakes are engaged, or conversely may activate when no braking is occurring.

Harley-Davidson is also disclosing that the issue may cause brake fluid to leak at the brake light switch, which could affect the rear brake’s performance. With both issues apt to cause an accident, all 250,757 bikes are being recalled. The recall is expected to start October 31, 2011, and Harley-Davidson will contact affected owners and replace the brake light switch free of charge. Concerned Harley owners can contact the Milwaukee company at 1-414-343-4056, and as always the NHTSA is available at 1-888-327-4236 & safercar.gov.

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Recall

Recall: Kawasaki Vulcan 900

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Kawasaki is recalling certain 2011 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 motorcycles for a possibly pinched inner tire tube, which may have been damaged in the assembly process. The recall affects 436 units of the motorcycle, and if left unattended could result in the tube puncturing, and the tire losing air pressure. If the tire loses air pressure, it could result in a crash, hence the recall.

Kawasaki dealers will replace the damaged tubes for free, with the recall expected to begin in June 2011…today being the last day of that month. Concerned owners may contact Kawasaki’s consumer services department at 1-866-802-9381, and as always the NHTSA is available at 1-888-327-4236 & www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA

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Recall

Recall: 2010-2011 Honda Shadow VT750

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Honda is recalling 3,020 VT750 Shadow motorcycles made between June 25, 2009 and March 28, 2011 for a back angle sensor that may have been incorrectly manufactured. Because of this defect, there exists the possibility that an erroneous reading could be taken from the sesnor, causing the engine to stall.

Because of the risk of stalling the motor may cause a crash, Honda is replacing the affected sensors free of charge, with a recall expected to start June 20, 2011. Concerned Honda Shadow owners can contact Honda Motorcycle customer service at 1-866-784-1870, and as always the NHTSA is available at 1-888-327-4236 or safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA

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Recall

Recall: 2011 Victory Cross Country

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Polaris is recalling 840 Victory Cross Country motorcycles made from January 1, 2011 through April 11, 2011 for faulty handlebar clamps/risers that may have been improperly machined. Because of the defect, the handlebars may slip in the clamps, resulting in a lack of control over the motorcycle.

Accordingly, Polaris will be notifying affected owners, and Victory dealers will test and replace the defective parts free of charge. The recall is expected to start in June of this year, and concerned Victory Cross Country owners can contact Victory customer service at 1-888-704-5290. The NHTSA, as always, is also available at 1-888-327-4236 or safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA

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Recall

Recall: 2010 MV Agusta F4

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MV Agusta is recalling 211 of its 2010 MV Agusta F4 superbikes again, this time for a faulty subframe design. According to the statement issued by the NHTSA, the MV Agusta F4’s rear subframe could crack or break because of the upper fixture points not being “robust” enough. This problem creates a safety issue for a rider and passenger, who could find their stability on the motorcycle compromised under such a situation.

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Recall

Recall: Harley-Davidson Softails with Security System

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Harley-Davidson has registered a recall with the NHTSA for 6,964 Softail models that have the factory security system option installed. Affecting only 2011 model year Softails that were built between June 7, 2010 and October 8, 2010, the recall is the result of an improper seal on a component in the security system, which could leak and let water in, thus causing an electrical short that could stall the bike.

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Recall

Recall: Ducati Multistrada 1100/1000/620 for Fuel Leak

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Ducati North America has issued a recall for various Multistrada models ranging from 2003 to 2009, including the 1100cc, 1000cc, and 620cc variants, because of an issue with the fuel tank pump flange seal leaking fuel. Affecting 3,911 models, owners of the following motorcycles could be affected by the recall, and should check to see if their VIN is affected: 2003-2004 & 2006 Ducati MTS 1000, 2005 Ducati MTS 1000S, 2006 Ducati MTS 620, and 2007-2009 Ducati MTS 1100.

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Recall

Recall: 2010 Triumph Sprint ST/GT

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Triumph is recalling a number of 2010 Triumph Sprint ST and Spring GT motorcycles for a faulty dipstick. Apparently on just over 200 units of the sport-tourers, a dipstick with an incorrect length was installed, which would result in an inaccurate reading being taken from the oil level that could result in the motor running out of oil.

Since only bad things happen with an oil deprived motor, a recall is expected to start before the New Year. For affected owners, Triumph dealers will replace the oil plug/dipstick at the clutch cover free of charge. Concerned 2010 Triumph Sprint owners can contact Triumph at (678) 539-8782, and of course the NHTSA can always be reached at 1-888-327-4236 or safecar.gov.

Source: NHTSA

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News

NHTSA Responds to AMA’s Criticism Over Motorcycle-Only Checkpoint Sponsorship Program

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After the AMA’s urging of the NHTSA to abandon plans to fund a national incentives program for motorcycle-only traffic stops, modeled off those used recently by the State of New York, NHTSA Administrator David L. Strickland has responded to the Edward Moreland’s (Vice President of Government Relations at the American Motorcyclist Association) letter regarding how motorcycle-only traffic stops increase motorcycle safety. In his response, Strickland cites the State of New York’s findings of motorcyclists at one particular checkpoint (226 motorcycles inspected) were using unsafe tires (11%), illegal handlebars (1%), and illegal helmets (36%).

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AMA Urges NHTSA to Abandon Funding Motorcycle-Only Checkpoint Program

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According to the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), the the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is offering law enforcement agencies funding incentives to setup checkpoints that target only motorcyclists. Based off a controversial program used by the New York State Police, the NHTSA is offering $350,000 in grants to five law enforcement agencies to run the program, which if successful could be further funded and expanded across the entire United States.

The checkpoints, which derive their legality from DUI checkpoint court rulings, primarily look for motorcyclists riding without a license or DOT approved helmet, and cite riders for aftermarket exhaust and lighting modifications. However the checkpoints fundamentally differ from DUI checkpoints in that they specifically are targeting a minority group of citizens (DUI checkpoints involve all motorists), and are doing so with no presumption that there is an increased risk to motorcyclists and the community as a whole when the checkpoints are being conducted.

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Recall

Ducati Recalls Multistrada for Three Defects

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Before anyone cracks the joke, no Ducati is not recalling the 2010 Multistrada 1200 for it’s bird-beaked appearance. Instead, the Italian manufacturer is recalling the sport-touring motorcycle for some faulty screws in the bike’s center stand and steering head, and also for faulty throttle cable routing that causes the cable to rub against the bike’s radiator. Issuing three separate recalls for these problems, the screw recalls affect all MTS 1200 models, while the center stand issue is related only to the Multistrada 1200 S Touring model.

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