Yamaha is recalling certain 2009 Yamaha VMAX motorcycles for excessive electrical resistance in the ground wire from the accelerator position sensor (APS) and throttle position sensor (TPS). The issue, which affects 700 motorcycles, could cause the wrong signal to be sent to the bike’s ECU, resulting in an unstable idling speed, and in-turn an unsafe idling speed could precipitate a crash. The issue only affects VMAX’s built between June 2008 and March 2009.
Kawasaki is recalling 1,161 2010 Kawasaki Z1000 street bikes for a left-front brake hose that may contact the front brake rotor during extreme braking. The resulting contact could cause the hose to be worn through, which would lead to a loss of brake fluid and braking ability. Kawasaki dealers will inspect the front brake hose for damage, and move it to avoid possible contact. If necessary, dealers will replace the hose free of charge.
Considering the demographic being targeted with the Z1000, its optional snake skin seat, and aggressive street looks we can’t imagine any Kawi owners who would use the front brake under such extreme settings, like for instance popping massive stoppies.
MV Agusta is recalling 66 new 2010 MV Agusta F4 superbikes for a faulty air filter frame that may become loose, and allow materials to bypass the filter element. The possible result is debris entering the throttle bodies, which could damage the assembly, and cause the motor to seize. This recall only affects F4’s manufactured between February 10th to April 19th, 2010.
Ducati Streetfighter S owners can get ready for their second recall since the bike’s debut earlier this year. This time Ducati is notifying owners of a improperly installed ECU ground screw that may have been over-tightened, causing the motor to stall.
The Buell XB12 series seems to have a few more gremlins than usual, as this is the 3rd time, in less than one year’s time, that the motorcycle has been recalled by Buell and the NHTSA. This is also the 2nd time that the XB12 has been recalled for a front-brake line routing problem, which could cause the line to rub against the front wheel, causing a hole to form, and a complete loss of front-braking power.
BMW is recalling a slew of R1200GS motorcycles made between 2006 and 2008 for a faulty seal on the fuel pump control unit housing. Because of this defect, water could penetrate into the control until and either corrode or short the mechanism, resulting in the pump failing, and fuel not reaching the motor. A sudden loss in power like this could result and non-rider induced superman across the tarmac, and the unnecessary involvement of personal injury attorneys….and no one wants that.
The NHTSA is considering whether anti-locking braking systems (ABS) should become a mandatory component to new motorcycles on American roads. ABS has certainly become an increasingly prevalent optional feature on street bikes, with sportbikes just recently catching onto the trend.
Honda first released the VFR Interceptor with ABS back in 2002, and both BMW and Honda released bikes with optional ABS this year. We’ve also seen other safety features from cars finding their way into motorcycles, with integrated airbags in leather suits, and bikes offering rear-wheel traction control systems.
To us, this seems like a logical extension of existing technology into motorcycles, but for the NHTSA this is more serious issue of climbing motorcycle crashes, as both more riders take to the streets, and new riders join the motorcycling ranks.
