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Motorcyclist Fatalities to Drop for Second Straight Year

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According to the Governors Highway Safety Association’s (GHSA) projections, motorcycle fatalities are set to fall for the second year in a row.

The GHSA report projections come from data set in 2014, and it suggests that once tallied, we will know that 4,584 fatalities occurred in 2014.

That figure is 1.8% less than 2013’s fatality count of 4,668. This is the second year in a row that motorcycle fatalities have dropped, and only the third decrease in fatalities since 1997.

While this trend is good news, the GHSA is quick to point out that motorcycle fatalities are still 26% higher than they were 10 years ago, a staggering figure since other motor vehicle fatalities are 28% lower.

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Recall

Recall: Honda CBR1000RR SP

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Another bike is affected by the Öhlins suspension failure, as American Honda has submitted what it calls the Honda CBR1000S (that’s the CBR1000RR SP for everyone else) for recall with the NHTSA.

In total 504 units are affected by Honda’s recall, which applies to 2014 motorcycles made between December 9, 2013 and to March 28, 2014, and to 2015 motorcycles made between October 20, 2014 and February 27, 2015.

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Recall

Recall: Yamaha YZF-R1M

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When Öhlins announced that it was recalling certain aftermarket shocks and steering dampers earlier this year, the obvious question was whether it would affect motorcycles that were equipped with the Swedish suspension from the factory, namely the new Ducati 1299 Panigale and the Yamaha YZF-R1M.

While a recall was expected for both machines, so far we only have word from Yamaha USA that the R1M will be recalled to replace the Öhlins shock. The recall only affects 350 units for Yamaha, a figure that likely indicates the total number of R1M motorcycles in the USA.

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Recall

Recall: 2015 KTM 690 Enduro R

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KTM North America is recalling 409 units of its 2015 KTM 690 Enduro R motorcycles for a rear brake line that may have been damaged during the assembly process.

The recall affects only bikes made between November 1, 2014 and February 28, 2015, and specifically deals with the rear brake line that goes from the ABS pressure modulator to the foot brake cylinder. The alleged damage is caused by contact with the spring clamp of the crank case ventilation hose.

Because a damaged brake line may cause the loss of rear braking ability, and thus increase the likelihood of a crash, KTM has filed a recall with the NHTSA.

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Recall

Harley-Davidson Recalling 45,000+ Bikes for Faulty Clutch

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Harley-Davidson has issued a recall with the NHTSA that affects 45,901 motorcycles, all of which might have a faulty clutch master cylinder that doesn’t have enough force to disengage the clutch, especially if the motorcycle hasn’t been operated in a while.

The recall affects the following models, all of which were manufactured between April 28th, 2014, and October 24th, 2014: Electra Glide Ultra Classic, Electra Glide Ultra Classic – Twin Cooled, Ultra Limited, Police Electra Glide, Street Glide, Street Glide Special, CVO Street Glide, Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low, Ultra Limited Low, Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low – Twin Cooled, Road Glide Special, Road Glide, and CVO Road King.

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News

BMW & Alpinestars Team-Up on Airbag Technology

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Any MotoGP can tell you that Alpinestars is one of the few brands making integrated airbag suits available to racers — perhaps one of the best safety features to come out thus far in the 21st century for motorcyclists.

How to take that technology off the track and onto the street though is a a tough proposition though, as there are infinitely more variable at play on public roads, when compared to a race course. Hence, we’ve had to wait a long time for this tech to trickle down to the masses.

The current trend of thinking seems for apparel manufacturer to partner with motorcycle manufacturers, as a way to popularize the expensive safety feature.

As such, rival apparel-maker Dainese has already made a very public deal with Ducati, which lead to the Ducati Multistrada 1200 D-Air, and the Vicenza-based company has (had?) other less-public deals in place, with companies like BMW.

It seems Alpinestars wants in on that action too, and has now signed an exclusive partnership deal with BMW Motorrad, which will see the German manufacturer and Italian maker enter into cooperation on designing and making jackets with the Alpinestars Tech-Air technology.

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Recall

Recall: Multiple Yamaha Motorcycles for Shifting Issues

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Yamaha Motor USA issued a recall for several motorcycles — FJ-09, FZ-09, FZ6R, Super Ténéré, Super Ténéré ES, and YZF-R6 — that were manufactured between September 1, 2014 and November 17, 2014.

The cause of the recall, which affects 4,900 units, is an incorrectly manufactured shift cam segment stopper, which has a sharp edge instead on the inside of the bend, instead of a smooth radius.

Because of this, the stopper can crack and possibly fracture where the edge is sharp, which in turn would cause the transmission not to shift properly.

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Products

Protecting Your Junk: Racer Profile D3O Under Shorts

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I was trying to think before writing this story, when was it we last had a good conversation about underwear on Asphalt & Rubber? Maybe never?

The often ignored subject is a fairly important one for the die-hard rider, as a good base layer can provide extra insulation on a cold day, wick away sweat on hot ride, and provide protection when the worst happens.

Personally, I’m a big fan of compression shorts under my motorcycle pants, especially bicycle shorts, as the Lycra makes it easy to get out of hot leathers (ask any track rider), and the bicycle padding ads a little extra to my spartan motorcycle seat. So when I saw Racer’s Profile D3O under shorts, I was intrigued.

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Recall

Recall: Ducati Multistrada 1200, Circa 2010-2014

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If you’re an first-generation Ducati Multistrada 1200 owner (2010–2014), then this recall is for you.

Ducati North America is recalling 5,962 units of the adventure-sport machine, all because the inner sleeve of the opening throttle cable may move and prevent the full closing of the throttle.

A particularly dangerous potential event, if the throttle can’t be fully closed, there is risk that the rider could lose control of the motorcycle and possibly crash.

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