Looking for stability at high speeds, and easier turning at low speeds, Yamaha has created a unique steering solution that the company is currently testing in a dirt bike application.
Officially named the Yamaha EPS Steering Support System, this lightweight electromagnetic setup doubles as an active steering damper and power steering assist.
The 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R hasn’t been available for very long, but the venerable superbike already has its first recall. Affecting 805 units, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is being recalled for faulty steering damper bracket mounting bolts, which might break due to being over-tightened.
The recall affects ZX1000RGFAL, ZX1000RGFL, ZX1000SGFAL, and ZX1000SGFL models of the 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, which were manufactured between October 28, 2015 and January 18, 2016.
Since the steering damper bracket could detach and interfere with the steering of the motorcycle, thus increasing the risk of a crash, Kawasaki USA has registered a recall with the NHTSA.
If you’ve bought an Öhlins shock or Öhlins steering damper in the last year and half or so, you may want to check your part’s serial number as it may be affected one of the two recalls Öhlins just issued for the company’s aftermarket suspension pieces.
UPDATE: Ducati has issued two more recalls with the NHTSA for the 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale
Once, twice, thrice times unlucky, Ducati 1199 Panigale owners have three recalls that have been placed with the NHTSA that they should pay attention to this week. Affecting 2,411 units, Ducati North America is recalling presumably its first batch of Panigales for excessive heat at the exhaust butterfly valve, as well two issues that relate to the Panigale’s steering column and Öhlins steering damper.
As is normally the case, Ducati will contact affected owners, and authorized Ducati dealers will remedy the problems free of charge. There is no time line for the recalls at this point in time, though concerned Panigale owners can contact Ducati at 1-800-231-6696 (reference Ducati recall #RCL-12-006).
As always the NHTSA is available at 1-888-327-4236 and safercar.gov. The three recalls are listed after the jump, along with the appropriate NHTSA-issued recall number for your referencing.
For the next model year, Kawasaki is giving a modest update to its flagship model, the 2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R. Mostly touching up its work from 2011 with a dollop of new paint, the one intriguing feature of the 2013 Kawasaki ZX-10R is its new electronic steering damper, which adjusts the level of steering damping based on how fast the motorcycle is traveling.
Kawasaki developed the damper with the help of a little Swedish company named Öhlins, and is the first manufacturer to use the new suspension from the famed suspension brand, which is sure to be a standard item on the bikes of other OEMs in the coming years — just like the Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) that Big Red debuted circa 2004.