Transport Canada announced two separate transmission-related recalls for the 2012 and 2013 Triumph Speed Triple. At this time, the recall only affects Speed Triples in Canada though a separate recall should be expected for the U.S. market. The recall also only affects the base model Triumph Speed Triple but it’s not clear if the R version is also affected.

According to Transport Canada, the transmission on some units may have been installed with an incorrect detent spring. As a result, the transmission may inadvertently shift out of gear while the Speed Triple is moving. This recall affects 24 units.

The second recall is for an incorrect washer installed under the neutral switch. The washer may cause the neutral indicator light to remain lit even when a gear is selected. A rider may thus mistakenly believe the motorcycle is in neutral when it in fact is not. If the rider releases the clutch in such a situation, the motorcycle could surge forward unexpectedly. This recall affects 33 units. Continue Reading »

Transport Canada announced a recall for the 2012 Triumph Daytona 675 and 675R because certain units may be missing a throttle cable guide.

Without the guide, the throttle cable may get stuck in the steering stop, preventing the throttle from opening or closing properly. Such a situation could result in a loss of propulsion or, if the throttle is stuck open, could make it difficult to slow or stop the motorcycle.

Triumph dealers will inspected recalled units and if necessary install a throttle cable guide. In some cases, the throttle cables themselves may also be replaced. Continue Reading »

KTM has initiated a recall on 2013 two-stroke off-road motorcycles because of a problem with the throttle cable.  The models affected are the 125 EXC, 125 EXC Six Days, 125 SX, 150 SX, 150, XC, 200 EXC, 200 XC-W, 250 EXC, 250 EXC Six Days, 250 SX, 250 XC, 250 XC-W, 300 EXC, 300 EXC Six Days, 300 XC, 300 XC-W, 85 SX, and 85 SXS.

According to KTM, the throttle cable on affected models can get pinched between the throttle cable wheel and the top of the throttle housing assembly. This flaw may result in the loss of throttle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

KTM says the problem was due to an improperly-produced upper throttle housing from a supplier. A replacement throttle housing has been designed to address the problem. Authorized KTM dealers will replace the throttle housing and the throttle cable wheel. The repair should take about 10 minutes and will be done free of charge to consumers. Continue Reading »

A recall initially announced in Canada for turn signal stems on certain 2012-2013 Triumph motorcycles has now been announced for the U.S., affecting 3,799 units. According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall affects the Triumph Tiger 800, Tiger 800XC, Tiger 1050, Speed Triple, Street Triple and Daytona 675,  as well as their various R versions.

As described in the Transport Canada recall, the supports for the front and rear turn signals may be prone to fracturing. In the case of a brake, the turn signals will remain attached to the motorcycle, but instead of staying in position, they would dangle by their electrical wiring. This not only puts a strain on the wires, it may also prevent other motorists from seeing the turn signals, creating a safety risk.

Triumph attributes the problem to a manufacturing error. According to documents released by NHTSA, Italian lighting supplier ECIE used an incorrect raw material that contains an excessive amount of ethanol. The material is prone to fracture after short periods of time.

Continue Reading »

Transport Canada has announced a recall for the 2012 and 2013 Triumph Daytona 675, Speed Triple, Street Triple and Tiger 800 because of a flaw in their turn signals. Several members of the Motorcycle.com forum network’s TriumphRat.net community have reported issues with turn signals breaking off, and this recall appears to address the issue.

According to Transport Canada, the supports for the front and rear turn signals were incorrectly manufactured and may break. In such a case, the light assemblies would dangle from their mounts by their electrical wiring. This may damage the wires but perhaps more importantly, the turn signals may not be clearly visible to other motorists, increasing the risk of an accident.

The recall notice only lists the non-R versions of the Daytona 675, Speed Triple and Street Triple, but we suspect the recall will include the R versions as they likely use the same turn signal components. The same applies for the Tiger 800XC which was not specifically listed by Transport Canada but is likely also included. Continue Reading »

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has levied a $125,000 fine against Southern Honda Powersports following an investigation into allegations the Chattanooga, Tenn., dealership sold unrepaired recalled models. Southern Honda Powersports bills itself as the “World’s largest Honda powersports dealer”.

Federal laws require dealers to stop selling models that are recalled until the defect or noncompliance issue has been remedied. A NHTSA investigation concluded Southern Honda Powersports had sold and delivered 329 recalled motorcycles between 2007 and 2012 without inspecting or repairing any defects.

Southern Honda Powersports denies the allegations, which were sparked allegations raised last October. The dealership reached a settlement with NHTSA to pay a sum of $125,000 to the U.S. Treasury in installments of $25,000 a year until 2017. Under the terms of the agreement, Southern Honda Powersports admits to no liability or culpability. Without this agreement, the dealership faced a potential fine of up to $6,000 per vehicle, which could have amounted to $1,974,000. Continue Reading »

Earlier this week, we wrote about reports in the Italian media of a delay on deliveries of the 2013 BMW R1200GS because of an issue with the suspension. Transport Canada has now issued a recall notice on BMW‘s new GS – the third to come from the Canadian government agency – that would explain the delay.

According to Transport Canada, the threaded plugs securing the fork tubes to the upper triple clamp may come loose over time on some units. This may cause a fork tube to detach, posing a serious crash hazard. According to MotorradOnline.de, the issue was discovered during BMW’s internal testing, after a GS was put through 60,000 km on the test bench.

The solution seems simple enough. BMW will crimp-lock the fork tubes’ threaded plugs, creating a more secure connection. Continue Reading »

BMW has reportedly delayed delivers of the revamped R1200GS in Italy to correct a problem with its Telelever front suspension.

According to Motociclismo.it, BMW discovered a problem where the Telelever meets the steering plate. BMW reportedly has a fix, but it requires some special tooling.

The delay affected some early deliveries to customers and also prevented many Italian dealers from offering demo rides this past weekend when the 2013 BMW R1200GS was to start appearing in showrooms. Continue Reading »

The 2013 BMW R1200GS hasn’t arrived in showrooms yet and it’s already been subjected to its second recall in Canada. Fortunately, this means the problems should be corrected before BMW‘s updated adventure-tourer gets delivered to customers.

Earlier this month, Transport Canada announced a recall for the new R1200GS for a potential transmission oil leak. The Canadian department of transportation has now announced a second recall for the GS’ Automatic Stability Control (i.e. traction control system.) This affects only those models with ASC installed as well as an optional plug-in that unlocks the “Enduro Pro” ride mode.

The “Enduro Pro” mode is specifically calibrated for off-road use and adjusts both ABS and traction control to allow for rear wheel slide. According to Transport Canada, the ASC system may not reactivate following off-road use while in the “Enduro Pro” ride mode. The ASC’s warning light would also not illuminate, which may lead the rider into thinking the traction control system is on and working when in fact it is disengaged. Continue Reading »

Yamaha is initiating a recall on the 2009 Zuma 125 scooter due to an issue with its fuel pump. The recall campaign affects 8,700 units produced between July 2008 and April 2009.

According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there may not be the proper clearance in internal fuel pump components, potentially causing an inadequate supply of fuel. This could lead to difficulties starting the Yamaha Zuma 125, or, if the scooter is already in operation, could cause the engine to stall, potentially leading to a crash. Continue Reading »