Accidents happen. All motorcyclists should be well aware of that. I’m certainly no exception. And with the high risk of serious injury motorcyclists face, it feels a little bad finding enjoyment in another rider taking a spill. But every now and then, someone has an accident so spectacular, you just have to step back and marvel at it. This is one of them.

A contributor to French motorcycle publication Moto-Journal thought it’d be a good idea to take a 2013 Yamaha FJR1300 to a pier for a photoshoot. The beautiful vistas, tall rising sails and a multitude of interesting background objects make for a good setting for motorcycle photography.

It was one of those interesting background objects that proved to be this motojournalist’s downfall, as he misjudges the width of the FJR1300′s panniers. The case strikes a bollard, ripping the bag from the motorcycle. The sudden impact surprises the rider and he promptly veers right off the pier. Continue Reading »

Yamaha is initiating a recall campaign the 2011 FJR1300, just a week after a separate recall for the 2006-2009 versions of the sport touring motorcycle.

Like the earlier campaign, the recall for the 2011 Yamaha FJR1300 is for an electrical issue,  this time for the brake lights. According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, brake light on affected units may not illuminate when the front brake lever is applied because the activating mechanism in the brake switch can bind.

If the brake light fails to turn on, motorists behind the FJR1300 may not be alerted to the motorcycle decelerating, increasing the risk of a crash.

Continue Reading »

Yamaha is recalling certain 2006-2009 FJR1300 sport-tourers due to a problem with the electrical system.

According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the ground joint connector of the wire harness on some Yamaha FJR1300 models may overheat and become deformed. If the electrical system is not properly grounded, the motorcycle’s electric components including the ignition system may malfunction, potentially causing the engine to stall.

Yamaha dealers will install an additional wire sub-lead on affected motorcycles. For units with ground joint connectors already showing signs of damage from overheating, Yamaha dealers will install a new main wire harness. The recall affects 9,850 units.

[Source: NHTSA, Campaign ID 11V338000]