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.

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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 »

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 »

Earlier this week, we wrote about a recall in Canada for unapproved wheel bearings for the 2011-2012 Triumph Daytona 675 sportbike and its naked sibling the Street Triple. As expected, a similar recall has now been announced for the U.S., adding the Thunderbird and Thunderbird Storm cruisers to the campaign. The recall also affects the 2011-2012 Triumph Street Triple R but the Daytona 675R is not included in the recall.

According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the wheel bearings on the affected models were provided by an unapproved supplier. The wheel supplier, Chinese company Jiangsu Zhonliang Aluminum Co., admitted to Triumph it used wheel bearings from a third party that was not the supplier Triumph intended. Continue Reading »

Transport Canada has announced a recall for the 2013 BMW R1200GS due to a potential risk of leaking transmission oil. As yet, no recall has been announced for the U.S. market by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but we expect one shortly.

According to Transport Canada, transmission oil pressure on certain BMW R1200GS units may get too high, resulting in a leak in the output shaft sealing ring. An oil leak directly in front of the rear tire could result in a loss of traction and stability, potentially leading to a crash. Continue Reading »

Triumph has issued a recall for the Canadian market for the 2011-2012 Daytona 675 and Street Triple because the wheel bearings were provided by an unapproved supplier. At the moment, the recall is only for Canada and no recall has been announced for the U.S. market. Triumph North America operates both in Canada and the U.S. however, so a similar recall for the U.S. should be announced shortly by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

According to Transport Canada, certain units of the Daytona 675 and Street Triple may have been installed with wheel bearings from an unapproved supplier. Triumph lacks sufficient information about the wheel bearing supplier and its quality control standards and as such, Triumph is not entirely confident the bearings meet the durability and performance specifications required for the two models. Continue Reading »

For years now, the motorcycle industry has had to design its motorcycles and their exhaust systems to stay below government-mandated sound levels, particularly with off-road motorcycles. The burgeoning electric vehicle industry may bring about the opposite now, with governments proposing minimum sound levels for the mostly silent-running electric cars and motorcycles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a which operates under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Transportation, is proposing new minimum sound standards for electric and hybrid-powered vehicles to provide an audio cue to warn pedestrians of approaching vehicles. The concern is primarily with electric vehicles traveling at slow speeds as they generate little noise. The proposal has been in the works for a while now, stemming from the bipartisan Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010. NHTSA estimates the proposals would result in 2800 fewer pedestrian injuries over the life of each vehicle model year. Continue Reading »

Earlier this month, we reported a recall issued by Transport Canada for the 2012 and 2013 BMW S1000RR because of a problem with their side stands. That recall has now expanded to the U.S., affecting 2,385 units.

According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the side stand attachment bolts on the affect BMW S1000RR units can loosen because of a manufacturing fault. In certain situations, this may lead the side stand to separate from the frame, potentially causing the sportbike to fall over.

The recall affects units produced between September 2011 and December 2012. Customers who have already purchased and accepted their S1000RRs are not asked to stopped riding. The 2013 BMW HP4, which is based on the S1000RR, is not included in the recall. Continue Reading »

The 2013 Triumph Trophy is being recalled because a NHTSA label listing the sport-tourer’s tire data has the wrong information.

According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the tire label on some Triumph Trophy models list erroneous tire and laden weight information. The labels are mandated by NHTSA and can be found affixed to the left side of the main frame headstock on the Trophy. The correct information should specify a 120/70 17 front tire and a 190/55 17 rear tire for the Trophy.

Customers looking for replacement tires may be relying on the wrong information posted on the label, and may thus purchase the wrong tires. Using the wrong tires may affect the motorcycle’s performance and increase the risk of injury. Continue Reading »