Posts Tagged ‘Indian motorcycle’

recall

Be aware that this motorcycle recall list is for the United States, there is no way I could cover the entire world. But in the world of global manufacturing, if a motorcycle is being recalled in one country there is a good chance it is under recall in others. Also, this should not be considered a definitive list, check for yourself if you have any questions.

If you are US based use the NHTSA website http://www.safercar.gov. Enter your VIN number to see if your motorcycle is affected by the recall.

If you are based in outside the USA use the appropriate website to locate recalls that may impact you.

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Manufacturer: Avon Cobra Motorcycle Tires

SUMMARY: Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Europe Ltd. (Cooper Europe) is recalling certain Avon Cobra Chrome motorcycle tires, size 240/50R16, manufactured April 8, 2018 through June 1, 2019 (DOT date codes 1418-2119). The innerliner gauge may be too thin, possibly resulting in a rapid deflation of the tire.

CONSEQUENCE: Rapid tire deflation can reduce vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.

REMEDY: Cooper Europe will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tires, free of charge. The recall began November 18, 2019. Owners may contact Cooper Tire customer service at 1-800-854-6288 or email tyrerecall@coopertire.com. Cooper Tire’s number for this recall is 174.

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Manufacturer: Ducati North America

SUMMARY: Ducati North America (Ducati) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Hypermotard 950 and Hypermotard 950 SP motorcycles. The negative terminal on the battery may break, potentially causing a sudden loss of power and an engine stall.

CONSEQUENCE: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

REMEDY: Ducati will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the negative cable, rerouting it as necessary. In addition, the battery will be better secured with insulation pads. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 12, 2019. Owners may contact Ducati customer service at 1-888-391-5446. Ducati’s number for this recall is SRV-RCL-19-003.

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Manufacturer: Indian Motorcycle Company

SUMMARY: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Chief, Chieftain, Roadmaster, and Springfield motorcycles. The gear position switch contacts may oxidize, causing the gear position display to inaccurately show that the motorcycle is in neutral when it is actually in gear.

CONSEQUENCE: If the transmission is not in neutral when the motorcycle is started, the motorcycle may move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY: Indian will notify owners, and as an interim repair, dealers will clean the gear position switch. The switch will be replaced, once parts are available, currently expected to be in the first few months of 2020. These repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian’s number for this recall is I-19-03.

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Manufacturer: H&H Sports Protection (Helmets)

SUMMARY: H&H Sports Protection (H&H Sports) is recalling certain VCAN V531 motorcycle helmets in sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, and XXL, sold exclusively through Amazon. The helmet retention system may fail, allowing the helmet to separate from the wearer’s head in the event of a crash. As such, these helmets fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 218, “Motorcycle Helmets.”

CONSEQUENCE: A helmet that doesn’t stay secured to the head can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

REMEDY: Amazon will notify the helmet purchasers and instruct them to return the helmets for a full refund. Owners may contact H&H Sports at 1-626-444-0107.

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Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

SUMMARY: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling all Genuine Accessory Rear Carriers designed especially for 2019-2020 Monkey motorcycles. The rear carrier may fail when the carrying weight is below the stated limit.

CONSEQUENCE: An operator may unknowingly overload the rear carrier, which may cause the rear carrier to break and detach. If the rear carrier detaches while the vehicle is in motion, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will uninstall the rear carrier and provide a refund. The recall is expected to begin December 16, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda’s number for this recall is KK5.

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If you go to Sturges look up the Indian motorcycle with a sidecar BBQ grill built in. Read more here!

Stealing motorcycles from a blind man?!?  Read more here!

New Indian motorcycles and new Indian powerplant!  Read more here!

Monster Energy Supercross Cup.  3 tracks in one!?!  Read more here!

The man who killed 7 motorcyclist was high!  Read more here!

 

 

100 evel

Evel moments before the crash landing at Caesars Palace.

The History Channel is planning 100 documentary shows portraying major events and figures of the last 100 years. The show is called “History 100” and one of the first will be Evel Knievel.

Nitro Circus Moto Mayhem - Geneva 2015

This show will be a three-hour event that not only covers the life of Evel Knievel but will also include the recreation of three of Evel’s most iconic events in three hours.  Travis Pastrana will attempt to break Evel’s record by jumping over 50 cars, followed by 14 buses and then the Caesar’s Palace jump.

Of course Travis will have the benefit of modern motorcycle technology in attempting 100 scoutthis fearsome task.  By using the Indian FTR750 he will have a significant advantage that Evel never did.

The show will debut on Sunday the 8th of July so have your TV sets on or your DVR set.  Get the popcorn and set back for some interesting entertainment.

ijustwant2ride.com

The view of the show from up high

Debbie and I went to the Washington DC International Motorcycle Show on the 8th of January.  But before I tell you about the show I have to tell you about the adventure we had just getting to the show. 

On a Sunday morning, barring accidents, it can take about 45 minutes to get to the Washington DC convention center from our home by car.  The problem is that parking in DC is very bad on the very best day, so we elected to take the metro/subway instead.  That was a big mistake! 

First and foremost we forgot that system was undergoing major overalls on the rail lines.  Second the trains are less frequent on weekends and third it was 12F and windy.  Sooooo, we quickly learned that we should have just driven in by car.

 The long story short is that we changed trains 5 times had to leave the subway to take a bus for 3 stops and walked several blocks to wait in stations for the next train to arrive.  At one point I think we were within a mile of convention center but at 12F the remaining 30 minute train ride was a better deal.  All in all just over 2 hours after boarding the first train we arrived at the convention center where we then had to walk to blocks, in doors, to get to the exhibit center. 

Well once there we had a great time.  This here the show was a bit smaller than those of the past.  Honda and KTM were not present thus the number of makes were down by at least two.  Last time we were there on a Saturday so I do not know if the crowd was smaller but it felt well attended to me.   

We wondered around the exhibits looking at the new bikes, checked out the JP Cycle motorcycle show contestants (I should enter my Army bike) and talked with the representatives. I had a nice conversation with the CEO of Southeastern Virginia Indian out of Newport News about what he and Indian are doing.   

I also had a good conversation with the marketing director of Royal Enfield USA.  She knew about the DawgHouse Motorcycle Radio show and stated that if any of us got to Milwaukee we had an invitation to ride the new Royal Enfield Himalayan adventure bike.  It is not yet available in the US but of course the HQ of Royal Enfield has a few on hand! 

After about 2 hours we knew we had to pack it in, even if we were not ready because we had a 2 hour train/bus/walking trek ahead of us.  So we packed our swag and headed out. 2 hours later we were in our car warming up and head to the house. 

All in all this year’s IMS Washington DC event was worth the 4 hour travel!

ijustwant2ride.com

The DawgHouse Motorcycle Radio…The #1 Motorcycle Show in the US

This week Ken completes his list of the top 11 motorcycle makers (by sheer number produced).  I was surprised that Royal Enfield was not one of those eleven!

Next we discuss the maybe, possible resurrection of Birmingham Small Arms, better known as BSA.  BSA started in the 1860s making guns  and then added bicycles, then motorcycles and at one time made cars, buses, tools among a long list of things.

The BSA brand was bought by the Indian company Mahindra and it is our hope that we might see BSA motorcycles on the road sometime in the not to distance future.

Next up is a review of the results of World Superbike, Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP racing.

You can listen to the show HERE!

 

 

OK… the boys at Dawghouse Radio have made me a fan of motorcycle racing. 

A while back I wrote a post regarding how I was not a fan motorcycle racing and why I did not care for it.  That post got me an interview on the DawgHouse which led to a hosting spot.  My view on road racing began to change the more I began to pay attention to the racing in order to be better prepared for the podcast. 

It really started during the MOTOGP and World Superbike 2015 racing seasons.  There was a lot excitement all season long. Mark Marquez and Valentino Rossi feuding, Jorge Lorenzo working hard to be the champ was engrossing.  Combine that with World Superbikes Johnathan Rea’s utter domination of that series and the motorcycle racing world just pulled me in.    

Motorcycle racing also pulled my wife in as well.  The bug did not bite her for road supercrossracing but for Supercross and to a lesser extent Motocross.  She and I have sat on the couch and watched the 2016 Champ Ryan Dungey and the rest give it their all every weekend. This year Debbie and I have watched all of the Supercross events and have even discussed going to one next year.   

I still hold to some of my original thoughts about motorcycle racing in the US.  One of the reasons, I think, that Supercross is so popular is that all the spectators can see all (or almost all) the track at one time something you can’t do at motocross and road racing events.   

I also think a racing series limited to V-twins running on some of the NASCAR short track would take off in short amount of time. This would be a little reminiscent of the old board track days.  Harley, Indians, Victory, Star and all the others going at it on a short oval would be a lot of fun to watch.

Moto-AmericaIn addition to the MotoGP and World Superbike I have also been viewing MotoAmerica.  Even though I have only been watching for the last year, I can tell that a high level American series is really needed to help propel American racers to the world stage.  The racing on the American circuit has been fun to watch and I hope they will be able to expand their reach soon.   

So, twist the throttle, I am now a motorcycle racing fan

 

p1

The South Island of New Zealand is like Middle Earth for motorcycling. It’s green, it’s lush, and you wouldn’t be surprised to see a hobbit or two on your travels.

Motorcycle touring here is a little different from what you may be used to.

New Zealand is about the same size as California, and you’re never more than 170 km from the sea. But it still surprises me that what looks like a fast, easy ride will actually take at least twice as long as you expect. And there are 4 very good reasons for that.

  1. The Roads

Riding in New Zealand involves everything from smooth three-lane city highways, to quiet country lanes, and rough gravel tracks.

But it’s not the road surfaces that you’ll notice. It’s the lack of straight lines. The twisties are everywhere you look.

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There are roads that wind alongside deep blue rivers, lazy wide corners through chocolate-brown farmland, and hairpin bends cut right into mountains. Sometimes you meet a corner so long that time seems to stop: it’s just you and your purring machine leaning into an endless sunny curve.

And you might not see a car for 20 minutes at a time.

  1. The Scenery

Riding in New Zealand will leave you at a loss for words. It is so beautiful that it makes you feel stupid. You’ll pull over, take off your helmet and stand there, gaping at snow-capped mountains, fields of purple lavender, mini-waterfalls tumbling down cliff faces, and more shades of green than you’ve ever seen in your life.

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The big challenge is to keep your eyes on the road instead of the scenery.

  1. The Weather

It’s near impossible to plan a riding itinerary here, because of the weather.

The sky can change colour in a matter of minutes.

Temperatures can suddenly soar or drop, as blazing sunshine quickly becomes a thunderous downpour. You’re riding through hot, dry fruit country and just as you’re thinking of pulling over to unzip your jacket lining, the sky opens up and threatens to drown you.

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It helps if you carry wet weather gear, and be prepared to change your plans. If you’re suddenly soaked to the skin, find a motel and start again tomorrow.

  1. The People

In the South Island of New Zealand, bikers are not seen as axe murderers in training. Motorcycles are not a source of suspicion here. In fact, they’re the perfect ice-breaker.

When you’re out on the road, prepare to be bailed up by chatty strangers who want to talk about bikes.

Every time you stop for lunch or a coffee, add an extra half hour to your travelling time. At least. Because, look out: the locals have spotted you’re on a motorcycle.

 

P.S.  Liz Hardy is the editor and proprietor of the PILLIONESS website. Her site is geared to “Helping Women Love Motorcycling!”

 

ijustwant2ride.com

The DawgHouse Motorcycle Radio…The #1 Motorcycle Show in the US

Our Christmas show with, thanks to Phil, some non-traditional music!!! (how about a Christmas Carol to the tune of “Smells Like Teen Sprit”?)

On this show we discuss…

Women starting to really drive motorcycle sales.
AMA scores big win on U.S. highways bill.
Viva Knieval bike heads to auction block.

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KTM gets a very rude welcome in Germany

Remember Nub the painter from OCC shows?  

Robbie Maddison in a Bowler Hat surfing the Thames River 1960 style????

A 1927 Harley Davidson Side Car Racer up for sale.

100 years ago 2 sisters rode across the American Continent now 100 women are recreating

alltop

ALLTOP is a news/blog aggregation type of site.  Today, on the ALLTOP MOTORCYCLE page, one of my “5 Things” posts has made it to the “Most Popular Stories” section. COOL