Each year I post my top 10 weird motorcycle list, you can see last years winners here. As crazy as some of the “modern” motorcycles are, our forefathers built some crazy stuff too!
Check out the following “vintage” or “old school” wild and weird motorcycles. If you have more or better please pass them along in the comment section.
Upshift – Honda Supercharging Africa Twin?
Honda has filed for patents, in Japan, for a supercharged engine. From the diagrams it appears to be on an adventure motorcycle which would be the Africa Twin.
The mechanics of the supercharger set on top of the transmission directly behind the cylinders. Air for the supercharger comes from a snorkel that opens next to the handlebars.
My take – While the diagrams are for an adventure motorcycle this kind of device would clearly benefit a lot of engines. Look out Kawasaki, Honda is supercharging your way.
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Upshift – Indian launching a kids electric motorcycle.
The new eFTR is a kids size version of the dirt track FTR750. Manufactured by Razor USA the motorbike is priced at $750.
The Indian eFTR motorcycle has two ride modes. The “low” mode is for kids eight years or less old. While the “high” mode is recommended for riders 13 or older.
Ride time is 140 minutes in low and an hour for high mode. I did not see any comment on charging times.
My take – Awesome job Indian. Anything that can get kids out of the house and on a motorcycle is a step in the right direction. The bike is rated for riders up to 175 pounds so that leaves me out, dang.
There were no recalls last month…but they made up for it this month!!
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 outside the USA, use the appropriate website to locate recalls that may impact you.
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Manufacturer BMW of North America, LLC
Components SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 R 1250 GS, GS Adventure and R 1250 RT, 2020 S 1000 RR and S 1000 XR motorcycles. The front brake calipers may leak brake fluid when parked. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 122, “Motorcycle Brake Systems.”
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the front brake calipers with an improved version, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 6, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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Manufacturer Triumph Motorcycles America, LTD
Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: Triumph Motorcycle America, LTD (Triumph) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Street Scrambler and Street Twin motorcycles. The wiring harness may have been misrouted, allowing it to contact the lower lug on main frame headstock.
Remedy: Triumph will notify owners, and dealers will apply a new VIN label protector to prevent wiring harness damage, and, as necessary, damaged wiring harnesses will be repaired or replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 27, 2020. Owners may contact Triumph customer service at 1-800-232-3780. Triumph’s number for this recall is SRAN 584.
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Manufacturer BMW of North America, LLC
Components FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2011 K1300 (S, GT), 2010-2011 S1000 RR, 2005-2011 R1200 (GS, GS Adventure, R, RT, S, ST), 2006-2010 HP2 (Enduro, Megamoto, Sport), 2005-2008 K1200 (R, R Sport, S, GT), and 2012 K1600 (GT, GTL) motorcycles that were repaired under recall 13V-617 with the support ring remedy and where the fuel pump was not replaced at a later date. This recall involves the fuel pump, and also the auxiliary fuel pump as applicable. The affected motorcycles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, possibly resulting in a fuel leak while the engine is running.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump(s) with an improved version, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 2, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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Manufacturer Ducati North America
Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Summary: Ducati North America (Ducati) is recalling certain 2021 Streetfighter V4 and Streetfighter V4 S motorcycles. The generator rotor (flywheel) may break, damaging the generator cover and causing oil leakage from the engine.
Remedy: All affected vehicles are still in dealer inventory. Dealers will inspect the production dates on the generator rotors (flywheels) and replace them, as necessary. The recall began August 12, 2020. Owners may contact Ducati customer service at 1-888-391-5446. Ducati’s number for this recall is SRV-RCL-20-002.
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Manufacturer Indian Motorcycle Company
Components SERVICE BRAKES
Summary: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2019 Scout, Scout Sixty, and Scout Bobber motorcycles equipped with Anti-Lock Brake Systems (ABS). After the manufacturing process, air may remain trapped within the brake system, possibly reducing brake performance.
Remedy: Indian will notify owners, and dealers will perform a brake fluid bleed of the front and rear ABS to evacuate the air, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a recall start date. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian’s number for this recall is 1-18-07. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA Recall number 19V-156.
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Manufacturer Triumph Motorcycles America, LTD
Components EQUIPMENT
Summary: Triumph Motorcycles America, LTD (Triumph) is recalling certain Tiger 900, Rally, Rally Pro, GT, GT Low and GT Pro motorcycles. The rear reflex reflectors may detach. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, “Lamps, reflective devices, and associated Equipment.”
Remedy: Triumph will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2020. Owners may contact Triumph customer service at 1-800-232-3780. Triumph’s number for this recall is SRAN 582.
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RIDE ON, RIDE SAFE
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 outside the USA, use the appropriate website to locate recalls that may impact you.
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Manufacturer Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
Components ENGINE
Summary
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain XV250 motorcycles. An oil passageway in the engine side cover may not be properly manufactured, possibly blocking lubricating oil to the engine.
Remedy
Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace of the engine side cover, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 17, 2020. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1-800-962-7926. Yamaha’s number for this recall is 990136.
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Manufacturer KTM North America, Inc.
Components SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Summary
KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R motorcycles. The rear brake hose may overheat, causing the rear brake system to fail.
Remedy
KTM will notify owners, and dealers will install a new rear brake line, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 1, 2020. Owners may contact KTM customer service at 1-888-985-6090. KTM’s number for this recall is TB2011.
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Manufacturer Indian Motorcycle Company
Components ENGINE
Summary
Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2020 Challenger motorcycles. The engine output shaft bearing may not have been sufficiently lubricated during assembly, possibly resulting in bearing failure at very low mileage.
Remedy
Indian will notify owners, and dealers will lubricate the output shaft bearings on motorcycles with less than 50 miles on the odometer, free of charge. Motorcycles with greater than 50 miles will not require a repair, and can either be inspected by a dealer, or the owner can self-report the odometer reading directly to Indian. The recall is expected to begin in April 2020. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian’s number for this recall is I-20-02. Note: Owners with an odometer reading of less than 50 miles are advised to not operate their motorcycle until it is repaired.
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: Indian Motorcycle Company
SUMMARY: Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2019 Chieftain, Vintage, Roadmaster, Dark Horse, Springfield, and FTR1200 motorcycles. A 10A circuit breaker may be defective, tripping unexpectedly and causing a sudden loss of power and an engine stall.
CONSEQUENCE: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
REMEDY: Indian will notify owners and provide a new 10A circuit breaker and installation instructions. Owners may choose to have the part installed at a dealership, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 2, 2020. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian’s number for this recall is I-19-05.
NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
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Manufacturer: Polaris Inc.
SUMMARY: Polaris Industries, Inc. (Polaris) is recalling certain 2019 Slingshot, Slingshot SL, Slingshot SLR, and Slingshot GT motorcycles. A 10A circuit breaker may be defective, tripping unexpectedly and causing a sudden loss of power and an engine stall.
CONSEQUENCE: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
REMEDY: Polaris will notify owners and provide a new 10A circuit breaker and installation instructions. Owners may choose to have the part installed at a dealership, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 2, 2020. Owners may contact Polaris customer service at 1-855-863-2284. Polaris’ number for this recall is T-19-02.
NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
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Manufacturer: Piaggio Group Americas. Inc. (Moto Guzzi)
SUMMARY: Piaggio Group Americas. Inc. (Piaggio) is recalling certain 2020 Moto Guzzi V 85 TT motorcycles. The footrest mounting pin retaining clip may break, allowing the pin to disconnect and the footrest to fall off the motorcycle.
CONSEQUENCE: A footrest that falls off while the motorcycle is in motion may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
REMEDY: Piaggio will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the retaining rings on all four footrests. If any of the clips are found to be defective, the dealer will replace the retaining clips on all four footrest pins, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 26, 2019. Owners may contact Piaggio customer service at 1-212-380-4433. Piaggio’s number for this recall is PGJZZQ1905.
NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
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Manufacturer: Piaggio Group Americas. Inc. (Moto Guzzi)
SUMMARY: Piaggio Group Americas. Inc. (Piaggio) is recalling certain 2020 Moto Guzzi V 85 TT motorcycles. The final drive output seal may leak oil onto the rear tire.
CONSEQUENCE: An oil leak onto the rear tire may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
REMEDY: Piaggio will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the final drive transmission box for an oil leak and install an extra seal. If an oil leak is found, both seals and the gasket will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 26, 2019. Owners may contact Piaggio customer service at 1-212-380-4433. Piaggio’s number for this recall is PGJZZQ1904.
NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
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Manufacturer: Harley-Davidson Motor Company
SUMMARY: Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain 2019-2020 FLHTCUTG, and FLRT Trike motorcycles. The Trike Traction Control System software may respond incorrectly to a faulty rear wheel speed signal by activating one of the rear brakes.
CONSEQUENCE: Unintended activation of one rear brake could lead to an unexpected change in vehicle direction which may increase the risk of a crash.
REMEDY: Harley-Davidson has notified owners, and dealers will update the traction control system software, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2019. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson’s number for this recall is 0175.
NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
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Manufacturer: Arcimoto Inc
SUMMARY: Arcimoto Inc (Arcimoto) is recalling certain 2019 FUV motorcycles. A component of the display board may short circuit causing the communication and display circuit boards to shutdown.
CONSEQUENCE: If the communication or display board shuts down, the battery may shutdown causing a sudden loss of power and increasing the risk of a crash.
REMEDY: Arcimoto will notify owners, and dealers will trim the pins of the 5V regulator, and apply a layer of protective tape, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Arcimoto customer service at 1-541-683-6293.
NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
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 Europe use the Safety Gate website to locate recalls that may impact you.
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Manufacturer: Indian Motorcycle Company
SUMMARY:
Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain 2019 Chieftain motorcycles. The tail lights may be too bright, exceeding the maximum light output allowed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”
CONSEQUENCE:
Due to increased brightness, other drivers may have difficulties discerning the brake light from the tail light, and thus may be unaware that the motorcycle is braking, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
REMEDY:
Indian will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control module software to correct the rear tail light’s intensity, free of charge. The recall began September 18, 2019. Owners may contact Indian customer service at 1-877-204-3697. Indian’s number for this recall is I-19-04.
RIDE ON, RIDE SAFE
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!
This year September 11th, in addition to being a national day of tragedy here in the US, it was also the day the 2016 Motorcycle Cannonball Run leg 2 began in York, PA. York is only about 90 minutes from my home so it was a no brainer to go and check it out.
For those of you unfamiliar with this the Cannonball Run it is a timed cross county event of 100 year or older vintage motorcycles. So this year the run is with motorcycles built before 1917. Starting on
Every motorcycle over 100 years old
the 10th of September The Cannonball Run is going from Atlantic City to San Diego. If you go to their website you can get a lot more detail, in case you are interested in running the next event in 2018.
Phil, from the DawgHouse Motorcycle Radio show, and I arose early (3AM for him 4AM for me LOL) in order to be there before the motorcycles began departing. BOY am I glad we went to the event. We got to see vintage bikes that you might only see in a museum, if ever. For example, I saw two motorcycles that I had not seen in person before a Shaw and a JAP.
By 10AM all the bikes that were going to make the start were on the road. Attrition on this ride is high. In talking to some of the participates we learned that about 90 of these vintage motorcycles departed Atlantic City the day before but nearly 30 were unable to make the time hack in York. That group included one bike that burned to a crisp shortly after the start.
You can also tell by the pictures below that there is a lot of maintenance that occurs. One of the motorcycle mechanics said that they begin the preparations for the next day as soon as the bikes are cool enough to touch. He also said that while the vintage motorcycles in the Cannonball Run might be easy to work on, there is not really that much in spare parts and a lot of creativity is required to keep them running.
It was a wonderful morning walking around looking at these 100+ year old vintage motorcycles and seeing what goes into them to keep them running. I have a new respect for all those folks that participate in this event!
I like to listen to the DawgHouse 2 Wheel Radio show . It is a motorcycle podcast which the hosts call “A completely irreverent, totally biased, intellectually challenged and scornful study of the twisted life of the motorcycling world & those who inhabit our planet, all wrapped up in a disturbing weekly show!” and I can’t completely disagree with that description to much 😉 The show use to be on Saturday mornings on a local Washington, DC radio station but was dropped when the station changed formats. It is now broadcast on the internet Tuesday nights. I typically listen to the podcasts during my commute.
The last couple weeks they have been discussing and lamenting the fact that motorcycle racing does not have much of a following in the US. So after listening to those shows I sat back and thought about why I am not a follower of motorcycle racing. I do caveat the following this with the fact that I have watched some bike racing on TV, both road and super-cross.
While I am a lifelong rider I have never really followed the road racing scene (in fact I have only once attempted to attend a bike race at BSR/Summit Point but the $30 entrance fee was too much to watch just a small portion of the track). I do follow, loosely, NASCAR and I have even been to a couple races (in the 80s).
Long story short I came to the following conclusions (right or wrong just my thoughts):
1. I want to see more of the race. I can, for the most part, see the entire track at NASCAR and super cross, not so with road racing, car or bike. When I can’t see all the action I do not feel I am getting my money’s worth, I don’t really know what is going on, and unless I am near the start/finish line I have no idea who won. Motorcycle road racing on TV just is not as well coved as a NASCAR (which only has a couple of road races) or as well as the auto grand prix style races which also has attendance issues.
This maybe an American predilection for this type of racing. Like our version of football and fondness of baseball, it is neither right nor wrong it just is. With the NASCAR tracks folks can see the action, depending on how thick the beer googles are! And the same applies for our other major American sports, I can see the entire playing field from my seat. I can see the entire track at Supercross and when I see it on TV it looks better attended than any other version of motorcycle racing I have seen.
2. Harley is not road racing. Yeah, I know, but the fact is that the folks you want to watch are the folks who watch NASCAR and ride Harley. My two favorite manufactures are Harley and Honda (Royal Enfield is #3) but there is a large gap between #1 and the rest. So unless I am really enamored with a Honda sport bike (I am not) I have no emotional draw to the sport.
Without that emotional pull do I want to pay $30 dollars to see part of race then walk or ride around the track to see different parts of the action? No not really.
So what would get me into motorcycle racing? What could be done to fix this situation?
I only have one idea which might be used pull people into the sport. First, it will not be road racing. Second it will have to be a V-Twin bike. So what I am thinking is that we have a V-Twin series (NASCAR has car and truck) for those of us not into the sport bike world.
It would also have to be an oval (turn left) track. The NASCAR super speedways would be too large for bikes like this but not the short tracks like Bristol could be a lot of fun.
Would Harley, Indian, Victory Star and others compete, would it be a privateer series? I do not know but I do know that I would be more interested in seeing a race of this nature then I would a normal superbike road race.
Combine a V-twin race to an oval and I start to think WOW! And when I think back to the old pictures of motorcycle racing in the early 1900’s I think of oval board tracks and large crowds. Would I go to the speedway during Daytona Bike Week to watch guys race Harley and Indians, yes I would!
Just saying…..
I ran across a new motorcycle related TV Show, Velocity channels “What’s In The Barn”. Evidently this series premiered last summer; I must have missed it while I was out riding. LOL
Based on what I watched and what I read on their website the show is primarily about the “Wheels Through Time” motorcycle museum and it curator, Dale Walksler, search for vintage motorcycles. I have not been to the museum yet myself, but it is on my list of things to do.
The first show I watched “A Motorcycle Crime Story” was quite interesting. If you have ever been to a motorcycle rally or read a motorcycle magazine you are aware that the museum raffles off a motorcycle every year to help cover their operating costs. This episode begins with the build of the 2013 raffle bike coming to a halt due to a lack of rare, vintage parts, in this case a cateye dashboard that Harley produced for one year only.
Mr. Walksler sets off to Illinois to get the part from a guy that has the barns full of old parts he purchased from a family whose mother and fathers were killed by members of the Outlaws MC, thus the title. He also has a side trip that involves him getting an original 1970’s Arlen Ness chopper.
The most interesting show was “12 Hours and Running”, they started 120 vintage motorcycles in 12 hours. There was some really old bikes in this bunch including Pierce, Excelsior, Henderson, Crocker as well as Harley and Indians. It is cool and amazing that they have a museum full of running, functional old bike!
While parts of the show are “cheesy” over all it is well laid out and well put together. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!! 