Posts Tagged ‘Motorcycle news’

Motorcycle News: National Motorcycle Museum and Moto Guzzi Rallies

Posted: March 2, 2023 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news
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ijustwant2ride.com

Down Shift – National Motorcycle Museum is closing.

Sadly, the National Motorcycle Museum will close its doors in September. The museum in Anamosa, Iowa, was opened 22 years ago by the owners of J&P Cycle John and Jill Parham. John passed away in 2017.

Their notification stated, “We have struggled for several years to cover wages and utilities partly due to low visitations.”

The museum states that it will auction its collections to pay outstanding bills. This auction will include both motorcycles and memorabilia that the Parham’s collected over their many years in the motorcycle industry.

My Take Just another sad note reflecting both the results of the pandemic and the state of the motorcycle industry in America.  Also, I am not sure that Anamosa, Iowa is a destination for a lot of folks. I would not be surprised if more “niche” museums closed their doors in the near future.

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Up Shift – Moto Guzzi Experience

Moto Guzzi motorcycles are sponsoring 3 events around the USA.  The first up is in Bozeman, MT (June 28th-July3rd 2023).  The second is in the Smoky Mountains starting in Knoxville, TN (August 30th-September 4th). The third Moto Guzzi Experience runs October 18th – 23rd in the Ozark Mountains around Bentonville AK.

All these events include tour leaders and support vehicles, and you can rent a Moto Guzzi if you do not want to ride yours to the event. Base costs? $2,500 if you rent a motorcycle, $1,500 if you bring your own and passengers cost $1,000. That cost includes hotels, full board (minus alcohol), the tour leader and support vehicle.

Folks who attend the event will get a discount on a new V100 Mandello or a V85TT afterwards.  Discounts of up to $1,250 on a new bike is never a bad thing.

My Take: I am assuming these events are going to be similar to what the Harley Owners Group does with their annual rallies If that is the case it should be a lot of fun. In fact, we were at one of the HOG rallies last year in the Smokey Mountains. If you attend of these Moto Guzzi events let me know I would like to hear how it turned out.

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Ride on, Ride Safe

Motorcycle News: Tesla is killing motorcyclists.

Posted: August 22, 2022 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news, motorcycle safety
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ijustwant2ride.com

Up Shift – URAL motorcycle departs Russia.  

URAL has been a Russian motorcycle company for, well, forever.  But with the economic sanctions leveled against Russia for the Ukraine invasion, URAL had a hard decision, to stay or go.  They went.

URAL has moved out of their home factory in Irbit, Russia, to Petropavlovsk, Kazakhstan, with the move forcing the brand to hire new workers in Kazakhstan.

“People understand that what’s happening doesn’t represent the brand,” says Madina Merzhoeva, VP of marketing and international sales, in an article from CycleWorld.

“Ural has always been about integration into the world. It’s always been about community, doing things together and connecting. Probably unlike any other motorcycle brand, in a sense, because by nature there are two or more people riding in a Ural.”

My Take – What else could they do if they wanted to survive? I would expect there to be quality control issues for the next couple years as a new workforce is taught how to build URAL motorcycles.

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Down Shift – Tesla is killing motorcyclists.

Is the Tesla autopilot software not able to “see” motorcycles? In two recent event involving Tesla the apparent answer to that question is no.

In July 2022 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sent investigation teams to two crashes where Tesla’s crashed into motorcycles on freeways in the darkness. Both were fatal.

The first occurred 4:47 a.m. July 7 on State Route 91, a California freeway. A white Tesla Model Y was traveling east in the high occupancy vehicle lane. Ahead of the Tesla was a rider on a Yamaha V-Star motorcycle.

The vehicles collided, and the unidentified motorcyclist was ejected from the Yamaha. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Fire Department.

The second crash happened about 1AM July 24 on Interstate 15 near Draper, Utah. A Tesla Model 3 was behind a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, also in an HOV lane. “The driver of the Tesla did not see the motorcyclist and collided with the back of the motorcycle, which threw the rider from the bike,” the Utah Department of Public Safety said in a prepared statement.

The motorcyclist was pronounced died at the scene.

From 2016 to now the NHTSA has investigated 39 crashes involving autopilot features 30 of which were Tesla.  The Tesla’s involved 19 deaths.  

My Take – Not sure why it is taking so long to issue a recall for this autopilot feature?  Tesla is taking the brunt of the investigations but is that because they are worse than the other manufactures or because there are more Tesla’s on the road.

My recommendation…. If you see a Tesla coming up behind you, get out of the way.  There is no way to know if the dummy driving the car is on autopilot or not.

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Ride on, Ride Safe

Motorcycle News: Moto Guzzi Worldwide Events, Beware of E15 Fuel

Posted: May 4, 2022 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news, motorcycle safety
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ijustwant2ride.com

This is my take on motorcycle news that grabbed my attention. There is a whole lot more out there, but this is the news that I want to discuss. Drop me a note if you disagree with my take.

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Up Shift – Moto Guzzi Experience  

Moto Guzzi is helping more of us to get back to normal in the post pandemic world by offering events around the world.  These events are going to be held in 9 countries including the US.  Some of the events have already occurred like the ones in Corsica and Crete but others are still to come.  You can check out this website for detail for global events but look her (RideApart) for info on the US rides.   

My Take – I am so happy to see events like these make a comeback.  Harley Davidson has done so with their regional HOG rallies and having Moto Guzzi doing their thing is great!

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Down Shift – E15 fuel is getting a special dispensation this summer. Normally E15 is removed from the fuel supply, because of pollution concerns.  This year it is going to stick around in an attempt to lower gas prices as E15 is normally 5-10 cents a gallon cheaper. E15, by the way, means that the fuel has up to 15% ethanol.

Please be aware that E15 fuel is bad for your motorcycle (and other small engines).  Manufacturers state that using E15 will cause damage to your engine AND the EPA has not certified any motorcycles or ATVs for fuel with more than 10% ethanol.

“E15 has been shown to damage carbureted and fuel-injected motorcycles, reduce gas mileage and decrease shelf life of the gasoline,” said AMA Director of Government Relations Michael Sayre. “The fact that it is illegal to use in motorcycles, and that clear labeling at the pump is not required, poses a significant risk for misfuelling.”

My Take – The current administration has taken this action, among other things, to reduce the “pain at the pump”.  The American Motorcyclist Association and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation both have taken action to make sure that proper labeling of pumps and rider education on the action are occurring.

So, what is more important the price of fuel or the environment or poll numbers…. You make your pick.

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Ride on, Ride Safe

Motorcycle News: A trip to the South Pole and a Ducati record.

Posted: November 16, 2021 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news
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ijustwant2ride.com

This is my take on motorcycle news that grabbed my attention. There is a whole lot more out there but this is the news that I want to discuss. Drop me a note if you disagree with my take.

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Up Shift – Royal Enfield at the South Pole – How do you celebrate 120 years making motorcycles? You take a ride to the South Pole! Starting November 26th Royal Enfield is taking two modified Himalayans on a 39-day, 480-mile adventure to the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.

The motorcycles, ridden by Royal Enfield worker Santhosh Vijay and Dean Coxson, will ride in the tracks of the support vehicles. The bikes have been tested in Iceland to make sure they are capable for this tour of the real down under.

My Take – This is pretty cool (LOL get it)!  Some purest have poo-pooed the fact that they are riding in the competed tracks of the support vehicles, but I don’t have a problem with that. I guess that they are riding to the pole in the summer is an issue as well.  No, Royal Enfield is stepping up their game.

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Up Shift – Ducati has record sales – Ducati is claiming that 1 in 4 superbikes sold is a Ducati Panigale. Not only that but they passed last year’s sales in the first 9 months of 2021. 2021 has been their best year ever with 49,693 motorcycles sold before the fourth quarter even began. The Multistrada was the best seller followed by the Scrambler 800, Streetfighter V4 and then the Monster.

My Take – 4,475 of that record setting number were sold in the US so we are doing our part! Congratulations to not only Ducati but to the industry!  Maybe, just maybe we are on the upswing of a new peak in motorcycling.

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Ride on, Ride Safe

Motorcycle News: Triumph and a Parking Concept

Posted: August 19, 2021 in Motorcycle news
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Well, we have, mostly, finished our move to Front Royal, VA.  Still looking for some items and figuring out where to put stuff so the fun continues!

Up Shift – Triumph Motorcycle Test Ride tour – Triumph is going to a lot of events this year to get people to test ride their bikes. They will be at IMS Outdoors, TouraTech Dirt Daze, Overland Mountain West and Americade. Click on this link to see the details.

My Take – I signed up to “skip the line” at the IMS Pennsylvania event.   I really like that companies are getting back out there …. Even if Covid is making a comeback. 

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Hitting Neutral – New Concept for Charging/Protecting Motorcycles – Yet another idea for the electric revolution. Roll up into the chalk where steel plates will protect your front axel from thieves. Stow your gear in the integrated, climate-controlled locker, and go about your business. Also, there is a camera so you can keep an eye on your bike while you are out and about.

It will hold both electric and gas-powered motorcycles, so it is not exclusive to the revolutionaries. You will use an app to reserve and pay for access to the parking system.

My Take – The press release stated that it will us hydrogen fuel cells to power the parking stations thus becoming even more green and I am much more in favor of hydrogen then electric so that part gets a thumbs up.  The rest “MEH”, it will get an up shift if they ever get past the concept stage.

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Ride on, Ride Safe

Motorcycle News: Upcoming international events and a flying motorcycle.

Posted: April 21, 2021 in Motorcycle news, Motorcycle Rides, Uncategorized
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Up Shift – Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride – This year plan on your Dapper Riding to take place on May 23rd.  The format of the ride will be based on the COVID rules where you live and ride.  Some will ride solo, other on specific routes and some may even get to ride as a group.

The event has raised over $27 Million dollars for men’s health causes over the years and the organizers hope to pop the $30 million mark this year.  To help that along Triumph Motorcycles will be provide four motorcycles to give to the top fund raisers worldwide. Check out gentlemansride.com for more details.

My Take – I have participated in a couple DGR rides and raised a small bit of money for the cause.  It is fun to dress up and go for a ride, especially for a good cause! 

Check out this video of me leaving for the 2014 DGR.

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Up Shift – International Female Ride Day – This year plan to set aside May 1st to get your International Female Ride Day on.  This year it is going to be a fix of solo rides, socially distanced gatherings, and meetups in 120 countries and every continent except Antarctica.

 According to IFRD’s press release, “The movement places a spotlight on the diverse participation of women already engaging in motorcycling and powersports while inspiring other women to learn to ride and obtain their license.” It goes on to state that, even though female ridership has doubled over the last decade, women still represent just around 20 percent of all motorcycle owners, and the momentum needs to continue to advance the future of motorcycling for women and, arguably, the sport.”

The 15th version of the IFRD is using the theme (and hashtag) of #FocusFemaleForward to put more emphasis on the IFRD’s goals of encouraging new women to ride while aiming to move women forward in all aspects of motorcycling.

My Take – The 15th year anniversary!  Yet another reason to get out and ride… not that we really need one! 

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Down Shift – Flying motorcycle by Subaru.  OK I thought this was an April’s Fools joke but maybe it is not.  Multiple sources are reporting, including Motorcycle.com, that Subaru has filed for a patent on a flying motorcycle.

From what I can tell the wings and engines of the flying motorcycle would fold up similar to those on a airplane on an aircraft carrier. When flying the wings would fold out, the motorcycle wheels would retract and way you are off into the wild blue yonder.

My Take – Hooey

Motorcycle News: Baggers Racing at Laguna Seca???

Posted: August 18, 2020 in custom motorcycle, Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle racing
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Hitting Neutral ­– Harley on a new course – Harley Davidson Motorcycles changes course, again. Out with the old boss in with the new boss. Out with the old plan in with the new plan.

When the last Harley Davidson CEO was in charge, he put in place an ambitious plan of 100 new motorcycles in 10 years. 

The new guy thinks that is an overreach and ended the effort and has stating that 30% of new models will be cut. This is paired with a cut to production to “make them more exclusive”.

While the new streetfighter motorcycle looks like it may be on the cut list. Its engine sharing brother, the Pan America adventure bike, is coming out with the 2021 models.

The new guy also wants to drive up the parts and accessories business along with merchandise. 

My Take: Who is right? According to the board of directors, not the guy that got fired.  I thought trying to expand appeal by having different Harley Davidson motorcycles was an interesting idea.  Not sure where cutting production will help exclusivity when there are 1000’s of bikes on the used market.

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Upshift: The King of Baggers Race – MotoAmerica is adding a touch of the surreal to American motorcycle racing. Well maybe, in the age of COVID who knows.

If you always wanted to see American V-Twins race at Laguna Seca raceway, maybe this is the year.  Watching a mildly modified Harley Davidson Road or Street Glide swinging through the corkscrew is going to be bonkers at best.

The race is getting attention.  Drag Specialties is the King of Baggers sponsor. A bunch of accessory companies are getting in on the action, for example Saddlemen, the motorcycle seat and luggage maker, is sponsoring bike #87 in the race.

And Indian and S&S are teaming up to run a Indian Challenger as well.  It should dominate on the straights as it has more than a few cubic inches on the Harley’s.

Currently the race is schedule for October 23-25, but who knows if it will happen until it happens.

My take: OH HELL YEAH!

Vision Zero = Zero Motorcycles

Posted: July 14, 2020 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news, motorcycle safety
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Dozens of roads closed to motorcycles in Germany.

Vienna to ban all motorcycles even electrics.

Some of the best motorcycling roads in Europe now ban motorcycles.

The Swiss are planning banning motorcycles from certain roads.

Motorcycles should be banned to reduce road deaths.

Speed limits on popular motorcycle roads reduced in Australia.

Those are just a few links to what IS a growing trend to eliminate motorcycles in the name of safety and reduced pollution. Brought to you by the people and the fellow travelers of Vison Zero.

Don’t know about Vison Zero? The Vison Zero goal is to get to zero traffic deaths. As stated by its creator, Claes Tingvall, “it can never be ethically acceptable that people are killed or seriously injured when moving within the road transport system.” When asked about motorcycles Tingvall, in a candid moment stated “We must prevent the recruiting of new motorcyclists. In long-term thinking, I regret to say that motorcycles must go”. 

I underlined the “In long-term thinking” part because this is why we need to fight now! Incrementalism will kill our lifestyle just as if they did it in a mandate. The frog in boiling water analogy fits well here. Toss a frog into hot water it will jump out quickly. Toss it into warm water and slowly bring up the heat and the frog will die.

Right? But at the cost of freedom and individualism.

While Claes Tingvall recanted that statement, under pressure, actions speak as loud as the words.  Vison Zero is a worldwide effort with offices and proponents in nearly every country.  In the US, Vision Zero is lobbying nearly every state and local government for their vison.  Scroll down this wiki page to see some of the countries, states and cities were Vision Zero is operating. Vison Zero is better organized and better funded then our motorcycle communities. Wonder where the money is coming from?

So, what is Vision Zero working towards?  They are, in their own words: (taken from “Action Vision Zero”)

“This is about reducing the impact of motor vehicles by demanding”:

Slower speedsMaximum 20mph speed limits where people and vehicles mix and compliance with those limits.
Safe junctions & crossingsDirect crossings on desire lines with short waiting times and enough time to cross.
Safe space for cyclingProtected cycle lanes on main roads and low-traffic neighbourhoods.
Less trafficFewer vehicles means fewer casualties. Achieving this requires more walking, cycling and public transport, more efficient and sustainable delivery of goods, and road user charging.
Safe vehiclesSpeed limiters on all new private cars; retrofitting speed limiters on all working vehicles; safe HGVs including Direct Vision Lorries and Bus Safety Standards.ee
Safe behaviours and enforcementAn end to careless and dangerous driving. Education plays a role in achieving this, butclear and visible police enforcement is a priority.

Not anything directly pointed to motorcycles, right? 

It all sounds good and benign not a threat to your way of life? 

Reread that list and think about the bans that are going to or have happened in cities. Reread and think about how motorcycles and road safety are not compatible.  Reread and think that speed kills and that you must have it limited for your own safety. Reread and think… get off your motorbike and get on your bicycle. Your enjoyment has no place in their vision.

Tie in that Vision Zero has co-oped some motorcycle events and organizations… you know in the spirt of cooperation and safety.  You can find the Vision Zero in nearly every state, in every major city, in most countries and even in companies. Here are a few:

In North Dakota

In Alameda, CA

In North Carolina

In Canada

Continental Tires

PLEASE DO NOT LET THEY CO-OP YOU!  When they have reduced injury and death by other means they will then turn to MOTORCYCLES AS THE NEXT TARGET!!

So, what can you do?  Join a motorcycle lobby group.  Look for those that are actually going to fight the Vision Zero effort.  Groups like:

American Motorcyclist Association

Motorcycle Rider Foundation

Federation of European Motorcyclists Association

If you don’t help with the fight…then their may not be motorcycles in your future. What are your thoughts?

Motorcycle News: The United Nations does Motorcycle Helmets?

Posted: June 16, 2020 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle news, motorcycle safety, Uncategorized
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Hitting Neutral:  Both the US, Europe as well as many other countries have their own standards on motorcycle helmet safety. This year the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) will issue new regulations on the testing of motorcycle helmets.

This will be the sixth version of the regulation and will go into effect 3 years after the regulations are issued. At that point it will become illegal to sell helmets that are not in compliance with the new version.

So just what does the new regulations cover?  (From the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations website)

Modular helmets – Helmets equipped with a movable or detachable protective lower face cover, will be tested with or without chin guard in position.

Sun shields – Sun shields cannot restrain or prevent the movement of the visor. On opening the visor, the sun shield can pivot in the working position. By means of a simple movement the sun shield must be able to be moved separately from the visor. Helmets placed on the market with a sun shield shall be tested with the sun shield in working position.

Reflective stickers – In order to comply with national requirements, the helmet may be required to have reflective materials. These materials can be delivered with the helmet, with proper instructions on where and how to apply them on the helmet.

Accessories – Helmets placed on the market with accessories shall be examined to make sure the equipment has no adverse effect and that the helmet and/or visor still comply with the requirements. Testing will be done with and without the accessory and its support with attention to energy absorption, sharp edges and field of vision. You are not allowed to modify the helmet from its original specification as manufactured. Accessories must be fitted in accordance with the helmet manufacturer’s instructions. Only accessories tested during the type approval procedure of the helmet keep the type approval valid.

High speed particle test for visors – To make sure visors don’t shatter when hit by something hard during your ride, they shall be tested with a steel ball at 60 m/s. The visor should not fracture or deform, and the visor housing should not separate into two or more pieces, or no longer be capable of holding the visor in position.

Brain injury by rotation – An impact test method of measuring rotational acceleration will be introduced, to test the impact on the brain when the helmet is twisted during an accident. To test this, the helmet will be allowed to fall, under specified angles and with a specified speed on to a rigidly mounted anvil.

My Take: As I am normally inclined, I am not a fan of regulations as too often it is a bureaucrat’s way of job justification that only adds to the expense of a product.  However, with the execution of one area, I do not see a problem with this update to the rules.

The problem I have is with the “Accessories” section.  I my mind I see accessory as anything placed on the helmet that was not sold by the manufacturer as part of the helmet.  I have a problem with that as it will be used as a cudgel against motorcyclists.

In Australia there is already a similar rule regarding helmet accessories.  Motorcycle riders are often pulled over and ticketed for have accessories on their helmet, click here for an example from “MotorBike Writer”. The primary culprit seems to be action cameras and Bluetooth communications modules. This new rule will infringe on the rider’s documentation and even their job.

 

Ride on, Ride Safe

Motorcycle Recall May 2020: Yamaha, Aprilia and an Important Notice

Posted: June 1, 2020 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, motorcycle safety
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IMPORTANT NOTICE: I have seen a lot of reports on motorcycle recalls, across many brands, regarding brakes and brake pads. 

It might be a time lag between the motorcycle manufacturers and the NHTSA on posting these recalls to the official website but only Aprilia shows up as officially recalled in the USA. 

Please check with your motorcycle maker to double check, so you can actually stop.

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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 AND ENGINE COOLING

Summary Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain 2015-2018 XC155 scooters. The cylinder head nuts may not have been tightened properly and could loosen, allowing coolant to foul the spark plug.

Remedy Yamaha will notify owners and dealers will replace the cylinder head gasket and tighten the cylinder head nuts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 29, 2020. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1-800-962-7926. Yamaha’s number for this recall is 990137.

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Manufacturer Piaggio Group Americas. Inc.

Components SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Summary Piaggio Group Americas, Inc. (Piaggio) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Aprilia RSV4 1000 RF, and 2017-2020 Aprilia RSV4 1000 RR and Aprilia Tuono 1100 RF and RR motorcycles. The front brake pads may corrode, potentially causing the front brake pad friction material to detach from the backing plate.

Remedy

Piaggio will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front brake pads, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 22, 2020. Owners may contact Piaggio customer service at 1-212-380-4433. Piaggio’s number for this recall is PA2ZZQ2001.

 

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