Like Cars, Motorcycles are Subject to Recalls Due to Safety Concerns
By Jim Greene
Published on June 16, 2010
While recalls of cars over safety concerns have grabbed headlines in the last year, motorcycles have also been the subject of safety recalls. Some of the most recent involve a BMW touring model, a Kawasaki sport model, and two sport models by Buell, a Harley Davidson subsidiary that ended production in October.
Because motorcycle sales volume is a mere fraction of that for cars, the recalls are proportionally smaller. However, they are no less important, since motorcycles have a higher potential for injury or death in the event of a motorcycle accident.
BMW Touring Model May Suffer Front Brake Failure
The BMW R 1200 RT touring model leads the group of recent recalls in numbers, with 1,535 units, spanning model years 2007 through 2009. According to the recall notice, improper routing and installation of the front brake lines could cause a brake fluid leak that could render the front brakes inoperative. With only an operating rear brake, the motorcycle could slide and swerve out of control under hard braking, causing a crash.
Kawasaki has issued a recall of 950 units of one of its smaller Ninja sport motorcycles, the EX 250. The company says a flaw in the engine case may leak oil that could be deposited on the rear tire, which would cause it to slip, leading to a crash. An earlier recall of the larger Ninja ZX-10R was due to the possibility of a similar oil leak onto the rear tire because an inspection cap on the starter assembly wasn't properly tightened.
Buell Sport Model At Risk of Foot Peg Collapse
Buell is recalling 23 large sport bikes due to concerns about an improperly made right foot peg. The models are the 2010 XB12X and XB12XT, both in the 2010 model year lineup. The warning says the foot peg could "move significantly out of position," a nice way of saying it could all but fall off, throwing the rider to the right and causing a loss of control that could lead to a crash.
If you've been injured or lost a loved one in the crash of a motorcycle that was the subject of a safety recall, contact an experienced attorney. When manufacturers fall short of their responsibility to design, build, and sell reliable products, they may be held accountable for damages. You may be eligible to recover medical costs, repair costs, and lost wages, and to be compensated for pain and suffering and loss of companionship.
Keyword Tags: