Northwest Cycle Report

If your motorcycle has been recalled and you are not sure what to do, check out What To Do If Your Motorcycle Is Recalled.

Helmet City is recalling 2,266 motorcycle helmets, Model #50, Sizes XS through XXL. These helmets fail to conform to the impact requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218, “Motorcycle Helmets.” These helmets were manufactured in China. In the event of a crash, the wearer of one of these helmets may not be adequately protected, possibly resulting in personal injury. Helmet City will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant helmets. The recall is expected to begin during October 2008. Owners may contact Helmet City at 1-888-550-3731. 08E-059

Polaris is recalling 2,444 MY 2008 Victory Vision motorcycles. The terminal nuts that secure the main power supply wires could be loose at the circuit breaker, which can cause an unexpected loss of electrical power to the motorcycle. Also the current fuel ignition map pre-programmed into the engine control module (ECM) can cause engine stalling. Either condition could cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a loss of control of the motorcycle or a crash. Dealers will inspect and tighten the circuit breaker terminal nuts and re-program the ECM free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during October 2008. Owners may contact Polaris/Victory at 1-888-704-5290. 08V-446

Triumph is recalling 372 MY 2008 Sprint ST motorcycles. There is a possibility that the single bolt that is used in the 3 positions on the rear suspension drag link assembly can become brittle and fracture. The bolts were manufactured in Great Britain. The bolts involved are the (1) drag link to drop link bolt, (2) drag link to frame bolt, and (3) drop link to rear suspension unit bolt. The head of the bolt may detach causing the drag link assembly to come apart resulting in loss of rear suspension, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will remove and discard the 3 bolts and replace them with new bolts. The recall is expected to begin during November 2008. Owners may contact Triumph at 1-678-539-8782. 08V-457

Yamaha is recalling 4,800 MY 2007 XF50 and XC50 motorcycles. A crack may develop on the connecting rod. If the engine continues to be run, the crack will develop further and the connecting rod may break. If the connecting rod breaks, the engine will stop and cannot be restarted increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will disassemble the engine and the crankshaft will be replaced with one that has a properly heat-treated connecting rod. The recall is expected to begin during October 2008. Owners may contact Yamaha at 1-800-962-7926. 08V-461

Kawasaki is recalling 604 MY 2008 Vulcan VN900C8F, VN900D8F, and MY 2009 VN900B9F, and VN900B9FL motorcycles. Fuel can leak from between the tank filler neck and the fuel cap gasket. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire. Dealers will replace the fuel tank. The recall is expected to begin during October 2008. Owners may contact Kawasaki at 1-949-770-0400. 08V-473