BMW Recalls 2008 F650GS Motorcycles for Brake Disc Fastener Defect

BMW has issued a recall of certain 2008 F650GS motorcycles.

Due to production and assembly tolerances, the length of one or more of the front brake disc fasteners may be insufficient. If the length of a fastener was insufficient, this could result in the fastener not being tightened according to specifications. If this happened, the fastener could work loose from its threads. In some cases involving multiple fasteners, the brake disc could loosen, increasing the risk of a crash.

373 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

BMW Recalls 2008 F650GS and F800GS Motorcycles for Chain Sprocket Problem

BMW has issued a recall of certain 2008 F650GS and F800GS motorcycles.

The tightening of the chain sprocket fasteners may have resulted in various levels of torque being applied. It is possible for the fasteners to work loose from the sprocket, increasing the risk of a crash.

509 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Triumph Recalls 2008 Rocket III Touring Motorcycle for Pannier Rail Weld Defect

Triumph has issued a recall of certain 2008 Rocket III Touring motorcycles.

There could be a missing weld on the back of the pannier rail. The pannier rail may, after time, be weakened leading to a full fracture of the rail and possible loss of pannier and rail from the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.

8 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Top 10 Motorcycle Pictures of the Year 2008 from Motorcycle Views

The top ten motorcycle pictures were picked from pictures submitted to Motorcycle Views in 2008. The pictures are not ordered. They include three pictures of women on motorcycles, four pictures of men on motorcycles, and three pictures of motorcycles only.

The pictures were chosen for a variety of reasons. I looked at each picture, read each description, and picked those pictures that held my interest.

Check out the Top 10 Pictures for 2008.

Harley-Davidson Guarantees Sportster Trade-in Value

Even in these tough economic times, Harley-Davidson has found a way to lure more customers into their showroom: Allow trade-ins at the original sale price.

Harley has a plan to allow their customers who have already purchased a recent Sportster to trade it in on a larger model but essentially cancel the depreciation on the Sportster. Here's an excerpt from an article by Rick Barrett of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

"Harley-Davidson Inc. (HOG) has announced a new motorcycle purchase program that guarantees the trade-in value of a Sportster when traded for one of the company's more expensive bikes.



Harley riders who either buy a new Sportster or trade in their recently purchased Sportster between Dec. 26 and March 31 will get the bike's original manufacturer's suggested retail price when they trade up to one of Harley's Big Twin or VRSC motorcycles." -- Rick Barrett, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Journal Sentinel

Read the complete story.

Harley-Davidson Recalls 2009 FXD, FXDB, FXDC, FXDF, and FXDL Motorcycles for Jiffy Stand Defect

Harley-Davidson has issued a recall of certain 2009 FXD, FXDB, FXDC, FXDF, and FXDL motorcycles.

The jiffy stand spring anchor may have been built with a defective weld that may allow the jiffy stand assembly to not retract as intended. This condition could lead to a crash which could cause injury or death to the rider.

3285 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Ducati Recalls 2007-2008 1098 Models and 2008-2009 848 and 1098R Models for Charging System Problem

Ducati has issued a recall of certain 2007-2008 1098, 1098 Tricolore, and 1098R motorcycle models and 2008-2009 848 and 1098R motorcycle models.

The motorcycle charging system may be adversely affected by engine heat and stop operating. This results in damage to the voltage regulator and ensuing battery discharge.

7130 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Will Shiftless Motorcycles Become Mainstream?

An article in the New York Times by Stuart F. Brown examines why shiftless motorcycles may bring new life to motorcycling. Consider the fact that many potential riders have never even driven a car with a stick shift. Riding a motorcycle without an automatic transmission becomes a daunting task. Here's an excerpt from the article:

"CAR sales, already in a deep funk, would probably be slower yet if automakers decided to offer no alternative to manual transmissions. Makers of street motorcycles have largely painted themselves into that corner. And with the effects of stalled credit markets flattening out a 14-year streak of steady growth — despite the allure of good gas mileage in a wobbly economy — it’s no surprise that manufacturers are mounting an effort to introduce more rider-friendly bikes." -- Stuart F. Brown

Read the full story for all the details.

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Mel and Comanche

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See Mel on her 2004 Honda VTX1800. Also see Comanche with his 2008 Suzuki Boulevard C50T. Note the artistic treatment in this picture. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.

Kawasaki Issues Recall of 2008 ZG1400 Models for Rear Brake Problem

Kawasaki has issued a recall of certain 2008 ZG1400A8F/A8FL and ZG1400B8F/B8FL motorcycles.

Trapped road debris may interfere with free movement of the rear brake pedal, preventing full release of the rear brake which can lead to overheating damage and possible brake failure.

4628 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Harley-Davidson Issues Recall of 2009 FXD Motorcycles for Fuel Leak Possibility

Harley-Davidson has issued a recall of certain 2009 FXDB, FXDC, FXDF, and FXDL motorcycles.

These motorcycles have a fuel tank vent tube assembly, part no. 27389-04A, which may have been produced with a defective ultrasonic weld on the anti-slosh valve. If the valve separates and the bike is tipped over, it may leak fuel. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

349 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Triumph Recalls 2008-2009 Thruxton for Brake Caliper Defect

Triumph has issued a recall of certain 2008-2009 Thruxton motorcycles.

The installed front brake caliper bracket bolts may be too short, reducing thread engagement of the bolts into the brake caliper bracket.

87 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Buying a used motorcycle or vehicle (Motorcycle Helmets tangent alert!)

We’re not gonna talk about motorcycle helmets today. Why? Because tangents are fun.

Instead, we’re gonna talk about buying a used motorcycle. Really, the advice in here applies to buying any sort of used vehicle, but I suppose I’ll keep things mainly focused on motorcycles today, since, you know, this is the motorcycle helmets guide, after all.

The first thing to consider in buying a used bike is simple enough: what kind of bike do you want? An easy way to figure this out is to ask yourself what you primarily want to be using the bike for. Is it just going to be a commuter bike to ferry you to and from work? Do you want a touring bike for long weekend rides? Or are you looking for a supercharged crotch-rocket for the track? Obviously the answer to these questions will significantly affect what kind of used motorcycle you’re looking for.

The next decision you have to make is whether you’re going to buy from a dealer or a private party. Buying from a private party can often seem appealing, because the prices you can find are often lower. But you have to recognize the trade offs. A reputable dealer will have fully refurbished your motorcycle before you buy it, and will typically also offer some sort of warranty. A private party transaction will usually offer no such guarantees, and you’re generally stuck with whatever you get, good or bad.

Notice I used the words “reputable dealer” above. This is key. Buying from a dealer is no better than buying from a private party if it’s not an honest dealership that you’ve checked out ahead of time, whether by word of mouth, online reviews, or whatever. In fact, buying from a dishonest dealership could be worse than buying from a private party, because you’ll end up paying more for the same bike.

If you do decide to go the private party route, also remember that whenever you’re buying or selling a used vehicle, it’s important to use a quality bill of sale to document the transaction. If you don’t already have one, visit auto bill of sale for an inexpensive, quality form you can use for this purpose.

Before you buy, you want to check out the condition of the vehicle. Inspect the drive chain and sprocket, making sure they’re in good condition and have a bit less than an inch of up-and-down play. Make sure the tires are in good shape with sufficient tread. Inspect all visible components and body framework for signs that the bike has been in a crash. Is anything bent or broken? How does the bike feel when you sit on it? Check the tank for rust. And of course, ASK the seller about the bike’s history. If the seller is honest, they’ll be able to give you a rundown of just what this motorcycle has been through. You’ve gotta take it with a grain of salt, of course, since they *are* trying to sell you something, but this can still be a useful source of information.

Alternatively, if you have a friend who is mechanically saavy, bring them along to inspect the motorcycle (or car) with you. There’s nothing like an expert inspection to help you make up your mind.

And, of course, turn the bike on. Does it start up quick? How does the engine sound? Are there any ugly clanks that could be a sign of internal problems? 

Basically you want to get a realistic overview of the condition of the motorcycle or car before you buy it. Remember that you are buying a used vehicle, so things may not be perfect, but even though perfection isn’t the goal, you still want to know what you’re getting before you buy it. This should help you arrive at a reasonable price point as well.

So there you have a few tips for the next time you go to buy a used motorcycle, and like I said, more broadly speaking these suggestions can be applied to any car or other vehicle as well.  We’ll get back to motorcycle helmets in the next post!