Most motorcycle riders focus on the ride and not so much on what bike they have underneath them. However, it is important that motorcyclists ride bikes that are safe in order to avoid crashing. While the majority of motorcycle crashes on Florida roads occur due to careless drivers in other vehicles, single motorcycle accidents still occur from time to time.
While some of the accidents that only involve motorcycles are caused from motorcyclists failing to slow, others are caused due to dangerous bikes. For this reason, it is important that motorcycles are regularly maintained and that motorcyclists check to make sure their motorcycles have not been recalled for any safety issues.
Here are three of the largest motorcycle recalls of last year:
- 2013 Kawasaki Ninja 300 and 300 ABS motorcycles that were manufactured between July 16, 2012, and April 27, 2013, were recalled. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycle riders were at an increased risk of crashing because of “an improper setting in the Electronic Control Unit,” which could cause the bike to stall upon deceleration.
- Indian Deluxe and Standard motorcycles including 2009 –2011 Roadmasters, 2009 – 2013 Vintages, 2010 Bombers, 2010 – 2013 Classics and Dark Horses, and 2011 Blackhawk Dark and Blackhawk models. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the rear rims “may crack and cause a loss of air pressure.”
- 2014 Harley-Davidson motorcycles were recalled, which included 29,000 motorcycles that encompassed 25,185 Touring motorcycles and 3,861 Softail Custom Vehicle Operations and Trikes that were built between May 3 and October 14, 2013. Harley explained that “Some of these motorcycles may exhibit a condition in which the hydraulic clutch system may lose the ability to generate enough lift to disengage the clutch.” The concern here is that a rider may have a difficult time slowing or stopping and potentially crash.
Because riding a motorcycle can be dangerous, it is important that motorcyclists control every variable they can to improve their odds of avoiding an accident on I-75 or elsewhere in Sarasota. Please share this blog on Facebook so that other motorcyclists you know will be aware of the latest recalls and to help make sure they are riding on a safe machine.
