2014 Honda CB500

Defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Honda CBR500 motorcycles manufactured January 24, 2013, to May 14, 2015, and 2013-2015 CB500 motorcycles manufactured January 31, 2013, to May 16, 2015. The affected motorcycles may experience the fuel level sensor float arm becoming deformed due to exposure to environmental and roadway conditions. This deformation can cause the float arm to separate from the fuel level sensor body.

Risk. If the float arm separates from the sensor body, it can give the fuel meter inaccurate information, or in some cases the float may contact the positive and negative terminals causing an electrical short. Either condition may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel level sensor assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-310-783-2000. Honda's number for this recall is JT1.

Defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 ST1300PA, 2014-2015 CB500, CBR500, CRF250L, CBR650, CTX700, NSS300, VT750, VT1300, 2015 CB300F, CBR300, CBR600, and 2014-2016 NC700 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, sealant may have been incorrectly applied to the starter relay switch, and as a result, the electrical system may have a loss of power.

Risk. A loss of electrical power may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace any affected starter relay switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is JS9 and JT0.

THROTTLE RESPONSE IS VERY JERKY AND DANGEROUS AT SLOW SPEEDS, THROWING DRIVER BACK ON ACCELERATION AND FORWARD WHEN THROTTLE IS ROLLED OFF. I GET THROWN INTO OPPOSING TRAFFIC WHEN STARTING INTO RIGHT HAND TURN FROM STOP ON TWO-LANE ROAD AND CANNOT DRIVE SLOWLY W/O JERKING FAST, THEN SLOW. THERE IS NO SLIPPING THE CLUTCH FOR CONTROL AND SLOW SPEED CANNOT BE MAINTAINED. EITHER IT IS ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING, BUT THERE'S NO EVEN, SLOW SPEED POSSIBLE.

AFTER A 2 HOUR RIDE (90 MILES) ON HIGHWAYS AND LOCAL ROADS, I NOTICED THE PIN THAT HOLDS THE RIGHT SIDE HINGE (LOOKING AT THE MOTORCYCLE FROM THE REAR) OF THE HONDA ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ACCESSORY "TOP BOX" CASE WAS PROTRUDING BY ABOUT 1 1/2" FROM ITS SOCKET. HAD IT MOVED ANY FURTHER, IT WOULD HAVE FALLEN OUT. HAD IT FALLEN OUT WHILE RIDING, THE TOP BOX CASE MIGHT HAVE BEEN BLOWN OPEN BY WIND FROM THE FRONT AND CAUSED A CRASH. I NOW CHECK ALL 6 HINGE PINS (2 ON THE TOP CASE AND 2 EACH ON THE SIDE PANNIERS) EVERY TIME I MOUNT THE BIKE. I FIND THE RIGHT TOP CASE PIN FREQUENTLY HAS SLIPPED OUT BY 1/4" ON A SHORT RIDE, AND I PUSH IT BACK IN WITH MY KEY. ALL 6 PINS ON THE TOP CASE AND 2 PANNIERS ARE IDENTICAL IN DESIGN. I WORRY THAT THE DESIGN OF ALL 6 PINS IS DEFECTIVE, MAY FAIL AND LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO MY HONDA DEALER WHO SUGGESTED I "FIX" IT MYSELF WITH SOME KIND OF ADHESIVE CAULK. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO HONDA ITSELF WHO SAID THE 1 PIN MAY POSSIBLY BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY "MAY" REPLACE THE TOP BOX. IF THEY REPLACE THE TOP BOX, THAT WOULD BE NICE, BUT, STILL, I WORRY THE PIN DESIGN ITSELF IS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE OTHER PINS ON THE PANNIERS MAY FAIL TOO. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DO A SAFETY CHECK EVERY 25-50 MILES, YET, THAT CURRENTLY SEEMS TO BE NECESSARY. THE COMPANY SHOULD COME UP WITH A SOLUTION AND HAVE THEIR DEALERS IMPLEMENT IT FOR ALL PINS ON ALL ACCESSORY CASES FOR THEIR CB500XAE MOTORCYCLES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SIMPLE PROBLEM WITH