1999 Yamaha Yzfr1

Defect. Ohlins Racing AB (Ohlins) is recalling certain steering dampers kits manufactured with an incorrectly machined bracket. These dampers were sold for use as aftermarket equipment on Yamaha R1, R6, and FZ6, Suzuki TL1000 R and GSX1300R, Honda CB600RR, and Ducati Monster 1000, 748, 848, 916, 996, and 998 motorcycles. Also included are universal steering damper kits with part numbers SD 000 through SD 005. The affected brackets may crack.

Risk. If there is a crack in the steering bracket, at low speeds it may cause the steering to lock, leading to personal injury or a crash.

Remedy. Ohlins will notify the distributors and provide their customers with a new bracket. The recall began in November 2013. Owners may contact Ohlins USA at 1-828-692-4525. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13E-034.

Defect. MOTION PRO IS RECALLING 10,000 AFTERMARKET BRAKE LEVERS, MODEL NO. 14-0415, SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MY 1999 THROUGH 2008 SUZUKI AND MY 1998 THROUGH 2003 YAMAHA MOTORCYCLES. THE LOBE HEIGHT ON SOME OF THESE LEVERS ARE SMALLER AND DO NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE THE STOMP LAMP SWITCH WHICH WILL NOT DEACTIVATE WHEN THE DRIVER RELEASES THE BRAKE LEVER. THE LEVER CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THE MARKING "JY 378" AT THE BASE OF THE LEVER NEAR THE PIVOT BUSHING.

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE STOP LAMP WILL REMAIN ON WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. MOTION PRO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MOTION PRO AT 1-877-438-7831.

17TH MARCH 2002 JASON SCOTT TABOR ON ACTIVE DUTY WITH US ARMY STATIONED IN GERMANY WHILE RIDING A YAMAHA YZFR1 MOTOR CYCLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. DUE TO HIS BEING LISTED IN VERY CRITICAL CONDITION I FLEW TO GERMANY. I WAS PRESENT SEVERAL DAYS LATER WHEN THE US ARMY SAFETY OFFICER INVESTIGATING THE INCIDENT STATED THAT PER HIS INVESTIGATION AND EYE WITNESS ACCOUNTS THAT HE HAD PASSED A CAR AND THAT IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING GEARS ( FOOT SHIFT) HIS FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE FOOT REST AND KNOCKED DOWN THE KICK STAND. DUE TO HIS MANEUVERING AROUND THE VEHICLE THE BIKE WAS LEANING OVER AND THE KICK STAND HIT THE ROAD SURFACE PER EYE WITNESS ACCOUNTS. HE ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN CONTROL AND WAS TRYING TO HOLD ONTO THE MOTORCYCLE WHICH WAS TRYING TO THROW HIM OFF AS IT PIVOTED ON THE KICK STAND. THE BIKE ACCELERATED AND IT CRASHED INTO A ROAD SIDE POLE. HE INDICATED THE THE ENGINE SHOULD HAVE TURNED OFF ONCE THE KICKSTAND WAS MOVED WHILE THE BIKE WAS IN MOTION. SKID MARKS FROM THE KICKSTAND WERE VISIBLE ON THE ROAD SURFACE WHEN WE VISITED THE CRASH SITE. I WAS PRESENT SEVERAL DAYS LATER WHEN THE SAFETY OFFICER ACCOMPANINED BY A GROUP OF OTHER MILITARY OFFICERS INSPECTED THE MOTORCYCLE. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE KICK STAND KILL SWITCH WAS INOPERATIVE. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS BECAUSE THE SCREWS THAT MOUNT THE SWITCH IN PLACE WAS MISSING. THEY FURTHER FOUND THE BIKE WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL WHICH CAME OUT MARCH 2000. I FOUND THAT ODD AS I HAD RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE AT MY ADDRESS IN SOUTH CAROLINA

ENGINE COOLANT IS LEAKING FROM SIDE OF ENGINE. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED MOTORCYCLE AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, MANUFACTURER INFORMED DEALERSHIP THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A "POROUS CASING," AND WILL BE CONSUMERS RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE REPAIRS MADE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE COOLANT LEAK WAS DUE TO A COMBINATION OF POOR DESIGN AND MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE ENGINE'S DRAIN HOLE IS TOO CLOSE TO WATER JACKET. *YH