Yamaha recalls motorcycles over fears the handlebars may come loose

Yamaha is recalling a number of their models after concerns that handlebars have a tendency to loosen.

This poses an obvious and dangerous risk of riders losing control if the handlebars do come loose during a ride. The fault is thought to lie with a couple of manufacturing issues, including paint application and the thread-locking agent being improperly applied. Whilst the bike is in use, engine vibrations could loosen the bolts that attach the handlebar to the body of the motorcycle.

The recall affects 22,433 of the following models:

Vehicle manufacturers usually have to work under strict regulations to ensure their vehicles are safe without fear that they may suddenly fall apart. Needless to say, a wobbly handlebar could significantly decrease the control the rider has, and this is a clear recipe for disaster.

With a single pivot point, wobbling can have devastating and potentially irrecoverable consequences for the rider. It may also be possible for the entire handlebar to become detached.

The risk of serious injury and even death makes this recall very important.

Owners being notified

The famous Japanese multi-national corporation are notifying owners and dealers of the potentially lethal defect. The affected motorcycles are to be brought in for modifications that should be free of charge.

It’s imperative that owners and dealers of affected motorcycles have the replacements carried out as soon as possible because continual use of the bikes may carry a greater risk to the rider and other road users as time goes on.

Recalled models in the U.K.

In the UK, the XSR900 and MT 09  models are affected. The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) issued a recall on 17^th April earlier this year, stating a concern that the “handlebar mounting may detach”.

Around 7,625 of the XSR900 models are under a recall in the U.K.

Not the first recent recall…

This is not the first recall Yamaha have issued in recent years. On the 4^th of December 2015, a recall was made for their YZF-1 motorcycles over a transmission defect. Manufacturers have an important responsibility to ensure vehicles they produce are safe to use. Whilst a defect alert is important to prevent owners from coming to any harm, it’s also a nuisance to temporarily lose your treasured bike; especially if it’s relied on for commuting purposes.

To reduce the number of recalls, manufacturers need to ensure all road and vehicle regulations are complied with and an abundance of testing is carried out.

Consumers are protected by law when it comes to defective products, and motorised vehicles certainly fall under this criteria. If your vehicle is defective, you have every right to seek redress. If you were unfortunate enough to be injured because of this defect, you have the right to seek compensation for the injuries sustained and any losses incurred as a result.

Image Credit:
https://pixabay.com/en/motorcycle-yamaha-xsr900-tenerife-1961218/