Motorcycle Recalls
Motorcyclists assume that their new bike will be trouble-free and safe to ride. In fact, some bikers only buy "new" to eliminate the problems commonly associated with owning a used bike. However, even the most expensive model can leave the manufacturer's dock with serious problems and some are serious enough to require a "motorcycle recall" to fix the discrepancies in motorcycle design, manufacturing technique or third-party products. In fact, not only do bad parts slip through quality control inspections, sometimes good parts are incorrectly installed. Keeping up to date on the latest motorcycle recall listings is crucial to ensure your ride is safe and to help you avoid an unwanted accident. In the United States, recall notices are published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a federal agency that maintains an extensive database for today's biker.
Sometimes serious design problems are only discovered after many models of the motorcycle have been sold and are being ridden everyday on busy roadways. Even very competent design engineers are not always capable of identifying problems that can potentially lead to a part's failure. Logic would suggest that any motorcycle design flaw or parts failure would be more likely to occur after many miles of use but, due to the extensive use of electronics in today's motorcycles, a complete loss of riding control can happen with very little warning to the bike's operator. No matter what the reason for the issuance of a recall notice, the bike's owner should always take any notification seriously. Most motorcycle manufacturers and some local dealers maintain a mailing list for timely notifications of motorcycle recall programs. So, be proactive and check your email and mail box regularly for recall notices.
As avid motorcycle enthusiasts, our accident attorneys have the same responsibility as other bikers to ensure that their ride is safe to operate on Florida's roadways. Most have a trusted motorcycle mechanic that performs routine maintenance and inspections to ensure their bike is in sound operating condition. After any motorcycle crash, you should take your bike to a qualified mechanic to determine whether it is safe to operate and what needs to be repaired or replaced. If you do not have a mechanic, contact the dealership where you purchased your bike and ask to speak with a manager in the motorcycle shop's service department. If your ride was customized or custom built, it is always a good idea to take the bike back to the builder for a thorough inspection following any crash. Be safe, stay informed and ride on.
