Hope you’re all keeping well and your bikes are running sweet. If you’re lucky enough to be in warm weather, I hope you’re enjoying some cracking rides. If not, well, wrap up warm before you hit the road.
It is just a quick one today, but I do have some important news for any of you riding certain Husqvarna or GasGas models.
Husky and GasGas have taken a back seat recently and to be honest, who knows what the future holds, but for now it seems it is business as usual.
But.
KTM North America has announced a pretty significant recall, and I want to make sure you all know about it because, well, when it comes to brakes, we don’t mess about, do we?
The issue affects the front brake calipers on specific bikes, and it’s all down to some dodgy casting irregularities, and these aren’t giveaway bikes.
What it does highlight is the complex web of the modern industry and the problems that such a web can cause.
The brake calipers are made and supplied to KTM by J. Juan, who are a big Chinese brake manufacturer I have heard called the Brembo of China. In general their brakes perform pretty well from my experience. But not this time.
They apparently subcontracted the casting of the caliper bodies out and they have had some problems with quality control.
The result? Some of the calipers can develop a crack in the upper guide pin, which could make your front brake less effective.
And you don’t get a more basic safety essential than front brakes.
Knowing you will stop when you hit the lever is something we all take for granted, but here there have been enough problems with front stopper they have had to act.
This isn’t a small recall either.
It is initially a US led recall and we are talking about over 5,000 motorcycles recalled in the US alone.
So far there has been no announcement in Europe or Australia that I know about so we will have to wait and see on that.
But I am pretty sure the same brakes are fitted for the States as they are for the rest of the world.
So which models are affected? Well, if you’re riding any of thefollowing bikes you need to contact head office.
First with Husqvarna, we have the FE350 and FE501’s, built from 2022 through to 2024.
Then with GasGas, we have the ES350 and the ES500, but here it gets messy.
The GasGas bikes are the ones built from 2024 to 2025, and remember, these are production dates which sometimes vary from the date of registration.
The production dates on the affected bikes range from January 2022, all the way through to bikes still on showroom floors, but the VIN numbers are non-sequential, so you need to check properly.
I will leave a list of the VIN numbers affected in the description, but they are VBKUAG40XNM252726 to VBKUAJ409RM459739 for the Husqvarna’s and from VBKGCG404RM213160 to VBKGCJ405SM463249 for the GasGas bikes.
The good news, is that so far, there haven’t been any reported injuries or deaths related to this issue. But that doesn’t mean it should be taken lightly.
Safety on motorcycles should always be paramount, and even a slightly compromised front brake could spell disaster in an emergency situation.
KTM North America does actually seem to be taking this seriously, and I am interested to see if the rest of the world follows them.
Should something like this be announced by the distributers? Surely it should be coming from the manufacturers really?
In the US they have been notifying their dealer network and if you own one of these bikes, you should expect to hear from them soon.
However, it is a known issue, and if I was you I wouldnt be waiting for a call.
Get onto them now and get it chased up.
What should you do if you think your bike might be affected?
Well, KTM North America says when you get the notification, you’ll need to schedule a service with your local authorized KTM, GasGas, or Husqvarna dealer.
They will inspect your front brake caliper to see if it’s one of the dodgy ones.
If it is, they’ll replace it with an improved unit under warranty at their cost.
If you’re concerned and want to check before you get an official notification, you can always contact KTM North America customer service at 1-888-985-6090.
Alternatively, you can reach out to the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit their website at www.nhtsa.gov.
Looking at the bigger picture, this recall reminds us how complex the supply chain is for modern motorcycles. One sub-contractor’s mistakes can lead to thousands of potentially dangerous situations for riders.
It’s a stark reminder of why quality control is so crucial in the motorcycle industry.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – your safety on any motorcycle is not something to compromise on.
As I have said, If you think your bike might be affected, don’t wait for the official notification. Get it checked out sooner rather than later.
Personally, regardless of the recent rescue package, I would be making sure it got done as soon as possible before any more financial irregularities are uncovered in the Pierer Mobility Group.
For those of you who aren’t affected by this recall, it’s still a good reminder to regularly check your brakes and make sure they’re in top condition. A quick inspection before each ride could save your life one day.
I’ll keep you updated if there are any developments with this recall or if any other information comes to light.
Staying informed about information like this has to be a good thing, and I think KTM North America should be applauded for what does seem like swift action this time.
It is a pity they didn’t act this fast on the LC8C engines.
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