Photo: Suzuki
Technically speaking motorcycles are far less complex than four-wheeled vehicles, and that might have you believe mistakes are less likely to be made during the assembly process. Yet they do happen, and they could have unexpected and potentially dangerous effects.
Take Suzuki, for instance, and its brand-new GSX-8R model. Fresh on the market after its presentation at the 2023 EICMA show in Milan, the model hasn't had enough time to spread like wildfire in the possession of riders across the U.S., but enough of them have been produced that a manufacturing issue could cause serious problems.
The Japanese bike maker said this week it will recall 360 of the new model year GSX-8R because of some missing rivets. And not just any rivets, but the ones that are meant to hold in place the bikes' drive chains.
The absence of the rivets may cause said drive chains to detach, and that in turn can lead to a loss of power to the rear wheel. The ultimate effect of this is that a crash may occur, with potentially dangerous effects.
After finding the fault, Suzuki decided to issue the recall and the motorcycles sent in for inspection. If dealers find the drive chain to be missing rivets, the reapir will consist in the fitting of a replacement joint and replacement sprockets.
And now comes the interesting part. None of the affected motorcycles are within the possession of private riders, and they are all ”within the manufacturer's direct control.” What that means is that Suzuki will not issue any owner notification letters.
Yet, if you feel uneasy at this news, and you are an owner of a GSX-8R that would like to know more about the recall, you can contact the bike maker at (714) 572-1490. Alternatively, you could reach the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The number for this recall is 3A02.
The Suzuki GSX-8R is a sportbike that's part of the GSX-S series together with the GSX-8S. It is one of the bike maker's longest-lived models, having been around ever since the mid-1980s.
In its current incarnation the motorcycle is powered by a 776cc four-stroke, liquid-cooled, parallel twin engine breathing out a 2-into-1 exhaust system. The engine is common across several Suzuki platforms, and in this application it develops a total of close to 82 hp and 78 Nm of torque.
Suzuki is selling the ride in three color combinations (Metallic Triton Blue, Pearl Ignite Yellow, and Metallic Matte Sword Silver). All colors wrap around a body Suzuki describes as "a thoroughly modern interpretation of Suzuki's sportbike heritage."
The starting price for the two-wheeler is set at $9,439, but that does not include $560 destination and freight charges.
The Japanese bike maker said this week it will recall 360 of the new model year GSX-8R because of some missing rivets. And not just any rivets, but the ones that are meant to hold in place the bikes' drive chains.
The absence of the rivets may cause said drive chains to detach, and that in turn can lead to a loss of power to the rear wheel. The ultimate effect of this is that a crash may occur, with potentially dangerous effects.
After finding the fault, Suzuki decided to issue the recall and the motorcycles sent in for inspection. If dealers find the drive chain to be missing rivets, the reapir will consist in the fitting of a replacement joint and replacement sprockets.
And now comes the interesting part. None of the affected motorcycles are within the possession of private riders, and they are all ”within the manufacturer's direct control.” What that means is that Suzuki will not issue any owner notification letters.
Yet, if you feel uneasy at this news, and you are an owner of a GSX-8R that would like to know more about the recall, you can contact the bike maker at (714) 572-1490. Alternatively, you could reach the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The number for this recall is 3A02.
The Suzuki GSX-8R is a sportbike that's part of the GSX-S series together with the GSX-8S. It is one of the bike maker's longest-lived models, having been around ever since the mid-1980s.
In its current incarnation the motorcycle is powered by a 776cc four-stroke, liquid-cooled, parallel twin engine breathing out a 2-into-1 exhaust system. The engine is common across several Suzuki platforms, and in this application it develops a total of close to 82 hp and 78 Nm of torque.
Suzuki is selling the ride in three color combinations (Metallic Triton Blue, Pearl Ignite Yellow, and Metallic Matte Sword Silver). All colors wrap around a body Suzuki describes as "a thoroughly modern interpretation of Suzuki's sportbike heritage."
The starting price for the two-wheeler is set at $9,439, but that does not include $560 destination and freight charges.
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