Honda VFR 1200 Recall!

I don't think anyone likes the word "Recall" when it comes to consumer goods.  However, it is a good thing when a company realizes there is a problem and set about fixing the problem.  American Honda Motor Company has seen a problem and issued a recall for 2010-2013 VFR 1200 motorcycles.

My 2012 VFR 1200

I have enjoyed my 2012 VFR since June of 2014 (purchased it new with only 3 miles on it).  After 11,000 miles I posted by review of the VFR.  Since then I have put another 9,000 miles on the bike including a Ride Smart Track day.

2014 summer trip - rode US 129 a.k.a. The Dragon with my son

The VFR has performed great in the mountains of Tennessee/North Carolina, Arkansas, Colorado and New Mexico as well as on the roads in Texas.  But, I hate to think of how this problem came to the attention of Honda!  Pretty scary to consider the results of the malfunction.

Below is the recall/ stop sale announcement from Honda on the www.powersports.honda.com website:

SUMMARY:

AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. (HONDA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2012-2013 VFR1200F/FD MOTORCYCLES. THE DRIVESHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT BEARING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ASSEMBLED AND, EVEN IF PROPERLY ASSEMBLED, MAY NOT HAVE SPECIFIED DURABILITY AS THE RESULT OF MANUFACTURING ERRORS.

SAFETY RISK:

IF THE UNIVERSAL JOINT SEPARATES, DRIVE FORCE WILL BE LOST; IF THE UNIVERSAL JOINT BREAKS, IT IS POSSIBLE IT MAY INTERFERE WITH THE SWING ARM AND LOCK THE REAR WHEEL WHILE RIDING. EITHER OUTCOME INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

REMEDY:

HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS. AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVESHAFT, FREE OF CHARGE. WHILE AMERICAN HONDA EXPECTS TO RECEIVE THE FIRST SHIPMENTS OF THE REMEDY PARTS IN LATE 2015 TO EARLY 2016, CUSTOMERS WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS OF THE DEFECT BEFORE THE REMEDY PARTS ARE AVAILABLE CAN BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO A HONDA MOTORCYCLE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. IF THE DRIVESHAFT FAILS THE INSPECTION, THE DRIVESHAFT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW PRE-COUNTERMEASURE PART, FREE OF CHARGE; THE CUSTOMER WILL BE ASKED TO RETURN TO HAVE THE DRIVESHAFT REPLACED WITH A REMEDY PART ONCE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. ONCE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, HONDA DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVESHAFT ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH A REMEDY PART, FREE OF CHARGE.

Honda will replace driveshaft once the replacement parts are manufactured and delivered.  In the mean time riders have to decide how to handle the situation.

 

Ride carefully and prayerfully!    

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First Track Day

I heard a lot of talk about how much a rider learns and how much fun he/she has at a track day.  Several friends had participated in one or more track days and highly recommended it.  My son had been riding his own since he was 15 (ridden on the back since he was 7) and was pretty good, but I thought improving his skills and adding to his knowledge would likely improve his safety.  So on his 18th birthday (in February) I signed him up for a RideSmart track day (in June).

I was later convinced I should participate in the track day with him and share the experience.  On June 11, 2015 we loaded up his Kawasaki ZX6R, my Honda VFR1200 and a close friend's, Sergey, VFR1200 and headed to Motorsports Ranch in Cresson, TX for a RideSmart Track day.

Two VFR's and a ZX6R heading to the track

We spent the night across from the track so we did not have to get up so early the next morning.  We arrived at the track at 6:40 to unload and make sure the bikes were ready for the track i.e. no lights, light lenses and reflectors taped...(list of requirements)

Richard make last minutes adjustments

Once the bikes were prepped we checked in and signed appropriate paperwork, picked up leathers (first timer get 1/2 priced registration with appropriate coupon code and free leather rentals) and proceeded to "tech" inspection.  Once "tech" places an inspection sticker on the bike it means we may enter the track (at the correct times).

Richard and I both decided to have the suspension adjusted by Roger of OnRoad OffRoad Cycles before hitting the track.  We left the bikes with Roger while we rode in a truck for the "track preview."

The preview consistent of several trucks with Level 1 riders in the beds.  We would stop at each corner or series of corners and an instructor would discuss the correct line for the corner and point out markers on or beside the track to shoot for.

Richard relaxing between sessions

After the preview we had a few minutes to grab a drink, snack and/or visit the restroom before the first class session.  (For Level 1 riders each hour consisted of roughly 20 minutes class, 20 minutes prep time and 20 minutes on the track.)

Rob and Richard in class

The first class session covered safety, awareness, cornering and a few more things.  After class we picked up our bikes from Roger.  We could tell an immediate difference in the suspension of the bikes.

My fellow VFR 1200 rider, Sergey pushing the Honda

Track session #1 was "round-robin" - riders were lined up behind an instructor (about 8-10 per instructor) and we followed the person in front of us at a reasonable pace to see the "line" for each corner.  After one lap the rider directly behind the instructor moved to the side and slowed down to take the end of the line.  Now a different rider was directly behind the instructor.  Before the session was over all riders had ridden behind an instructor.

Quick pace around the track

We then repeated the pattern  of class, break, track in 20 minute increments. The next few sessions had riders in groups of three sign up to wear a numbered colored jersey and a specific instructor would follow a rider while the other 2 followed instructor for a lap.  The group would briefly exit and instructor would give advice/instruction to the rider.  A different member of the trio would then take lead.  Riders not in a trio for that session were allowed to ride and work on their skills independently.

Richard, Sergey and I wore orange for our trio session.  Afterwards during the class session our instructor showed us video he recorded during our time and discussed in greater detail points to work on.  It was productive seeing myself on video.  Certain concepts became clearer.

Sergey leading the instructor around the track

This Youtube link shows me following an instructor following Richard.  (At 2 minutes we exit and the rest is of the instructor talking to Richard, so stop or you will be bored :) )

Starting about 11:30 hamburgers for lunch were provided so we took a longer break.  We were back on the track by 1:00 and continued the routine until 4.  We were all pretty tired so we skipped the last session (4:00 to 5:00) and started loading the bikes.

Inspecting the tires told the story of a lot of left hand corners.

My overall impression is this:  It was fun, informative, educational and I improved as a rider.  I also gained an understanding of my skill limits and my tolerance level (I know the bike can handle more than I am willing to do).  I did NOT become "hooked" on track days as some riders have become.

I will probably do another one.  I think once a year or so will be beneficial.  I do think if a rider has not experienced a track day they should.

 

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