2015 Yamaha FJ-09

The defect

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain 2015-2017 FJ-09, FZ-09, and XSR900 motorcycles. The lower handlebar holder may loosen due to a painting issue and the inadequate application of the thread-locking agent.

The risk

If the handlebars are not properly secured to the motorcycle, a loss of vehicle control may result, increasing the risk of a crash.

The remedy

Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lower handlebar holder, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2017. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1-800-962-7926. Yamaha's number for this recall is 990114.

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA · up to 22,433 vehicles across all model years covered

The defect

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain model year 2015 FJ-09 (FJ09F/FC), FZ-09 (FZ09F/FC), FZ6R (FZ6RF/FC), Super Tenere (XTZ12F/FC), Super Tenere ES (XTZ12EF/EFC), and R6 (YZF-R6) motorcycles manufactured September 1, 2014, to November 17, 2014. The affected motorcycles may have an incorrectly manufactured shift cam segment stopper, having a sharp edge on the inside of the bend instead of a smooth radius. As a result, the stopper can crack and possibly fracture at this sharp edge.

The risk

If the stopper fractures, the transmission may not shift properly, increasing the risk of a crash.

The remedy

Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift shaft assembly with a new one, free of charge. The recall began on April 6, 2015. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1-800-962-7926.

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA · up to 4,900 vehicles across all model years covered

crash · 1,500 miles

THE OIL PAN DRAIN PLUG IS PROTECTED BY A PROTRUDING FIN. IF THIS FIN HITS AN OBJECT IT WILL BE PUSHED INTO THE OIL PAN AND CAUSE IT TO RUPTURE/ FRACTURE AND RELEASE THE OIL. THIS RELEASE OF A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL MAY COVER THE BACK WHEEL CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLY DEATH. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED TO MY FJ 09, BUT IS DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET. I CALLED YAMAHA ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY DO NOT HAVE A RECALL. BUT ON THE 2016 MODEL, THEY MOVED THE DRAIN PLUG TO THE SIDE OF THE OIL PAN, INDICATING THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint 10945266. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

12,000 miles

CLUTCH BASKET WENT BAD (MANY OF THIS ENGINE MOTORCYCLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM)

NHTSA complaint 11219387. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

8,900 miles

I JUST HAD TO PAY TO HAVE A SAFETY PROBLEM KNOWN TO YAMAHA REPAIRED. THE CLUTCH CABLE ON YAMAHA FJ-09S UP THROUGH 2017 IS KNOW TO BREAK BECAUSE OF IMPROPER DESIGN. YAMAHA HAS COME OUT WITH A REDESIGNED CLUTH CABLE TO FIX THIS PRO0BLEM. IF A RIDER HAD HIS CLUTCH CABLE BREAK IT WOULD RENDER THE MTOROCYCLE UNDRIVEABLE AND POTENTIALLY A MAJOR SAFETY FACTOR IS THE CLUTCH CABLE WAS TO BREAK IN TRAFFIC RENDERING THE MOTORCYCLE UNRIDEABLE. IT WOULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY7 PROBLEM FOR YOUNGER, LESS EXPERIENDED RIDER WHO ARE UNABLE TO SHIFT A MOTORCYCLE WITHOUT A CLUTCH.

NHTSA complaint 11075404. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

10,260 miles

WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC AT A STOP LIGHT I FELT A POP IN MY LEFT HAND AND THE CLUTCH GAINED AN EXTRA HALF INCH OF SLACK. THE MOTORCYCLE BEGAN TRYING TO LURCH FORWARD FROM THE NOW SLIPPING CLUTCH. THE CLUTCH CABLE HAD BEGUN TO BREAK. I MANAGED TO WRESTLE THE BIKE OUT OF TRAFFIC TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INJURING MYSELF BUT ALMOST DROPPED THE MOTORCYCLE NUMEROUS TIMES. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP THE MOTORCYCLE HOME AND INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE FURTHER. I HAD READ ONLINE OF MANY OTHERS HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE CLUTCH CABLE BREAKING. I ATTEMPTED TO ADJUST THE CABLE BUT IT WOULD NOT COME INTO SPEC. I REALIZED I WOULD NEED A NEW CABLE SO I TOOK A RAZOR BLADE AND DISSECTED THE CLUTCH CABLE. UPON …

NHTSA complaint 11052665, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

1,000 miles

A FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE INCIDENT INCLUDING PICTURES AND WRITE-UP CAN BE FOUND HERE:

NHTSA complaint 10824702. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

250 miles

FACTORY SPECIFICATION FOR FINAL DRIVE CHAIN TENSION ON THE FJ-09 IS UNUSUALLY TIGHT AT 5MM - 15MM. I HAVE OWNED MORE THAN 40 MOTORCYCLES AND NONE OF THEM SPECIFIED SUCH A TIGHT TENSION. MOST MFGRS, INCL. EVERY YAMAHA I'VE EVER OWNED, SPECIFY 25MM - 35MM "SLACK" IN THE CHAIN FROM FULL TIGHT AND WHEN MEASURED WITH BIKE ON CENTERSTAND. HAVING TOO LITTLE SLACK CAN RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE DRIVE CHAIN AND/OR THE REAR SPROCKET AND/OR THE FRONT SPROCKET. IF ANY OF THESE PARTS CATASTROPHICALLY FAIL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT, INJURY, AND/OR DEATH. YAMAHA SHOULD REVISE THEIR SPECIFICATION AND OFFER FREE ADJUSTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP, A 10 MINUTE JOB

NHTSA complaint 10820642. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.