All American Aprilia RSV4 Motors Get Recalled

[Asphalt & Rubber]

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This article comes from AsphaltandRubber.com
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After discovering a faulty component was used in a select number of RSV4 motors, Aprilia is recalling nearly 300 V4 superbike motors worldwide, including ever motor shipped in bikes to the United States. While the faulty component isn’t being named, early rumors peg the bike’s connecting rod bearing, which sidelined the company’s track day debut to the press several months ago, as being the problem piece.

To-date, there have been no known engine failures on customer bikes, but Aprilia isn’t taking any chances, and has motors already on the way from Italy. The company hopes to have the recall finished by February, and will be personally contacting each RSV4 owner. Press statement after the jump.

Statement from Aprilia:
Aprilia Italy has announced its intent to recall a limited number of RSV4 motorcycles for engine replacement. While only a small number of production units are affected, the recall impacts all RSV4 motorcycles delivered within the U.S. market to date.

Following extensive testing and verification, the Italian manufacturer assessed that one component in a small group of engines assembled during a specific time period had failed to meet stringent factory quality standards, resulting in an unacceptable risk of future engine failures. To date, there have been no warranty claims related to this potential issue in the U.S. market. However, in line with the premium quality standards of Aprilia motorcycles and potential safety implications, the manufacturer and its dealerships are committed to immediate action to ensure complete Aprilia owner satisfaction.

To prepare for the recall in the U.S. market, Aprilia USA technical representatives are contacting each RSV4 owner to notify them of the replacement process and timeframe. To expedite the replacement, customers will be able to select from a list of Aprilia dealers who have completed RSV4 technical training. Free transportation of the RSV4 to the dealership will be provided.

Aprilia dealers were notified of the pending recall January 21, 2010. Replacement engines for all units affected are already in transit to the U.S. market and owners are in the process of being contacted. Aprilia USA is expecting to complete the engine replacement on consumer RSV4 motorcycles by the end of February 2010.

Customers with immediate questions or concerns are invited to contact their local Aprilia USA dealer.
Source: Aprilia



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[BikePilot]

Must be something major if they are replacing the whole motor That's going to cost a few bucks. Wonder what they'll do with the old ones

[Aredubu]

I heard a RSV4 last week for the first time. The rider was getting ready to blast up an on-ramp. Sounded so cool!

[Steve TLS]

Another on here >> RSV4 Factory recall

[TLR-Brendan]

Originally Posted by BikePilot

Must be something major if they are replacing the whole motor That's going to cost a few bucks. Wonder what they'll do with the old ones

They will destroy them.
Where I used to work Honda shipped us a crate engine to replace an engine that had a clutch failure. The Honda rep made our service writer beat every part of that engine untill nothing was useable. Broke the cases, head, cylinder, input and output shaft and all of the sensor mounts.
What a waste.

[rufer]

Conrods, it's a batch of faulty conrods. It's in every motorcycle magazine here.

Greetings
Rufer

[BikePilot]

Originally Posted by TLR-Brendan

They will destroy them.
Where I used to work Honda shipped us a crate engine to replace an engine that had a clutch failure. The Honda rep made our service writer beat every part of that engine untill nothing was useable. Broke the cases, head, cylinder, input and output shaft and all of the sensor mounts.
What a waste.

I'm hoping Aprilia isn't so stupid My guess is they are worried about liability (not unreasonable in the US), but they have the option of putting them to use in a country that actually allows its citizens to fully waive liability, or comes closer to it. Doubtful there's much liability risk in many countries.

[tls-moose]

Not all in the UK are being recalled

My friend has one of the first sold in the Westcountry, and his isn't being swapped, but the same dealer is having the engine replaced in one they have on the showroom floor just waiting to go to it's new owner, and another customer who has just paid for his first service is getting his swapped too.

There were tales of con-rods failing on the launch bikes ......

The sound "in gear" is awesome They run a completely different map in neutral compared to in gear, and the sound when revved is completely different ...... ideal for trackday noise tests