Polar Bear Grand Tour Motorcycle Run to the Hickory BBQ Smokehouse, Kingston, NY on March 29, 2015

Check out pictures and videos of the 22nd motorcycle run of the 2014-2015 Polar Bear Grand Tour season to the Hickory BBQ Smokehouse, Kingston, NY on March 29, 2015.

BMW Recalls 2005-2010 R1200GS and R1200RT, 2006-2010 R1200GS Adventure, 2007-2010 R1200R, 2007 R1200S and K1200R Sport, 2005-2007 R1200ST, 2008-2009 HP2 Megamoto, 2006 HP2 Enduro, 2008-2010 HP2 Sport, 2005-2008 K1200S, 2006-2008 K1200R, K1200GT, 2009-2011 K1300S, 2010-2011 K1300R, and 2009-2010 K1300GT Motorcycles for Cracking Rear Wheel Mounting Flange

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 R1200GS and R1200RT, 2006-2010 R1200GS Adventure, 2007-2010 R1200R, 2007 R1200S and K1200R Sport, 2005-2007 R1200ST, 2008-2009 HP2 Megamoto, 2006 HP2 Enduro, 2008-2010 HP2 Sport, 2005-2008 K1200S, 2006-2008 K1200R, K1200GT, 2009-2011 K1300S, 2010-2011 K1300R, and 2009-2010 K1300GT motorcycles.

In the affected motorcycles, the rear wheel mounting flange may crack if the rear wheel mounting bolts are overtightened.

If the rear wheel mounting flange cracks, the mounting bolts may loosen and the rear wheel may not remain secured to the motorcycle, causing a loss of stability and increasing the risk of a crash.

43,426 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Polar Bear Grand Tour Motorcycle Run to Brian's Harley-Davidson, Langhorne, PA on March 22, 2015

Check out pictures and videos of the 21st motorcycle run of the 2014-2015 Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Brian's Harley-Davidson, Langhorne, PA on March 22, 2015.

Polar Bear Grand Tour Motorcycle Run to Chatterbox, Augusta, NJ on March 15, 2015

Check out pictures and videos of the 20th motorcycle run of the 2014-2015 Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Chatterbox, Augusta, NJ on March 15, 2015.

Indian Recalls 2015 Chief Motorcycles for Rear Brake Master Cylinder Problem

Indian Motorcycle Company (Indian) is recalling certain model year 2015 Scout N15MSA00AA, N15MSA00AH, N15MSA00AR, N15MSA00AS, N15MSA00BA, N15MSA00BH, N15MSA00BS, N15MSA00CA, and N15MSA00CS motorcycles manufactured May 12, 2014, to February 13, 2015.

Due to a problem with the rear brake master cylinder, the motorcycles may have a reduction in, or a complete loss of, rear brake power.

A full or partial loss of rear braking power may lengthen the distance needed to slow or stop the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.

806 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Kawasaki Recalls 2009-2013 Concours 14 and 14 ABS Police Motorcycles for Possibility that Additional Police Accessories and Police Wiring Harness Chafing May Cause the 30-amp Main Fuse to Blow

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (Kawasaki) is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Kawasaki Concours 14 and 14ABS motorcycles manufactured May 8, 2008, to February 20, 2013, and modified for police authority use.

The additional police accessories may cause the 30-amp main fuse to blow. Also, the additional police wiring harness may chafe leading to a short, which may blow the main fuse.

If the fuse blows, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

194 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Polar Bear Grand Tour Motorcycle Run to Long Valley Pub & Brewery - Long Valley, NJ on March 8, 2015

Check out pictures and videos of the 19th motorcycle run of the 2014-2015 Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Long Valley Pub & Brewery, Long Valley, NJ on March 8, 2015.

Daytona Bike Week -- The Beginning of the Rally Season

The 74th anniversary of Daytona Bike Week is being held March 6-15, 2015 in Daytona Beach, Florida. The start of Daytona Bike Week is often announced on the morning TV news shows. You know, where somebody sticks their face in front of the camera and announces: "We're at the opening of Daytona Bike Week. Good Morning America," and then you see a whole line of bikes roar off in front of the camera. Unfortunately, most of the remainder of Bike Week will not be seen by non-motorcyclists.

Check out my article, Daytona Bike Week, for details.

Here in the frigid Northeast, I hear plenty of people talking about going to Daytona. Some are riding down with friends. Riding sometimes means riding in a car and towing a trailer with the bike on it. After all, the 1500 miles down with uncertain weather conditions has left many a rider stranded in a snow storm or Nor'easter. After that happens to you once, you tend to be a little more cautious the next time you go.

Maybe you want to skip Daytona and concentrate on planning to go to some smaller rallies this year. Be sure to read my article, Motorcycle Rallies, where I discuss rallies and give you information about the top rallies that I like. Of course, your views may be different -- this is Motorcycle Views after all.

I just got my registration information for the Americade Motorcycle Rally. That one is my favorite and I attended with Jane almost every year from 1994 to 2008. Since Jane's death in late 2008, I have read all the literature about Americade and even filled out the application a few times but haven't gone yet. Jane and I rode together and she had her own trike so it just wouldn't be the same. But, I keep thinking about it and hope to go soon before I can't ride anymore.

You just have to pick and choose what rallies appeal to you most in these uncertain economic times. Motorcycle rallies are a lot of fun. If you've never attended a rally, you owe it to yourself to go. You just might find a rally or two that you'll want to go to every year, just like I went to Americade for so many years, regardless of the weather, and hope to start back up soon.

Suomy SPA (Suomy) Recalls 2013 Apex-S1R-EX Motorcycle Helmets for Not Meeting the Penetration Requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 218, "Motorcycle Helmets."

Suomy SPA (Suomy) is recalling certain Apex-S1R-EX motorcycle helmets, sizes Extra Small, Small, and Medium manufactured January 1, 2013, to July 31, 2013.

The affected motorcycle helmets may not meet the penetration requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 218, "Motorcycle Helmets."

In the event of a motorcycle crash, the wearer may not be adequately protected, increasing the risk of personal injury.

390 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Equipment Recalls feature for more details.

Harley-Davidson Recalls Accessory LED Bullet Turn Signal Kits Sold for 2011 and Later Softail-family and 2012 and Later Dyna-family Motorcycles Since They May Not Flash Brightly Enough to Comply With Federal Standards

Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling certain accessory LED Bullet Turn Signal Kits manufactured May 31, 2011, to December 16, 2014, sold for installation on 2012 and later Dyna-family motorcycles and 2011 and later Softail family motorcycles.

The affected Turn Signal Kits may not flash brightly enough to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

If the turn signals do not flash brightly enough, other drivers may fail to see that motorcycle is turning or changing lanes, increasing the risk of a crash.

2,476 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Equipment Recalls feature for more details.

Polar Bear Grand Tour Motorcycle Run to Lighthouse Tavern, Waretown, NJ on March 1, 2015

Check out pictures and videos of the 18th motorcycle run of the 2014-2015 Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Lighthouse Tavern, Waretown, NJ on March 1, 2015.