KTM North America recalls off-road motorcycles

TweetCourtesy of : http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com

The following is from the CSPC…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of product: Off-Road Motorcycles

Units: About 6,117

Importer: KTM North America Inc., of Murrieta, Calif.

Hazard: The motorcycle handlebar clamp can develop cracks during normal use causing the handlebars to move from their set position. This can result in the rider losing control of the vehicle, posing a fall or crash hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: KTM received a report of one incident in which the consumer was hospitalized from injuries received in a crash after the handlebar clamps cracked and failed to secure the handlebars.

Description: This recall involves all 2011 KTM and Husaberg off-road/competition motorcycles.

The affected Husaberg bikes are blue, yellow and white in color with the model name and Husaberg logo located on the right and left shrouds.

Sold at: Authorized KTM and Husaberg dealers nationwide from April 2010 through May 2011 for between $6,200 and $9,500.

Manufactured in: Austria

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled motorcycles and contact authorized KTM and Husaberg dealers to schedule a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, consumers should contact authorized KTM or Husaberg dealers. Authorized dealers can be located by going to www.ktm.com or www.husaberg.com. Consumers may also call KTM North America Inc. customer relations at (888) 985-6090 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday to Friday.

Category Latest News |

Motorcycle riders come in all forms, shapes, and sizes

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By Joe Olvera ©, 2011

El Paso Mayor John Cook rides one, entrepreneur Julio Cesar Viramontes rides one, former state representative Norma Chavez rides one, San Elizario school board member Ramon Holguin rides one – and, now Brenda de Anda Swann, news director at KVIA-TV, Channel 7 rides one. Whether it’s a Harley-Davidson or an Enduro – motorcycles are making the grade with professional people from all walks of life No longer the exclusive property of outlaw motorcycle gangs, but are, instead gaining ground across America as people enjoy what they say is an unprecedented feeling of freedom.
“It’s exhilarating and challenging,” said de Anda Swann, who recently completed a bike trip to Alaska on her Enduro, a ride that, to her, was testament to her endurance and to her growing love of riding. “Everything on that trip was perfect. I’m hooked and I’m looking forward to my next long-distance trip on my bike. Although this trip was the hardest thing I’ve ever done physically and mentally, it was a trip to remember.”
Cook, who is also a bike enthusiast said in an earlier interview that he got hooked on riding bikes when he was in the U.S. Army stationed in Vietnam. “Bikes were a great way to get around, they were convenient, powerful, and fast.” Cook has already been on several bikes run, especially during Christmas. That’s the time when many bike riders of every persuasion climb aboard their machines collecting toys for needy children. Viramontes, the CEO of International Garment Processors has been riding for several years, and he said he must be careful, because if he ever falls, or his bike falls, he will have a tough time picking up the heavy machine. Although they’ve all had different experiences they all agree on one thing – it’s great riding a motorcycle.
DeAnda-Swann, who took up bike riding because her husband of three years, Chris, loves it so much. She said prior to this long-distance trip to Alaska, the farthest she had ridden was to Ruidoso, N.M. But Chris is an experienced rider and has taken many long-distance trips on his bike. His brother, Dominic, sometimes goes with him, as he did this time around. Chris, a production manager at Channel 7, and Dominic rode their bikes from El Paso to Alaska. De-Anda Swann, however, flew to Billings, Montana, where she met up with the boys to join them on their on their long trip. The three then rode from Billings to Edmonton and Calgary in Canada, traveling on the Alaskan Highway. De Anda-Swann, who has been with KVIA for 13 years, has been the news director for three years. Prior to that she had worked as a reporter, an assignments editor, a promotions director, and, now, is the news director.
“I rode for five days, with the longest, 15 hours, on the bike,” de Anda-Swann said. “It’s so beautiful, it brings you very close to nature. You can feel the temperature, smell the rain, see wildlife on the side of the road. The roads in that part of the country are mostly unpaved, so the riding is hard and tough. The temperature was anywhere from 50 degrees to 65 degrees, their summers are like El Paso’s winters. We did pass through Wasilla, Alaska, Sarah Palin’s hometown. The landscape and the scenery are perfect. I never thought I would take up bike riding, that is, until I married Chris. Now, I’m anxiously waiting for the next long-distance ride. I’m ready for it, wherever that may be”.

Category Featured |

Giving the gift of life

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Story and photos by: Ricky J. Carrasco

Many outside of the El Paso biker scene do not know that Mark Barnett, son of Sherman Barnett and owners of Barnett Harley Davidson, battled leukemia.  He says that he remembers that he must have used at least 30 units of blood, platelets, etc., back in 2003 while he was in a Houston hospital receiving treatments.  He further remembers that his sister organized a blood drive for him. Republic and Mancuso Harley Davidson stores in the Houston area also organized blood drives for him. “Even the mechanics from Republic got on their bikes and came after work to help me!”

“When I returned to El Paso, I remember thinking someone must have sat there and donated of their time and their own blood. If our friends and family in Houston were able to run blood drives for me there, why not make a blood drive here in our own home?”  Indeed, Mark says that every year, on average, United Blood Services and the local hospitals run about 2400 units short every year. Much of our blood supply routinely comes in from out of town.  “When we had our first drive in 2006, we broke a record. We collected 360 units.”  Mark keeps numbers of every year’s blood drive statistics on his wall.  “Now, we expect between 600 and 700 units between the Las Cruces and El Paso stores. Other blood drives don’t compare.”

Mark is happy to clean out his office so the United Blood Services can have extra room inside the store to take donations.  “It’s a lot of fun to have all these people come in and donate. We’ve managed to give out many goodie bags. For those who come out to donate, we want to make it worth their while, especially the bikers. Bikers bring in about 30-40% of the donations. When you think about it, many bikers unfortunately will probably need those donations back.”

LuAnn Wieland at U.B.S. says that the Barnetts have always been gracious with their drives.  “They give a lot to the community and help out our cause a lot! Not a lot of business owners would clear out a portion of the sales floor and even their own offices to make more space for us, our equipment, and our personnel.”

As for Mark Barnett, he is happy to report that he is 100% in remission. He acknowledges that all the anonymous people who sat to donate of themselves is a huge part of his recovery.

In El Paso alone, there is a dire need for blood and and blood products such as platelets and plasma. Every day, there are traffic accidents, home accidents, cancer patients, surgery patients and many other people who need the gift of life. If you would like to donate, contact a Untied Blood Services office near you.

Category Lifestyles |