Suzuki Corporate and the 08 RECALL

I stopped by my stealership Freestate cycles in Maryland to have a new rear tire put on. The service manager told me if I dropped it off for service they wouldn't be able to release because of the recall. He recommended I take it to a non Suzuki dealership until they release a fix for the recall. So from what I gather it's a pretty serious saftey issue, but I'm not to worried in the 7,000 miles I've put on my bike I've had no problems.
 
This is a TSB not a recall! They are not the same thing! It basically means they "MAY" have found a reoccurring problem and this is the 1st thing to check if certain symptoms are described to the mechanic and this is how to fix it.This isn't a safety issue because then Suzuki would be forced to issue a recall. Has anybody had this problem or even heard of anybody else that has? I thought not. So stop your worrying and speculating and go ride your bike. Our K8s are awesome motorcycles and if this ends up being the biggest problem with it then I'm fine with that. It's not like the wheels are falling off or the steering is locking up or the chain is snapping or the transmission is locking up or something that could kill us. It simply sounds like a harness could have been routed better and then a wire might chafe on something or break off. Worst case is your bike shuts off and you might be stranded and inconvenienced but it shouldn't cause you to crash or die. All you people hyping this up are making mountains out of mole hills. I'm glad I bought my K8 and I don't blame this on being a new model year or anything else like that. It's not like it's an all new, never made bike like in 1999. It's basically new plastic and a dozen or so refinements. It doesn't matter if this was a car or a lawn mower or a motorcycle, things break and they get fixed. At least Suzuki knows that there is a problem and is taking the correct steps to remedy it.
 
This is a TSB not a recall! They are not the same thing! It basically means they "MAY" have found a reoccurring problem and this is the 1st thing to check if certain symptoms are described to the mechanic and this is how to fix it.This isn't a safety issue because then Suzuki would be forced to issue a recall. Has anybody had this problem or even heard of anybody else that has? I thought not. So stop your worrying and speculating and go ride your bike. Our K8s are awesome motorcycles and if this ends up being the biggest problem with it then I'm fine with that. It's not like the wheels are falling off or the steering is locking up or the chain is snapping or the transmission is locking up or something that could kill us. It simply sounds like a harness could have been routed better and then a wire might chafe on something or break off. Worst case is your bike shuts off and you might be stranded and inconvenienced but it shouldn't cause you to crash or die. All you people hyping this up are making mountains out of mole hills. I'm glad I bought my K8 and I don't blame this on being a new model year or anything else like that. It's not like it's an all new, never made bike like in 1999. It's basically new plastic and a dozen or so refinements. It doesn't matter if this was a car or a lawn mower or a motorcycle, things break and they get fixed. At least Suzuki knows that there is a problem and is taking the correct steps to remedy it.
Actually that is not true... They have found a safety issue on the 2008 that warrents them to stop sale and shipments while they work with the NHSA to figure out the legal issues of performing the recall.

Normally the first we hear of a recall is when we get a letter in the mail, well this is urgent enough to stop sale, so it all goes back to what was said earlier, are we getting the entire story.. When I called Suzuki he said the wire harness, the stalling issue among other things..

I hope we are making mountains out of mole hills, but I have never seen anyone stop sale on a bike or car..
 
Ok, here is my thought...If it were that significant, wouldn't the dealers or Suzuki try to contact all '08 owners informing to park the bike until further notice- especially if life threatening?
I say keep on riding.
 
I will keep riding the hell out of mine.. If it shuts off I'll pull over and call for my buddy to come with my pickup truck... 7100 miles and no problems so far...
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I guess what I want to know is Has anyone had a problem and where do I need look I am over 5000 miles and no probs. Untill I know more I will keep racking up the miles
 
I haven't had any issues witht the wiring on mine yet. When I installed the headlight modulator and heli-bars I loosened up all the wiring ties and pulled a bit of slack from the faing area. The is nothing tight about the wiring on my bike at the steering head. The TSB may only affect a certain range of bikes. Even if mine is listed I'm going to ignore it unless I have a problem. I pushed a TSB for the 2007 FJR because it cause more than a few serious pucker moments. This will not be reported unless I have a few of those moments on the Busa.

2800 miles and counting. (I would have more if I didn't split it between three vehicles.) So far, so good.

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Even if mine is listed I'm going to ignore it unless I have a problem.
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You serious?

Nice blinkered approach to life... i like it  
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Lets hope no one has to pull you dead out of a ditch due to you not getting something checked that could be dangerous???
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Jza
Agreed, thats like seeing oil dripping from your bike and riding it anyways. Or disconnecting the kick stand switch.

Honestly heres your sign.
 
Even if mine is listed I'm going to ignore it unless I have a problem.
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You serious?

Nice blinkered approach to life... i like it
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Lets hope no one has to pull you dead out of a ditch due to you not getting something checked that could be dangerous???
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Jza
need more info on what the issue really is myself... but I tend to agree on a lot of TSB's they are very often very limited in scope and more preventative in nature... if it was genuinely dangerous, it would get a different label... "Recall?" (and I thought they quit using that term, guess it was just a change in scope?)
 
So...worst case here...if you were pushing hard in the turns and the engine died while in the center of the apex...would the back tire not grab (i do realize you could grab the clutch but the bike reaction would have already started)???  Being stranded is one thing...high-siding in a turn is another.  Not trying to light a signal fire here but it is something i've considered.  Anyone have a guess as to how the bike would react?  
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I have a Dragon's Tail run coming up and was kinda thinking on the subject as I said...worst case senario
 
I just bought an 08 Busa yesterday and have been riding the hell out of it. My dealer has not heard of a recall nor have they been instructed in anyway to stop selling the bikes. Sucks to hear there is a recall. However until something official is released I'm gonna keep riding. I'm thinking that if the dealers haven't heard of a recall yet, I'm wary of believing the rumor of recalls. And lets face it, we're all out there riding these bikes which is already dangerous in itself. We are all rolling the dice everytime we suit up and go. Hope this does turn out to be just a rumor though.
 
My front fairing is off right now so I took a look at the ignition wiring. It would take a million miles of twisties for the harness to rub through the way it is now. The harness does take a good bend the way they have it tied back every time you turn left but "HOPEFULLY" Suzuki is using a very high strand ultra-flex wiring.
 
Ok,

Not how I envisioned my first post to the board... shitty topic to kick things off with. I just purchased a new 08 Busa on 5/31, am planning on picking up the bike on Thurs. 6/5. I will obviously inquire with the dealership to see if they have any details, but do you think there's a chance that they will not release the bike to me? Would you still take delivery of the bike? It appears there haven't been any confirmed issues due to this problem, however I am a little paranoid because the last bike I purchased brand new also had a factory recall (93 ZX-7) and it was a nightmare, so much so I sold the bike shortly thereafter. Don't want to go through another experience like that one.

Let me know your thoughts,
David
 
David,
Welcome to the board, I am over in Marlboro. I spoke to both the dealership in Auburn and Billerica and neither knows anything about a recall etc. They both asked for my VIN and called me back after running the number thru their search database I assume. No hits, so they said they don't know anything about it.

My .02
 
Ok,

Not how I envisioned my first post to the board... shitty topic to kick things off with. I just purchased a new 08 Busa on 5/31, am planning on picking up the bike on Thurs. 6/5. I will obviously inquire with the dealership to see if they have any details, but do you think there's a chance that they will not release the bike to me? Would you still take delivery of the bike? It appears there haven't been any confirmed issues due to this problem, however I am a little paranoid because the last bike I purchased brand new also had a factory recall (93 ZX-7) and it was a nightmare, so much so I sold the bike shortly thereafter. Don't want to go through another experience like that one.

Let me know your thoughts,
David
David, I would say your going to be fine in the long run... This platform has been in the works since 2004 and its based on a bike thats been around since 99! Now, the potential for your new ride having this issue is slim but none the less its still there. Would I put off the purchase? No.... IF, your new bike was on the list you wouldn't be picking it up as Suzuki would/should have already contacted the dealer to notify them NOT to allow the sale of the bike. When you do get it your gonna have to come back and post some pictures up! Oh and welcome to the oRg
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Thanks for the re-assurance guys. I appreciate the feedback and the warm welcome. You better believe I will be back with some pictures.
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Look forward to meeting and learning from the community.

Thanks
David
 
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