Italian motorcycle manufacturer Aprilia, has announced a recall of a limited number of its RSV4 motorcycles for complete engine replacement. Though some websites are reporting that the recall includes the lower spec RSV4R (both machines are powered by the same motor) there’s no mention of the R version in Aprilia’s notice.
This is a pre-emptive measure on Aprilia’s part. Testing has shown defective parts in a small number of bikes that could lead to engine failures down the road, they say, and rather than wait for warranty claims to come in, they’re replacing the motors on all machines sold in the US (and Canada we presume) as soon as possible.
It’s interesting to note that the October 2009 press launch event for the RSV4R in Mugello, Italy was cut short, after five of the test machines’ engines failed due to a faulty batch of conrods. At the time Aprilia claimed the problem was confined to the test bikes and that the defective parts were not used in any production models, but we’re wondering if they’re now addressing the same issue.
Aprilia will be contacting all US RSV4 owners and paying for shipping to dealerships with Aprilia-trained mechanics, they say. The new motors are expected to be installed in all affected machines and returned to their owners before spring.
We’ll let you know if the same applies to Canadian owners, once we get clarification from parent company and North American distributer, Piaggio Group Americas Inc..
