NHTA RECALL : BMW issued a recall on the R NINE T model

[mika]

The BMW - Transport Canada recall has officially expanded to the USA.

Bmw ( 15v110000 )
Dated: FEB 20, 2015 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 R nine T motorcycles manufactured November 27, 2013, through January 26, 2015. The design of the rear turn signals may partially obscure the lights from being seen by the driver of a following vehicle. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

CONSEQUENCE:
In certain road and traffic conditions, the rear turn signals may be slightly obscured to the driver of a following vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear turn signals with ones that have longer arms, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 21, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

[mikegalbicka]

The design of the rear turn signals may partially obscure the lights from being seen by the driver of a following vehicle.

How could something so basic and important be screwed up?

[mika]

How could something so basic and important be screwed up?

Maybe they included humans in the design process.

[lkraus]

I don't see the problem. It's hard to find a straight-on rear view of a stock R Nine T, but this is close:.
bmw-R-nine-t-660x440.jpg

From the side, at low angles, a turn signal on the far side of the bike can be blocked by the tail piece, but do I really care if a bike next to me turns away? Longer stalks won't help with that anyway. I don't see anything to block the view from the rear or near side.

[mika]

The Transport Canada recall appears to be the first. I checked UK, EU, AU and NZ sites and did not find a similar recall there. The wording in the Transport Canada recall not included in the NHTSA recall is the lense area visibility.

These motorcycles may have been built with rear turn signals that do not meet the lens area visibility requirements of the standard.


I have not found the standard to see how far off the original might be. The longer stalk on the recall replacement part may provide addition compliance. I do not have a picture of the replacement part for comparison.

Here is a full on rear shot from the original press kit.

[patm]

The Transport Canada recall appears to be the first. I checked UK, EU, AU and NZ sites and did not find a similar recall there. The wording in the Transport Canada recall not included in the NHTSA recall is the lense area visibility.

These motorcycles may have been built with rear turn signals that do not meet the lens area visibility requirements of the standard.


I have not found the standard to see how far off the original might be. The longer stalk on the recall replacement part may provide addition compliance. I do not have a picture of the replacement part for comparison.

Here is a full on rear shot from the original press kit.

According to the motorcycle inspection guide from our benevolent government, the minimum distance between the turn indicators has to be 9 inches, the minimum surface 3,5 inches square and must be 4 inches higher than the brake light if they are red. They must be SAE approved for road use.

I'm thinking they may not meet the minimum surface standard.

2016-09-20 15_18_29-guide-verification-motocyclette.pdf.jpg

[ClassicVW]

There's no mention in the "REMEDY" section about larger surface area, just that lights with longer arms will be supplied to prevent a signal from being obscured..
From what is mentioned by Pat, the distance from either the center of each light (or the center of each bulb?) must be 9 inches.

So, the problem is either that they are not 9 inches apart, or that BMW screwed up and designed the tail/brake light improperly so it blocks the turn signal from being seen unobstructed. - Which is what I see the problem to be.

[Omega Man]

No big deal. If this is all that goes wrong this week, we are a winner. Good thing to have taken care of during off-season service.
OM

[lmo1131]

That's funny. One of the first "mods" I did on my /5 was to narrow down the rear turn signal tube.


Photo Source: www.largiader.com