Responding to an Inside Info news item published in the March 2009 edition of Roadracing World magazine, American Suzuki Motor Corp. has issued a statement that “Suzuki is NOT replacing frames or reimbursing owners whose bikes suffered frame cracks or damage DUE to a crash–regardless of whether that crash occurred on a race track or a public road.”

A January 30th e-mail sent to Roadracing World by American Suzuki Motor Corp. Motorcycle Division Communications Manager Glenn Hansen read as follows:

I’m writing to clarify a piece in the March 2009 Roadracing World article regarding American Suzuki’s voluntary recall of 2005-2006 GSX-R1000 models (pp.8, 10).

First, the article suggests that a frame that breaks in a crash is eligible for replacement under Suzuki’s voluntary recall campaign, and that is incorrect. Suzuki is not replacing frames or reimbursing owners whose bikes suffered frame cracks or damage due to a crash regardless of whether that crash occurred on a race track or a public road. The “Customer Notification Letter” (attached) says, “The cost of repairs to correct damage resulting from crashes, accidents, or other similar incidents will not be reimbursed.” What I intended to communicate, in my phone interview with David Swarts, was that owners who raced their bikes in sanctioned events were not disqualified from the campaign not that Suzuki would replace any frame that broke in a crash.

Second, the photo in the article (on page 10) has a caption that reads, “[a] crashed 2006 GSX-R1000 with a broken frame, as seen during a track day event” “¦ “is eligible for a new frame.” This caption suggests that frame damage caused by a crash is eligible for the voluntary recall. This is not the case. Plus, the frame in the photograph is not broken in the area addressed by Suzuki’s voluntary recall campaign. As the Customer Notification Letter says, the campaign relates to cracks or breakage behind and below the steering neck.

I am hoping that you will clarify these points for your readers in your magazine and on your website.

Suzuki is conducting this recall campaign to minimize the potential for frame cracking or breakage. Frame cracking or breakage has been reported from certain extreme situations where unusually high stress is placed on the frame, such as repeated hard landings from hazardous maneuvers like extreme or extended wheelies or other stunts.

Owners of 2005 and 2006 model GSX-R1000s are encouraged to contact a Suzuki dealer who can examine the motorcycle frame for cracks and take the appropriate action described in the Customer Notification Letter. Owners who lawfully race their GSX-Rs are not exempt from this campaign, as long as the frame has not been modified in such a manner that the reinforcement may not be installed.

Thank you very much for your consideration. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.

Sincerely,

Glenn Hansen Communications Manager American Suzuki Motor Corporation – Motorcycle Division Brea, California

The news item published in the March 2009 edition of Roadracing World stated, “Asked if an owner was eligible if their frame was cracked or broken in a crash during a sanctioned race or track day even, Hansen said ‘It’s still eligible.'”

The comments in question in the Roadracing World news item were based on a January 16 interview with Glenn Hansen, conducted by Roadracing World’s David Swarts. A transcript of the relevant part of that interview follows:

Roadracing World: 2005 and 2006 GSX-R1000 frames?

Glenn Hansen: Correct.

RW: It seems like it’s pointing out damage that may occur if you’re doing something completely stupid or crashing?

Glenn Hansen: Right. That is what we’re doing. We’re recognizing that in spite of unwarranted behavior or use that is not designed into this motorcycle this, in very rare instances, has occurred, and we just want to make sure that people are aware of what can happen, and we’re taking the necessary precautions to continue to provide a safe product.

RW: And it seems that people who are included, who can file for reimbursement include someone who has crashed a motorcycle and the frame is then broken in the crash?

Glenn Hansen: Correct.

RW: Now, how does racing fit into that, if the crash occurs during a race event or a track day event, how does that affect eligibility?

Glenn Hansen: It’s still eligible.

RW: It’s still eligible?

Glenn Hansen: Yeah. Yeah.

RW: They are going to have to prove, like what, proof of ownership at the time?

Glenn Hansen: Correct. Yes.

RW: Wow! That almost seems like going above and beyond?

Glenn Hansen: (laughs) Well, um, you could look at it that way, absolutely, but we want to make sure, like I said, that the current owners are well taken care of with a safe product but also future owners. So that if a year from now somebody is looking at buying a 2005 or 2006 GSX-R they can know that we’ve taken care of even like I said, what can happen in a very rare circumstance.

A link to a pdf file of the Customer Notification Letter issued by American Suzuki follows: ~/files/2009-GSX-R1000K5-K6-letter.pdf~