2010-2011 Honda Shadow VT750 Recall

Honda has initiated a recall campaign for certain 2010-2011 Shadow series cruisers due to a problem with their bank angle sensors.

According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the bank angle sensors may incorrectly read that the motorcycle is leaning. The bank sensor uses a weighted pendulum that swings into a motorcycle’s lean. Under certain conditions, engine vibrations at around 3000 rpm can move the pendulum as if the motorcycle was leaning, even it is standing straight. Friction between the pendulum and the inside surface of the lean angle sensor may also prevent the pendulum from returning to center.

If the pendulum swings beyond the 42.5 degree mark, it causes the engine to shut off. Normally, this would indicate the motorcycle is tipping beyond its safe lean angle, shutting off the engine in advance of a crash.

American Honda received one report of a Shadow engine unexpectedly stopping with four similar but unconfirmed reports of engines stalling in May 2010. Another seven similar complaints were received while Honda investigated the cause of the problem.

According to Honda, this problem is more likely to occur on newer Shadow models with less than 500 miles, as the surface friction decreases the longer the motorcycle is in use. All reported units were within their first 500 miles of riding. No reports were made with models with over 500 miles.

The recall affects the 2011 Honda VT750C-A, VT750C-AC, as well as the 2010-2011 VT750C2B-A and VT750C2B-AC.

Honda dealers will replace the bank angle sensors on affected units.

[Source: NHTSA]

By Dennis Chung