In the past year or so, I’ve determined there’s a lot of confusion over what is and isn’t a recall. Instead of continuing to watch people argue over it online, I decided to reach out to the source: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Their media people were great to work with, and they connected me to THREE knowledgeable folks: Tanya Topka (Director of the Office of Defects Investigation), Alex Ansley (Chief of the Recall Management Division) and Joshua Neff (Chief of the Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Division). It might not make sense why Joshua was included from reading his title, so you’ll have to listen to the episode to find out why he belongs with us. Coincidentally, all three of them having riding experience! That was a total stroke of luck.
In the news, KTM parent Pierer realized a $192 million loss in the first half of 2024, but are hoping to turn things around in the second half … which is already half over. KTM has teamed up with Bosch to introduce some really powerful rider aid technology on the upcoming (possibly 1390) Super Adventure (and maybe the Super Duke as well), stuff that has been in cars for a while but is now making its way into motorcycles.
With the move into trade show season, we’ll start seeing lots of new bikes, starting with Honda’s revamped X-ADV scooter, Ducati’s six high-tech (and high cost) Multistrada variants, and the Ricky Carmichael-endorsed Triumph TF 450-RC dirt/motocross bike. Honda will also be testing its RTL electric trials bike prototype at the All-Japan Trials Championship.
A team of students from Ohio State University teamed up with Voxan to set some land speed records with an electric motorcycle, and CAKE, the Swedish electric motorcycle company which went bankrupt in February 2024, has been rescued by a Norwegian auto retailer, Brages Holding AS.
Since we don’t have a Patreon page for you to visit, the easiest way to support Chasing the Horizon is by joining the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America. Get yourself a Traditional Membership or even a Digital Memberships (for $10 less); each come with a wide range of member benefits, including access (digital or in your mailbox) to BMW Owners News, the MOA’s monthly magazine. You also get access to one of the best roadside assistance programs for motorcycles available (sorry, only applies to the US), become eligible for a $200 motorcycle training scholarship every year, periodic discounts on a new BMW motorcycles, discount tickets to great events and much, much more!