U.S. safety regulators have closed an investigation of fires in Can-Am Spyder three-wheeled motorcycles after the manufacturer agreed to a recall.
Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. of Canada agreed to recall nearly 7,100 Spyder RT motorcycles globally from the 2013 model year. It also agreed to re-notify owners of motorcycles from 2008 through 2012 that were recalled in 2012 for problems that could cause fires, according to documents posted Tuesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Investigators found 103 complaints and two fires during the investigation of more than 52,000 motorcycles. The agency says Bombardier agreed to address rider burns, fuel boiling due to inadequate heat management and excessive fuel vapor emissions.
The company said Tuesday in a statement that parts are available now to fix the problem and that it would mail notices to owners starting Tuesday urging them to make an appointment to get repairs made.
The investigation began in August of 2014 after NHTSA received two reports of motorcycle fires. One Spyder was destroyed in July while being used by the Morgantown, West Virginia, Police Department. Another burned in the Mojave Desert region of California.
The 2012 recalls were to fix a fuel cap that may not fit onto the fuel filler neck of 33,700 motorcycles from 2008-2012, and for fuel vapors that could exit a vapor canister hose in the engine compartment in 9,600 motorcycles from 2008 through 2010.
