In September and October 2026 alone, Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) published eight new motorcycle recalls, from the Harley-Davidson Street Glide to the Honda CB1000 Hornet and the BMW K 1600. If you ride, it pays to know how to check a motorcycle recall yourself. The manufacturer's letter does not always arrive, for example after a move or if you bought the bike used. Here is how to get a clear answer in a few minutes, what a recall means for you and which recalls are currently running.
In short: four steps
- Find your VIN: The vehicle identification number (VIN) has 17 characters and is in your registration document.
- Search a recall database: In Germany that is the KBA database, where you search by make, model and optionally year. It shows whether there is a recall for your type at all.
- Ask the manufacturer or a dealer with your VIN: Only the manufacturer can tell from the VIN whether your particular bike is affected.
- Book an appointment at an authorised workshop: Have the work done and get written confirmation.
How to check a motorcycle recall step by step
1. Find the VIN
The easiest way is to read the VIN off your papers. In the German registration certificate (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I) it is in field E. On the bike itself it is stamped into the frame, on most models near the steering head. The exact position is in the owner's manual. Take a photo of the number so you have it ready whenever you ask.
2. The KBA recall database (Germany)
The KBA runs a public recall database. You can search it in three ways: by vehicle type (make, model, year), by the manufacturer's recall code or by the KBA reference number, which is printed on a recall letter, for example. The database shows the defect, the production period, the remedy and the manufacturer's contact details.
Important: the KBA database does not offer a search by VIN. It only tells you whether your model may be affected. Recalls often cover only certain versions or production periods, so not every bike of that type is automatically affected.
3. Outside Germany
If your bike is registered in another country, use the national checker. In the UK, the government's vehicle recall checker lets you search motorcycles by make, model and year of manufacture. Across the EU, the Safety Gate system lists product warnings including motor vehicles. In any case the manufacturer has the final word.
4. Manufacturer and authorised workshop
The manufacturer uses the VIN to confirm whether your bike is affected and whether the work has already been done. Call the service hotline listed in the database or ask at an authorised workshop. Dealers can check the VIN in the manufacturer's central database. Some brands have their own recall pages, for example Triumph, Husqvarna and GasGas.
Current motorcycle recalls in Germany (July to October 2026)
These are the motorcycle recalls the KBA has published since July 2026. The figures refer to potentially affected vehicles in Germany.
| Make and model | Defect | Production period | In Germany | KBA no. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW K 1600 GT, GTL, B | Moisture in the reverse assist control unit, risk of fire | 10/2016 to 01/2025 | 2,613 | 17188R |
| Yamaha MT-09, Tracer 9 | Shift shaft can break, no more gear changes | 03/2024 to 08/2026 | 2,590 | 17083R |
| GasGas EC, ES, EW, EX, MC | Cracks in the rear brake caliper, loss of braking | 06/2020 to 04/2024 | 2,654 | 16857R |
| Triumph TF 450-E | Exhaust rocker shaft can seize, up to engine seizure | 02/2025 to 11/2025 | 50 | 17075R |
| Harley-Davidson Street Glide, Road Glide, Breakout, Fat Boy | Crankcase pressure, hot oil can escape at the dipstick | 03/2023 to 02/2026 | 2,453 | 16507R |
| Honda SH125, SH150 | Instrument software, speed and odometer missing | 11/2025 to 04/2026 | 533 | 16692R |
| Honda CB1000 Hornet | Increased oil consumption can lock the rear wheel or cause a fire | 09/2024 to 11/2025 | 2,344 | 16257R |
| Husqvarna FE, TE, TX, FX | Cracks in the brake caliper, loss of braking | 02/2021 to 02/2024 | 2,042 | 16856R |
| BMW S 1000 RR | Faulty ignition switch, loss of drive and lights possible | 01/2019 to 07/2026 | 7,504 | 16854R |
| Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic, Street Bob, Low Rider | Rear brake line can chafe and leak | 06/2024 to 03/2026 | 1,689 | 16440R |
| Kawasaki Meguro S1, W230 | Indicator bulbs can fail early | 2025 to 2026 | 375 | 16722R |
A few cases in detail, because they affect many riders or the manufacturers give clear advice:
Harley-Davidson: hot oil at the dipstick
On the big touring and Softail models, a faulty breather connection on the air filter housing can build up pressure in the crankcase. If you then pull the dipstick with the engine warm, hot oil can spray out under pressure. According to the KBA, one injury is known. The workshop checks the connection and corrects it if necessary. Until then, only pull the dipstick slowly and with the engine cold.
GasGas and Husqvarna: rear brake caliper
On off-road models of both brands, the rear brake caliper can crack, leading to a loss of braking. The caliper and bracket are replaced. For Husqvarna the KBA reports one incident with minor injury. Both brands list the affected models on their safety pages.
Yamaha MT-09 and Tracer 9: shift shaft
On bikes built from March 2024, the shift shaft can break, and then you can no longer change gear. The shift shaft unit is replaced. With around 2,600 bikes in Germany, this is one of the bigger recalls of the autumn.
What a recall means for you
Do you have to take part?
The KBA distinguishes between recalls it monitors and those the manufacturer carries out without official monitoring. Recalls are monitored when there is a serious risk. In that case taking part is mandatory: if you still do not respond after several reminders, the KBA informs the registration authority, which can ban the vehicle from use. You can still prevent this by having the work done at a manufacturer's workshop and proving it to the authority. If the database says "in Untersuchung", the KBA is still investigating the case.
Does a recall cost anything?
As a rule, no. Manufacturers pay for the repair voluntarily, but according to the German motoring club ADAC there is no legal obligation to do so. Costs can only be claimed under the statutory warranty or a guarantee. You have no claim to compensation for your time or to a replacement vehicle, although some manufacturers offer one anyway.
Can you keep riding?
It depends on the defect, there is no general rule. Follow the advice in the recall letter and in the database. With brakes, fire risk or a possible loss of drive, leave the bike parked until the workshop appointment or only ride what is absolutely necessary.
How you are informed
For recalls in Germany, the manufacturer writes to the keepers listed in the KBA's central vehicle register. Not every recall uses these keeper details, though. If you have not received a letter and think your bike is affected, contact the manufacturer or the importer directly.
Reporting a defect
If you notice a safety-related fault on your bike for which there is no recall yet, you can report it to the KBA via its online defect reporting tool. If reports about one type pile up, the KBA looks into the case.
Frequently asked questions
Can I check a motorcycle recall with my VIN?
Yes, but not in the KBA database, where you search by make and model. The manufacturer or an authorised workshop checks your VIN. The UK government checker also searches motorcycles by make, model and year, not by VIN.
Does a recall cost anything?
In practice no, manufacturers pay for the repair voluntarily. According to the ADAC there is no legal obligation in Germany.
What happens if I ignore a recall?
For a recall monitored by the KBA, the registration authority is informed if you still do not respond after several reminders. It can ban the motorcycle from use.
I bought the bike used. Will I get the recall letter?
The manufacturer writes to the keepers listed in the central vehicle register. If the bike is registered to you, you will usually get a letter. It is not guaranteed, so it is worth checking yourself.
Sources
- Recall database with data export, as of 20 October 2026 (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, German)
- Recalls: process, keeper letters, ban on use (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, German)
- Your rights in a recall campaign (ADAC, German)
- Check if a vehicle has been recalled (GOV.UK)
- Safety Gate: product alerts (European Commission)
- Safety information (Husqvarna Motorcycles)
- Safety information (GasGas)
- Recalls (Triumph Motorcycles)
Last checked: October 2026. New recalls are added all the time.
