Buell S2 Thunderbolt Recalls

The Buell S2 Thunderbolt has 7 recalls, all covering the 1995 model year, with the most serious being a swingarm that can crack and break, causing sudden and unpredictable loss of handling control with no warning before a crash. The rear shock absorber shares a similar structural concern: the mounting eye on the shock can break, dropping the underside of the motorcycle onto the ground mid-ride and destabilizing the bike without warning.

Two fuel system recalls affect the same 1995 models. The fuel tank valve assembly can become clogged, which either causes the carburetor to overflow fuel and create a fire risk, or starves the engine and causes it to misfire or stall. Separately, gasoline can seep from the fuel cell at the mold seam or where the fuel supply valve attaches, which poses a fire hazard near hot engine components. There is also a structural concern with the fuel tank mount: in a collision, the mounting system can allow the tank to separate from the frame entirely.

On the bodywork side, the fairing mount bracket can crack and detach from the frame, letting the fairing contact the front fender and distracting the rider. Finally, the 1995 wheels do not carry the tire and rim labeling required by Canadian safety regulations.