Heads Up ...

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A., of Irvine, Calif., is recalling about 4,000 Motocross Competition motorcycles. A frame down tube on these motorcycles can crack below the steering head. Use of the motorcycle with a cracked down tube can result in failure of the frame, which can cause the rider to lose control of the motorcycle and crash, resulting in injury or death.

Kawasaki has received 60 reports of frames on these motorcycles cracking. Three of these incidents reportedly resulted in the down tube failing, leading to crashes. Injuries to riders included broken bones and abrasions.

These KX65 Model Year 2000 motorcycles have a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) located on their frame behind the front fork. Recalled motorcycles carry VIN numbers with the last four digits between 0001 and 6668. The motorcycles are small, two-wheel, off-road motocross competition vehicles designed for rough terrain. The fenders and bodywork are lime green with large "Kawasaki" decals on each side.

Kawasaki dealers nationwide sold these motorcycles from November 1999 through October 2000 for about $2,700.

Consumers with the recalled motorcycles should stop using them immediately and call their local Kawasaki dealer to schedule a free inspection and repair. For more information about this recall, contact Kawasaki toll-free at (866) 802-9381 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. Registered owners of the motorcycles will be notified by mail directly by Kawasaki.

To see a picture of the recalled product(s) and/or to establish a link from your web site to this press release on CPSC's web site, link to the following address: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml01/01037.html.

For Immediate Release Honda Recall Hotline: (888) 289-8226 November 21, 2000 CPSC Contact: Mark Ross Release # 01-038 (301) 504-0580 Ext. 1188

CPSC, Honda Announce Recall of Off-Road Motorcycles

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), American Honda Motor Co. Inc., of Torrance Calif., is

voluntarily recalling about 22,000 off-road motorcycles. The two bolts that attach the handlebars can break. If the handlebars separate from the motorcycle, the rider loses steering control and can crash, posing the risk of serious injuries.

Honda has received four reports of handlebars separating from these motorcycles. No injuries have been reported. Honda also received four reports of loose handlebars caused by one of the two bolts failing. The recall includes only years 2000 and 2001 off-road motorcycles with model number XR50R. They are red, and "50R" is written on the sides of the seat on 2000 models, and on the sides of the tank shroud on the 2001 models. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of these motorcycles, listed below, can be found on the left side of the steering head frame tube.

* 2000 XR50R motorcycles have VIN ranges from JH2AE03**YK000013 to JH2AE03**YK0016046

* 2001 XR50R motorcycles have VIN ranges from JH2AE03**1K010001 to JH2AE03**1K0110056

Honda motorcycle dealers nationwide sold these motorcycles from September 1999 through October 2000 for about $1,300. Consumers should stop using these motorcycles immediately, and call their local Honda motorcycle dealer to schedule a free repair. To locate their local dealer or for more information, consumers should call American Honda at (888) 289-8226 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or go to the company's web site at http://www.hondamotorcycle.com/press/index.html.

Registered owners of the vehicles have been notified directly by American Honda about the recall.

To see a picture of the recalled product(s) and/or to establish a link from your web site to this press release on CPSC's web site, link to the following address: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml01/01038.html.