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2015 Yamaha YZF-R1: Second gear pinion recall, 15V802000

KNOWN MAJOR RISK

EVIDENCE: FEDERAL RECORD

What goes wrong

NHTSA recall 15V802000 (verified) covers 2015 YZF-R1, R1C, R1M. The crossplane crank's torque pulses exceeded what the initial second-gear pinion metallurgy could take, and the failure mode is driveline lockup, which on a superbike means a crash, not a tow.

Federal record for the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1, pulled from NHTSA when this page was built:
7 owner complaints , most-reported: POWER TRAIN (6) · ENGINE (1) · 0 recalls listed.
Motorcycle complaint volume is a tiny fraction of what cars generate, so a low number here proves very little. NHTSA does not crash-test motorcycles at all.
Rough cost: Free if unrepaired. Broad estimates , motorcycle labor rates and parts vary widely.

What to do about it

Before you hand over cash: Check recall completion by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Do not buy an unrepaired one and do not accept "I never had a problem with it" as a substitute for the repair record.

On any used motorcycle, check the tire DOT date codes, ask for the valve service receipt, and look for drop damage on both sides before you talk about price.

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General reference information only , not a mechanical inspection, appraisal, or vehicle history report, and not specific to any individual motorcycle. Failure patterns describe documented tendencies across many machines; any single bike may be better or worse. Cost figures are rough estimates , verify locally. The absence of a warning is not a statement that a motorcycle is safe. Always verify recalls directly with NHTSA and have a used bike inspected. Not affiliated with any manufacturer, dealer, or reporting service. No affiliate links, no commissions, no ads. © Used Car Informer, operated by MCC LLC · v3.1