2006 Honda Civic Ex 4-door * Northern Virginia on 2040-cars

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Honda motorcycles most stolen, just like Honda autos

It comes as no surprise that Honda's Civic and Accord are the most stolen cars in America, but as it turns out, thieves like the company's motorcycles the most too, according to a study by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). Out of the 46,061 two-wheelers stolen in 2012, 9,082 of them were Hondas. While that's bad news for Honda motorcycle owners, at least motorcycle theft went down slightly from 2011, which had 46,667 reported thefts. Motorcycle theft recoveries, on the other hand, were just 39 percent.
Yamaha is up next in the theft rankings (7,517), then Suzuki (7,017). The numbers drop a bit for fourth and fifth place, Kawasaki (4,839) and Harley-Davidson (3,755). These five brands are far and away the most stolen motorcycles: sixth place, apparently held by scooter, dirtbike and ATV maker Taotao, dropped to 914 theft reports.
California had the most reported thefts (6,082), followed by Florida (4,110), Texas (3,400), North Carolina (2,574) and Indiana (2,334). By city, New York City had the most reported thefts (903), followed by Las Vegas (757), San Diego (633), Indianapolis (584) and Miami (535.

F1 champ Fernando Alonso geared up for rookie run at Indy

NEW YORK - Twice Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso surprised himself with his qualifying success for Sunday's Indianapolis 500, but the Spaniard knows his biggest challenge will come on race day. Alonso, racing on an oval for the first time, averaged more than 230 miles per hour (370 kph) to qualify fifth fastest for a place in the second row in the 33-car field at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "I was a bit surprised," Alonso, 35, told Reuters on Tuesday. "When we announced to come here one month ago, we did it without knowing how competitive we could be, if I was able to adapt to oval racing, to these cars." "I still lack experience in important moments of the race. I will try to compensate with the speed, with motivation and we will see what happens." A lack of experience may cost him on the biggest day of US racing when a champion will be crowned after 200 laps of the massive 2.5-mile oval, but Alonso is geared up for the chance. "You respect the place, respect the speed. You respect your colleagues out there, but at the end of the day, when you are in your car and close the visor, you would like to have one mile per hour more. It's never enough," he said. While Alonso passed the entrance exam with flying colors in qualifying, he knows the hardest test is to come. "The biggest challenge I will face is in the race when you are running in traffic, those groups of cars that form in the race. It changes completely the behavior of the car. "You feel the car very loose... we've been practicing that with the team, trying to create our own groups because we are six cars," Alonso said. "I still lack experience in important moments of the race. I will try to compensate with the speed, with motivation and we will see what happens." GUESSING GAMES Alonso said timing his moves may be a guessing game. "Taking the opportunity to overtake and to pass will be a difficult decision to make," he said. "There are many factors you need to address while you are driving 230 miles per hour. "You have to stay calm, be ready for the last one-third of the race. That is where it comes." Alonso said the race demands a balance between pushing the limit and not crossing the line into recklessness. "With no experience, for me you're not sure sometimes where you are with that line - if you are over the limits of the car, or over the limits of running with the traffic.

22,000 Honda Shadow 750 motorcycles recalled [UPDATE]

Update: Honda's statement on the recall is now embedded below. The Basics: Honda will recall 22,142 examples of its 2010-2016 VT750 Shadow motorcycles, including the 2012-2014 VT750CA, VT750C2 and VT750C2F; 2011-2016 VT750C; 2013-2016 VT750CS; 2010-2016 VT750C2B; and 2013-2014 VT750C2S. The Problem: Engine vibration can cause a wire for the bank angle sensor to rub against the joint connector on the wire harness. This can eventually cause a loss of the signal, and the engine could stall. Injuries/Deaths: None reported. The Fix: Dealers will replace the bank angle sensor and move the joint connector. If You Own One: Honda expects the recall to begin February 19. More Information: Documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (as a PDF) report Honda received five warranty claims and five field reports about this issue as of December 14, 2015. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Engine Stall from Loss of Sensor Signal Report Receipt Date: DEC 23, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V874000 Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Potential Number of Units Affected: 22,142 All Products Associated with this Recall Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) HONDA VT750 2010-2016 Details Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) SUMMARY: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 VT750CA, VT750C2 and VT750C2F, 2011-2016 VT750C, 2013-2016 VT750CS, 2010-2016 VT750C2B and 2013-2014 VT750C2S motorcycles. Engine vibration may cause the bank angle sensor wire to rub on the wire harness joint connector, resulting in a loss of the sensor signal. CONSEQUENCE: Without the bank angle sensor signal, the engine may stall while riding, increasing the risk of a crash. REMEDY: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will relocate the joint connector and replace the bank angle sensor, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Honda Motorcycle customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is JW7. NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. American Honda Statement on VT750 Recall Honda has issued a Safety Recall of some 2010-2016 model-year VT750 motorcycles. It is possible that long term exposure to engine vibrations may cause the bank angle sensor wiring to break, or be damaged, which could cause the engine to stall and increase the risk of a crash.