Weekly roundup: Husqvarna 401 recall, elk rut active, daylight shrinking

This is a lighter week for the roundup—several of the major developments that surfaced between September 6 and 13 already earned their own posts here earlier in the week. But there's still material worth putting on the record: one new recall, seasonal transitions underway in New Mexico, and a reminder that the calendar is working against evening sessions.

Recalls and safety notices

Husqvarna Mobility recalled the 2024–2026 Svartpilen 401 and Vitpilen 401 for an engine control unit software issue that can cause the engine to stall at low RPM. The company identified the defect during internal quality checks. Authorized Husqvarna dealerships will update the ECU software at no cost. Owners can verify their motorcycle's status and locate authorized service centers on the official Husqvarna website. Campaign number 25V-740.

A low-speed stall is a control and crash hazard. If you're riding one of these bikes, schedule the update before your next session.

We covered the IIHS automated emergency braking testing results earlier this week—every tested vehicle failed to prevent a collision with a motorcycle target at 43 mph, with some still traveling over 25 mph at impact. That finding is worth repeating: the safety technology drivers are told will protect them does not detect motorcycles reliably at highway-approach speeds. Ride accordingly.

New Mexico

The elk rut is active now. Peak bugling typically occurs mid-September in New Mexico, and the archery season (September 1–24) puts hunters in the field alongside the animals. That combination drives the highest wildlife road-crossing activity of the year. Dawn and dusk are the highest-risk windows, and mountain routes—NM-14, NM-4, and the foothills—see the most movement. Autumn months represent peak animal collision season nationally.

A rider cannot out-brake an elk stepping into the lane. What you can do: avoid mountain routes at dawn and dusk through November, use high beams when appropriate, and scan the shoulders continuously when you do ride those roads.

Monsoon season ends September 30—eighteen days out as of this writing. Moisture has thinned, thunderstorms are fewer, and the forecast calls for warmer and drier conditions through October. Afternoon storm risk is declining, which makes route planning more predictable. Expect minimal rainfall through the end of the month—about 18 millimeters over roughly four days, according to regional weather data. Once the calendar turns, stable fall conditions take over.

Daylight is contracting at about two minutes per day. Sunset was 7:35 PM on September 1; it will be 6:53 PM on September 30. The autumnal equinox is September 22. If you ride after work, your session windows are shrinking fast, and by the end of the month a 6 PM start puts you on the road in twilight. If you have not worked through the low-light and after-dark curriculum, now is the time—October will not wait.

Worth noting

The I-25 northbound traffic shift that took effect August 27 has been in place for over two weeks now. Three lanes remain open during the day between Comanche Road and Montgomery Boulevard, but the speed limit drops to 55 mph in the construction zone, and the 8 PM to 6 AM ramp closures at Comanche and Montgomery will continue through late October. The configuration is stable; the routing is not optional. Plan accordingly.

Sandia Crest Road remains closed through January 15, 2027. Thinning work continued through summer, and demolition of the Crest House began in late August. The premier technical route in the metro area will not reopen until deep winter. NM-14 and NM-4 are the mountain alternates.

That is the week. Thin, but not empty. A recall you need to know about if you ride a Husqvarna 401, a seasonal shift that changes how you ride every mountain route in the state, and a reminder that the sun sets earlier every single day from here through December.

If you want help working through low-light riding, vision adaptation, or wildlife awareness before the calendar forces the issue, the schedule is here. The elk do not care whether you are ready.

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