beansbaxter
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posted June 16, 2002 03:10 PM
What voids Kawasaki's warranty?
My 12 came with a 1 year warranty, and I'm looking at purchasing another 4 years on top of that giving me a total of 5 years of riding my 12 under full warranty coverage by Kawasaki. I plan on putting a lot of miles on my 12, so I should be due up for a new engine in year 4 or 5 of the warranty.
But what kinds of things can you do to the bike that wont void the warranty? By doing mods (like adding an aftermarket exhaust or replacing the stock fans with an aluminum one), will this void the warranty?
Is each Kawasaki dealership different in the way they handle this?
Any insight here would be greatly appreciated. If I have to leave my bike pure stock to take full advantage of the warranty, I'll do it. The bike is hella fast as it is anyways.
   
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swft
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posted June 16, 2002 08:32 PM
With regard to exhaust: I think that's kind of up to the dealer. It's not an internal motor change. Shouldn't affect the warranty if you were to fry a clutch, for example...However, like I said, check with your dealer.
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beansbaxter
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posted June 16, 2002 09:12 PM
Does Kawasaki's warranty cover the stock exhaust on the 12? Will they replace it with another stock exhaust if and when it goes bad? Or is this considered standard wear and tear?
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Zhooligan
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posted June 16, 2002 10:18 PM
What I have seen is for the most part the factory warranty is almost a joke when the dealer is put in the position of deciding. My experience on exhaust mods it has not been an issue, nor a fan mod. It is when you start making engine mods, porting, etc.
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Scooter
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posted June 17, 2002 05:05 AM
Your warranty is really only as good as your relationship with your dealer. The dealer can do a lot if he's willing to go to bat for ya.
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beansbaxter
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posted June 17, 2002 09:19 AM
 Edited By: beansbaxter on 17 Jun 2002 10:21
I dont understand why a dealer wouldnt goto bat for you though. The dealer gets reimbursed by Kawasaki for the labor charges, and obviously the parts are coming from Kawasaki. The dealer doesnt lose out of it in any way I can think of.
My fear is that since I dont know my future for the next 4-5 years, and I may move to an area that may or may not have a good dealer willing to help me out.
Since there is unlimited mileage through there warranty, my long term goal is that I will reach 50,000+ miles come year 4 and I am assuming they will replace the engine.
My experience in the past with some dealers is that they dont goto bat. If you call Kawasaki's consumer line, they'll just say they see me on record, but I need to work it out with the dealer. Grrrr....
Has everyone here had more good or more bad experiences with their dealers?
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zx1012r
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posted June 17, 2002 09:43 AM
If after 50,000 miles you needed an engine, you or the dealer has to prove it is because of a defect when the bike was manufactured. Since you have 50,000 miles what could be defective after all that time that would warrant a whole new engine? I don't think you're being realistic here.
Dealers don't necessarily like warranty work because they are scrutinized big time by the factory. They are essentially spending Kawi's money and the factory wonders when a dealer does more warranty then the next dealer. There is an average amount of warranty work dealers do per units sold and the factory can keep tabs on what's going on.
By the way my ZX10 has 50,000 miles and I ride it pretty hard. No engine problems yet.
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beansbaxter
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posted June 17, 2002 09:51 AM
That is the first really good explanation I've heard yet. Thanks...and now I feel that my expectations were not realistic.
I was under the impression, that if the engine's life came to an end that it would be replaced no matter what.
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beansbaxter
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posted June 17, 2002 09:52 AM
So is the extended warranty even worth it at all? Honestly, what does everyone think?
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zx1012r
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posted June 17, 2002 11:03 AM
I bought the extended warranty cause computers and throttle bodies are expensive. I figured for the $360.00 I paid from Paradise Motorsports in Pueblo CO., if any of the expensive components fail it will have paid for itself. Even the throttle position sensor is only available as a whole throttle body set!
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beansbaxter
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posted June 17, 2002 11:55 AM
Edited By: beansbaxter on 17 Jun 2002 12:56
Wow, your from Pueblo. I moved here to WA from Colorado Springs, CO...I lived in that area for a couple years. I'm driving my 12 back there in August to stay for a week or so with some friends...it would be cool to meet up with another 12 rider.
My dealer wants like $700+ for another 4 years...how many years did your $360 pay for?
Can you bargain shop for the best deal on extended warranties and buy from a dealer other than the one I bought my bike from? Just curious.
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EastBayDave
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posted June 17, 2002 01:43 PM
My 3 year extended (beyond the initial 1 year) warranty was $300. I shopped around; & when I questioned my dealer he says $500. I say "no thanks, I can get it for $300 at xxxx dealer." He says, "ok, sign here." Someone told me cost on the warranty is ~$250ish.
I only got mine in case of an expensive failure; like previously mentioned computer/injection/etc. However the dealer has the freedom to fight on it; as some things they can easily call "abuse." I tried to get a noisy clutch covered; & they refused saying I must be "racing." I said the hell with that & bought a Muzzys clutch. They just lost their next new bike sale to me.
My last three bikes I've bought elsewhere than the closest dealer; they rely on rich/stupid people who pay list price & won't deal on new bikes. It's a shame as I'd rather not have to drive to distant dealers. But they have made it clear they don't want to deal with enthusiasts; we know too much! 
Bike dealers have always been bad; I just can't imagine them getting much worse in customer service than they are now. In my 4 decades of riding it just seems to get worse & worse. One mechanic told me he works off "flat rate" so doing warranties he loses money. Thats why they don't like doing warranties. They make more on "pay for" services...
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Scooter
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posted June 17, 2002 01:43 PM
DUDE! Dad and I are planning to ride our 12's to Colorado the end of August.(2 weeks off) Maybe we'll see each other. 
I thought it was worth it. Got the 3 yr ext from my dealer for $310. I can give you the number if you like. There was another dealer that was selling it for the same price to board members also. Maybe someone can remember who, but you can buy it from any dealer. I bought it
basically for part failure type stuff. If my clutch grenades at 35K it'll be worth it. But I mostly tour on the 12, the ZRX is my hot rod.
Oh, my dealer relationship is very good, way better than most. I get parts dropped off at my house(dealer is 25 miles away) and I always get %15 off. But I bought 4 brand new bikes within a 12 month period also. Plus, you'd be surprised what an occasional pizza for the guys will get you.
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zx1012r
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posted June 18, 2002 02:44 AM
Beans,
I'm in CT. A bunch of people mentioned the dealer in CO. that offered good prices on warranties. $360.00 was for 4 year extended and yes you can buit anywhere.
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beansbaxter
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posted June 18, 2002 02:54 PM
Dang...$360 to add 4 more years to my warranty is worth it I think. The number or name of the place in CO is what?? Thanks.
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Hells Dark Lord
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posted June 18, 2002 05:18 PM
warranty
any help on purchasing a warranty would be greatly appreciated...if someone has a number or an address that would be great...Jim
KandJ@coastalnow.net
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zx1012r
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posted June 18, 2002 05:47 PM
Paradise Motorsports
2801 Hwy. 50 West
Pueblo, CO. 81008
(719) 543-0808
Lynda Lee Pennington
www.fun2ride.com
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beansbaxter
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posted June 18, 2002 07:15 PM
zx1012r
Thanks!!
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