fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
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posted August 13, 2002 09:47 AM
00/01 Owners Start Petition on Clutch Warranty? Input needed.
Well... the members of this site, and LAZX12 and zx12R.org have proven the weaknesses and causes of the clutch failures in the 00/01 ZX12Rs... I for one am pretty pissed off about my (stock) clutch being toasted a second time. People who know me and ride with me kow that I am a conservative rider/ not wheelie prone etc etc.... I have owned MANY motorcycles and never had a cltch failure. Even 4.5 seasons on the Ducati saw flawless clutch performance. Same with my GSXR1100, my FZR1000 etc etc.
To have a clutch failure at 5000kms and again at 15000kms on a BRAND NEW motorcycle is insane, given the fact that this is a KNOWN manufacturer's defect (lack of oiling).
I would like to see this issue taken to Kawasaki, and have them warranty the 00/01 ZX12 clutches and replace the hubs with a working unit. I would like to see them treat their customers with some respect. They can hardly hide behind the veil of the clutch being a "wearable item" with this issue.
If people here are game I would like someone who can organize all of the technical info a little better than I to begin to mobilize this, and start some sort of petition of owners, online here, and spread it amongst the other ZX12 websites. This petition must be complete with owner's anmes, addresses and serial #'s... This has to be totaly above the board, so that Kawasaki will listen.
I would like to see this problem resolved as I feel it is shamefull for KHI to "turn a blind eye" to this issue, especially on the "flagship model".
Hardly "flagship" warranty response IMHO.
Perhaps they will listen if enough of us speak out.
   
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fish_antlers
Administrator
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posted August 13, 2002 02:00 PM
What? No one? come on guys... I find this hard to belive... is there really anyone out there that thinks that the clutch on an 00/01 is NOT a warranty issue???
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muzbgreen
Expert Class
Posts: 131
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posted August 13, 2002 02:17 PM
 Edited By: muzbgreen on 13 Aug 2002 16:30
FA what exactly is your clutch doing?
At times mine will notch hard between 5 and 6.
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fish_antlers
Administrator
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posted August 13, 2002 02:27 PM
My clutch lets go/ slips above 8K ... dealer already replaced fibers once... now they're smoked again...
HERE'S THE ISSUE
Sure I can buy a Muzzy clutch..... but let me ask all of you... why should I HAVE TO? After buying the "top of the line" vehicle with a full 4 year warranty, why should I have to buy a new clutch after owning the thing for only 4 months?? It's just not right.
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harryzx-12
Needs a job
Posts: 3643
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posted August 13, 2002 02:32 PM
Put 6 ZX-6r(2000 year model) clutch springs in when you replace the plates/fibres.I've smoked a couple of clutch packs myself.
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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways- Body thoroughly used up, totally worn out...Screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride !!!"
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fish_antlers
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posted August 13, 2002 02:55 PM
Edited By: fish_antlers on 13 Aug 2002 15:59
Harry.. my point is that a consumer who buys a 10-$11,000 motorcycle should expect more than 4 mos to a year out of a clutch, and certainly more than a big fuck you from the manufacturer when it fails. It's not up to me (or apparantly it is) to point out the obvious: there is a major problem with the design of the 00/01 clutch and it must be addressed by the manufacturer. Sure we love to tinker... but it's Kawasaki's job to fix this, not ours. How about a little customer service here?
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GreenGlenn
Expert Class
Ron Jeremy's Stunt Double
Posts: 370
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posted August 13, 2002 03:11 PM
If the clutches are a problem for many people I would expect KHI to fix them. I'm grateful that they must have taken extra time with mine. I have 45K km on mine with NO problem whatsoever. But I would like to think that if it shits the bed next week that KHI would fix it.
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slantzilla
Novice Class
Posts: 99
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posted August 13, 2002 06:29 PM
The clutch and Kaws lack of action were what ultimately made me trade mine off. The other issue was their lack of response on the stock ECU not being mapped worth a shit.
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NINJA12
Needs a job
Posts: 3310
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posted August 13, 2002 06:56 PM
I bought the muzzy kit, but you are right. This clutch is a POS even with the
muzzy kit. Muzzy kit and zx6 springs do help. This is suppose to be the best
Kawasaki has to offer in a sport-touring bike. I see busas at the track make pass after pass while i wait for my pos to cool. Do you think that it goes unnoticed that we can play. I feel like a little handicap kid.
I want to play, i want to play 
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Dino
Pro
Posts: 1422
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posted August 13, 2002 08:23 PM
I haven't had any trouble with mine but I'll jump on the bandwagon because mine could go too. I too, think it's bogus of KAWI to ignore us consumers(especially us BRAND LOYAL people)....imo.....they fucked it up,they should fix it!
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uh oh
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted August 13, 2002 08:47 PM
I'd think it would be kinda hard to warranty claim something like "premature fiber plate wear" or "severe blue'ing" of the steel plates. Hell, it's hard enough to get them to do anything when the damn basket explodes. That is if they do anything about it at all. Until that happens, I'd think you'd be S.O.L. on the plates.
Is that fair? HELL NO! They are well aware of the plate lubrication problems. Especially with the A1 model. The number of occurances rates some kind of action, but we all know KHI/KMC ain't gonna either do the R&D or spend the $$$ to fix it. The way it looks now, unless the hub/basket, springs and plates are redesigned and then manufactured (at a "loss" to KHI), they will continue to just say... TOUGH SHIT!
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ZHooligan
Moderator
Post Whore Extraordinaire!
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posted August 13, 2002 10:00 PM
Unfortunately the truth is the friggin clutch is weak, it gets almost no oil, may as well be a dry clutch and Kawasaki doesn't give a rip. The warranty on the 12 is pretty much a joke. The dealers do nothing except look at the customer as the problem. Kawasaki had better hope that Ford, Chevy and Chrysler don't get into the business. Compared to the motorcycle industry, Detroits customer service and warranty service is fantastic.
What I don't get is the fact that the dealer gets paid to fix the bike on warranty. Of course in most cases the tech at the dealer are qualified to work on the damn bikes.
I solved all of this by turning my 12 into a 1270 at 1000 miles and a 1361 at 2000 miles!!
____________
To those who do not count their life in years, but in how life
has touched them in the past and how much it can hold in the
future; -- Youth is forever.
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frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
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posted August 13, 2002 11:22 PM
yeah, this clutch thing bites.
but jsut as a counter point, and more so a point of curiosity, i have had excellent luck w the warranty. so far my clutch seems ok (altho w 30,000kms on it i think it may be startin to give), but my rotors got warped a few thousand kms ago. much to my surprise, they were warrantied. i was NOT expecting this. but they did it. ended up replacing them with EBC prolites at my choice (same price fer them). they'r also gonna look at my tranny this winter cause it feels like it's more clunky than it used to be. i tell ya, given the lack of care i give my bike (esp compared to fish), i count myself very lucky that it has held up as well as it has.
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beansbaxter
Needs a life
Posts: 5911
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posted August 14, 2002 12:50 AM
Is this a concern with the 02 models???
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EastBayDave
Needs a job
Posts: 2245
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posted August 14, 2002 06:24 AM
Ok, well let's quit talking about it & DO IT!
Who's gonna take charge, gather all info, & prepare the petition? Let's quit wasting time, & get the ball rolling... I too, had clutch problems from the start, & when I went to the dealer for my Extended Warranty, I was told it was "abuse." I ended up BUYING the Muzzys clutch.
I'm so friggin' mad I could spit nails...LETS GO!
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Enjoy the ride!
02' ZRX1200
00' ZX12R sold
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fish_antlers
Administrator
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posted August 15, 2002 07:37 AM
well, who's on board to help here?
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EastBayDave
Needs a job
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posted August 16, 2002 05:06 AM
I'm on board; but with this kind of response....
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Enjoy the ride!
02' ZRX1200
00' ZX12R sold
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hotrodninja
Expert Class
Posts: 121
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posted August 16, 2002 05:46 AM
Fish, it sounds like you had a problem that should have been warranteed. With cool down time, I had no problem getting over 100 quarter mile runs out of the stock clutch. After mods I do much better. There would have to be a problem if your clutch fried with normal street riding. Anyone who says a Busa's stock clutch is better is dreaming. I have yet to see a stock Busa clutch last any longer. Without cool down time, any clutch will fry when subjected to 170+ HP and slipped out of the hole. Now that friggin' clutch basket, that's a different story...
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Be consistent, win money.
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fish_antlers
Administrator
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posted August 16, 2002 06:49 AM
Well Dave.. looks like its You and me against Kawi... and yes hotrod... that's my point... I have been using the 12 as a Sport-touring bike.. not on a dragstrip
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ZHooligan
Moderator
Post Whore Extraordinaire!
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posted August 16, 2002 08:31 AM
Now the truth comes out. You have been using the 12 as a motorhome instead of a bad boy beat the shit out of hot rod. the clutch is weak and Kawi doesn't seem to care.
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To those who do not count their life in years, but in how life
has touched them in the past and how much it can hold in the
future; -- Youth is forever.
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princesskiwi
Administrator
MISTRESS of SMACK
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posted August 17, 2002 05:43 PM
top
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EastBayDave
Needs a job
Posts: 2245
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posted August 17, 2002 07:40 PM
Ok cool. Where to start? I can type fast, but my political correctness leaves a lot to be desired. (I'm a cowboy at heart locked in suburbia!) Any lawyer types on the system that could help with the "legalese?"
I would gladly type about my "fun" experiences w/two different local dealers. Both of which were less than minimally helpful. Politically correct yes, but not helpful at all. In other words, they did a good job of "CYA"....& are very good at saying NO!
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Enjoy the ride!
02' ZRX1200
00' ZX12R sold
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TedG
Moderator
Posts: 8222
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posted August 17, 2002 08:34 PM
Fish it sounds like the clutch is set up incorrectly somehow. I have 26000 and it chattered once, other than that it has been flawless. Admittedly I am very easy on clutches. But I did drill mine and flattened the shaft. 4000 miles...no something is very wrong not just lack of oil. IMHO
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Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
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safe4now
Parking Attendant
JUST BRING IT !
Posts: 30
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posted August 17, 2002 09:02 PM
Im coming in late on this post, but my experience was that at 1800 miles
mine did the same thing yours is ( 8k+ esp in 5th-6th gear, slips BAD )
They paid 100% labor and List on OEM parts, I paid upgrade on basket and
I have not been back. (6k miles now )
I just went to thhe Dealership, nice and calmly told them what I wanted to happen and 4 days later, I was back on the street.
Just my .02 worth, but still, put me on the list if I can help !!!!
Steve
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Never Ride Faster Than Your Guardian Angel Can Fly !!!
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ZXtra
Expert Class
Posts: 490
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posted August 17, 2002 11:21 PM
I wish I could help you guys, but at 12,000 km I've had zero problems. No drag starts here though. -ZXtra
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The sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick!
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