baroines

Parking Attendant
Posts: 4
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posted January 27, 2005 05:30 PM
Kawasaki Service Sucks Big Time
It's now 6 weeks since my bike is it the shop.
I first took it there because finally they were to send the bike to Lisbon to fix a problem it has since new: an oil leek (big leak right side).
After numerous unsuccessfull attempts to find the leak (8 months in and out) the mechanic decided to send it to Kawasaki headquarters in Lisbon.
Three weeks later they called me from the shop to pick up the bike.
I picked it up on my way to work. Rode all morning and after lunch there I was again with the same old oil leak but now with a bonus: engine was making odd noises. Unbelieveable.
Imediately the mechanic called the Kawasaki engineer in Lisbon and they agreed to give me a new engine. He told me I just had to wait about a month for the engine to arrive but I could still ride with no problems.
Ok. So i go home with my old noisy leeky engine ZX-10R.
Day after: I go to my girlfriend's place and just arriving there the bike starts to fail and shuts down. Nice. Called them to pick up the bike at her place which they did promptly.
After a day or two the mechanic called to pick it up at the shop. He just recharged the battery and told me it wasn't good. It could last a bit longer but I had to BUY a new one.
WHAT? BUY A NEW ONE? BUT IT ONLY HAS 8 MONTHS! ALWAYS RIDING!
I tried to take the bike home but I didn't go very far. Fifteen minutes or so and the bike died again. Of course the problem was not the battery! It was the noisy generator that broke down.
Once again I called and they picked it up.
Two weeks ago.
It's now five weeks and i'm running out of patience.
Kawasaki service sucks BigTime!
Maybe that's why last year Honda sold 4302 big bikes, Yamaha sold 3140, Suzuki 1143 and Kawasaki 501.
They should rethink their service. It stinks!
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fattkaw

Expert Class
Posts: 277
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posted January 27, 2005 06:18 PM
Edited By: fattkaw on 27 Jan 2005 18:18
one; get your money back on the battery.
two; if you didn't call kawasaki customer service already, do it.
three; get the name and number of the kawasaki rep for that dealer. give him a call and see if he even knows anything about your bike.
four: find out about a possible buy back. here in the usa it's our lemon law!! sounds like its in the shop more than your on it!!
I'd give you a number to call but I'm unsure what it would be since you live in Porto - Portugal. good luck and let us know what happens.
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beansbaxter
Needs a life
Posts: 5911
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posted January 27, 2005 08:03 PM
I dont know what to say being that your in Portugal. I had some interesting happenings over the last few years with my Kawi, but they have come through all the time (and for those who have helped, I say thanks!).
extremelean...have any pull over there in Portugal?
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baroines

Parking Attendant
Posts: 4
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posted January 28, 2005 12:46 PM
I've talked to Kawasaki Portugal and they are aware of the problem.
Four weeks ago when the bike came from Lisbon they decided to change the engine and told my mechanic it would take about a month for it to arrive. It comes all the way from Japan.
But then the alternator failed.
Recently I called Kawasaki in Lisbon to know what was going on and they told me they would change the alternator quickly.
My guess is they are still waiting for the engine and don't want to send the alternator parts.
They don't give a *uck about costumers.
Their policy is: don't waste parts, let 'em wait.
Kawasaki Service Sucks!
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baroines

Parking Attendant
Posts: 4
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posted January 28, 2005 12:52 PM
My dealer told me to call Kawasaki 'cos he didn't understand why they didn't send him the parts. They're usually fast.
Every other problem was solved swiftly.
His advice: wait patiently or call your lawyer.
Kawasaki Service Sucks Big Time!
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Rubber Pants

Zone Head
Posts: 798
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posted January 28, 2005 03:14 PM
quote:
But then the alternator failed.
Are you drivin that thing on the beach??? As salt/sand/water will hurt the alternator. I have never heard of anyone having these kind of problems!
____________
"Ya Gotta Have Big Ones!"
speeddemons.com
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TurboBlew

Moderator
BUSY DOING THE SCHIAVO
Posts: 4590
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posted January 29, 2005 01:02 PM
Well bariones..... there are still folks out there that continue to buy Kawasakis...... despite their dealer or service....lol.
6wks for ANY repair is unacceptable. I would ask for a refund.
How could you go for so long without a bike?
____________
Official Charter Member of the RIDERS OF KAWASAKI MEMBERSHIP REVOCATION CLUB
Also a BadAss Internet Forum Moderator 4 Hire!! Come at me brah!
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baroines

Parking Attendant
Posts: 4
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posted February 02, 2005 09:45 AM
I'm riding again!!!!!
Kawasaki finally released the parts!
After lots of pressure the parts arrived monday to the dealer. It's tuesday and i'm riding again!!!!!
Still waiting for the new engine though.
My leeky bike runs again!!!!!!
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fattkaw

Expert Class
Posts: 277
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posted February 02, 2005 04:14 PM
that's good news besides the leak.
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fish_antlers

Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21896
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posted February 03, 2005 08:11 AM
baroines ..... posting here has helped more than calling a lawyer....
-cheers!
____________
What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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debare21
Parking Attendant
Posts: 6
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posted August 02, 2006 04:21 PM
Kawasaki customer service sucks and I'm just finding that out after trying to get a noise in the clutch fixed. Maybe I should have stuck with Honda.
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Simple Simon

Novice Class
Posts: 94
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posted August 02, 2006 05:14 PM
Sounds to me like you need a diferent dealer to work on your bike. The mechanic should have cheked to see if it was charging correctly before replacing the battery. My guess would be that they did something wrong when they worked on it originally to make the alternator go bad. I still have had better luck with my Kawasaki than what I did with my Honda. The Kawasaki is easier to work on also!
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FP 10R
Expert Class
Fast Learner
Posts: 212
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posted August 02, 2006 05:52 PM
Edited By: FP 10R on 2 Aug 2006 18:53
The Alternator problem is well known on the 04 in particular and on some early 05 models in extreme cases the thrust washer on the stator disintergrates and spills metal into the engine with fatal results.
First sign of the problem is a whining noise if caught early the revised thrust washer and correct end float setup usually fixes it, if not it means a new clutch basket and gear set as the noise is from a miss mesh in the gears.
This is a warranted item here and no problem if you get it sorted early and how do I know Already been their had the mod then still noisy so replaced the lot.
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"Life is not a rehearsal so make the most of it" Carefully
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