Messages

Ain't a problem any more .... Sold the bike.
I felt there was a problem based upon the info provided.  However.....the mechanic who reviewed the cups spoke to the dealership and based upon the conversation asked me to bring the bike in.  I then did and then Kawasaki warranty department said there was no problem.

My actions and behaviour was due to a lack of faith in the product, based upon 3 warranty claims in 18 months which included getting stiffed over the discs and pads . . I have now voted with my feet so to speak.

Having said that the bike had never let me down.  I just didn't like the idea of the potential of it doing so given I am a contractor and if I don't get into work I don't get paid.

Anyhow I am taking this year off biking and starting again next year probably with a vfr1200 which will match the Honda car I picked up today.  The bike will then be a plaything again as opposed to a primary method of transport ... 30k in 18 months mostly motorways is way too much for me.


Good luck chaps
Pete

Kawasaki have said there is no problem with the shaft.

The cups that seemed to be moving is not a problem apparently

Unfortunately I now have a £150 bill to pay.  At least there is now a record if summit goes wrong.....

Bugger

Question.....why has it failed?
Is yours unique or is this something we should all be worried about now, more to the point should Kawasaki be recalling models to have the shafts checked?

no idea mate. I have 28k on the bike and most of that is riding up and down the m4 at 80-90 mph so I speculate this type of riding may cause an issue sooner than other types, but a sample of one (I.e my bike) will not be enough to do anything.  It would be much more interesting to now of snyone had actually had a failed shaft drive and at what mileage it occurred.

I guess I will know more when I get it back. 

what bothers me is the fact I would not have known there was a potential problem if I hadn't asked for it to be checked.

Update on my shaft . . . .

Kawasaki have agreed to fix it under warranty

It's getting done tomorrow. .

Am looking for a garage for servicing - would you recommend these fellas at Morpheus? Some mixed reviews out there ... but if they know their way around the GTR I would be willing to travel there from Cardiff.  Thanks.

Sorry to hear about your "shaft" 

I rate them.  I have used them for servicing on 3 of the 7 services, the 8,12 and 28k.

They are quit a bit cheaper than main dealer of course but the key thing is they take their time to do the job correctly.  I'm planning to use them exclusively post warranty

He wouldn't be doing the work .. I asked him to have a close look over the bike in addition to the service and if he found any problems I would take it to the dealership.  So he knows he ain't getting the work as it would be a warranty job

How much play was there? I'm trying to remember how much mine had, if any at all.

dunno I wasnt there.  He just said he wasn't sure what was holding it all together which is a bit worrying

Not quite at that age yet........but my bike shoudn't be either.

Got my bike at my 28K service interval and asked Tim at Morpheus motorcycles of bristol to grease the splines as per the excellent articles I have read here.  Whilst there were no issues at all at the rear end of the drive, there is a problem at the front.  I am not mechanically minded but here goes.....

The shaft itself sits in cups and is held in there with bearings.  Thus the rotational force of the shaft spinning is controlled by the cups and bearings - this prevents the shaft flying apart.

Unfortunately the cups are worn and drive shaft is no longer tightly fitted into the cups.  Eventually it will fail and the drive shaft will fly apart, destroying the shaft drive.  Destruction is likely to occur sooner rather than later.

I asked Tim if the bike was rideable.  He pulled a face.  What he did say however that there is no way it should be that loose on a bike with only 28K on it.

I contacted Kawasaki in Bristol, (5.15 yesterday) but all the techies had gone home.  I am pretty concerned that if I hadn't got this check done  this could have failed on my way to work down the M4.  Given it is not in the service schedule nobody would have discovered this until a terminal failure had occurred.


It now seems I have to wait until next week so Kawasaki can look at it themselves and decide if there is a problem. 

So now I am on my 4th problem in 19 months.... the exhaust, the rear shock, the discs, and now the shaft.

As Tim said "this is supposed to be a high mileage tourer.....it doesn't seem to be does it?"

What I am concerned about now is that Kawasaki say it is normal and nothing to worry about.....or even worse.....normal wear and tear and I need to cough up myself


Anyone else had this issue?

You may recall the saga of my 2010 GTR which trashed front discs in 20k miles.
After many e-mails Kawasaki are maintaining this is normal wear and tear. They acknowledge a change in pad material in 2010, but claim thay do not know what the difference is.
I cannot accept that this is normal wear and will be contacting various bike press.
If any of you have 2010 or later models, I suggest you check the discs and any problems should be sent to Simon Chitty in customer services. E-mail below
[email protected]
I am extremely unhappy and will be investigating aftermarket discs for the future.
Tom

My discs wore out (officially) at 24K.  I had problems with them at the 16K service but nothing was done at that point (which I regard as suspect).  At my big 24K service my pads were replaced.  At 26K I was in Protyre in Bristol and the tyre fitter there told my my discs were knackered, as were the pads.  So, either the discs became knackered AFTER the 24K service OR new pads were put on to work with shagged discs (which then subsequently shagged the pads in less than 2k miles) and Kawacrappy then tell me its fair wear and tear.

This is absolute horse sh*t.  The are not using quality discs in the first place and they are refusing to acknowledge it.  This was my third warranty claim on the bike (exhaust paint, seized rear shock and then the discs).  My concern is what's next?  All I can say is I never EVER had a problem with my Fireblades or the Gixxers I had over the last six years or so.  My previous Kawasaki (a ZX9R some years ago) had chocolate discs (8k miles!!!) on it and after a scrap with Kawasaki were replaced under warranty.  Oh and WD40 removed the paint from my wheels as well....

I love this bike, it has been the best bike ever for chewing up the miles,  but I am not sure if I will buy another given the quality issues and now Big K messing me about. 

I will not be purchasing an additional warranty and will now be getting the bike serviced at Morpheus motorcycles in Bristol 100% of the time and sod the remaining warranty (September this year).  If anyone wants the photos of the discs and pads destroyed after less than 2k miles let me know and I will email them to you

VFR1200 looks tasty and Honda build quality and reliability (in my opinion) is the dogs.....

Yep me too . . A few time a month at randon then it stops.  Scared the crap out of me first time it happened.

Maybe it was GTRPete? If he's changed his bike

Nope . . .I play on the M4 or A4 eastbound these days

i have been sitting here quitely to see how this panned out i would be interested in tagging along if you can let me know when  i live in Norfolk so may be we could meet up some where in between?
Colin

Mate Pm me your rmail address etc and we can chat.  Seems likely at least 3 poss 4 at the moment up for it

Harz mountains for me, if anyone fancies it give me a shout. Not really bothered when I go.

Send us a link to the area mate if it is good as you say . . . Lets go there

We have our German trip planned for this year but this hotel in the Harz mountains is already on our radar for next year, the ride outs and stuff make this place a yes for 2013.

Alan

When are you going on your german trip mate?

Right.  . .2 of us now certain of going somewhere in June.  ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED? Destination is still open but poss St Malo ferry then blast down to biarritz.  Or somewhere else.  . . . . .