beginning to think KHI screwed the pooch and the zx-6r is a hunk of shite

[wicked]

so far the bike has ~1600 miles on it...it spent two weeks in the shop for a bad voltage regulator...just got it out last Friday...now it feels like something is wrong with maybe the ECU...definitely with ignition...at a steady RPM (most prominent over 8500) it pulls and backs off, pulls and backs off...over and over again...subtle, but there...and then if you open the throttle a little, power dips drastically and then it snaps back to life...happened coming around a turn on the way home and I damned near lost it...if I had been an inexperienced rider, KHI would have a lawsuit on their hands right now...

[Lazarus]

Sounds real bad. Have you checked the kawi forums to see if anyone else is having alot of problems?

[wicked]

yeah...theres something similar on kawiforums...but not exactly the same...

[Lazarus]

The 09 was a redesigned though right? I know it got new suspension and weight reduction but did they do anything to the electronics, ECU, motor? Seems a little buggish but the dealer should be able to fix it.

[bigb996]

the motor was completly revamped. Its a different bike from the ground up. You must have gotten a dang lemon man. i mean mines in the shop getting the fork seals replaced under warranty right now, but knock on wood ive had no other issues from it. Ive got around 1400 miles now in 2 months of riding.

[wicked]

Took it to the dealership. They put it on the dyno at the shop and there is, indeed, a problem. As I told them, the power turns to shit at 7000ish RPMs. They have no idea what's causing it. They've contacted the KHI regional wrenchs and my bike was 'put in the system' and they were given a list of things to check out. I was told I should hear something tomorrow. Three fairly big issues in under 2000 miles. No bueno :-(

[roaminggnome]

Damn had mine since nov 09. And havent had a lick of problems yet, knock on wood. Do miss mine gixxer from time to time. But so far its been a good bike up to this point.

[wallypiper]

Unfortunately, the lemon law does not cover motorcycles. Sounds like you got a Monday morning Kaw. Hopefully KHI and the dealer will eventually get it all straightened out. Wonder if a bad VR can cascade through the electrical system and leave multiple issues behind?

[wicked]

Unfortunately, the lemon law does not cover motorcycles. Sounds like you got a Monday morning Kaw. Hopefully KHI and the dealer will eventually get it all straightened out. Wonder if a bad VR can cascade through the electrical system and leave multiple issues behind?ive never had any problems with KHI taking care of things in the past. on the first zx-6 i had (back in the early 90s) there was an almost imperceptible blemish in the pain on the fuel tank...i asked the dealer about it and a week later UPS delivered a new tank to my house. im hoping that this will be the same.

[wicked]

Just got off the phone with Atlanta Motor World. Still no idea what's wrong. Apparently KHI told them to tear the bike apart until they find something. I'm supposed to hear from them NLT COB tomorrow. The bike has now spent more time in their garage than it has in mine. I think maybe it's time to go talk to the GM. Thoughts?

[MX Tuner]

Why talk with AMW's GM? If you have an issue, it is with Kawasaki, not your local dealer. And it sounds as if you've had different issues, not one problem that can't be fixed. Even if lemon laws were applicable to bikes, it still wouldn't be eligible for buy back status.

[wbeck257]

Sounds like they are trying to figure out the problem...

What do you want them to do, replace your bike?

[plwtwo]

I'd have to agree with MXTUNER, AMW isnt the problem Kawisucky is, if anything you need to get the Kawi
Rep on the phone and complain about having issues with their product. The Dealer GM can't do anything
about your issues.
P2

[Over TWO Customs]

The dealer will most likely end up throwing parts at it. If its electrical then swap out the ECU, coil packs, and harness. Could be a bad ground also. Electrical gremlins are the absolute worst. Keep us updated!

[wicked]

im well aware that ultimately KHI is responsible for the product they manufactured...ive been a motorbiker and good little consumer for eons...i know that this is not AMWs doing and that they are, in fact, trying like hell to fix the problem...i am also aware that the purchase of a brand new vehicle is not a 'fire and forget' transaction and that the dealership is still (even if in perception only) responsible for the products that they sell...one doesnt typically walk into a store, throw 8 grand at a salesmen and hope like hell that the new vehicle they just purchased actually works...the dealership is the conduit between the consumer and the manufacturer...and THAT is why i would sit down with the AMWs GM...not because i have some assanine maniacal expectation of 'how those bastards are going to make this right or im going to huff and puff and...' but because the GM is familiar with the players at KHI and they will be able to assist me in getting this taken care of in the event that tony cant find the fix...i have a long and happy history with AMW. over the years i have spent a lot of time, money and laughs in their shop and an absurd amount of money on new kawis overall. i have no doubt that AMW will get this sorted out no matter what that ends up looking like...

so far this bike has spewed coolant all over itself, the highway, me and my garage...it has dropped completely dead multiple times in mid-ride (on i85 AND tossing around the twisties on hwy 75 north of helen)...and now it has this phantom ignition problem that were just going to pray we find and fix before riding seasons over...and there's less than 2k on the odo...sigh...just frustrated as hell...the beat up abused 5yo zx10r i just got rid of had 30k+ miles on it never gave me one problem mechanically...even after my girlfriend highsided it and i threw it away at barber...and this new one, well...you just expect a new bike to just work...

and preston...you shoulda said hi the other day when i was at the service counter talking with chris...didnt see ya there

[MX Tuner]

You're far better dealing with Chris Cofer in service than dealing with the GM. He is extremely knowledgable and knows what teh options and correct procedures to get your bike fixed correctly as quickly as possible. The service department knows the Kawasaki people MUCH better than the GM. Tony is a very good tech but is limited as to what Kawasaki tells him, and allows him, what to do in an extreme situation like this. If anything, if you feel talking with someone in a different department will help, call Kawasaki's customer relations hotline. When you do that, it bypasses the dealer personnel. Then Kawasaki will call the dealer and get thier side of the story. When you make that call to Kawasaki, it can create animosity between you and AMW since you're insinuating they are not doing everything they can to repair your bike and are having to get corporate Kawasaki involved.

[wicked]

yep...know chris well...GREAT guy...best dealership service department manager ive ever dealt with in my 30+ years of riding...knows his shite and always makes you feel like you are his #1 customer...

my actions going forward are dependent solely upon a) whether or not the wrenches at AMW are able to ultimately fix the bike and b) how long it takes them...tony is a really good tech so im keeping my finger crossed

i dont intend to discredit AMW in any way, shape or form...again, they are an AWESOME bunch of folks...but im also not going to sit around for weeks or months while they troubleshoot this issue

thanks for the input mark...it is sincerely appreciated

[TLR67]

Well then I will discredit them....I bet AMW hasnt even touched your bike...They suck... I bet if you go up there that it will be sitting right where you left it... All they care about is prepping new bikes and Seadoo's they have sold... Especially this time of the year..My SXV 550 sat up there for over 3 weeks.. And on top of that they knew what was wrong with it... I dealt with a much more reliable dealer.. got the warranty work done and it went smooth.. AMW cares less about servicing bikes IMO... All they were doing in the shop the 2 days I was there were building Hyper Motards and uncrating other bikes..

[TroyBoy30]

I've had nothing but good experiences with them

[TLR67]

I've had nothing but good experiences with them

Then call them up and tell them to remove their Head from their Asses and help this guy out? Funny how this is not the first post about Crappy Service at AMW... aand I am sure it wont be the last.... These are starting to rank up in count with the My bike got stolen from my Apartment Complex Posts...

[Over TWO Customs]

I think its in the best interest of all dealerships to prep & service new vehicles. Rogue electrical problems are the last thing they want coming into their shop. I know over at L'ville Honda they only have a few service guys and a crap load of bikes at that place. Their wait time to even look at your bike is typically 3 weeks.

[JoeDirte]

AMW sucks balls, I made an appointment to have my kawi trans repaired under warranty (had 5k miles on it and less than 6 months old). Was told to bring my bike in a month. No problem... Well four weeks later I drop it off. Two weeks pass, I heard nothing so I called them up. They were backed up and will start on it next week. Two more weeks pass and they still haven't touched it. I finally start bitching and they promised to start on it the following week.

Well I get a call saying that kawi won't warranty the bike because it's been abused. I told them it was BS. I called Kawi and let them hold it, come to find out, the service manager called kawi and told them I had been doing burnouts and stunting the bike. He told them there was rubber caked all up under the rear of the bike. That was total and complete bullshit, he said all that because get this... My rear Pilot Power was bald because guess what, it had 5000 miles on it. SO because of those assholes, I didn't have my bike for 6 weeks and now my warranty was voided.

I took the bike to another shop and they called kawi to tell them that I didn't abuse my bike and there was no rubber under the rear, but that didn't do any good, they still refused to honor my warranty. So now I will never buy another bike from AMW and I will never own another kawi.


Oh and get this, I bought an extended warranty when I purchased the bike from AMW, well I told them I wanted my money back and kawi said I didn't have an extended warranty. AMW just kept the money and never sent the paper work for the warranty. Only took 3 weeks to get the money back from those scamming assholes.

[wbeck257]

I've never really had a problem with their service, but the guys up there are dicks.

[wicked]

until i have the opportunity to get over there (i live in suwanee) i am calling them every day..."hi chris. just calling to see what you guys have done today and see if you've found anything."

ill be damned if my new bike is going to sit in the shop for weeks or months for warranty work...theyll end up working on the bike just to get me to leave them alone :-)

[Lazarus]

So what have they done so far?

[TLR67]

So what have they done so far?

I am betting BS'd him and said they havent found whats wrong with it yet... (As the bike still sits untouched collecting dust and pollen)


Go see your bike and see what they have done... If nothing take it to another dealer and not only get the work done but get it done right...

[wicked]

I am betting BS'd him and said they havent found whats wrong with it yet... (As the bike still sits untouched collecting dust and pollen)


Go see your bike and see what they have done... If nothing take it to another dealer and not only get the work done but get it done right...

they have yet to give me a detailed description of what they've done, they've repeatedly told me what kawi told them to do (and they gathered this information on the day i dropped it off while i was in the waiting in the showroom) and theyve repeatedly told me that theyre going to have to tear into to see what it is...but nothing concrete...

i plan on running over there...in fact, im thinking about knocking off early today to do so...getting pretty tired of not having my bike

[bluerider]

they have yet to give me a detailed description of what they've done, they've repeatedly told me what kawi told them to do (and they gathered this information on the day i dropped it off while i was in the waiting in the showroom) and theyve repeatedly told me that theyre going to have to tear into to see what it is...but nothing concrete...

i plan on running over there...in fact, im thinking about knocking off early today to do so...getting pretty tired of not having my bike

I am so sorry for you bro. I worked for several years at Smith Bros. in Ala. as the warehouse manager(kept up with incoming inventory and assembled new units out of the crates) but in the 4 years I was there they replaced the service manager 3 times because of issues just like you are having. That position is like being on an island.

[A&A Motorsports]

Oh and get this, I bought an extended warranty when I purchased the bike from AMW, well I told them I wanted my money back and kawi said I didn't have an extended warranty. AMW just kept the money and never sent the paper work for the warranty. Only took 3 weeks to get the money back from those scamming assholes.

I had bought a 09 Ninja 250r FOR RE-SALE and the invoice from the owner showed that he paid for the Extended Warranty but when I called Kawasaki of Rome, GA, they denied it. Only after I faxed them the paperwork then they said it was not in the system for some reason.

[ga_skyline_rydr]

Make sure you always keep your papers. Seems like we are having either too many "human errors" or "computer glitches".

[TLR67]

they have yet to give me a detailed description of what they've done, they've repeatedly told me what kawi told them to do (and they gathered this information on the day i dropped it off while i was in the waiting in the showroom) and theyve repeatedly told me that theyre going to have to tear into to see what it is...but nothing concrete...

i plan on running over there...in fact, im thinking about knocking off early today to do so...getting pretty tired of not having my bike



All talk and No Action on AMW part.... Told.. We will.. We are waiting.. We have to see... I could go on.. I would really like to know what you find out when you go there...

[TLR67]

I am so sorry for you bro. I worked for several years at Smith Bros. in Ala. as the warehouse manager(kept up with incoming inventory and assembled new units out of the crates) but in the 4 years I was there they replaced the service manager 3 times because of issues just like you are having. That position is like being on an island.

I bought bikes from Smith Bros before.... Pretty cool shop...

[wicked]

vented to Kawi on facebook of all places...they got back to me in about an hour and here's part of the msg i got back 'We saw your post and we're sorry to hear that you're having issues with your vehicle. We'd like to help you. Can you provide us your info so we can follow-up with you directly?' there was more to the msg, but seriously...if I can get to them through fb in less than a day then why the fock can't AMW?

[Seca]

vented to kawi on facebook of all places...they got back to me in about an hour and here's part of the msg i got back 'we saw your post and we're sorry to hear that you're having issues with your vehicle. We'd like to help you. Can you provide us your info so we can follow-up with you directly?' there was more to the msg, but seriously...if i can get to them through fb in less than a day then why the fock can't amw?

lmao!!!

[MX Tuner]

You assume AMW hasn't. Just because someone at Kaw replied to your post doesn't mean they can perform miracles. Not sayint it can't help but one PR guy may not have much pull with the tech department. I'm hoping it does get the ball rolling faster but don't expect miracles.

[wallypiper]

:yeathat:

Good move putting it on Facebook, though. When a dealer contacts the manufacturer, it all goes through a defined sequence of events. The guy responding on Facebook can appear to cut through all that and maybe he CAN bring something else to bear on it or maybe he can't. But it doesn't mean the dealer wasn't doing anything.

[ga_skyline_rydr]

It is too bad you can't rent a bike till yours is fixed. That is what happens when a car is in the shop for a good while.

[Lazarus]

It is too bad you can't rent a bike till yours is fixed. That is what happens when a car is in the shop for a good while.

Rent nothing! Hes already paying for the bike. If my car is in the shop I get a loaner, I dont pay for anything.

[ga_skyline_rydr]

Rent nothing! Hes already paying for the bike. If my car is in the shop I get a loaner, I dont pay for anything.

Okay you got me there, but he is still without a bike. I don't think these shops provide loaners. Although here is one for you, when your car is in an MVA and yours ends up in the shop for quite a spell guess what, if it has an encumbrance on it you are still paying for it. Then you still rent a car with some or all of it paid for by insurance. So you don't always get a loaner.

[Lazarus]

Okay you got me there, but he is still without a bike. I don't think these shops provide loaners. Although here is one for you, when your car is in an MVA and yours ends up in the shop for quite a spell guess what, if it has an encumbrance on it you are still paying for it. Then you still rent a car with some or all of it paid for by insurance. So you don't always get a loaner.

Whats an encumbrance? Yea but thats a totally different circumstance. That is some involvement on your part, either you crashing the car or you driving and someone crash into you. This is a manufacturing issue, the fault totally lies with the manufacturer and is out of your hands. Some compensation should be due. In an accident the insurance company handles rentals, hospital bills, loss of property, etc but who will provide compensation in this case? Only the manufactuer can, not saying they will though.

[MX Tuner]

It is very rare for a bike maufacturer to supply a loaner, regardless if they are "at fault", which has still been determined. Could be it has some fuel with over 12% ethanol in it. We just don't know the facts. Either way, unless they have specific bikes set aside for loaner use, it most likely won't happen. Some car manufacturers have loaners available for everything from warranty issues to routine service customers. Again, we can only hope the best for the OP.

[Lazarus]

Yea I've never heard of a loaner bike policy, not suggesting that he even gets one but I think a month of no payment or something would be sufficient. Maybe some maintenance coupons if the bike is paid off.

[ga_skyline_rydr]

The problem would begin if this was or is the OP's only form of transport.

[Lazarus]

I think that it would be an even bigger problem but I don't think it should really matter. The bike should be fixed ASAP, maybe shops figure that its only a motorcycle, a toy, etc but thats not correct thinking. I would be in Kawasaki's ass getting my bike out, especially with the nice weather here.

[wbeck257]

I think that it would be an even bigger problem but I don't think it should really matter. The bike should be fixed ASAP, maybe shops figure that its only a motorcycle, a toy, etc but thats not correct thinking. I would be in Atlanta Motorworld's ass getting my bike out, especially with the nice weather here.

Fixed.

[TLR67]

Did you ever go to AMW and see if they even touched it? $$ says that they didnt unless Kawasaki is now knocking.... Honestly I wouldnt give them the chance to make their warranty $$ in Labor...