Ouch. An expensive noise

**Jantar** · 15th December 2009, 09:47

Late yesterday afternoon, while riding through Motueka, the bike made a noise that sounded a bit like disconnecting an air line while there was still some pressure in it. At the same time the VStrom lost power and started running on only one cylinder.

First thing this morning I took it into the Suzuki workshop for a diagnosis and repair. The verdict is: A broken cam chain tensioner; a broken cam chain; a damaged cam chain gear; and a damaged bearing.
The worst of it is that none of these parts are available in New Zealand, and all must be ordered ex Japan a week before Xmas.

So, my options are: A rental car or bus home and come back in 6 weeks to pick up the bike; or trade in "As Is" and ride away on a new bike (if they can get one).

**MSTRS:Me** · 15th December 2009, 09:52

Nasty. Could it be an ACC plot to get you off bikes?

**duckonin** · 15th December 2009, 09:55

Originally Posted by Jantar

Late yesterday afternoon, while riding through Motueka, the bike made a noise that sounded a bit like disconnecting an air line while there was still some pressure in it. At the same time the VStrom lost power and started running on only one cylinder.

First thing this morning I took it into the Suzuki workshop for a diagnosis and repair. The verdict is: A broken cam chain tensioner; a broken cam chain; a damaged cam chain gear; and a damaged bearing.
The worst of it is that none of these parts are available in New Zealand, and all must be ordered ex Japan a week before Xmas.

So, my options are: A rental car or bus home and come back in 6 weeks to pick up the bike; or trade in "As Is" and ride away on a new bike (if they can get one).

If you had Been an AA member you your bike and all would of been taken home for nilch good insurance $90 well spent per year..

**PrincessBandit** · 15th December 2009, 09:56

Originally Posted by Jantar

Late yesterday afternoon, while riding through Motueka, the bike made a noise .......
The worst of it is that none of these parts are available in New Zealand, and all must be ordered ex Japan a week before Xmas.

So, my options are: A rental car or bus home and come back in 6 weeks to pick up the bike; or trade in "As Is" and ride away on a new bike (if they can get one).

I feel for you! I know that scenario well. What is it with Suzuki that they don't have the stuff in the country? Having said that, there were no Michelin RP2's either in the country when I needed to replace my rear tyre. I'm starting to feel paranoid!!

Hope you transport issues get sorted out. Good luck.

**R6_kid:Me** · 15th December 2009, 09:57

Originally Posted by duckonin

If you had Been an AA member you your bike and all would of been taken home for nilch good insurance $90 well spent per year..

And he'd also be paying to support an organisation that thought increasing motorcycle levies was a good idea

Some insurance companies offer this service free of charge when you have full insurance.

**Hiflyer** · 15th December 2009, 10:15

What about the valves? Were they sweet? I had the same problem with my Hyosung, cost $963 to fix but didnt have a broken cam chain, a damaged cam chain gear and a damaged bearing.

I'd go with the trade in if I was you, but I'm only a youngun so probably don't know the half of what to do haha

Gutted that it had to happen though

**Jantar** · 15th December 2009, 10:17

Originally Posted by Hiflyer

What about the valves? Were they sweet? .....

I was very lucky there. It happened with both valves closed, so the engine just kept ticking over nicely on one cyclinder, no lockup and no mechanical noise. Even gave a nice result when the mechanic gave it a compression test.

I will go with the trade in if they can find and supply a new VStrom in 24 hours.

**Cajun** · 15th December 2009, 10:18

Originally Posted by Jantar

Late yesterday afternoon, while riding through Motueka, the bike made a noise that sounded a bit like disconnecting an air line while there was still some pressure in it. At the same time the VStrom lost power and started running on only one cylinder.

First thing this morning I took it into the Suzuki workshop for a diagnosis and repair. The verdict is: A broken cam chain tensioner; a broken cam chain; a damaged cam chain gear; and a damaged bearing.
The worst of it is that none of these parts are available in New Zealand, and all must be ordered ex Japan a week before Xmas.

So, my options are: A rental car or bus home and come back in 6 weeks to pick up the bike; or trade in "As Is" and ride away on a new bike (if they can get one).

how many kms on the bike jantar?

**robo555** · 15th December 2009, 10:44

Originally Posted by duckonin

If you had Been an AA member you your bike and all would of been taken home for nilch good insurance $90 well spent per year..

It wouldn't do much good to bring a broken bike home. Even if he DID wanted to bring it home he could have just rode it, since one cylinder was still working.

**Mikkel** · 15th December 2009, 10:48

Originally Posted by Jantar

The worst of it is that none of these parts are available in New Zealand, and all must be ordered ex Japan a week before Xmas.

My life. 2 years ago. It really sucks!

I hope you get it all sorted in an OK way. You're lucky that the valves didn't take a hammering - but I guess that is impossible with a broken cam chain on a V-twin (if there is no chain to supply torque to the camshaft the springs will push it closed, no?).

At least it's a nice part of the country to be stranded in.

**Mully** · 15th December 2009, 11:47

What's the warranty on a Vstrom?

And, out of curiousity - what's a "reasonable" period of time for an $X motorcycle to last?

**MyGSXF:Me** · 15th December 2009, 11:56

Thanks for the heads up XF650..

Have sussed out a rental car that needs to be relocated back to ChCh.. so heading over to pick M & P up in Mot tomorrow morning & delivering them to the rental company at the Nsn airport.. stage 1 for getting them home is sussed..

not sure bout the bike though...

**Crasherfromwayback** · 15th December 2009, 12:05

Originally Posted by Jantar

I was very lucky there. It happened with both valves closed, so the engine just kept ticking over nicely on one cyclinder, no lockup and no mechanical noise. Even gave a nice result when the mechanic gave it a compression test.

I will go with the trade in if they can find and supply a new VStrom in 24 hours.

I've got one here if it's any help mate.

Pete

**Jantar** · 15th December 2009, 12:57

What a great community we have here. I'm absolutely overwhelmed with all the offers of help.

Originally Posted by Cajun

how many kms on the bike jantar?

The bike just had its 54000 km service (at 53000 km) a little over one week ago. I've done around 1500 km since then.

Originally Posted by Mully

What's the warranty on a Vstrom?

And, out of curiousity - what's a "reasonable" period of time for an $X motorcycle to last?

The warranty is 2 years, but I would expect a big V-twin to last a long time. This is an unusual and unexpected event and, as far as anyone knows, hasn't happened to a VStrom in New Zealand before.

Originally Posted by MyGSXF

Thanks for the heads up XF650..

Have sussed out a rental car that needs to be relocated back to ChCh.. so heading over to pick M & P up in Mot tomorrow morning & delivering them to the rental company at the Nsn airport.. stage 1 for getting them home is sussed..

not sure bout the bike though...

Thank you Jen. You are just great.

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

I've got one here if it's any help mate.

Pete

Thanks Pete, but could you have it in Mot by tomorrow? The Suzuki shop here are asking around right now.