The joys of owning a brand new bike

[Jay GTI]

Just thought I'd share a few tales of the Kato ownership, as it's been interesting so far...

Due to acquiring a new GF the same time as the bike, I haven't ridden it anywhere near as much as I wanted, so it's still just under 10 hours...

So far I've had the valve stem seals replaced under warranty (first batch had 450 seals put in by mistake) and it's due to go back in this week for new bar clamps, as the ones on it have been known to crack. Again done under warranty, the joys of a brand new model I guess.

It has also developed a slight oil leak (more of a weep than a proper leak) from the rocker cover, but have been told a few of them have started doing this. Will keep an eye on it to see if it gets worse, talking the tiniest of leaks here, just more annoyed that a $14k bike does this with less than 10 hours on it than it actually being an issue.

Front brake has needed bleeding a couple of times, no biggie just annoying and it was fine yesterday.

Still very happy though, it's an amazing, do anything bike and is just as happy on the trails as it is on the track. However, it is a brand new model and I should expect some teething issues, which I've had...

[takitimu]

Nice post, random question how's the FI going, rumour I heard was they were having problems with the sensors, might just be a 250sxf issue though.

[Jay GTI]

Not had any problems with mine yet (touch wood). I'm loving the FI 'perfectly jetted for everywhere' benefit, but she sure looks complicated under the seat...

[flyingcr250]

no cracks in my bar clamps.....yet.
no oil leaks..........................yet.
efi is sweet no problems.........yet.

not sure about the valve seals, ill know soon enough when i do the top end.
just had to put a bit of silicone around the TPS to stop water gettn in.

[steve_t]

So were the valve seals and bar clamps part of an official recall/fix?

[Jay GTI]

Cool, I was hoping you'd join in with how yours is going.

Only a small handful of the first shipment had the valve stem seal issue, although it has resulted in a couple of dead engines due to bits of valve seal ending up in the oil pump apparently...

Will have a look at the TPS tomorrow, see if I'm having any moisture issues.

[Jay GTI]

So were the valve seals and bar clamps part of an official recall/fix?

Yep, official recall and all done under factory warranty

[flyingcr250]

mine has done about 30 hours now, so far no major problems.

was the recall only on certain build numbers? i havent heard anything??

[Bradz]

Yours has a recall on radiator hoses Steve...

[Jay GTI]

mine has done about 30 hours now, so far no major problems.

was the recall only on certain build numbers? i havent heard anything??

Must not be riding mine hard enough then...

Yeah just on certain build numbers, TMG called me and said three bikes from the first delivery had the issue, the rest were fine.

[flyingcr250]

Yours has a recall on radiator hoses Steve...

ha ha ha, that was the dick on the seat that caused that problem.

[Rupe]

no cracks in my bar clamps.....yet.
no oil leaks..........................yet.
efi is sweet no problems.........yet.

not sure about the valve seals, ill know soon enough when i do the top end.
just had to put a bit of silicone around the TPS to stop water gettn in.

30hrs and you're doing a top end...y?

[noobi]

It got a bit hot

[flyingcr250]

30hrs and you're doing a top end...y?

it overheated a few times during the root 100, now its a bit smokey, and i dont believe in doing just rings, if the heads comming off then a new piston is going in.

and probably valve seals too ha ha ha

[vazza]

Wow not good.