2008 KLR650 lemon, full refund

[KiwiRat]

this >> http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/waikato...6597a6004.html is what can happen if the history is not disclosed.....maybe you should e-mail them this link

A work colleague has successfully prised a brand replacement car out of
Ford NZ after several issues with his new BF GT Falcon. Electrical gremlins, one cylinder bank being down in oil pressure, etc.

Once you have a certain level of problems with a new vehicle, and those issues re-occur, you lose confidence in that vehicle. Ford were willing to do repairs, change engine, etc, but then the car is not numbers matching blah, blah, lah.

He did have to get a bit bolshy and threaten High Court action, as the car was valued around the $90,000 mark.

So well done to the OP for sticking up for himself.

[Forest]

Mines been sweet 16,000kms, be sad to see her go tomorrow, would I buy another one,mmmm probably not might be a GS800 if they come down a bit in price that is

The NZD is dropping heavily at the moment. So I don't expect there's much chance that the GS800 will come down in price.

[pete376403]

If I can get the replacement ring set fitted under warranty then I'll be happy with that. I can appreciate that sometimes they get it wrong, and like Alan Martin said, "It's the putting right that counts".
What pisses me is when a dealer/importer/factory will consistently deny that there is anything wrong despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, and only when forced to by a court of law or some other body will grudgingly admit that there "could possibly be something wrong".

I'm hopefull that Lyntech will come to the party on this, especially now that a precedent has been established.

And I still like the KLR.

The alternative will be a big bore kit which I recall MarkS said was around $US384

[Quasievil]

Its gone SOB SOB. heading to Nelson, keep a look out for a Red KLR with QUASiMOTO stickers all over it, the new owner is a top bloke who would be keen to ride with others

[merv]

Yeah well I hadn't heard of it so hadn't bothered to research it I suppose about the KLR oil issue, but it hit home to me on the ride that weekend before last when on one occasion I came up behind marks and rode behind him for a while as we headed down Admirals Rd. I commented to him when we stopped about how every time he had backed off and then put the throttle on again his KLR smoked badly for roughly 4 to 5 seconds. That to me was a huge surprise to see a newish Japanese (designed) bike doing that.

How did Kawasaki manage to create this problem? We've never had any inclination to own the green brand so have never experienced anything like this, not even from the parts bin special Suzukis.

[pete376403]

The '08 got a redesigned piston - probably the first change to that part since they went to a 650 (KLR was originally 600). Someone fucked up.

I recall back in the 70s (80s?) when the Datsun 180B came out and there was some oil crisis going on. The engines had low tension piston rings to reduce internal friction. They smoked like coal burners as well. I guess it is the nature of development - sometimes they get it right, other times not.

[Kevnz]

i have a DR 650 that is due for its first service in a couple of weeks.(1000 kms) Any advise on what oil to ask the dealer to put in would be great. I commute every day in all weather and go for longer rides on weekends. Not using any oil at present like the KLR and glad you got a good result

[merv]

Since first oil changes with Mrs merv's DR and all our other bikes for that matter I use Castrol GPS semi synthetic - good mid-range price - never seem to have to top up between changes so I'm happy with it.

[Kevnz]

Thanks Merv, will give that a try. I have always used Castrol oil in the car and never had a problem so will stick with the brand.

[merv]

Probably if you search there are zillions of threads about oil preferences and everyone has their pet brand so you just gotta make a pick and go with it. Castrol bike oils you can usually buy at Repco or Supercheap which I find as handy as any as they are clsoer to my house than the bike shops.

Anyway what is the story with the KLR, is it that the rings really are a problem so no amount of decent running in would have helped this?

[Quasievil]

i have a DR 650 that is due for its first service in a couple of weeks.(1000 kms) Any advise on what oil to ask the dealer to put in would be great. I commute every day in all weather and go for longer rides on weekends. Not using any oil at present like the KLR and glad you got a good result

Simple, use MOBIL the best oil in the world made by the leader in synthetic oil technology you want MOBIL 1 4T fully synthetic or MOBIL Extra 4T semi synthetic. (real synthetics)

Castrol is the leader in synthetic deception

[pete376403]

Uh-oh, this is turning into an OIL thread. Wars between countries start from these.
FWIW, at the bikes first service, Motorad refilled it with Shell Advance SX4 15w-50 semi-synthetic. The next oil and filter changes (by me at about 3000 k intervals have been with Caltex Havolene 15w-50. In between it's been topped up with whatever brand was being sold by the gas station I was stopped at.

Also, the owners handbook does not specify mineral or synthetic. Under "Recommended Engine Oil" - type API SE, SF or SG. API SH, SJ or SL with JASO MA. Viscosity SAE 10W-40, with allowances for ranges between 10W-30 to 20W-50 depending on temperature.

[puddy]

With regard to the oil consumption, last weekends ride up around Taranak used 1.5 litres in a little over 1600km. I know another KBer, MarkS, has oil issues with his KLR.

Holy FUCK! You (and MarkS)are fucking SAINTS! Apart from servicing, I haven't put 1.5 litres of oil in all of the bikes I've ever owned. That's 20 years of riding. So, if I bought a new one I'd be pulling my hair out, and I don't have fuck all left!

[gammaguy]

i had a similar exprience in 1982 with a ducati 600.bought it brand new and had a lot of problems with it.long story short-traded it back in on a Yamaha -i think the dealer was kinda sheepish about it all but could hardly refuse as the option was legal action as i politely suggested.

one rule i learned is to inform the dealer of EVERY problem as it happens,they got sick of the sound of my voice but couldnt deny there was a problem.

also never run in any engine on synthetic oil,sounds like the rings on the KLR are suspect though,so it may not have made any difference.

i own a Yamaha 125 made in Thailand,it runs superbly,i bought it from new,and have had absolutely no trouble with it,i even toured the lower north island on the little rocket last week,so the Thais can make them properly if they want to.

having said all that,enjoy that KTM!

[pete376403]

I've got a copy of the e-mails between Lyntech and Kawasaki Japan. Lyntech asking why the part number have been changed, Japan stating it's to "improve oil consumption". Also top ring gap has been enlarged 0.05 mm, oil ring rails have been thickened 0.05mm and oil ring total width has been reduced 0.15mm. From that I'm thinking that there have been problems with the rings sticking in the grooves, perhaps.
Anyway this is pretty much an admission that there are oil issues with these engine so off to Motorad now to see wat they have to say about it.