500 problem, opinions needed. Kinda long.

[Kid Bissell]

Back on September 4th i purchased my wife a 2005 Vulcan 500 and myself a 2005 800A. We have had a blast riding and racked up about 1600 in the first 6 weeks we had them. We had previous experience with both dirt bikes and street bikes but had not rode in about 6 years. Needless to say we are having a blast.
The last weekend in October we were out riding on the Natchez Trace and my wifes bike started back firing and cutting out. This was only occuring at speeds of 50 to 60 miles an hour and was intermittent. I checked the bike out and could find no obvious problem. It was only doing it at cruising speeds and not at slow speeds so we headed back for home, we were about 50 miles away at the time. After a half hour nature called so we stopped at a rest area and took a break. My wife told me the problem was about the same and did not seem any worse. I had been riding behind her and could tell when it happened as the bike would slow or backfire. I offered for the 2nd time to switch bikes but she would have no part of it.
So i am following Deb as we pull back on the Trace and see her shift into 2nd gear at about 15 MPH. About that time the bike backfires and dies on her, the back wheel locked up instantly. As she was in the middle of a turn she had very little time to react and down she went. She took a pretty hard hit but luckily she was OK. Nothing was broke on the bike but the tank did have a good size dent in it.
Since we were about 20 miles from home at this point i decided to go and get my truck and trailer it home from there.
When i got the bike home it started very hard and ran about the same, which i expected. Called the dealer and they said to bring it in and they would take care of it.
Yesterday they called and said they had rode it and experienced the same problem. Checked it out and found that the negative battery cable had been over torqued and had busted the terminal and was causing the problem. Said it was definitely a warranty issue and they would take care of it.
So i asked the service manager if there is anything they can do about the tank. He said no that she should have put her feet down or pulled in the clutch. I tried to explain to him again exactly what happened and that this problem caused her to fall. He agreed with me but said i needed to call Kawasak as that was their call and not the dealers. So i called and got the same response from them. In addition i was treated rather rudely by the first person i talked too.
So before i pursue this any further i wanted to get the some opinions from folks here. They admitted that the problem caused her to fall but that they are only responsible for the battery and terminals they replaced.
Your opinions on this would be appreciated.
KB

[Sgt Mike]

What the dealer and Kawasaki are telling you is a total bunch of buffalo chips. I'm speaking as a former service director for a Ford/Chrysler dealer. You purchased 2 Kawasaki bikes and neither the dealer or the factory wants to help? I don't understand that logic. Help from the dealer can be had if the service manager has a set of gonads. There are so many ways that the dealer can use to get you a new tank and have the factory pay for it that if they dont know of at least one, they should not be in that business. If after speaking with the service mgr and you don't get help, go to the general mgr, if you dont get help from him, go to the owner, his reputation should mean something to him. If you still can't get assistance from the dealer, ask to be notified when the factory service rep comes in and discuss it with him. Remind them that severe injuries could have resulted from her fall. Above all, be courteous and polite, but insist on a new tank and don't give up. If you push hard enough they'll give you one. Politely remind them that people like you are their bread and butter. although they should not have to be reminded of that fact, they should know it by heart. If I'd be the service manager you'd be riding with a new tank already. At last resort, spend about $35.00 and take them to small claims court, you don't need a lawer for that, just make sure that you have all the facts. I'm sure that a judge would be sympathetic since all admitted that it was a factory defect, make sure that you take your wife along. In this case, THE FACTORY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.

Sgt Mike

[Spok]

can't argue with sarge...i'd say that since they admitted to the error being a factory error, it alone is the cause of the spill and dent.

[PickYourPockets]

Take notes on your conversations with everyone you talk to also. Date them and make sure you have the name of the person you spoke with. It will help if you end up in court. In addition, you might mention that you are involved with forums of people who are loyal to Kawasaki and your experiences will be shared with them. Bad press for the dealer among people who are likely to purchase their parts and bikes could rattle their cage a bit. And like sarge says, if you don't get satisfaction from one of them, move up the food chain a bit. The people with the bigger picture are more likely to see the price of the tank vs. bad publicity as a penny wise, pound foolish situation.

[Kid Bissell]

Thanks for the comments and support.
I have been trying to move up the ladder with little success. However one person did tell me that one of the supervisors in the warranty department is supposed to contact the dealer.
What gets me is the person that suggested she should of put her foot down has never ridden a bike.
But what gets to me the most is trying to explain to my wife what is going on and the looks of dissapointment when i tell her. I have never seen her so wound up and excited about something, besides her flower garden, as she is about this bike. From the moment she sat on the bike she wanted it.

KB

[xepathfinder]

I would think Kawasaki would be eager to get you a new tank and put this matter to rest. They admitted the issue was there fault and fixed it under warranty. I am surprised they are not worried about a lawsuit. It never ceases to amaze me how little dealers of any kind do for customers. Especially in this instance were , there was an accident. If I was the dealer I would be getting you a new tank at my cost, for nothing other than goodwill for a guy who just bought two brand new motorcycles from me. Glad your wife was not seriously hurt.

[QKENUF4U]

so it was over-torqued at the frame mount or at the battery post ?
i have to disagree with everyone here about whos to blame though. just my OPINION.
YOU knew there was a problem
BUT you kept riding the bike
she REFUSED to let YOU get the truck/trailer
SHE CHOSE to keep riding
they replaced the DEFECTIVE part, the tank is your problem, you chose the wrong path and it bit you in the a$$.
glad your wife is ok. hope she learned to always COVER the clutch in just this instance.

[Sgt Mike]

The tank is not his problem. The factory has already admitted guilt so it's their problem. I would have tried to get the bike home to, that's what they're for, to be ridden, not pushed or trucked. As xepathfinder stated, customer GOODWILL leads to customer satisfaction, and the owner knows that. Remember insist on talking to the owner, and keep pushing (gently), you'll get your new tank.

[Scary Harry]

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[SA_Meanstreak]

It's kind of a relationship thing, your dealer should understand that you do not just buy the bikes from him, you service them there, so there is continues business with him. Sgt Mike is right, they could help you if they want to....keep records of everything even dicussions.
My dealer dropped my Meanstreak with the first service and damaged the tank and some scratches on the exhausts, they first reprayed the tank, but I was not happy and eventually they replaced the Tank, Exhausts, front fender, okay the case is different, but their first option was to make good and for me the principle was simple, I gave you a new bike to service and you return to me a second hand motorcylce. So it means some effort from your side, also write to your Kawasaki head office for them to have a record of this.

Also glad your wife is fine.....Biking is fantastic as long as you stay away from the the Tarmac

[Sgt Mike]

I dont claim to be an expert Harry, but being a former service director in auto business I can say that once a repair is made under warranty they have admitted that there was a problem with material and or worksmanship and that makes them liable for damages. The Kid must stand up for his rights, if he doesn't nobody will.

[Kid Bissell]

The dealer called late friday afternoon and said they were talking with Kawasaki and they will let us know tuesday on the tank. As i went up the chain of cammand the people were more understanding and took the time to actually listen to the problem. Also after the salesman got involved with Kawasaki things went better.
And yes QKENUF4U the battery was over tightened at the post. And she did not refuse to let me get the trailer she refused to switch bikes. And you have to take into to consideration we were in an isolated area. Leaving the bike and her there to go get the trailer was not an option as i did not feel safe with it and riding 2 up and leaving the bike there was not an option as the bike would
probably not have been there when we returned.
And as far as covering the clutch i doubt many people would have saved any bike from falling. Making a hard right hand turn and having the rear wheel lock up and kill the motor makes things happen fast.
And even though i do not want to pursue it my attorney says that they would be glad to take this on should i so desire them to.
KB

[Sgt Mike]

Way to go Mr. Kid Bissell. I'm glad that you didn't give up. A BIG atta boy to you.

[Scary Harry]

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[Sgt Mike]

Thanks Harry . And please get off the kickstand or you'll never get anywhere (LOL)

[Scary Harry]

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[Sgt Mike]

Harry;
Thanks a million for your last post. You see, my wife is somewhat apprehensive about my getting a bike, she says that I'm to old and that I haven't ridden in such a long time that I'm asking for trouble. I'm going to make her read this post to prove to her that as long as one is mentally and physically fit, one is not to old to ride. How could I be to old at 62 years young? I work out 3 days a week and I feel super. My first priority is to take a Motorcycle Safety Course ASAP. Have a great day.

And no, you were not out of place. I hope than I'm not.

[jukief]

I love your post, Scary Harry!

My dad is 74. When he was in his 20s, he owned a couple of HDs (knuckles), but he hasn't ridden a motorcycle in many years. I was trying to get him to try out my 800 when I first got it, but he said he'd be too nervous. Said he couldn't even remember where all the controls were. He's in fabulous shape, too. He recently gave up flying and driving an RV because of heart problems, but he's had bypass surgery since and he's in top shape now. I think he'd have a blast if he got back on a bike. I'm going to tell him about you.

It's also nice to know that people are still riding at your age. I just turned 50 and have gotten back into riding after a 20-year hiaitus. I hope to have many years of riding ahead of me. You're an inspiration!

Julie

[Sgt Mike]

Julie;
Tell your dad to go for it. I had a quadruple bypass this past Arpil 14th, I'm gonna ride as long as my health holds up. I want and need that old feeling of riding again.

Mike

[Scary Harry]

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