Help !!!!!

[Texasut_cowboy]

I have a problem and I am hoping someone out there can help me. I took my VN 2000 Classic into the shop due to a very loud annoying chirping sound that is emitting from the bike during lower and higher speeds. I have become very distressed with Kawasaki over this issue. The bike was checked out at the shop for about a week and a half before the shop called me and told me to come pick it up. I picked it up and began driving home, at which time the sound was still there. I took the bike back to the shop and told them the problem still exists. One of the techs took his bike out on the highway next to mine to see if he could hear the sound while he was riding near me. Now keep in mind his bike was at least twenty feet or more away from mine at all times and he was wearing a full-face helmet. When we got back to the shop the tech told me he could hear the loud squealing or chirping sound coming from my bike as I was riding. The tech took my bike out by himself and returned a short time later saying he heard the same sound at lower speeds and higher speeds. The same tech told me that he was going to take a brand new 08 VN2000 Classic off the floor and drive it to see if it was a normal sound. After a short time the tech returned with a new bike and said the bike had no sounds similar to mine while he was riding it and the sound from my bike wasn't a normal sound. I left the bike at the shop to be worked on. Before I left the shop I saw several techs put my bike up on a lift in the shop and start it to listen for the sound. I could hear the high pitch chirping sound through the shop doors with them closed as they increased the speeds. After a while another Tech came into the waiting area and told me he didn't think the sound was coming from the belt. He stated he thought the sound was internal and was coming from the primary drive. The tech told me to leave the bike at the shop so he could try to work on it, and I did. I kept in contact with the shop and spoek to the lead tech a couple times. teh tech told me that Kawasaki kept tellingt the shop it was a problem with the belt that caused the noise and also said my placing a windshiel on the bike amplified this noise. The bike was at the shop for about another week or two when I received the final call from the lead tech telling me that Kawasaki wouldn't approve the shop to do anything else to the bike except the belt. He said Kawasaki gave them a list of instructions to quiet the belt. He again said he didn't believe the problem was coming from the belt, but did everything Kawasaki suggested and the problem was still there. I told him I had a problem with the bike making a loud squealing noise like this when I just purchased it about ninety days earlier. he stated Kawasaki would not authorize the shop to do any other work to the bike and was insistant the problem was with the belt. He stated there was an article Kawasaki put out about belt noise and in the same article there was a small blurb where they touched on sounds coming from the straight gears. he stated kawasaki didn't highlight any of the issues with the sound from the straight gears, but they did mention it. he said he thought my issue was one with the straight gears. He stated Kawasaki hasn't said much about this problem and continues to blame the belt issue for the sounds. He suggested I call customer relations to file a formal complaint to see if Kawasaki would do anything. He stated I would most likely get the run around, but it was a necessary thing for me to do. I called Customer relations and in fact did get the run around. I was told by a very unprofessional rep that the issue was in deed the belt and nothing could be done except cleaning and placing some sort of spray on the belt to quiet it. The rep told me that I bought the bike with the belt and the issue was my problem not Kawasaki's. I explained to the rep I just purchased the bike within less then ninety days and there was no reason why I should be having these sort of problems with a new bike. The rep again told me it was my problem. I told the rep the tech said the problem with the sound sounded to him like it was internal and may be a problem with the primary drive. He told me that the shop could open the engine on the bike with my approval, but if nothing was found to be wrong that was a warranty issue I would be held responsible for paying the cost of the bill. i tried to explain to the rep I am a customer not a tech and I rely on the information the techs provide to me, so in retrospect I didn't understand how if I relied on the information a professional tech was givin me, I would have to be the one who decided if the bike needed to be checked internally. Needless to say I called the tech back and eventually went to the shop and picked my bike up. I rode the bike home sixty miles and it was still making the same god awful squealing sound. The sound wouldn't be a problem if it wasn't so damn loud and people around me could hear it. I would appreciate anyone’s input because I have a hard time paying for a fourteen thousand dollar bike and being told I have to accept this flaw in the bike. I should have kept my Suzuki M109 instead of trading it for this bike. I am very displeased with the service Kawasaki has exhibited and I want to do something about it so someone else doesn't have to have these same issues. Everyone wants to go out riding with friends and you don't want that to be spoiled by a loud *** squealing or chirping sound from your bike as your riding down the road. I have parked the bike and haven't ridden it since I brought it home. I want to but the sound is unbelievably loud and embarrassing.

I know I have rambled on but I am hoping someone else may have had the same issues and can give me some advise as to what I need to do from here, because Kawasaki isn't helping..

[jbsmd]

Since you will get no help from Kawi...is it possible to get consumer affairs involved...I know what I'm trying to say just not sure how to put it. Kinda like a lemon law thing. If it can't be fixed after so many attempts...If they insist it is the belt. If it is internal, are they saying the fix is not going to cost you? If it is absolutely not the belt, what are the chances of it not being internal? After spending that much for the bike, what would be the point of keeping it as a memento and not being able to ride it.

[Charlie Gary]

Maybe the BBB can help.

[antiq]

I'd take it back to the shop and have them remove the belt and run it to see if the noise remains. If it does record it and keep calling the Kaw reps.

[antiq]

On second thought. Take it back to dealer and insist they replace it with another. Angry customers are bad for business. Be there until the problem is resolved.

[Texasut_cowboy]

Yeah I am taking that next step but under the lemon law I have to take the bike into the shop three times in a years time for the same problem and then another three times after the first year before it can qaulify under the law. They tell me if I give them the authorization to open the engine to see if soemthing is wrong internally I will be responsible for the bill if a warranty defect isn't located. I don't understand this becuase I am not a qualified technician to make that determination and I rely on their techs to make that decision. Thanks for the input...

[Texasut_cowboy]

I am checking that option out right now about contacting the attorney generals office to lodge a complaint, but I wanted to see if anyone else had this problem or had any better ideas before I went outside Kawasaki.. I appreciate the info..

[Texasut_cowboy]

Yeah I am fighting that issue right now I asked them if they replaced the belt and they haven't. It doesn't seem like they are willing to do change the belt either and they tell me itwill not be covered under warranty or my maitenance plan, so i would have to foot the cost of the bill.. Yeah I wish Kawasaki felt that way about angry customers being bad for business but they seem like they don't care..

[techy]

Did it make the noise when you bought it? I'm guessing not, so take it back on a Sat., when they have a lot of customers and make some noise. They don't like potential customers, hearing this stuff.
It is not supposed to make that noise. Mention that even Harley can make a belt drive that's quiet.

[Joram]

Texasut_cowboy,

Try posting this same question at the VROC forum also. They have a lot of knowlegeable folks there also that might be able to help.

Damn shame to hear your story. I would definately make a fuss at the dealership and call Kaw back and talk to another rep. Elevate it up to their supervisor.

Also try going to another dealership in the area or local shop. You might find a more knowledgable machanic.

PS. please ignore the bad spelling