[Blitzkrieg]

I'm starting to get pissed concerning some of the quality control issues I've had on the ZX12 (or more appropriately the dealer that set it up):

1) Bottom battery case cover screw missing and stripped, 1 loose.
2) Tank lower swivel bolt loose and ready to fall out.
3) Numerous rattles - most of which were from the tin cover on the gas tank.
4) Right front turn signal fell off this weekend while washing bike (it appears that the screw on the support bracket was never tightened and that it was just the rubber boot holding it in)
5) None of the Uni-link grease fittings had been touched.

Now I have pretty much decided that the dealer I bought it from and/or the setup person didn't give a crap, but has anybody else been experiencing this kind of b.s.?

I'm sort of a perfectionist and this is really starting to piss me off and make me wonder what else wasn't done right....

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[easyrider]

I think most dealers are not going to live up to very high standards, I am sure there are exceptions, but my experience has shown me that the majority are terrible, specifically with details.
From dealer problems I have started doing more the work on my ZX-12R myself (with very good starting help from N102SR), I am not a mechanic but with a service manual and people on this board combined with a bit of common sense, nothing is that bad. The bonus is I get the satisfaction and confidence that the job is done right.

I would pick up a torque wrench, order a service manual and the money you save from taking it to a dealer spend it on tools.

Just my opinion, but I am picky as well and don't like things falling off (front fender, screws, bolts) and a few others such as :- no rear shock lube after 4 visits and 6000miles, scratched fairing, scratched/gouged Stock Ti Canister, gouged swing arm down to metal, broken Ti bolt in hole on Canister Flange, rear wheel alignment out BIG TIME! after 2 tires, misinformation about how the 12 works, denying Recall bulletins without checking them out, etc. etc.). They have done some good things such as a home call to fix a warped brake disc, which was incredible, but does not make up for permanent damage on the bike without paying for repairs.



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[Blitzkrieg]

I completely agree with you Easy. I actually have a motorcycle mechanics certificate from way back in my jr./sr. years of high school (before I realized my true calling), and I still do ALL my own work including valve adjustments, and so on. Not to save money, but because of incompetence (not always, but frequently) that I've experienced when my bikes have gone to a shop.

What I am pissed about is the things like delivery, or warranty work which I cannot control. For instance the shop I used for my 500 miler (which is small, and SO FAR I think a pretty good outfit) refuses to let me just bring in the tank for the damn recall.

Liability and making sure the job was done right is the reasoning.

These are the things that really tick me off. There was an old saying "Everytime I take my bike into the shop, the mechanics tool box weighs 2 pounds more".

Good, qualified mechanics withstanding and take no offense (but have you ever met someone who will tell you he is a mediocre mechanic???).... LOL (I think)

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[Guest]

Blitz,
I hear ya bro, my dealer did a fuckin' shit job setting my bike up, I would've given the wrench to Stevie Wonder before any of them fuckin' boneheads.
1. Missing bolt for lower fairing support bracket
2. countless loose nuts and bolts (can't fuckin' believe I've been riding it!)
3. Turn signal brackets not put on
4. etc. etc. etc.

I'm only 20 and don't have much experience working on bikes most of my work is on cars, but I'm almost kinda glad they did a shitty job so I could get to know the bike inside and out.

There's no way in hell I'm taking it to them for the valve adjustment so I can have some dumb fuckin' 25 year-old punk giving it the Ferris Bueller joy ride

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[Guest]

Sounds unanimous. I'm no skilled mechanic either, but have learned to do things I didn't used to do. I too am very picky regarding my 12, way it came (01 new in August) shows the dealer just didn't give a shit. Lost 3 screws 1st two weeks. At 600 mile service the asshole dealer gave me a bunch of crap when I told them to use mobil 1 mx4t synthetic. Told me it would screw up the bike. Rode it home, dumped the oil, and put in the synthetic myself. If I could find other stuff that would "screw up" the bike as well as the synthetic, I'd use it too. I now do all the work to mine, just hope I don't need any warranty work done. Wouldn't know where to take it.

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[Guest]

Ninja,
I'm no fuckin' brain surgeon, but even at 20 I think I know more about my 12 than any mechanic in my neighborhood, shit the best guy around here told me to get a slip on cause a full Akro would hurt performance, not help it.

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[Guest]

LMFAO

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[ZX12richard]

I was also told leave it alone you cant make it run better than the factory..........I said Bullshit its gonna run one way or the other if I have to juice (NOS) it........ Richard

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[Blitzkrieg]

Hey Silver, I'm with your comments except...Stevie Wonder has more money than all the swinging dicks who surf this site put together. Hate to break it to you dude, but he don't have to wrench on bikes....LOL

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[Barbarian-CBX]

I checked over my 12R real well while it was on the showroom floor. It had a few minor scratches on the windscreen, but, looked OK otherwise. I took it in for 600 mile service and I think all they did was change the oil and filter. The chain was dry and loose (about 2.5"). I'm buying a service manual and do what I can. How can we get service bulletins? Maybe Easy can post them if they're not copyright protected.

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[Lou zx12r]

I have had the same problems as you all speak of. I purchased and extended warrantee along with a full service maintenance plan for $1250.00 Here is what I was told I would get.
1. 24 hour turn around on all service (providing the parts were readily available)
2. all scheduled maintenance for 3 years
3. superb service, individual attention
4. 3 year extended warrantee
5. Extra attention to leverage Kawasaki for what ever I needed

Here is what I got
1. 600 mile service one week’s wait and 2 days for the service. I asked for a screw in the front fender, one on my plate, shield was lose, sticker and an oil change.
When I picked it up the screws were still missing, the shield was still lose and no sticker. As for the oil they assured me they had done it. I took it home and did it myself just to be sure.

2. Informed them of my clutch noise problem
They said there was nothing to do. After complaining it took 2 weeks to get it in the shop. Kawasaki allowed them to rill out the clutch basket (it worked). Then was told that I was so lucky that they did it as a favor for me. What favor it was costing me $1250.00

3. took a 2 week trip through Main, New Hampshire, Vermont, etc.. noticed that the bike would not hold an idle. Mentioned that they said there is nothing wrong so there is nothing to do. This was after avoiding me for 2 weeks.

Boy did I stop paying the service plane I purchased real fast! I now have a service manual and do as much of my own work. What I can't do I go to another shop that at least so far humors me about the repairs I want. OH YA! this new shop is trying to get me a new ECU which is supposed to fix an elevation problem that they believe may have been my problem.

Dealers in my area suck! For the money I spent they act as if they are doing me a favor!


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[Guest]

On the ride home with my new 12R,I kept hearing a "clunck" when on the front brake. I went back and they said it was the semi-floating brake discs doing it.Did'nt seem right,so when I got home i got out the tool box and started checking everything.I grabbed the front fender and it almost came off in my hand. 1 screw gone,the second almost gone.I found everything else I checked to be tight.The steering head bolt(cap?) had some kind of goop on it,so I went to wipe it off and the cap was loose!!I sat on the bike and rocked in with the f brake on and sure enough thats where the noise was coming from.Not good on a 200mph bike,huh?So I went back and they torgued it down and I haven't had any problems since.

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[Guest]

I forgot to mention that I could move my chain 3 FUCKIN INCHES UP AND DOWN when I got the bike, I was so pissed.

PS-if you guys need parts go to this site, don't order them from your dealer www.ronayers.com

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[Guest]

MarkCBXX1zx12r

Dude, if you need me to photo copy some shit from my manual, let me know and I'll email it to ya

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[Barbarian-CBX]

Silver01bullit, Sounds like a winner and I appreciate it. Will let you know. Thanks again.

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[Barbarian-CBX]

Status?