More C-14 issues!!?

[killingbugs]

I was a the Kawasaki dealer yesterday and he has been trying to sell me one of his Concours 14's. He starts to brag about selling the non-ABS model so all he has left is the ABS. We walk around the place, talking and I spot the non-ABS model in the shop, some of the plastic is off of it and no one was working on it. So I says "whats up with the Concours". He says "Oh the new owner was riding it Sunday, stopped for a cool drink and when he comes out the KIPASS goes AWOL on him....The bike will not let him turn the key. The KIPASS battery is "new" but the KIPASS unit on the Concours is DEAD!!!

SOOOO he is waiting on Kawasaki to send him a new unit from JAPAN to replace the dead one on the bike   I would be very very VERY unhappy to have my bike sitting waiting on the unit. All the while paying payments and interest on the bike!

It gets better!  Today the salesman calls and wants to make me a deal on the non-ABS model...The one in the shop? Yes! The "new" owner has decided he wants a bike with a real key!!! So he has traded it for a Vulcan  Now he wants to deal me the bike...after he gets the part installed.  I'm not sure I'm interested any more. I've heard of a final drive failure and several rear tire pressure sensors failing (parts shipping on the same slow boat from Japan) I guess I better tune up the old ST and Concours for now...

[swimmer]

You say "more", what are the other issues?

[BuckeyeInNC]

That is very interesting as it is the first that I have heard of the KIPASS system actually stranding a bike.  Let's hope that it is a unique (rare) situation.  Would you mind cross posting that on the councours forum?  At:

http://www.concours.org/forum/default.asp

You can find discussions there of the other issues that the bike may have.  The "issues" that have been raised so far are more of an intentional design rather than failure.  Personally, I think the bike design itself is very sound and only needs minor tweaking to make it comfortable to the particular rider as does any bike.

There was one report of a final drive failure, but that was quickly debunked as a fraudulent report.

I haven't seen any reports of a rear tire pressure sensor failing AFTER leaving the dealership.  If they aren't set up properly from the factory or the dealership they won't work.

[jschmidt]

One unit doesn't constitute an issue.

[Ridin Again]

I'm starting to feel left out of all the fun!  My C14 has been flawless.......  Guess I must have drawn the short straw.  

[Smurfslayer]

One unit doesn't constitute an issue.

It does when it's your bike.

[JoBu]

I'm starting to feel left out of all the fun!  My C14 has been flawless.......  Guess I must have drawn the short straw.  

You need to try harder...  

[T-Rex12]

I guess I'm in the same boat. No Issues at all. I also enjoyed 800 mile ride this weekend.

[scott-sts]

It's funny how some systems that have been in cars for years suddenly develop problems when applied to motorcycles.

[highside]

It's funny how some systems that have been in cars for years suddenly develop problems when applied to motorcycles.

As an ownership group I think we are a lot better at whining than most.

Schmidt is right, a single failure is not an issue. Besides, I bet more than one bike has been stranded due to a key-related problem than all the KIPASS failures rolled together. Hell, I almost snapped the key off in my SVs ignition a month ago, is that a design failure too?

[Motornoggin]

It does when it's your bike.

Indeed it does!

[Bounce]

It's funny how some systems that have been in cars for years suddenly develop problems when applied to motorcycles.

not unusual at all. the environment of a motorcycle is much more punishing than that of an auto.

[Motornoggin]

As an ownership group I think we are a lot better at whining than most.

Schmidt is right, a single failure is not an issue. Besides, I bet more than one bike has been stranded due to a key-related problem than all the KIPASS failures rolled together. Hell, I almost snapped the key off in my SVs ignition a month ago, is that a design failure too?

I had ignition/key issues with an old kan-o-tuna TWICE! First time was an attempted theft, the would be theives used a slide hammer and destroyed the tumbler, but were scared off before they could complete the heist. Second time I ended up losing both keys. Had to have a locksmith cut a key by trial and error. Took a couple hours but was cheaper than a new lock/key set.

Point is, having a key doesn't mean you are imune to problems.

[jschmidt]

Actually, if the technology works, I'll bet there would be a lower failure rate for electronic locks than for mechanical ones. That's certainly turned out to be true for car door locks.

[scott-sts]

I wasn't aware there was a problem with keys.

[Bounce]

I wasn't aware there was a problem with keys.

just damned hard to find any place on a typical sport-touring bike to carry a key or two without being noticed by the locals or DEA.

[jschmidt]

just damned hard to find any place on a typical sport-touring bike to carry a key or two without being noticed by the locals or DEA.

But with exhausts getting bigger...

Just sayin...

[swimmer]

One unit doesn't constitute an issue.

That was my point in my post.  I don't think his post is legitimate.  Just like the FD failure (on the C14) post.

[killingbugs]

I'm sorry to say that the KIPASS failure is real if you want the dealer phone number or the salesmans name PM me and I can hook you up. (I feel like I was called a liar on the internet! )

[jschmidt]

Not at all. We merely pointed out that your report of a single failure is no evidence that there is a problem with the C14. Any part on a motorcycle can fail. Until it starts failing with regularity and repeatability, it means nothing.